Spiralling, exhausted and panic attacks. Really need some moral support

[Bobbieiris]

Feeling so incredibly miserable right now! Im just getting over an awful month long cold and now have the most painful thrush! Usually the oral tablets clears it up straight away but it's still dragging on. My GP prescribed pessaries and after using the first one tonight I had burning and soreness. I haven't slept properly in a month due to cold, 2 year old twins with croup and now this horrendous thrush! No sleep at all tonight.
I also came off sertraline recently and tonight had the worst panic attack. I am so worn out and I've had a week off work with the cold and now time off because of sleep deprivation due to painful thrush. Im so scared I'm going to lose my job. Im struggling with working and being a mum as im so exhausted.
Spent half the night in tears and my poor little girl had such a big coughing fit she was sick.
Please tell me this will get better....I am so utterly depressed from it all and upset and spiralling

Sorry things are not good. Did you taper off the sertraline or just stop? Sometimes it needs a very slow taper to gradually reduce the dose.

Couldn’t read and run OP, sending a virtual hug 🫂 what an absolutely grim time.

Is there anyone at home (partner/other parent) who can help with some of the load of sick kid care so you aren’t the only one up all night?

Ive only used the thrush pessaries once but yeah it flipping stings! Is it worth double teaming and taking a repeat dose of the oral anti-fungal as well as the pessary?
Also re the thrush - get yourself on some probiotics - either probiotic yogurt or just tablets whatever is easiest for you to manage. Should help even out the internal flora and at least reduce the risk of future infection.

It’s not unusual to have reflex increase in anxiety when coming off SSRI, assume you’ve done a slow wean down and not just stopped dead? And honestly being sick yourself and dealing with a sick kiddo and having no sleep I’m not surprised you’ve hit the wall mentally. Could always speak to your GP if panic attacks keep happening it might be you just need a bit longer on treatment.
Its not the end of the world, a lot of people have false starts when coming off them.

re you job - unless you’ve got an horrific sickness record already, 2 episodes of being off for legitimate illness is not going to lose you your job. But I get it all feels like that at stupid o’clock in the morning when you’re in the weeds.

Have a cuppa, get some painkillers down you, breathe. You’ll get through this 🙂

Sorry it’s so hard op.
Do you have any support from a partner ?
Whats the reason you stopped sertraline and did you taper/ consult a doctor ?

@parietal I weaned myself off over 2 weeks as recommended by my GP
@Houndsahollering thank you. I will have triggered a stage 2 at work. My twins recently started nursery so catching every bug there has really ramped up my sickness. My partner and I are both up with the girls but it is still so stressful when ill!
@momager22 I came off the sertraline because I felt I no longer needed them...I went on them 2 years ago following a difficult birth and long NICU stay with my twins. Also my partner and I want to try for another baby soon and the sertraline killed my sex drive.
Thanks everyone...I think I will call and ask the GP about reaction to pessary and also see if there's any better cough syrup etc they could recommend for my daughter. Also RE panic attacks

I would say any antidepressant needs at least an 8 week taper. Usually best to drop a quarter of your dose every fortnight. But now that you are off, one option could be propranolol for the panic attacks, rather than restarting the sertraline. Something to discuss with your GP. Good luck, you've got this xxx.