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Mental health

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Original poster

Starting Anti-Depressants today.

46 replies

ThatGingerOne · 07/02/2017 08:14

I'm starting ADs today and was told to make sure I have a support network for the first few weeks - I don't have anyone in real like so I'm looking for people here. I just need good vibes. I'm a little nervous for some reason.

OP posts:

Papergirl1968 · 07/02/2017 08:23

Good luck. I'm on 40mg of citalopram. Started with 10mg, then 20 but neither of those made any difference.
It took several adjustments and several months to start feeling better. In fact I felt worse before I started to feel better, and apparently that's quite common.
Ive had them for several years now and although they do generally make me feel more on an even keel, I still feel very low at particularly stressful periods.
Lots of people I know are on them too so I think they're pretty common.

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 07/02/2017 08:29

Thank you! I heard about getting worse first and its really putting me off wanting to take them as I don't know how much worse it will get. I've been given two weeks worth of 50g Sertraline to take once per day.

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LauraLovesDaisy · 07/02/2017 08:31

Sertraline is often better tolerated that citalopram, 50mg is a starter dose. You might have some side effects at first but bear with, and you should see an improvement in a couple of weeks. Do you have a follow up apt with your go? Have you been referred to IAPT? Hope you feel better soon x

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 07/02/2017 08:34

That has made me feel much better, thank you. I've just read up the dose can go to 200mg so knowing I'm on a lower dose does help. I'm also taking propanalol for my anxiety at the same time. I have issues with worrying about taking new medicines and the possible side effects from an anxiety point of view.

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LauraLovesDaisy · 07/02/2017 08:39

Totally understand how you feel, I was the same when I had to take amitriptyline for anxiety years back, because I'd never taken anything like that before. I think for me it was a control thing, was worried as I didn't know how it would make me feel. I'm sorry to hear you have no support, have you told your doctor about this? It sounds very lonely. I hope you find some support on here.

If the sertraline doesn't work there are many other options, as well as talking therapies. Hopefully it'll work well though, but you may need to tweak dose to see the full benefits. It'll take a little time but you will feel better x

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 07/02/2017 08:43

I'm away at university so no family near by (I can't tell my mother as I don't want her to worry). I think its because I'm away from home, I was fine for the two years but now its really hit. I just get so sad. When I go home its like its almost completely gone. I do have a friend I have know for 10+ years and I regularly talk to them on video chat etc so have support there.
I mentioned it to the doctor and she said its good that I have that at least but to make sure I try to plan things to do in the first week or so. I know I have to take them, I have no motivation - I just lay in bed, wide awake and don't get up to go to uni. I can't sleep very well. I just feel like I'm a sigh personified if that makes sense.

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Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 07/02/2017 09:00

I did it, I took my first one.

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EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 07/02/2017 09:08

Hi Ginger. Good for you.

I was on 40mg of citalopram for depression for a couple of years. I came off it, very, VERY slowly, about a year ago & haven't needed to go back on so far.

Do you have access to counselling, maybe through your university? I found it was the pills & talking therapy together that helped me. If you do feel the dose isn't having an effect, do go back & tell your GP. I started on 20mg but it wasn't enough.

And coming to MN is a great idea, the people here helped me a lot at the time!

Good luck x

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 07/02/2017 09:12

Thank you very much. The university takes MH very seriously - I have things put in place so my lecturers are aware (that I want to know and how much) so they can put things in place like extensions etc. They do have free counselling but that's not really my thing, I find talking to people extremely uncomfortable, I do have a diary however and I write in that like I'm talking to a person.

Thanks so much for your support, I'm just worried about the first week or so, it might be the case that I don't have very strong side effects but I just get so anxious about health stuff.

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LauraLovesDaisy · 07/02/2017 13:52

Great to hear you're getting support from uni! Good luck I hope you feel better soon x

Akire · 07/02/2017 13:55

I'm starting Sertraline today too feel bit dizzy at moment. I've only been on AD once before only for few weeks but dreams were so bad and even when I woke up and knew it was just a dream I wasn't convinced I hadn't just murdered someone, was horrible! So hoping I don't get to many of them. I live on my own also so happy join support thread

pishedoff · 07/02/2017 13:56

Hi Ginger,

Like others have said be prepared to feel worse before you feel better. I didn't know that and so the side effects terrified me, to the point I frantically called the doc as I thought I was totally losing control. Once I heard that it was normal it eased my mind so I could battle through it knowing it would pass.

