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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:

creamcheeseandlox · 08/02/2017 15:45

Ginger I definitely remember feeling sort of emotionally numb in the sense that I didn't cry at sad stuff on tv etc. But it also meant that I was blaze to stuff that would have sent my stress and anxiety levels up. Some people I know didn't like the emotionless way it made them feel but I was just glad to not be crying and having panic attacks everyday and that things just seemed to go over my head.

7SunshineSeven7 · 09/02/2017 12:12

Is loosing your apatite normal? I'm not really hungry but feel a bit weird because I'm not eating, like I know I'll feel sick later.

LapinR0se · 09/02/2017 13:01

Yes appetite fluctuation is normal, just try to eat bland foods little and often

Snooks1971 · 09/02/2017 17:36

Hi everyone. I was on Sertraline for approx 3 years and it changed my life. I self weaned off them very, very gradually because I felt so much "better" and took my last tablet last August 2016.

However..... I started taking Sertraline again this week (now on day4) because my anxiety levels have been through the roof yet again and have gradually got worse and worse. The last month has been horrendous with palpitations, mood swings, shouting at the dc, feeling low. Anxiety was the worst thing with my arms feeling numb and that great big bubble of worry in my chest. Literally feeling apprehensive and anxiety about EVERYTHING.

So, I'm also battling through the nausea, tiredness etc at the mo. I do already feel calmer though which is good. I know from taking them before that the side effects will pass. Good luck and keep going to everyone at a similar stage! X

FreeWeezy · 09/02/2017 19:11

Snooks sorry to hear you're back on and having to deal with side effects again. That's great you managed to stay off them for so long though! Well done! I hope the side effects pass quickly for you. I have a dd and find she is the main source of anxiety/mood swings for me too. It's so difficult trying to hold everything together while you feel so awful. Hope everyone had a positive day today and if not, there's always tomorrow

Snooks1971 · 09/02/2017 20:41

Thankyou FreeWeezy! I think I almost needed to test my mental health by coming off them and then assessing how I could cope without taking them. In hindsight I should have never stopped taking them - but hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it?!
Looking forward to feeling positive and good about my life again

FreeWeezy · 09/02/2017 22:00

Yeah I know what you mean. I wonder sometimes how I would be without them now things have calmed down. But there's no shame in taking them, I'd like to not need them one day but you just have to do what it takes to get through and enjoy life
Just have to get through the next few weeks and then you'll feel great again

YellowCrocus · 09/02/2017 22:05

Snooks I have a long standing history with citalopram lasting almost 20 years. On citalopram = functioning human being. Off citalopram = twitching basketcase. I've now decided that they can prise it off of my cold, dead, body. If it works for you, there's no problem.
Well done Ginger, you are doing great. In a few weeks it will all even out. Stay strong, ladies :)

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 10/02/2017 10:28

My appetite was dead yesterday but I suppose that's a good thing as I tend to over eat a lot. I felt a bit spaced out yesterday, just hard to concentrate but I did go in to uni so that's a plus. Although it was commented on how big my pupils looked. Weird.

I was in a really horrible black mood yesterday though, I just didn't really talk to anyone and just sat there.

OP posts:

FreeWeezy · 10/02/2017 14:04

That's okay ginger you went to uni and that's a HUGE achievement. You don't need to push yourself to be sociable if you don't want to be. You should be really proud :)

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 10/02/2017 18:25

Thanks Free I went in today again but my mood was super low again. Appetite is still down, trying to eat small amounts through the day like toast and things.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 10/02/2017 18:29

But you went in. That's amazing. Well done you. Little steps. And eat whatever you can. Hope you get some sleep tonight.
(Depression and anxiety sufferer! Had meds and CBT then came off meds.)
Wishing you well.

Starlyte · 10/02/2017 18:49

I've been on anti-depressers quite often, for short or long periods, of all sorts and colours! Those like sertraline take 2-3 qeeks to start working, and while you're waiting it is important to keep in touch even just on line, and talk.
I've lived in France for so long I don't know what the Health support's like in the UK now, but my son gets his meds renewed by the chemist, not a lot of support, IMO, so keep going with the dose regularly, and if it really doesn't work, there's many other chemical combinations you can try. It does take some time to get the right product and the right dose.
What ever you do, don't stop taking them abruptly, as it can be pretty dangerous.
I hope you have a Dr you can talk to, but I know they're hard to find. If you do, keep with him/her, as it's taken me ages to find a good one.
Hang on in, and try to keep in touch on here.

Snooks1971 · 10/02/2017 18:50

Well done Ginger take it one day at a time - but also try if you can to gently look forward to a couple of weeks' time when you WILL feel better, in lots of ways. Stay strong

Snooks1971 · 11/02/2017 21:01

Ginger how are you getting on?
I've dozed on and off all day and feel exhausted, good news is that the anxiety is abating. Less nausea too. Waiting for the side effects to even out and some of my old vitality to return!
Anyone else similar?

Original poster

ThatGingerOne · 11/02/2017 22:13

I'm feeling okay, I was really down the past two days but today I was really busy with work so hard to focus on it today. I managed to eat a bit more today as my appetite has been really low - I've been on it for 5 days so I'm really hoping that I'm over the hump and it won't last longer than that.

Thanks for the positive vibes everyone!

OP posts:

FreeWeezy · 11/02/2017 22:38

It definitely gets easier every day. It sounds like you're coping really really well. Do try and eat what you can. Smaller regular meals are easier. And make sure you're drinking lots :)

Wolfiefan · 11/02/2017 22:40

That all sounds really positive OP. Good news.

Starlyte · 12/02/2017 07:36

Hang on in there. It'll only get better and easier. You sound as if you're doing really well.
It'll get easier to concentrate after a while, don't fret, and one day you'll wake up and feel like it's a good new day.

OnceMoreIntoTheBleach · 12/02/2017 08:09

Ginger have you looked into the support services at uni? I suffered similarly to you when I was there years ago. They might have a support group or something that would help you feel more supported.

Stick with the meds and don't be afraid to go back to the GP if you think they are not right. As PP said, there are lots of options

LauraLovesDaisy · 19/02/2017 20:49

How are things going ThatGingerOne?

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