To be stressed about starting anti depressants

[Mumsymcmumface]

I am suffering from severe work/finance related stress and depression.

In order to fix it I need to “man up” and just crack on with everything that needs doing st work, and deal with the financial problems at work and home.

However, it has all become too much and I have been spiralling into depression over the last couple of years and although I know what I need to be doing I just can’t do it. I just want to run away and hide somewhere. Normally at home with the phone turned off, the curtains closed and me in bed.

It’s massively impacting on home life as I am barely functioning. Married, two kids.

I went to the dr this week and they have prescribed fluoxetine, and suggested some time off work. Partly just to rest and partly to help deal with any side effects of starting the drug which from what I have read can be difficult for the first couple of weeks.

Sounds sensible, but I am self employed. If I don’t work the business will fold, and our short term as well as long term financial situation will get worse. I will be dealing with bailiffs at home and work.

It’s our busiest time of year. Will I be able to work while starting these drugs?

Just my experience so this cannot be generalised but they've worked for me in the past and I had no big side effects to contend with. No reason I couldn't carry on working while taking them and they aren't a sedative. However, I would ask for counselling too, so you can learn to manage stress better, otherwise antidepressants are a sticking plaster in my opinion, especially as there seems to be environmental factors in your case.

I haven't been on them but just wanted to say to stop reading side effects of the drug. I'm guilty of doing this and you will actually start looking for the symptoms and expecting them. You might have none. I hope it works for you and you get back on track soon.
By the way, it's never about 'manning up.' Seeking help is the biggest 'man up' action you can do, so well done for that.

Everyone's experience is different but you should definitely be able to work. You may feel distinctly weird whilst you adapt to the medication, however. Standard advise is to take your dose before bed so you sleep through the worst of the initial side effects. However this phase shouldn't last more than a couple of weeks but I know when you're in the hole that can feel like a much longer time.

Advice, not advise.

And good luck. I hope you start to feel more like yourself soon.

Never had any side effects when taking fluoxetine. But it did take a good 3-4 weeks for them to have any effect so maybe that's what your doctor means? In any case, start them asap and try to keep going until they begin to help you. I know how difficult that may seem but it will get better. Hang on in there.

Firstly, well done for being brave enough to realise that you have some problems and for seeking help. It’s not easy.
I’ve just started on fluoxetine (almost a week in). My GP signed me off too, but let me make the decision about whether I used it or not.
To be honest, it’s not been so bad - I’ve just been incredibly quiet and withdrawn. I’ve made sure that I’ve gone to bed (extremely) early and avoided as many additional commitments as possible. I’ve carried on working.
I’ve switched to taking mine in the morning and today I’ve woken up feeling ‘ok’ - which is so much better than the adrenaline rushes that I usually have.
Avoid alcohol like the plague and drink as much water as you can (I’ve been very thirsty).
I’ve taken them before and once they start to take effect, they’re absolutely brilliant - enough to take off that edge, so you can start to deal with problems without melting down/running away/burying head in the sand.
Thinking of you.

I was put on fluoxetine when my DS was 3 weeks old. It was a low dose but I didn't have any side-effects.

I agree with Ansumpasty - you've done the bravest thing and asked for help. In my experience things got a lot better after I'd done that.

Do you have anyone who works for you? They must be aware you are struggling and may be willing to share some of the burden if only short term. Otherwise (no idea what you do) but could you tell your customers that you will need to delay as you are ill? No need to say what with - there are enough nasty bugs around at the moment and they will probably not like to ask. A week may be all you need to rally yourself and make a plan of what to tackle first and how.

Thanks all.

Customers won’t accept delays (especially when everything has to be “done for Christmas”). Think big household projects costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Unfortunately none of the staff have the required technical knowledge for me to just take a week off.

I have taken one this morning and hopefully will be ok to get through the next couple of weeks then see if I can get a few days off over Christmas.

Thanks

Depends what mg you're put on.