Sending you lots of good luck!

creamcheeseandlox · 07/02/2017 14:02

I was on citalopram twice for PND. It does take a good few weeks to work as it has to build up in your brain before it takes effect. I was given anti anxiety pills to take in the mean time as it can make symptoms and anxiety worse before you get better. I was in a state thinking they weren't ever going to work and that I was going to get hooked on the benzos (was all part of my Illness). Slowly but surely everyday just seemed better to get through and then u realise that they are doing their job and giving you s lift. Stick with them...I would go back on them in a flash if needed.

titihood · 07/02/2017 14:02

Good for you you Gingerone. It took me years to take ADs and I am so glad I did, they changed my life. I wasn't too keen to take them and felt like I should be able to control my own brain, but after about a week or so I started feeling like the version of me I always wanted to be, and was in my best moments before.

If you do notice any severe side effects then call your Dr or the NHS 111 line. I did have a few side effects in the first few months of taking ADs (tight jaw, unquenchable thirst, slightly 'buzzy' sometimes), but they levelled out after a while.

I hope you start feeling better soon, remember that you may not notice anything for the first few weeks, and you may need to play around with doses/meds to get it right (and it will be alright )

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 07/02/2017 16:13

Thank you. I did sleep for 3 hours in the middle of the day - not sure if its a side effect or I was properly knackered though!

titihood My anxiety causes me to clench my teeth, to the point where I broke a chunk off of the back one! That's because I thought I was going to throw up (which I have a phobia of) and I felt like clenching my teeth made me feel better. Propanalol stopped that though.

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FreeWeezy · 07/02/2017 16:34

Hey gingerone, well done for getting help. I'm currently on 50mg sertraline and have been for a few months now and it has changed my life. It's not an instant change, you'll slowly start having more good days than bad days and, while you'll still have 'down' times, life will be so much easier and more enjoyable.
The side effects can be pretty horrible but they only last a few weeks. Personally, I found I was very dizzy and nauseous. When that subsided it gave me awful headaches. I've also found that if I take it after a big meal and just before bed/lying down I get bad reflux which lasts for hours. But the benefits for me really outweigh the side effects. (No more nausea or headaches).
But if it's not working for you there are loads more options.
I hope you start feeling better soon. Good luck x

rainbowgirl2016 · 08/02/2017 11:43

Hi. Sorry to interrupt! I've just started sertraline today.. I took it 3 years ago but felt I needed it again. Not sure why I'm posting really but just wanted to speak to others in a similar situation x

FreeWeezy · 08/02/2017 11:55

Hi rainbow. Yeah it can be quite isolating can't it. Sending positive vibes your way. This is the first step on the road to recovery and a better, happier life x

LapinR0se · 08/02/2017 11:57

I have been on sertraline for 2 years. I take 50mg a day which is the lowest effective dose. It's really helped me with anxiety.
Ask me any questions you like, I am here to hand hold and wish you well xx

rainbowgirl2016 · 08/02/2017 13:11

Thank you. When did you start to feel happier on the tablets? I can't remember when I first started them but this time I'm desperate to at least stop crying for a day! Thanks FreeWeezy! X

Akire · 08/02/2017 14:38

Day 2 much less of a zombie but only just taken second dose. Was very out of it yesterday. Had to do stuff this morning so didn't take it until 2pm. Don't worry took it 12.30 yesterday so still roughly same time!

Mine is for depression linked PMT so have no idea if it is working as 3/4 weeks I'm fine. So feels even strang taking and having sides when I'm feeling OK.

How's everyone else getting on with sides?

LapinR0se · 08/02/2017 14:52

It took 3 days for me to feel happier and 2 weeks to feel fully back to normal

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 08/02/2017 14:55

I'm feeling sort of normal - not as sad but just normal, like no emotion if that makes sense? Although certainly not happy.

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rainbowgirl2016 · 08/02/2017 15:08

Aw that's good. I remember thinking that it didn't take long last time but I can't remember just how long! ThatGingerOne, I'm thinking of you xx

FreeWeezy · 08/02/2017 15:43

It took me about a month to notice a difference in my mood. There was a weird time in between the side effects ending and starting to feel better when I felt really numb. Is anyone else doing CBT? Ive done 3 sessions and I don't really know if it's helping. I'm actually finding it quite stressful!

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