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Mental health

please give me some advice on AD's

165 replies

scribbles1980 · 01/04/2016 18:33

Depressed now since November. Life really getting me down. I don't feel suicidal but just want to run away.
No enjoyment in life at all.
Back to the doctors on Monday. Thinking of asking for ads .
I'm frightened after reading that they can make you feel worse & side effects.
Please can anyone share your positive stories.
Thanks

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Barbie1 · 01/04/2016 18:38

Hello
Firstly well done for recognising that you need to seek doctors advice. That's a massive step.

I started on ad's two months ago.

To be honest the first three days were horrendous and I nearly stopped there and then. I was spaced out, dizzy, sick, jaw clenching and not sleeping.

However after three days I felt normal. No side effects at all.

Life is easier. I'm less anxious and my children are happier to see me happy too.

Here if you want to chat

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mopants · 01/04/2016 18:45

Same here. First few days are horrible as you adjust to them but definitely worth sticking with them. Coincidentally I am starting back on them today. I won't plan to be on them for more than a few months but they help give me the kick up the backside to get out of the suicidal thoughts, crying all over the place and generally being a horrible person to be around

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Barbie1 · 01/04/2016 18:50

I would recommend starting at the lowest dose and working up of you need to, apperantly my doctor said most people start with a high dose and work down and that's where the trouble starts.

50mg for me allows me to feel normal and myself, I still get pmt but who doesn't? I like the fact that I still have feelings, good or bad if that makes sense?

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scribbles1980 · 01/04/2016 19:12

Thank you . That is what I'm frightened of, that I will feel numb. Also weight gain, this will depress me even more.
I know that if I eat right & exercise I will feel better buy I have no energy to do this.
The thought of not sleeping frightens me too.

Just about managing to go through day 2 day us so hard though. I have absolutely no enjoyment in life and even wake up feeling sadSad

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Barbie1 · 01/04/2016 19:25

I hear you on the weight gain. I very nearly declined when she told me it was a side effect.

However I have more energy and two weeks ago started bootcamp 3x a week...even though I have three children under 6 and wake about 4 times a night to feed the baby.

Honestly try it, you will get more energy, you can exercise which is good for fighting depression and you can feel better about yourself

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scribbles1980 · 01/04/2016 19:26

Barbie can I ask which ads you are taking?

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Barbie1 · 01/04/2016 19:30

Sertaline (sp?)

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Purplebluebird · 01/04/2016 19:34

I have been on several different ADs the last 13 years, and they all give you different side effects. I have finally found one that helps me, though it makes me sleepy so I take it in the evening. Try it for a fee months and see how you get on, they can help massively!

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scribbles1980 · 02/04/2016 08:13

Woken up today & just want to cry. Feeling so sad.
This is not fair on my children and DH.
Been reading some threads where people are desperately trying to come off ads. Threads where people say they do not work.
I'm so frightened. Doctors on Monday & I don't know what to do.
Please can I hear some positive stories

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mopants · 02/04/2016 08:30

Take a low dose short term. Shouldn't be an issue to stop but you should be wary of stopping too soon. I take cipramil, have taken sertraline in the past but made me too poorly. I am better on the cipramil. I do also have anxiety issues. Is there Homestart in your area? Would it be worth looking in to seeing if you're eligible for any help. They've been massively helpful for me in the past when my twins were little. Having an adult with me that I could talk to about anything for a couple of hours or that would take the children into the garden or do an activity with them for me while I cooked a proper meal and washed up helped loads. Maybe ask your GP about counselling as well

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scribbles1980 · 02/04/2016 08:55

Children are older. So not a problem looking after them. Just hate them seeing me sad all the time.
I know counselling, exercise, eating well will help. But I have no energy to do any of it.
Thought ads would help but then after reading up I'm so frightened that I will feel worse.
Everyone getting fed up with me.
I just have to pull myself together. But I can't find the energy.
I thought if I start taking ads I will be ok in a few weeks. Now I'm not so sureSad

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mopants · 02/04/2016 09:35

It will help you improve within a few weeks. Just don't think you're feeling better so stop taking them too soon iyswim? They will improve your energy levels too so you will find the energy to go for a short walk or eat an apple instead of a chocolate bar. Obviously talk it over with the GP. They should support you through first few weeks and then support you through stopping the tablets again so you do it properly. I think you need to take them, regardless of a few side effects that may or may not affect you

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Barbie1 · 02/04/2016 09:39

There are so many horror stories but equally there are many people hat have their lives turned around by taking AD's.

