Can anyone say anything to help me alleviate my totally fear of antidepressants - could they possibly turn my life around?

[Fairytoast]

Although I have suffered from anxiety all of my life I’ve always turned down the offer of antidepressants as I fear them greatly. Over the years I have tried (literally) all alternatives and have spent a small fortune on therapy, supplements, alternative therapies etc but very little has had a massive or long lasting impact.

I have reached a point in my life (well, if I’m honest it’s been the last 6 years - they have been hell) where I am completely and utterly consumed by this anxiety (and if I’m honest, depression too). It’s on a day to day basis and the only relief from it is sleep.

I have terrible health anxiety along side all of this which is probably my main reason for shying away from AD’s, any slight side effect sends me into a frenzy.

The other huge issue that I have is my daily gut problems (25+ years diagnosis of IBS). These digestive problems control my life. I can not emphasise enough just how controlling these gut issues are for me (mentally and physically). Again, I have tried everything available to ease this but my gut/brain connection is strong and I am starting to believe only antidepressants can break this but I am petrified they will upset my stomach even further, especially as the main side effects of AD’s appear to be diarrhoea of which I have a huge phobia over.

Can anyone help ease these fears, have you taken antidepressants and they have made you life better? I really don’t want to go into the later years of my life continuing to be consumed and controlled by my mind and body. I help care for my dm who suffers from Alzheimer’s and I need to be strong for that and atm I am not.

I tried venlafaxine recently, it gave me chronic constipation and messed up my periods. It stopped me sleeping and the higher the dose the less it seemed to help my anxiety whilst making them worse.

however. This is the big thing. I’m not you. For thousands it works, for thousands it’s magic. Speak to the doctors, trust them, if you have adverse side affects talk to them about it.

@Fairytoast I saw this article today & think you'll find it useful. Talks directly about how to improve IBS & anxiety, through anti depressants & other ways

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/gut-health/ibs-complete-guide/

https://archive.ph/F33bh

Fab, thank you.

I took them some time ago, total game changer. In the same way you'd allow a splint or a cast if you broke a bone, even though your bone might fuse back together on its own, anti-depressants will just give your levels a boost until you can do it for yourself again. They don't work overnight, but they do work and you don't have to take them forever xx

They are an absolute game changer, particularly with perimenopausal anxiety. Your gut issue may well be linked or even the cause of your anxiety; the gut is the 'second brain'.
Please take the medication you need to recover x.

I've been on them about 3 months. Felt terrible at first (shaky, severe nausea, insomnia, bad dreams) but now I'm ok. The lead up to my period was awful, with mood swings as well. That's all stopped now. I'm much more chilled out, never cry. Anxiety has reduced massively. I don't take offense and don't get angry. I was in a bad place before I took them. They've helped me lots.

Could you ask for a low dose of propranolol? I don't think it has many side effects x

First few weeks bad side effects but since then ADs have absolutely changed my life. Almost no anxiety anymore and my depression episodes are few and far between. Really takes the edges off! Has improved my relationships and work no end. 50mg sertraline daily. Speak to your GP about your health anxiety and how to manage that with side effects. Worth trying!

I’m on mirtazapine and have zero side effects. They help me sleep and eat.

I'm also on 15mg mirtazapine and it helps loads with anxiety and sleep. No side affects apart from increased appetite but I have to just control what I eat and tbh the advantages way, way outweigh that.

If you had poor eyesight would you try glasses

If you were partially deaf would you try hearing aids

If you were diabetic would you try insulin therapy

You can see where I'm going here....try them.

Similar here - my meno anxiety got so bad I could not work, drive, or leave the house some days. I was scared I would not work properly again. I was very against going on ADs at first but felt so bad I decided to try them. I take Sertraline and HRT. Totally gave me my life back.

Thank you everyone, I have my appointment with the GP tomorrow I will go through all my options with her.

I will also ask about propranolol Whatdoido1987

I think that, deep down, my main concern is fear these medications could harm my long term brain health. My mum has Alzheimer’s and we will probably never know why she succumbed to such a dreadful disease but I do know that she was on Valium for quite some time when I was a young child, I have found there is some evidence that these drugs, along with some other common older style antidepressants can cause dementia. Caring for my mum has left me in terrified of getting dementia.

But I also know that I need quality of life in the hear and now, which I don’t really have right now so I need to weigh up risks and benefits I suppose.

Valium is a different class of drug to SSRIs. All the best for your appointment tomorrow. I found starting on half the usual starting dose helped. I took citalopram, which I found quite gentle compared to some others I'd tried to start.

I’ve had crippling anxiety for several months. Two weeks on a low dose anti depressant and it has gone entirely.

First few weeks are rough but then they are life-changing. They can also help gut issues, there was a study recently on it.
the dementia you’re worried about above.. really that’s all part of your health anxiety. Try ADs and I bet it lessens.

I was like you. For several years I carried crippling anxiety and depression. After coming close to a breakdown late last year I finally bit the bullet and went on sertraline. I'm now so cross with myself that I refused it for so long. It's genuinely utterly life changing. I feel like I've been in a mental cage and the ADs have unlocked it. I'm me again. Modern medicine is amazing!

I went to see my GP 3 weeks ago as i was struggling with anxiety and being tearful and pretty pissed off with the meno.

im 3 weeks in on Sertaline (50mg) and my sleep is much better and im a bit more chilled.

no side effects apart from tiredness, i haven't cried fir 3 weeks. Such a relief just talking to her.

i also have bowel issues and i haven't had a decent shit since being on these. im seriously thinking the bowel issues weren't IBS but linked to my anxiety

dont be scared x

Hey @Fairytoast
Just a note to say good luck for tomorrow.
I’m a fellow Sertraline person - only on the smallest dose, but it’s totally made my life better. I was like you, really anxious about taking it, but I was a first time mum in lockdown and none of my strategies for dealing with anxiety were working. So I went with it, and it made me feel human again. I really hope you find something that works.

How did you get on @Fairytoast?

Thanks for your advice and help everyone.

Bookishnerd thanks for asking. I’m starting on Setraline. I’m not going to start them until half term when my dd will be off and I have some days off work so hopefully can stay at home if I have any unwanted side effects in the first week.

Good kick. Post if you need support.

I’ve been taking antidepressants for 30 years now. Absolutely great. No side effects and changed my life. I don’t understand what you’re afraid of though so I can’t advise. I believe in taking medication for conditions as required so would always suggest trying things.

Op, how did this turn out? I'm in the same boat as you and have been given citalopram to try. I am going to start tomorrow, they've given me 10mg but I've cut the tablet in half as I want to start with 5mg for a few days just to prove to myself that nothing bad will happen to me as I'm terrified of side effects. I also have IBS, plus reflux and emetophobia so I'm worried it will make me nauseous and my stomach worse, I'm also shit scared of dizziness, I fucking hate it. My sleep is terrible so I really don't need anything else to make my sleep worse or give me nightmares, night sweats etc, basically scared of everything including my own shadow 🙄