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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just take lifelong antidepressants

117 replies

StripeyandConfused · 02/11/2020 08:22

Been on them on and off since 19. I'm currently without them and I feel awful. It's like I cant cope without them

OP posts:
TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 02/11/2020 09:01

I’m on them for life too.

I briefly had a period when l was swapping over with no medication.

I felt terrible.

Pinkdelight3 · 02/11/2020 09:02

I dont have time for counselling Another one who this jumped out to. I agree with others that if the anti-d's are needed, then take them, but when you're talking about lifelong treatment then it really makes sense to find time to try other things that might prove more effective long-term, whether that's counselling, exercise, and whatever other changes they might spur. If you literally have no time to look after yourself other than taking a pill, then that situation itself can't be helping the depression and needs addressing at some point. Otherwise you're likely to crack up even with the pills.

Original poster
StripeyandConfused · 02/11/2020 09:07

Im a single parent with little support and i have to work so no time for counselling

OP posts:
Sirzy · 02/11/2020 09:09

You can’t pour from an empty cup though. You need to take steps to make sure you get time for self care in some form be that councelling or something else.

Original poster
StripeyandConfused · 02/11/2020 09:11

Ok

OP posts:
Stillfunny · 02/11/2020 09:11

I have been on antidepressants for years. It took a lot of trying to get the dosage and the tablets right. My GP was great but finally said that I would be better under a physciactric team as regards counselling and drugs.
The difference was amazing. I would never want to go back to a time before this. And I have no side effects . Why are we pressured into thinking we are failing ? It is this type of thinking that has MH such a difficult thing to talk about.
So for me , the drugs do work.

MattBerrysHair · 02/11/2020 09:13

I'm on fluoxetine for life. I've been on various AD's since the age of 15, I'm 38 now, as well as having a few years not taking anything inbetween. A low dose of fluoxetine has no side effects for me and keeps the anxiety and despair at bay, I'm the calmest and most content I've ever been. Some AD's were not suited to me at all and I wasn't prepared to tolerate the side effects so I changed types and doses until I got it right. In my opinion it's just like taking heart medicine or insulin to stay healthy and functioning. I should probably add that I've had lots of therapy over the years too so my MH is now good due to a combination of drugs and therapy, not just the drugs.

Stillfunny · 02/11/2020 09:15

OP, I understand about counselling. It is often unavailable when you are. And I find it hard to motivate myself P, online etc. But please try and find a way to include some things to help .
Even resolving to get out for a walk with a buggy every day does good.

CoronaCurls · 02/11/2020 09:16

I fully intend to be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. Why would I stop taking something that dramatically improves my quality of life?

I've never understood the 'I don't like taking tablets' brigade - my BIL was like this but once he was diagnosed with a potentially pre-cancerous stomach problem he couldn't swallow the tablets fast enough.

I see depression as a potentially terminal illness so why not treat it?

Original poster
StripeyandConfused · 02/11/2020 09:17

I hate spending time with my child so that doesnt help

OP posts:
Waveysnail · 02/11/2020 09:19

Wouldnt be without sertraline. It makes me a so much healthier me

IcyApril · 02/11/2020 09:21

I am scared of ever coming or my antidepressants and will happily stay on them if allowed to.

EmeraldShamrock · 02/11/2020 09:26

That is my plan unless something drastic happens tried a few times. The last time it left me in dark times for 2 years.
Not doing that again.
I'm happy 95% of the time on them they cloud my feelings which isn't great but a small price to pay for peace. If you need medication you need it. Flowers

Mimishimi · 02/11/2020 09:29

I will be the same because the things that cause the depression can't be fixed.

Blobby10 · 02/11/2020 09:44

I've been on 20mg a day for 12 years - keep trying to come off them, whittled dose down to 10mg every other day earlier this year but over the past few weeks had to increase it to 10mg every day and now back on 20mg per day (except for Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun for some reason which I cannot fathom).

The lovely female doctor that I saw who was about my age 5 years ago said there was no problem taking them for ever especially at such a low dose and especially through peri and then menopause. The very young male doctor I had a telephone consult with two years later insisted that I came off them as it wasn't good to rely on them - I assume he had no experience of female hormones and/or peri menopause - and would only do my repeat prescription if I promised I would come off them over the next 6 months. i did then went back on them.

CigarsofthePharoahs · 02/11/2020 09:46

I'm on them for the long haul.
Had quite a severe mental health crisis when I was 19. Took Prozac and dothiepin for quite a while but eventually found the side effects too much.
Managed without for some years. I'm ok if my life has absolutely no stress in it, which is totally impossible!
I now take seetraline which deals very effectively with anxiety and lifts my mood. I take amitriptyline for fibromyalgia which does seem to help, it also helps me sleep and as an antidepressant too.
I'm not sure what use therapy would be for me. I'm not depressed "about" anything, but in my meds I function reasonably well.

I like what a pp said about not telling their father to stop taking their heart medication because they should manage without pills. That really brings it home for me. If you need the medication, then you need it.

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 02/11/2020 09:47

Blobby, when I’ve come off and then restarted I’ve developed an allergy twice. Once to fluoxetine off once to sertraline.

I’d have been inclined to tell that male doctor where to shove it!😁

Glitterbubbles · 02/11/2020 09:51

I expect to be on mine for life.
I have a brilliant GP who says some people just need them to function and have a good quality of life, and that's okay. It made me feel so much less stigmatised.

PineappleTart · 02/11/2020 10:02

Being on them long term isn't a bad thing. Just think of it as your brain not coming something that you need to get by so you are replacing that. Don't let anyone make you feel ashamed or embarrassed by taking them.

alliwanttodoiseatcarbs · 02/11/2020 10:19

@StripeyandConfused

I hate spending time with my child so that doesnt help
Why's that op?
Original poster
StripeyandConfused · 02/11/2020 10:25

It's boring. I hate being a parent.

OP posts:
FabbyChix · 02/11/2020 10:26

I am - I'd rather be normal than feel as bad as I do off them.

alliwanttodoiseatcarbs · 02/11/2020 10:39

@StripeyandConfused

It's boring. I hate being a parent.
How old is your child? Did you feel the same when you were on antidepressants?
Original poster
StripeyandConfused · 02/11/2020 10:45

I've felt like this the whole time hes been here. Hes 3. its just hard work.

OP posts: