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Scared of taking Anti Depressants

4 replies

AdLibitum · 09/03/2012 23:03

Hi

Very long and tedious story, grew up in alcoholic home, got lost in and then recovered from various addictions, managed to get into and then extricate myself from an abusive relationship, I work full time in a job I enjoy and am a lone parent to two boys, one ASD. Am now in a better relationship but it causes me angst.

Anywayyy

After all this time, am still struggling to feel really alright, have a tendancy for mood swings, anxiety, feelings of emptyness, lonelyness, longing to connect - existential angst.

And I can cope, but it is bloody hard work emotionally and I'm fed up with it. Sometimes take Beta Blockers for heart palpitations, especially if I go for a run, and also get them around my period - also seems to be connected to low Iron and my underactive (treated) thyroid.

Doctors have suggested AD's.

Now way back (over 10 years ago) when I first got into recovery from addiction I took AD's for a couple of months, but my recollection is hazy of that time. I remember trying Prozac forst and feeling really internally restless and crazy and having to stop taking it within days and phone someone to be with me incase I did something crazy - really fightened myself. Then tried Effexor - just like speed and couldn't sleep for 3 days. Back to doctor, next stop, Seroxat. I seem to remember that was OK - eliminated the ups and the downs but no major side effects. Came off it after a couple of months because I felt less alive and had got into a relationship (Ha!).

So, my doctor has suggested Sertraline, Citrolpram (sp) or has said I could try Seroxat again. I am a lot more in touch than I was when I last took it (no longer smoke 30 a day etc) and am scared i'll get stuck on it, but am scared of taking one of the other ones incase they send me crazy. Also, my pride tells me I can manage without.

What to do??

OP posts:
madmouse · 10/03/2012 08:57

It depends on what the doctor wants you to take them for. Depression? Anxiety? Both?

Thing is, as I have a feeling you know, that even though you may have an addictive nature, anti-depressants are not addictive.

If you are depressed enough to want/need to try ADs I would try a low dose of one of the more sedative ones (therefore avoiding citalopram which can make you feel a bit restless and crazy especially in the early weeks) - sertraline may be a try but if seroxat has worked before it may be a safe option.

AdLibitum · 10/03/2012 21:00

Hi madmouse. Thanks, it is anxiety that it is for predominantly. I was thinking probably Sertraline and if that no good, Seroxat.

OP posts:
Cyncyn · 11/03/2012 16:39

Hi there, Hope all the best for you. If you feel that you need something to help you cope, then do not feel bad. I went through an awful time a few years back and citalopram really helped me - I am in a far better place right now and in Sep 2011 I did a lot of research and realized that I was ready to wean myself off. I did a very slow withdrawal, still have 5 weeks to go before I am done and I have not had any side effects so far, other than a bit sleepy. Do not be ashamed, you have to do what is best for you at the present time.

AdLibitum · 13/03/2012 21:06

Thanks. Am going to try sertraline. Will start on sunday when I come back from a trip.

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