It affected my sleep pretty badly and I got night terrors. I had to stop taking them.

I work in mental health and there's massive debate around the efficacy of these drugs.

I would try and take some days off!

I would try and take some days off!

Yeah. Can’t do that unfortunately.

It’s 20mg once in morning for now

I did have headaches and felt sleepy for first few days and then that cleared. It has been a joy and a revelation ever since.
The old me would have sobbed for the wasted years and years - the new me can see it's a shame but isn't bogged down and crushed by that at all - just looking forward.
I couldn't drink alcohol for a few weeks as it tasted vile.

I take fluoxetine for anxiety. It stops me waking up with a horrible lurch as if I'd just run over a cat. I started on 20 mg, but later reduced to 10 mg because that's all I need. I wouldn't say I'm depressed, tho' it was depressing to wake up like that every single day.

The only side effect I have had is sleepiness. But that's only when there's nothing particularly interesting or demanding going on. You have to be v careful, tho', when coming off them. Don't, whatever you do, stop taking them overnight. You have to reduce the dose very gradually, even cutting the pills into tiny chunks.

In my case, I'm convinced that it's a physical serotonin deficit. As I get older, I'm simply not as efficient at replacing it as when I was younger. I've been on and off it for about 5 years, sometimes off for 2 yrs before I got symptoms again. My GP has now recommended I stay on it indefinitely, and that suits me fine.

Hope it works for you!

I'm so sorry you are going through this.

Have you considered contacting national debt line or step change about your debts?

I have worked as a debt adviser in the past and there is always a solution where debts are concerned. Often people delay getting advice (for really understandable reasons) and it can have a terrible effect on mental health.

Step change and national debt line as well as the money advice trust are all free.

I'm not saying your debts being sorted will be a magic wand to all life's problems but it's definitely worth you exploring your options.

I can't give any advice on the medication as I've not taken it but it's not right if your gp has only prescribed pills and hasn't referred you for any type of therapy.

I had therapy through something called IAPT which I found quite helpful . I was offered drugs but didn't dare take them for fear of side effects.

I really wish you the best xxxx

Been on Citalopram since 2005 and am flourishing. Depression triggered by operation and complications. Doesn't work for everyone, but I, too, think it balances the seretonin in my brain. Will take them for the rest of my life if need be. (I'm 70) Life is good.

Don't be afraid to try them. Get the right one for you, OP, and you'll be fine. Might take a while to settle but good luck.

I've been taking citalopram for around 5 months now and honestly it's the best thing I decided to do to help with my depression.
I had always been very anti medication for myself and I've always been scared of taking anti depressants, mainly due to my mother always being interested in herbal medicine and encouraging me to explore other options before anti depressants. However it got to the point that I needed something desperately to help me cope with the grief I was suffering with so the doctor put me on 20mg and that's perfect for me.

I was petrified of side effects but honestly there wasn't many that outweighed the way I felt before starting the tablets, I got bloating which has now passed and I also get bad/vivid dreams more frequently but not enough to bother me too much.

I feel like I wake up and don't want to cry every morning, I no longer burst into tears and I actually live more like I used to before all of this. It's been like a miracle for me, honestly I never thought they would make this much of a difference but I don't feel like I want to stay in bed anymore. It was strange accepting that I need these tablets now because I never expected to be depressed and never fully understood it until my circumstances changed, but I don't even think about when I will come off them I just wake up and get on with things now, I've found work so much easier.

All I can say is if you feel like you need them then give them a go and don't obsess over side effects, the bad ones are so so rare. Also if you have any problems you can always go back to your doctor, I found I improved at work and was so much more positive about going in. I also relaxed about things much more, I found that depression was giving me anxiety about everything including money, so perhaps it will help you in this way too.

I hope this helps, I just thought I'd share my experience with you hoping it might bring you some comfort, I really hope you feel better

I hope this helps,

It does. Thanks for taking the time to post.