I don't want to take the meds.can I do this without them?

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

I have read some of the posts on here and the leaflet contained within the sertraline tablets. I wasn't keen on taking them anyway but I have been trying to deal with my increasing anxiety and depression for a year or so and I am not doing very well.
But the side affects really worry me. I know lots of people just get common side affects but even those worry me, let alone the rare ones. I hate taking anything, especially things that will make me feel ill or interfere with my periods. Yeah, I guess that is what is worrying me. That and putting on weight. I am feeling miserable about my weight anyway so I don't want to make it worse.
I am just scared of how this would affect me. Maybe I will have another go at dealing with this myself. The doctor has put me on the list for cognitive behavioural therapy so maybe that will help. I only saw the doctor today as I just couldn't go before now. I reached my limit last Friday so had to ask for help finally.
Does anyone know whether cognitive behavioural therapy is good? I don't know anything about it.
Did anyone put on weight with sertraline? And did it give you irregular, painful periods? or any other side affects aside from sickness or tiredness?
Thank you, I don't have anyone in RL that I feel i can confide in. I keep swinging from wanting to manage myself, to taking the meds if it means it helps.

I feel like crying today.I feel anxious too. I haven't time to meditate until kids are at school.that might help.the walk to school and back might help too. :( I hate feeling like this. And I am shakey.

Hello Private. Sorry to hear you are not feeling so good. I know you've said that your anxiety isn't related to thoughts, but can you identify whether there is anything you are/were thinking this morning? You don't need to say what, if there is, but just try to identify.

Can you do your relaxation once the children are at school?

How are you getting on Private? Has your day been okay?

Hi Private, I'm going to be referred for some talking therapy yes. I find it hard because I have really good days and then some bad days and I feel like why should I take something when I often have good days. But then on my bad days I feel horrible. I am planning to take my first tablet tonight but I'm scared!

This is very informative: www.getselfhelp.co.uk/cbt.htm

Also, there is a book called "CBT for Dummies" which is good - not that I am suggesting you are a dummy!!

Oh dear, I am having tech issues. :( 3rd and last attempt to post, they get more brief each time.

Blossom-thanks for the link, I will check that and the book out.

Happy-Good luck tonight with the meds, let us know how you get on.

Wrongtrouser-long post shortened.....I wasn't really aware at the time but I could have been anxious about my day.lots of stuff to do, people to see, chores and errands to run that couldn't wait.I am anxious about Saturday's event. I will read through the therapists stuff and see if that helps.
How was you day? Busy still? It's been raining since 2pm but I quite like listening to the rain whilst I am dry inside.
Anyway due to tech failure this has taken yonks and I don't have the energy to write it all again.Thanks for the support.x

Hi Private. I think something is a bit wrong with the mobile MN site at the moment. I'm on my laptop which seems fine.

I'm sure even though you sounded very positive about your family do, it will be weighing on your mind somewhere. So plus having a lot on before hand, that does sound stressful. I hope the exercises are helping.

We've had a fair bit of rain here but it has been lovely as it has made the plants grow overnight. I love this time of year when every time I walk round the garden something has changed, or grown or a flower has blossomed

I am feeling fine, much less busy now and feeling quite relaxed. I really don't cope well when I have too much on, much better when I can pace myself.

I hope all goes well tomorrow Private.

Thanks wrongtrouser, I think I am anxious about tomorrow.I had a bad day. Full of anxiety and teary too. Meditation only helped a little bit before work.I really didn't want to go to work but I was fine when I got there. I became really distressed when I got home and luckily I found someone to pick up the kids so I could fit in a meditation. I also took a memorabilia. Though half way through relaxing my mum knocked on the door. I ignored the first two rings but then she started on the letter box. I thought whoever wants me it must be important. It wasn't, so I had to be harsh and send mum on her way. I carried on with the meditation but the peace was lost.
I did feel better after though.not sure if it's the prop...or the meditation or I just wore myself out with it.I am feeling alot calmer too.I was trying to think of all the positives but it didn't work.
I love this time of year too, I enjoy looking at the plants and birds.

I am glad you are feeling better now. :)

Not sure where 'took a memorabilia' came from?! I meant took a propranolol.:)

Hope it all goes well tomorrow Private and that you have something nice and relaxing on Sunday to look forward to

I hope it all went okay today Private.

I had a great time wrongtrouser! It was the best. I wasn't anxious. In fact I was inspired to buy a dress today, and wear it outside (shock horror! :) ). This was for the first time in 8 years I think. All that worrying and I had a fantastic day.
How are you today?

That's fantastic Private Even a new frock

I've had a good weekend too, just the usual dog walking, gardening and pottering about.

Hi wrongtrouser, how have you been? I am having an odd sort of day. Not really motivated to do any chores. Really tired and feel exhausted all the time. I have felt this way for a few days and today I feel unsettled and quite down.hopefully it's just a small bump and I will be ok tomorrow. I an struggling to do meditation exercises and my physio so then I feel crap about myself. I haven't been eating the right foods. I seem to eat unhealthy snacks and skip meals alot.
Any tips to stop this getting worse. It's a vicious circle.

