Are GP's being encouraged or paid to prescribe antidepressants?

[FrolickingLemon]

Not sure if I'm being unreasonable, but here goes.

About 2 years ago a felt I had perimenopausal symptoms. Described about half a dozen or more symptoms over the phone to GP. I was almost 48 at the time. Her first answer was would I like to take an SSRI? No. I wasnt depressed. Joint pain was one of my symptoms, and apparently SSRI's can help with that. I countered that I was a sports Therapist and that many of my clients were on SSRI's for depression and anxiety, yet still they came to me with joint pain for muscle and joint pain. I also voiced my concerns about side effects and how difficult it can be to come off antidepressants. She said they were way better and safer than opiates and anti inflammatories. Still wasn't buying it.

A year later and I'm diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Was given codeine, but made to feel like shit for taking it. Like I'm some sort of drug addict. I totally get that some people get addicted to opiates, but that wasn't me.

At the same time, my Mum was absolutely shattered. Short of breath and it was getting her down. Lots of other symptoms and underlying problems. GP asks if she would like antidepressants? We visited the GP not long after this and long story short, my Mum was severely anaemic due to microscopic bleeding. Turned out to be bowel cancer. Mum had a big op just after lockdown and is recovering nicely.

I had another appointment today with GP regards to ongoing osteoarthritis pain and also further perimenipause issues (hot flushes- I'm now nearly 50) Again, she wants me to take SSRI's. I did a lot of research beforehand and read a lot of threads of MN in the menopause section. So many people say they had immediate joint pain relief from HRT. GP has said all along she is sceptical about this, but I'm edging closer to going on HRT.

But why the love of SSRI's? Sorry, this was longer than I intended. I've done family research too with regards to risks and benefits. Would be grateful for anyones personal experience.

It's been said a few times already on this thread that we are aware antidepressants are supposedly effective for chronic pain and that s seemingly why they are being prescribed or offered.

However, a lot of us have made it known that we would not be happy to take antidepressants as it appears to ne difficult to get off them, they can have many side effects including those of a sexual nature. And bottom line is, a lot reported that they made them feel numb or spaced out.

And in my OP, my own issue was that I as a sports Therapist, found that although I to 70% of my clients were taking antidepressants, they were still coming to me for chronic joint and muscle problems.

Something isn't right somewhere when you put all that together. I'd still rather take a codeine when needed for my osteoarthritis than get on what could be a merry go round of antidepressants. As a PP said, you are likely to be asked in future about depression / anxiety that you don't even have. It's simply not an option for me. And not for others either. Yet some who need then are struggling to get them. And those who should rightly be prescribed HRT as per NICE guidelines are routinely offered antidepressants first.

Sorry for all the typos. Phone on it's way out.

@FrolickingLemon, the gentle physio I'm having for my lower back pain (a kind of muscular 'knotting' around the spine associated with osteoarthritis) has helped more than any medication has.

But I only got this physio from the community physio team when Adult Social Care intervened. My GP didn't offer or suggest it.