Do antidepressants work? What’s your experience?

[Verity35]

I’m seriously considering taking meds. Please see my thread in my anxiety for more context. Not sure how to add links but I’ll try:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3950808-How-to-get-over-feeling-nervous

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3950808-How-to-get-over-feeling-nervous

In short - yes.

I've suffered with anxiety since my early 20's and by the time I'd been suffering for 3 years, I'd started to seriously consider suicide as an option. I've been on 20mg of Citalopram since, and I haven't looked back. I'm 30 now and have been on them for a few years but I honestly don't care if I'm on them for life.

TrueFriends thank you. Do u have any side affects with them? I’ve just read weight gain is one. I’m worried about this as my self esteem is low already and I have gained 2 stones in baby weight

Citalopram has also worked wonders for my GAD.
It has helped me keep perspective.
Like TrueFriends, I'm happy to take them forever.
Had no side effects.

I haven't put on any extra weight (I am over weight, but nothing to do with citalopram).

Even if you do put on weight, it's a small price to pay. And you will probably feel more motivated to exercise or eat more healthily.
Don't let the chance of weight gain put you off!

Elizabeth thank you! I am very tempted now and I kind of feel like yes I will get better! Thank you

Hello again!
I've just read your other thread about being nervous. You sound very similar to me.
I'm very a nervous person, but you'd never guess.
The citalopram has definitely made me better. I'm still the same person, but I definitely worry a lot less. Like I said before, I keep things in perspective. I used to feel really over whelmed with emotions and frequently felt like I couldn't cope, even with normal, everyday things - but not now.
Good luck, you'll be fine!

They work for me. The difference between taking them & not taking them is obvious not only to me but those around me. The only difficulty I ever had was severe nausea for a couple of days the very first time I took them but nothing at all since then.

In short, yes. But be prepared that initialy they might exacerbate your symptoms, you have to gibe it a couple of months for your hormonal balance to settle. I also had a slight tremor initially, and horrid vivid dreams. Don't start on a massive dose unless you are considering self harm. Be completly honest to GP about all you are experiencing, it makes a diff in what they prescribe. Good luck

Thank you for responses. Does anyone else have any experience? What about alternatives to meds? I’m still a little anxious as I’ve been googling side affects. At johns wort keeps coming up - anyone tried this?

*also not At

Yes they work

And no side effects , like NONE

Just feel normal and less pervasive dark thoughts

I have some bad days , I’m not numb

But the dark ideation , gone
I was thinking about death , disaster , dying , being dead a bit too much for my liking

By the way I was maybe lucky but read terrible things about starting sertraline

I had XERO issues , it’s like I don’t even notice I am on them apart from the fact my dark thoughts and horrible ideation has gone

Not everyone has bad side affects

Thisisworsethananticpated do you mind me asking which one you taking? Did doc put you on lowest dose or highest?

Sorry just realised you’ve written the meds name in 2nd post! Thank you x

I started off on 50mg Sertraline for my GAD and mild OCD. Over the last few years (PND and family bereavement) they have been upped gradually to 150mg.
Side effects in the first week of any dose or increase have been an incredibly dry mouth but it goes relatively quickly. I do grind my teeth so have to wear a mouth guard.
Other than that - I'm the most content I've ever been and if I have skipped one by accident (forgot to take enough camping) then I certainly know about it.
They help me.

Before I went on them I used St John's Wort and it was ok .

Antidepressants have worked wonders for me. I had a spell of depression about 10 years ago & also experienced postnatal depression recently. Both times I tried to avoid medication- did lots of exercise, had counselling & did meditation. Both times I just found it really hard to shift the anxiety & low mood so I opted for medication. The first time I was on citalopram (20mg)- I had horrible side effects to start with including insomnia & increased anxiety but these decreased over the following weeks. I did find that I had a few more side effects with citalopram & did gain a bit of weight but I know others who didn’t experience any long term side affects. I am now on 50mg Sertraline as this is safe for breastfeeding & it is brilliant. I honestly can’t say anything bad about it. I’ve been on it a while now as was planning on weaning off but didn’t want to do it during Covid. But I have wondered about staying on it as 50mg is considered a low dose. I am just so glad I don’t feel depressed & anxious anymore, it really is the worst feeling especially when you have a baby to look after. Wishing you all the best whatever you decide.

@Mumofcats5 and @Lucy40ishere thank you

Also I should add that with both citalopram & Sertraline it took between 6-8 weeks to feel a significant improvement so you do need to be quite patient. But if you stick with it you will hopefully feel a lot better.

Verity35

50mg

I will start going down in a few months to 25 x

I’ve been on different ones on and off for a large part of my adult life. (Fluoxetine currently.) Most of the time I can just about function. I hate taking them and I hate talking about my state of mind to MH professionals who are clearly not interested and believe they have better things to do. My GP is very kind though, and very patient.

Once you find the right one for you it’s life changing. It just might take some time. Stay away from Mirtazapine. That one is a bitch for making you gain weight

Yes, once I started on my current medication it felt as if I was finally able to enjoy my life instead of just tolerating it.

Took me a couple of different medications before I was given Venlafaxine and it has made such a difference. I've never had a panic attack while taking it. I have no plans to ever stop taking it. At higher doses I get vivid dreams and night sweats, but it's well worth it not to have the constant anxiety. No weight gain.

I'm on fluoxetine. Tried a few others but this suits me. No side effects.

It is excellent - means I can deal with things without overreacting, overthinking and obsessing. Maybe made me a little bit numb but I don't find that a bad thing as I was so high strung before I had constant knots in my stomach.

My doctor has asked about cutting the dose or stopping them but I don't want to yet. He said I might be kicking the can down the road but I don't really agree - there is no underlying issue I could solve to fix this - I was just born an overly sensitive, anxious, unhappy person who prefers life medicated!

Yes they do work, you might find a particular kind doesn't work for you, but your GP will find you an alternative that does.

I started taking Prozac a couple of years ago, took a month to kick in, then I felt a bit weird for about a month, but since then no problems. My anxiety is a lot better and improving all the time.

Herbal remedies I'd recommend. Valerian root for calming effect, 5 HTP (natural melatonin) for sleep.

I'd also recommend guided meditation CD'S, podcasts, audiobooks.

Fresh air and exercise also help massively.

It's a combination of all these things that work for me.