Sorry to hear you are not feeling so good today Private. I think sometimes it's helpful to try to be accepting that your moods go up and down, and perhaps just try to look after yourself well for a day or two until you are out the other side. That's what I try to do now, as I know it will pass. I know some people would deal with things very differently and give themselves a good talking to, and I'm sure that works for some, but for me I find that just adds to my down-ness, anxiety etc. So I try to think, I'm having a bad day or couple of days, I'll try to make things as easy as I can for myself and not expect too much of myself.

It sounds like you are really good in general at exercising, eating well etc. A couple of days just taking it easy won't do you any harm.

I don't know if that is any use at all.

I'm fine myself thanks, enjoying the lovely weather.

That does make sense. Thank you. I am pretty tired today, i felt a bit zombiefied actually til midday. I did have a lie down in the end which helped. I think I have been quite productive despite having dc1 off sick. I wrote a list of the things I needed to do and it helped me to stay more focused. I am feeling fed up with myself. But you are right I need to accept it and be kinder to myself.
I feel bad as I haven't done as much physio as I should have. I haven't done as much meditation as I should have and I need to read through stuff the therapist sent. Maybe I should add those into my list for tomorrow.
Take care x

I hope you are having a good weekend Private and are being kind to yourself

Hi wrongtrouser, I am finding it difficult to make time for myself, to do the cbt stuff and my physio. Due to being busy I haven't had time for my activity this week either. My oh is being a grumpy bugger, snapping at all of us alot over the last few days but says nothing's wrong.

My weekend has been ok, apart from oh, it has been relaxing pottering about doing my jobs though I feel exhausted through lack of sleep. It just hits me sometimes.

Have a great long weekend.x

Hi Private. Is your sleeping not getting any better? That must be exhausting, especially if you are busy. Snappy oh sounds wearing too

I'm having a good weekend, enjoying the lovely weather.

Hope you have a good day.

Just having a down day today. I have that anxious feeling inside for no reason.can't find the motivation to do much plus I am eating rubbish and skipping meals.
I read this meme that said 'Losing weight is hard. Being overweight is hard. Choose your hard.' It is true. I just need to help myself more. I need to choose my hard. I just have that feeling inside where I am exhausted with having to think, to do anything.

Anyway, enough self pity.....I need to crack on with a job that can not wait.

I did have a good afternoon yesterday when I saw my friend. So that was nice.
I am glad you are ok wrongtrouser. X

Hi Private. Hope you have a better day today. You seem quite up and down from your posts, some good days, some not so good. Overall, do you think you are feeling better than when you started the ads? And do you feel better since the increased dose? I know it's not always easy to tell. Do you think your motivation problems are because of tiredness due to lack of enough sleep? If I'm very tired I find it really hard to eat well, exercise, do things I need to do. I just feel I need to get through the day.

Are you getting much sleep now? Is there anything might help you sleep better?

Hope you have a good day.

Hi wrongtrouser, I am feeling better than before I started the ads, definitely. That was a really dark and emotional time. I am feeling better since it was increased. I guess I will see how it goes and i can always get it increased one last time.

I am so tired that I do just want to get through the day.
I am going to try a few things to help my sleep so I will see how it goes.
I just don't have the energy at the moment for conversations or anything.

It's good that you are definitely feeling better and that the increased dose is helping.

Tiredness is very hard to cope with though, esp with small children. Have you talked to the Dr about the tiredness, had your iron levels checked etc? Or do you think it's just your sleep problems?

All fine here - half term and lots of ferrying of the children about.

Hi wrongtrouser, I love half term and having the kids off.

I could get my levels checked. I used to be severely aneamic to the point they were talking about a transfusion. Luckily I didn't have one but it took years to get my levels up to normal. (They uncovered a medical reason for this) my last bloods were February and they were ok.

I think it is just lack of sleep. I don't think the dr can do anything apart from tablets and that is a route I am not going down.

I did wake feeling sad but actually my day was ok. I was on day one of my period and went for a huge long hot walk with my brother and family. On the one hand it was lovely to see him but on the other I was sweating like a pig and my whole mid section was in a vice! I did have fun though. My nieces are very sweet. I picked up some litter on the floor in these woods as it really bugs me. Take it home with you! Anyway, they asked me what I was doing and were getting involved. Passing me litter which I put in a bag and took home. I said we were saving the world one bit of litter at a time! :) and that we can make a difference. It was a great moment. :)
I think I was better at not being so hard on myself today. Thanks for being patient with me wrongtrouser.
Enjoy you half term.

Wrongtrouser, I had a pretty good day. It didn't start like that. I woke up feeling sh*t, I had gone to bed very late like an idiot. Woke with a headache and really couldn't be bothered to move. Luckily we had plans today so off we trotted in the heat. Me moaning a bit a first! Well walking in the heat with a headache is no fun. Once we picked up dc's friend we got the train to the beach. Lots of walking but lots of fun. I was relaxed and we all had a great time. I didn't feel self conscious like I often do or grumpy. So I am glad I forced myself up and out.
How are you today? :)