Why only a week of AD's?

[norksinmywaistband]

soon to be ExH has been to see his GP and has been given a referral for counselling and a weeks supply of AD's.

Surely he needs more than a weeks supply, if he is depressed?

[starlight99]

it takes at least 2 weeks for these drugs to start taking effect. It would be ridiculous to prescribe just a week's worth.

Are you sure it was an AD, not a benzo, like valium?

[madmouse]

GP will want to see him again, normally after two weeks, maybe GP feels the need to be more cautious in this case

[notnowbernard]

So he can be closely monitored and reviewed by GP

GP may want to change dose of AD after 1 week (do you know what AD it is?)

Some Gwill only px 1 week worth if there are comcerns over self-harm etc

[norksinmywaistband]

He said it began with an S. He does have another Dr's appointment next week

[norksinmywaistband]

I am sure he has told them he has considered suicide as he has told me this

[starlight99]

could be citalopram - sounds like an "S"
They usually prescribe this one first.

Could be why he's only got a week's worth - if he is suicidal.

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

GP often prescribe short courses in the first instance, do you think he would have reason to be extra cautious? Also, which AD? some of them have nasty side effects that may need checking up on after a week

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

Is it Seroxat?

[notnowbernard]

Sertraline

'Seroxat' - Venlafaxine

Citalopram

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

Keep a close eye on him. Any anti-depressant (though particularly citalopram and seroxat) and increase the severity of the depression in the first 1-2 weeks. Don't want to worry you, but my doc insisted that my DP read the side-effects leaflet when I went on citalopram so he knew to watch out for me if I got worse.

hth

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

sorry, can increase, not and increase.

[norksinmywaistband]

Thanks for the possible reasoning, I am not in a position to keep an eye on him- we are separated and in the process of divorce. I am not even that convinced he is depressed - sorry if that sounds harsh but I think he is just facing the realisation of his actions.

I also am not convinced he IS suicidal - he knows it is a trigger point for me as that is how I lost my mother, and I feel he is being manipulative because of that.

He is however a convincing liar

I only worry about these things as he has the DC overnight for the next 2 nights and has no other support. I worry about them more than him.

Sorry if it is innappropriate to talk about it in this way as I know that being believed is a sensitive issue on this topic, but I have a lot of personal experience in MH issues. Bipolar in family, cousin is schizophrenic, mother committed suicide and I have had PND. I just do not believe he has a problem other than guilt.

[norksinmywaistband]

He is on 50mg sertraline. Had no idea of side effects as claims mdication came with no leaflet??

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

PIL on sertraline

HTH

meds ALWAYS come with a leaflet, he is talking crap. Maybe the GP doesn't believe he is depressed and is giving him only a week to see how he reacts to it.

How old are your DC, do you think he will be Ok with them?

[norksinmywaistband]

Dc are 3&4. I just txt him to day if he gets side effects to ring me and I will collect DC, he said that he didn't know about side effects, asked if he had read the leaflet, he said there wasn't one.

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

am dubious about this, there is no way a pharmacist would dispense drugs without the leaflet. his GP should have spoken to him about it to. Maybe forward him the link to it? Sertraline is a good drug, I didn't have any side effects with it at all.

sorry if i'm being presumptious.

you could go to a pharmacy tomorrow and ask them for a leaflet for sertraline, i'm sure they'd be able to help you.

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

from the PIL

"4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, sertraline tablets can have side effects. These include feeling sick, diarrhoea, upset stomach, loss of appetite, indigestion, feeling shaky (tremor), dizziness, not being able to sleep, feeling sleepy, sweating, dry mouth and a change in sex function (ejaculatory delay in males).
Occasionally other effects have been reported which include problems with your blood pressure causing vomiting, stomach pain, rapid heart beat and dizziness on standing, problems with vision; loss of memory, headache, drowsiness, uncontrollable twitching or jerking movements, tingling, numbness, confusion, feeling agitated or aggressive, hallucinations, mania, nervousness, panic attacks, personality changes, feeling depressed, anxiety; fits; joint or muscle pain; inflammation of the pancreas and liver problems including hepatitis, jaundice, and liver failure; not being able to pass water; irregular periods, lack of orgasm and discharge of milk from the nipples; rash, easy bruising, itching and sensitivity to light; blood problems and abnormal bleeding; feeling unwell.
When you stop taking the tablets you may experience withdrawal effects such as dizziness, tingling, sleep disturbances, agitation and anxiety, headache, shaking, nausea and vomiting. These should disappear within a few days.
Very rarely patients have experienced suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm. PLEASE TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU DO.
Rarely allergic reactions can occur."

[norksinmywaistband]

Thanks for the link, will speak to the pharmacist tomorrow.

I Am concerned if he was given this medication without full infomation, I warned him not to drink with them even though at the time I didn't know what they were - he didn't even know that!!

Am worried I am just being drawn in as he is a good bullshitter.

still worry about dc though

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

good luck, hope it goes OK.

btw, drank lots on sertraline, i'm still here.

Are you sure about DC going there atm, with him on new drugs? I think you'd be justified keeping them with you for the next week or so?

[norksinmywaistband]

No I am not sure but he only told me about the medication once the dc were in the car ready to go. They were so excited to be going and tbh we have had tears up til now so didn't want to drag them out.
Have spoken to his mother{blush] and she is coming down tomorrow so will keep an eye on him, and he had promised me if he feels bad he will ring all very well but I hardly trust a word he says, still at least his Dm will keep an eye for me

[madmouse]

50mg!!!!! in the first week? No leaflet? Hmm, double hmm.

[FourArms]

I think my first dosage of sertraline was 50mg. Maybe no leaflet because of short course? I got three days worth a few weeks ago (was away on hol and forgot my tablets) and they came without a leaflet.

[IMoveTheStarsForNoOne]

normal first dose of sertraline is 50mg. Sounds a lot though, doesn't it.

Other ADs are different (eg first dose of citalopram was 10mg)

[GetDownYouWillFall]

yes the starting dose of lofepramine is 70mg - they are all different.

[madmouse]

ok, thanks for the necessary education - my dh is on 10mg and I thought 10 or 20 was the norm for all - that'll teach me