That sertraline makes me realise how mental I've been for the last decade (at least)

[glassecase]

Honestly never felt better, well maybe pre-18 years old.

Amazing stuff and I don't feel like I'm 'on' something.

Sertraline just gave me restless legs, horrific indigestion and made my anxiety worse. But citalopram works fairly well.

Gingerarghpussy: you are very brave and persistent to be able to have persisted over such a long and difficult time with your meds. 👏

The good thing about antidepressants is that you can't get them over the counter or online.
I do agree that anyone tries to bypass a doctor is a Fucking idiot. The only reason I changed my tablets is because after 25 years of being fucked in the head it's all in my notes and I also kinda know how my brain works.

Also should add that it's taken me years to get this medication and I have PTSD. So it's not like they're given out like sweets.

For those saying this thread encourages use of anti-depressants JUST FOR THE BLOODY HELL OF IT. Get over yourselves, there is a huge stigma accosiated with mental illness and most people are bloody reluctant to get helo. This thread is a celebration of having a medication -in 21st century- that allows people to live more normally. Poor mental health is a thing, just like physical illness. I know this, I used to work a a mental health nurse. Lots is situational as well, I get this as I had a difficult childhood and was suddenly widowed as a parent of young DC.

I now work in child protection and lots of parents I encounter have suffered horrific abuse themselves- hence self medication with alcohol and drugs. Talking therapies (which really do not exist at any level, let alone a sustained involvement) are only suitable for those able to open up that wound. Most people do not walk towards pain. These drugs are not addictive and can really change lives through stabilising mood and addressing constant anxiety.

What I have also found is that, they are not a cure all, at most they dull the symptoms. I am still agoraphobic but to a lesser degree. I still have panic symptoms but they are easier to manage. High shelves don't close in on me. My depression is there but I no longer have periods of suicidal ideation.
I want to be able to go into Sainsbury's without feeling like someone is sitting on my chest. I want to be what every body else classes as normal.

@LimitIsUp Which probiotics to take?

How timely to see this thread tonight. I have struggled a lot with PND since my twins were born almost a year ago. My mental health has been really deteriorating especially since I returned to work after my maternity leave. My GP is lovely and has now suggested SSRIs so I’ve been reading up on them today and getting myself in to a bit of a spin about them. I feel like finding this thread on the same day is fate haha. I know I’m poorly and I know I need medication to make me well again.
Are the first few weeks as bad as I’ve worried myself in to thinking they are??

Citalopram has been life changing for me. For years I refused to admit that I needed them. I'd heard they cause weight gain and I didn't want to get any fatter! Im on a low dose but I sleep much better, the obsessive dark thoughts have gone and my anxiety is under control. I'm just alot happier and content.

@LimitIsUp

My dd felt like a zombie on sertraline- no anxiety, but no joy either. She's good on citalopram. It's funny how different medications suit different people.

My son was awful on both of these. I was tempted at one point to flush the citalopram down the loo he was so zonked.

Ssri's do have side effects, mostly they calm down within a month, which is why drs recommend you try them for that long.
I have never had any bad side effects until I went into fluoxitine Prozac feeling constantly sick was not good for me.
It depends entirely on how much you will go through to get better. But always remember if one tablet doesn't work there are others to try.

Posted too soon, sorry. But that’s just him, I know plenty of other people who have had amazing success. The chemistry of the brain is indeed amazing.

Can I ask what dosage you are prescribed?
My partner is on setraline 50mg per day and he is thinking of increasing it but not sure what a normal dosage is

@ThornAmongstRoses

Not quite the same but I’ve recently started on medication for anxiety and I’m like a different person.

I can’t believe the way that I used to feel was my normal, for so long - and that I actually believed it was normal to be feeling that way.

Now that my anxiety is being treated I can see how crazy the way I was feeling every day, really was.

I feel like I can now understand what normal actually is.

If it's not sertraline are you talking about propranolol?

Can I ask if any of you have experienced weight gain on Sertraline? I have had them in the past and I think I probably need to go back on them but the possibility of weight gain worries me as I’m already overweight.

I put off taking it for years and really wish I had started sooner as it’s changed my life. I now have so much more confidence and I’m happy for the first time in a long time.

@LimitIsUp

Did anyone see the documentary this week about improving your mental health? Clear evidence base for probiotics improving mental health too (not instead of anti-depressants, but as well as)

What channel was that @LimitIsUp ?

@Kona84

Can I ask what dosage you are prescribed? My partner is on setraline 50mg per day and he is thinking of increasing it but not sure what a normal dosage is

The max dose a gp can prescribe is 100mg. When I needed to go higher I had to see a mh person at my closest mh hospital.

Omg this thread is very refreshing as I was prescribed a pack took one then didn't touch it again!! I might start up - although my mental health is also linked to my thyroid so it's hard to tell if I need them or more thyroid control

Sertraline suits me really well. Don't feel "dulled" at all. Mirtazapine, on the other hand... Yikes. Diazepam also works, but I limit that.

What strength op and how long have you been taking it?!
I’m 8-10 weeks in 100mg and less teary, on edge but I don’t feel ‘happier’ yet? Will it come?

I loved it and I miss it every day. I first had it 6 months after dc1 was born. I should have had it earlier but ‘didn’t want to be one of those people who take AD’. It changed my life. I came off it when pregnant with DC2 but went back in 2 months after birth due to father dying. I took it for a couple of years and thought it was time I took myself off it. So I did. Life hasn’t quite been the same. I’m not as positive. I let things get to me so much. I so tempted to ask to go back on.
How long have people been on it?

This is really interesting. I’ve taken fluoxetine for around 25 years now. It definitely changed my life but I still am extremely stressed and anxious. I’m wondering whether to have a change of meds? Hadn’t considered until reading this. I’d love to feel better

@Cissyandflora

This is really interesting. I’ve taken fluoxetine for around 25 years now. It definitely changed my life but I still am extremely stressed and anxious. I’m wondering whether to have a change of meds? Hadn’t considered until reading this. I’d love to feel better

Can't do any harm to ask, especially as fluoxitine Prozac doesn't seem to be helping you anymore.

I've been prescribed Sertraline too. I started it in November when my husbands cancer returned and I completely lost it. 50mg - didn't feel any different. 100mg - wow! So much better. Far more rational.

I was given some Diazepam too to help until the Sertraline kicked in. Another big WOW! I can now understand why they used to be nicknamed "mother's little helper"!!