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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To plead to go back on anti depressants

30 replies

shouldnthavesaid · 02/07/2017 20:53

GP took me off anti depressant about eight weeks ago - she said her concern was it was causing physical side effects (urine retention) and I'd be better off not taking it. I managed to come off it slowly over a week or so but I'm feeling myself more anxious , always wanting to sleep (but rarely falling asleep properly) or cry , thoughts of self harm (haven't done anything) and dwelling on past negativity . Dizzy and lightheaded and becoming more ne4vous of going out alone.

I accept anti depressants aren't a magic cure for things but I feel like they were just helping me remain stable.

I saw GP last week and explained , she said if I could beat it with anti depressants I can do it without too , just make the same decisions I did before etc.

I've got dihydrocodeine from hospital for chronic pain and I've occasionally been taking that to sleep or relax which isn't good :(

Would it be unfair for me to phone surgery and say I've given it another week and can't do it ? I have a major transition coming up and I need to not be depressed/anxious/obsessive :(

OP posts:
CockacidalManiac · 02/07/2017 20:58

That's one pretty crappy approach by your GP; does she advise diabetics that they'd manage without their insulin?
I'd be asking to see someone else. There's quite a few anti depressants that could be tried that might give you the benefits without the side-effects.
Why should you struggle on without help?

TippyTinkleTrousers · 02/07/2017 20:58

What AD's were you on and what dose?

In my experience no GP worth their salt would tell a patient to go cold turkey, for all the reasons you have stated.

Could you not try a different make? And definitely see a different GP.

ihatethecold · 02/07/2017 21:02

Your gp sounds dreadful.
You poor thing, you must feel rubbish.
Please see someone else
Flowers

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 02/07/2017 21:02

It was escitalopram, 5mg - wasn't allowed any increase as when I did ended up catheterised .

I would see another GP but I've been seeing same doctor for years and would be questioned as to why I wasn't seeing her. She's normally great , she's just very 'pushy' at times.

I'm waiting on surgery which would mean could take tablets safely but they said surgery would be any time before Christmas.

OP posts:
Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 02/07/2017 21:03

I'd been taking it since 2011 with only that one episode of needig a catheter , no other real side effects at all. It really helped me a lot.

OP posts:
harderandharder2breathe · 02/07/2017 21:04

YANBU

There are many different ADs which will not all have the same side effects. If she doesn't want you on escitalopram then she should change you to another, not just tell you to manage without anything

UnbornMortificado · 02/07/2017 21:04

You need a different Dr, I agree with the PP she wouldn't be saying such a thing to someone who needed epilepsy or diabetes meds.

There is loads of AD's available if the escitalapram side effects are too risky another may suit you better.

harderandharder2breathe · 02/07/2017 21:05

And while ADs are not, as you said, a magic cure, they are a vital lifeline for me and many others. Being on the right meds lets me live my life.

scottishbride · 02/07/2017 21:09

I would really advise you to go back to GP and explain the depression and anxiety symptoms are coming back. As Pp have said, there are different options if GP doesn't want to prescribe one with known retention as a side effect.
It is becoming more and more accepted that for some people depression is a chronic illness, like diabetes or asthma, that can require medication for life.
Good luck OP, let us know how you get on xx

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 02/07/2017 23:11

I will do , I'm moving 200 miles in 8 weeks and need to feel OK as will take me a while to establish new support network there .. will talk to GP tomorrow.

OP posts:
stopfuckingshoutingatme · 02/07/2017 23:13

Change GP and keep a diary
So when you see another one you can explain the history fairly concisely .
Please tomorrow x
I am so sorry OP . It's unfair

notanevilstepmother · 02/07/2017 23:36

Change GP and get sorted with some that don't have the same side effects.

UnbornMortificado · 03/07/2017 07:53

Antidepressants are vital for some people. I've been on them 12 years even in pregnancy I've been switched to a safer one not took off them altogether. I just wouldn't cope. I'm on them for life and I've come to accept that.

I'm not implying you need them for life but there's nothing wrong with taking them for as long as you need Flowers

Sunshinegirls · 03/07/2017 07:55

I think the problem is that anti depressants aren't designed for long term use.

Imamouseduh · 03/07/2017 08:01

Have you tried talking therapies?

CockacidalManiac · 03/07/2017 08:32

I think the problem is that anti depressants aren't designed for long term use.

No. The problem is this 'suck it up' culture where MH problems are seen as a personal weakness, rather than chronic illnesses that require treatment.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 03/07/2017 08:43

True . It's shameful that someone is denied their medication because the GP 'thinks so'

Sunshinegirls · 03/07/2017 09:14

"I think the problem is that anti depressants aren't designed for long term use."

"No. The problem is this 'suck it up' culture where MH problems are seen as a personal weakness, rather than chronic illnesses that require treatment."

These two things aren't related.

Sunshinegirls · 03/07/2017 09:15

What I mean is, these are both problems. It's not one or the other

SeagullsStoleMyChurro · 03/07/2017 09:18

It would have been better to keep you on the AD and teach you intermittent self-catheterisation until your operation.

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 03/07/2017 12:06

I've had talking therapies - I've had counselling from surgery twice , through psych unit twice , and privately twice too. Currently having CBT which helps but medication was taking the edge off symptoms and anxiety and helping me deal with thoughts.

GP did say she will talk to the nurses at surgery to see if maybe they can show me how to do self catheterization , but she said she isn't sure they will be able - and only other way they know of involves a day case admission to hospital , which has a long long waiting list. No real continence nursing services for young people she said (I'm 26) .. urology said as I only need an indwelling for four-seven days every 4-6 weeks teaching me to ISC isn't worth it apparently.

Funnily enough my boss (a ward sister) is getting frustrated as well , I was tempted to ask her if she knew of anyone who could show me!

I haven't phoned surgery today but will do tomorrow, feeling absolutely awful - like a UTI - so may just go back to bed.

OP posts:
Pandoraslastchance · 03/07/2017 12:21

Wow you need a different gp. If you need your antidepressants then you need them. The urine retention is a side effect which needs to be managed either by changing the antidepressants or by supporting you with isc/continenece referral.

There must be someone who can teach you isc, either a urology nurse or a practice nurse.

londonmummy1966 · 03/07/2017 13:05

Really awful for you OP - what a dreadful GP. ADs come with a range of side effects and it should be normal practice for a decent GP to be prepared to consider a different one - I found citalopram meant I never slept and prozac made me suicidal but my GP patiently kept on trying and I have been on venlafaxine for many years now and it keeps me stable. My GP even argued my case with the PCT when they wanted to switch all prescribing away from extended release on the grounds of nausea. If your GP isn't being as supportive then she is not doing her job properly. Can you get an emergency appointment to get someone else to give you some support. A house move is very stressful and you shouldn't be doing cold turkey at any time and certainly not around a life event like that.

marfisa · 03/07/2017 13:47

"I think the problem is that anti depressants aren't designed for long term use."

Sorry, but that's rubbish. It depends on the individual person. I have been on ADs since my 20s and will probably be on them for the rest of my life. They improve my quality of life immeasurably. My GP agrees.

Flowers to you, OP -- keep persisting until your GP finds the meds that work best for you. You might have to switch GPs in order to find one who is more knowledgeable and sympathetic about mental health issues.

marfisa · 03/07/2017 13:53

I saw GP last week and explained , she said if I could beat it with anti depressants I can do it without too , just make the same decisions I did before etc.

I can't believe your GP said this. This is not the comment of someone who understands what it's like to suffer from severe chronic depression. I feel angry on your behalf OP.

Life is about more than just surviving and not self-harming. Life is about being able to enjoy living -- not all the time, because that would be impossible, but at least some of the time!

I feel extremely grateful to live in an era when medication is available that enables me actually to enjoy being a mum, having a career, etc., as opposed to lying in bed crying and sleeping all the time.