Finally biting the bullet and going to the GP today

[IfuckingHateIkea]

After several years of feeling crap mentally I have finally bitten the bullet and made an appointment to see the GP. I am going to ask for antidepressants.

For quite a while now it seems my default emotional setting is one of irritability, anger, constant anxiety, tearfulness, fearfulness etc. Most recently my appetite has packed its bags and left - I have lost 2 stone since the summer and have a low BMI. I am also finding it increasingly difficult to get to sleep at night despite being exhausted and just generally feel very apathetic about everything. Everything takes such effort to do.

I am quite anxious and apprehensive about taking ADs as am aware they can come with side effects which may make me feel much worse for a period of time. But I have had enough and have to give it a go.

Have other people found taking the step to go on medication been a turning point for them?

hi IFHI

Just back from doing exactly the same. I've been given citalopram to deal with a really horrible situation at work. I'm very nervous to start taking them because of all the stigma, but at the same time I know they should start to work when my job issue gets even harder and I don't think I'll be able to cope without.

I've signed up for councilling too. I guess you know you need this stuff when you spend the first five minutes talking to the gp / receptionist whilst sobbing at the same time.

Anyhow I'm not really helping, but if you fancy a pill buddy let me know ??

I have tried many different antidepressants and mood stabilisers, and found that citalopram was the most effective for me. I was increased from 10mg to 40mg over a period of time. I felt crap, sick an headachey but after 5 days these side effects went and taking it at night helps :) sertraline is also very good. Definitely seek help because your not alone! I can honestly say that I would have committed suicide if I hadn't received help when I did (after two failed attempts!) don't get me wrong, adps don't fix everything, you may need counselling, cbt or talking therapy to deal with underlying issues, but they gave me the boost to then help myself a bit more :) xxx t

Thanks for your messages. Yes I think I relate to the not wanting to take ADs due the stigma. I think I've thought for quite a while that I would be seen as someone not able to cope etc and that this would reflect badly on my ability to be a good mum. I know this is bollocks as I would never judge anyone for going on them so don't know why I am being so harsh on myself. I've just got to that point where I know that I have to do something about the way I feel because it will not get better.

And yes noreplacementsfound I think a pill buddy would be nice! When do you start taking your's?

Exactly, it doesn't mean your any less of a mum, in my opinion your a good mum for sorting it out and gettin yourself help, so your in the best position mentally to raise your child/children :)

I think I'm going to take it tonight so I can sleep through the side effects. Some people mentioned insomnia but I've got that already so it won't really make much difference.

I'm worried about the effect it'll have on my family too but my DS is only little so hopefully he won't notice.

Let me know how you get on

It shouldn't effect your family- if anything it may have a positive effect! Because when I miss a tablet or two I find that I get realy cranky, tearful and short tempered. I would strongly recommend not missing doses!:)

I have found that anti depressants have absolutely changed my life. I posted on the relationships boards 'having a relationship with yourself' which details some of the changes I experienced. I doubted they would work at first and at first, they didn't. I had naysayers in my family saying I didn't need them. But slowly slowly, the clouds lifted and I can be me again.

I have taken sertraline for a long time and for me it has really helped. One way of thinking that I find helps is what a GP said to to me: if you have low iron levels, you need to take iron, and you don't feel in any way weak or worried about doing so, you are just glad to have the medication which will help. You should feel the same about ADs if you are depressed. I know there are a lot of different opinions about depression and anxiety, causes, treatment and so on. For me, I have absolutely no doubt that my depression/anxiety is a physical thing - there must be some imbalance in my brain, which ADs correct. I am very happy in my life, but if I stop my medicine, I just go down hill very quickly. For most people, a short course of AD can get them back to normal but for some reason with me that hasn't happened. In terms of worrying about the effect on family - if you have been feeling low, and the ADs work, the effects on your family will be good. Some people talk about ADs blunting your emotions and making the world seem distant. For me it's the opposite - anxiety/depression did this, I felt I was looking at the world though a dark sheet, and the ADs lifted it. Good luck. You might need to try a few different prescriptions to get the one that helps you (I tried one which gave me terrible heartburn but the sertraline doesn't seem to give me any side effect).

I had my appointment this afternoon. The GP was very understanding, said that I sound like I have alot of stress on etc. He gave me 50mg Sertraline and has put me down for some counselling. I take my first pill in the morning.

So glad to hear that. I absolutely love sertraline - it has turned my world from black and white to colour. Good luck x

Can I just say that although they always start you off on a low dose of AD. it is really a "test dose" to see if you are having any bad side effects. 50mg isn't a therapeutic dose, so you are unlikely to feel any better. I assume he has given you another appointment in 2 weeks? though some GPs leave you for 4 weeks. You will almost certainly need to increase to 100mg Sertraline, and that's only half the max dose of 200mg.

A close friend of mine is on 50 sertraline, it's realy helped him (plus his mood stabiliser)

I've taken my first dose this morning. Obviously I'm not going to feel the benefits until a couple of weeks at the bare minimum but I think I just feel abit better because I am doing something about it and have high hopes that this might help based on what I've read above and on the internet.

I thought I'd just write a little update. I've now been taking the pills for 5 days. I've been suffering with a really dry mouth and getting to sleep has been difficult but apart from that I am OK. I feel much more calm and focused but I know this is either the placebo effect or a sense of relief that I am actually dealing with my anxiety and depression. I have been much more aware of my thoughts the last few days and have been amazed at the amount of anxious thoughts I get. It is pretty much constant. I have a constant knot in my tummy and feel on edge. And this is me on a good day! Its not surprising I've been feeling so shit and low with all that going on!

Been taking Sertraline for about two and a half weeks now and feel like my mood has stabilised a lot. I just feel calmer and able to deal with things that life throws me a bit better. Hopefully I will feel better and better the longer I take it.

One thing that I have noticed however, is that I am so fatigued all the time! Today I can hardly get myself off the sofa. It's hard because I have a 3 yo DD to look after too who wants my attention. Is the fatigue down to the Sertraline?