To take SSRI or not to take SSRI

[Realitea]

I had 6 months of severe anxiety following an operation and stress and just not dealing with having GAD
It scared me a lot I was beginning to think I'd never get better. I didn't recognise myself!
I've got there now, I feel like me again and only go back to being anxious if its PMT time and then I'm back to normal. I do wonder if it's pmdd as the lows are extremely low and i've even tried leaving my DH at these times and feeling suicidal a couple of times but more anxious about the fact I might feel that way iyswim!
I've been fine for the past 3-4 weeks (I'm due PMT any day now)
I'm not sure if it's to do with the fact I started taking evening primrose oil but there's a difference so far.
Anyway I have an appointment tomorrow to see the GP about starting sertraline just to make sure it doesn't all come back but then it might not! I thought if I do start it I should probably start taking it while I'm feeling good as it can make you worse. I hear so many scare stories though saying that it can make you suicidal, etc and I don't know if I want to knowingly make myself worse when I might not even need it now.
What do I do! I feel like cancelling the appointment!

[FoofooLeSnoo]

Hi, I took an agnus castus supplement for very low moods related to pmt. It seems work very well. I'm too, debating whether to start an SSRI but I'm not sure how bad I should feel before I use them. It's kind of my last resort. My low mood at the moment is due to my situation with my marriage so might pick up, or get worse depending.
Ssris are linked to increased suicide risk, however as I understand it, it's more to do with an already suicidal person's mood being lifted just enough for them to get the motivation to carry out suicide. I'm no expert though.

[fassone]

Everyone reacts differently. I was never suicidal until I started on an SSRI. Was one of the unlucky ones to get high agitation and total insomnia from it.

Hormones work better on PMDD than anything else. Have you spoken to a gynae?

[Realitea]

I cancelled the appointment. I have Angus castus but haven't started it yet as just seeing how it goes with evening primrose oil. I think I should start it though as it takes a while to kick in, I've heard.
SSRI's are definitely a last resort. I think I'll give it another cycle or two, to see how it works out.
I was interested to see the nhs website even said Angus castus is helpful so it must have some real benefits.
I'd love to speak to a gynae but getting to see one through the nhs is so hard. I've read that oestrogen gel is the best but it's possible I have GAD anyway and it could just be that my cycle just makes it worse. So hard to get a certain diagnosis! If it is GAD, I don't think Angus castus would do much. So confusing

[lmorton6]

Hi All,


Looking for similar advice.
I was on cotalopram on and off for 5 years and stopped when I fell pregnant.
I was fine from then until now. The past few weeks I've experienced extreme anxiety and "obtrusive and obsessive thoughts" - something I've never experienced before, it's been awful for the past two weeks!
I went to the GP and then saw a psych at a mother and baby unit. They've prescribed me 50mg sertraline once a day and 25mg quetiapine 3 times a day.
I'm 35 weeks pregnant tomorrow and started the medication today.
Has anyone had any bad side effects for themselves or baby when taking either of these?
I asked about side effects for baby and was simply told "no, baby will be fine. We will monitor for withdrawals but that's just standard practise if any woman has been on an antidepressant or pain relief during pregnancy".

Any insight would be fab!



Lorna x

[Realitea]

Lorna, intrusive thoughts are common - Google 'dr seif intrusive thoughts' it really helps!