You can you feel any worse than you do now? I had nothing to lose, I was rock bottom...

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scribbles1980 · 02/04/2016 09:41

No I can't feel any worse. I wish everyone could see that I don't mean to feel like this. I can't help it.
Just want to sleep. Thank you for your replies.

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PixieChops · 02/04/2016 12:20

I started on citalopram 10mg 3 weeks ago. The first week was pretty rough, I had a mild panic attack (think it was more my body releasing all the pent up anxiety it's been clinging onto for years!) few headaches, dizziness, felt a bit sick and I was quite tired.
Now into my 4th week and omg I wish I would've been on them sooner. I feel so much better. I was being a bitch to everyone around me too and now I'm a lot nicer, I'm more rational and whereas before my memory was terrible it's actually getting better and I can reason properly in my own mind. I no longer get terrible road rage (couldn't drive anywhere without giving someone the finger- I was a fucking nightmare) and I no longer want to get up in the middle of the night and sneak off to a different country.
I'm much happier, please just try them, if you get prescribed 20mg do what I did and cut them in half for the first week and then build up to 20mg that way the side effects won't be as bad (though to be honest the side effects were nowhere near as bad as I was originally feeling and felt they were worth coping with for the end result).
If you want to ask me any questions please feel free to PM me. You don't have to feel like this and there is a way out. If you had a headache you'd take a paracetamol, you've got a serotonin level issue so take ADs.

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scribbles1980 · 02/04/2016 12:56

PixieChops
Thank you so much. That is really positive & just what I needed to hear.
Did you take the tablets in the morning or evening?

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TheoriginalLEM · 02/04/2016 13:16

There are several ADs out there and they suit people in different ways. I have been on them for the best part of 7 years on and off. I am on Escitalopram now and was on citalopram. Mostly for anxiety for me and they work well, although am due a meds review soon and im worried they are going to suggest i stop.

Like others, the first few weeks on citalopram were grim but not unmanagable and then it settled down. The second time i went on them i was prepared for this and asked for diazepam to counter it, but the first time i didn't need it. I skipped from euphoric to panic attack in seconds. Felt a bit nauseous like you feel when you first start taking contraceptive pill.

When i was on 40mg citalopram i was most definately zoned out, i could have walked in front of a bus and not been bothered, not uncaring but just not aware of the danger. I was on this for a while and DP said it was very much a case of the lights on but no one at home. This is why i changed to escitalopram as it allowed me to have a lower dose. Saying that 40mg is a HIGH dose and they definately wont start you on that. 20mg is considered the clinical optimum for most people. They often start you on 10mg then move up to try and avoid the side effects in the first week.

I DID put on weight but i also had a mirena coil fitted at the same sort of time and i put it down to that more than the ADs.

What you are prescribed will depend on what sort of issues you are having, so some meds suit depression more than anxiety and vice verse although you will almost certainly be presribed and SSRI which works on the seretonin producing cells in your brain. Helping them to utilise seretonin more effectively and produce more of their own, rather than just giving you seretonin which wont cross the blood brain barrier (which is why St John's wort is a load of shit and doesn't work! butthats another thread).

Exercise really does help, i have started running and it makes such a difference, but i totally understand the lack of energy at the moment, hopefully when you start to feel more alive you will find the energy for some sort of exercise, but forcing yourself out of the house for a walk for half an hour is something and will definately help. I strongly believe that the weather makes a big difference too - i often get told off for saying this because depression is a serious illness and it sounds minimalising but i promise you i feel so much better in the summer. I think the winter just makes people feel even worse.

Let us know what the doc says, we are here to hold your hand and help you through this.

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sazerashez · 02/04/2016 13:41

I've got a positive ads story.

I was prescribed citalopram 6 weeks ago for low mood and pmdd. The first few days I felt high as a kite but hardly slept. This was for about a week. Then I had a couple of weeks of feeling better mood wise but very spaced out like a zombie. This bit was fine. I didn't enjoy being knackereed but my mood definitely lifted. After about 3/4 weeks it started working a treat.

I've had no weight gain at all. I was extremely anxious about this.

It's given me back my sleep. I am so find who typically went to bed at 10 and then would lie awake from 3 am onwards fretting. I nod sleep through and often get a whole eight hours which is something I haven't done since I was a teenager.

I feel positive about the future. I don't dread social interactions and instead look forward to them.

I don't fret about the future. I feel much more in the moment if that makes sense.

I'm a teacher. It's somehow made my job seen much less overwhelming. I have more patience, I feel braver and badly behaved kids are much more manageable in my new zen like state.

I have more energy. I get stuff done.

Honestly. I wish I'd gone on them before. It's such s relief not to feel that sense of doom. I just feel life is so much more manageable and enjoyable.

I hope this helps.

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sazerashez · 02/04/2016 13:47

Just to add: before the ads I would wake up and the day would feel like a series of obstacles to get through before getting back into bed. I would count down the hours until bed time. I know we all do this to some extent but life just felt like a checklist of tedious chores. I don't feel like that anymore and that's probably the best thing citalopram has given me. I really think you should go for it. You shouldn't have to feel like this.

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Shakey15000 · 02/04/2016 13:49

Whenever I see a question about AD's I always say this-

I had a really bad reaction to Fluoxetine and would urge anyone starting any medication to watch carefully for severe side effects. Also to ask close family (or whoever knows) to monitor reactions as it may not be obvious to yourself.

I do realise they can be wonderful/necessary for many people and that I was unlucky and in a minority. Just to be mindful that there can be adverse effects.

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scribbles1980 · 02/04/2016 14:13

Thank you all so much. You really are helping me with your stories.
sazerashez that is exactly how I have been feeling.
I just want to enjoy life.
Can I ask, did you stop drinking when taking the tablets?. I hardly drink anymore (as this makes me feel worse) but do sometimes have a glass of wine .

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lottielou7 · 02/04/2016 14:23

I'm on sertraline, OP - I started it in November last year. I must say I've found it brilliant. The main side effect I had was feeling very tired. This lasted about 2 weeks. The side effects for me we're certainly worth preserving with the drug. If you take food before, you will find any reaction is not so bad. You will get through it - it's not intolerable. I realise everyone is different but that's just my experience.

All in all I don't know why ADs get such a bad press because they can change your whole perspective on life. I hope you're feeling better soon OP Flowers

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sazerashez · 02/04/2016 14:24

Hi

Yes. I did actually stop drinking. I was slowly winding down alcohol anyway as I find being hungover adds to my anxiety and low mood. Also I can sometimes react badly to alcohol (falling asleep/ memory loss) so I think drinking on ads would be too risky for me. I was speaking to a friend about this and she said she was fine having the odd drink or 3 as she's quite tolerant to alcohol anyway. I on the other hand, am not so don't want to risk it.

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lottielou7 · 02/04/2016 14:25

Also, no weight gain here. I certainly don't feel numb but I do feel far more positive.

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Annarose2014 · 02/04/2016 14:28

This is going back about 15 years but.....

I was initially prescribed lustral and had to go back after a week as I felt more depressed, not less.

Dr blithely said "Yeah, Lustral doesn't work for everyone" Hmm

He prescribed fluoxetine. Within 3 days it was like I was shedding a hard skin and my old personality was lying underneath. I couldn't believe it - I'd actually forgotten what I'd been like. I felt 100% my old self and had no weight/sleep issues. I just started to cope with things without crumbling 10 times a day. My resilience returned. And my sense of humour.

It saved my ass. Certainly saved my personal relationships. I owe it everything and wouldn't hesitate to go back on it if the depression returned.

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