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.

[Mrspotatohead18]

I've been on sertraline for a few weeks and the only side effect I've had is some terrible insomnia, which the doctor said should level out once they are in my system properly

[stilllearnin]

Hi OP how are you doing - I have been following your thread. I have been on Sertraline for 2 weeks now. I have had side effects similar to yours but then had almost 3 good days where I actually felt a better version of me! But the last 3 days have been terrible. I start off ok and then feel sick, racing heart and really anxious. like the world has turned black and is closing in on my mind (I know sounds mad doesn't it?). I don't have anxiety problems and I never have so I am very pissed off at this. I am thinking of ringing the dr and maybe taking half in the morning and half in the evening. I am more likely to stuff up my doses that way though. I have a dr appt next Tuesday but I don't want to go a week feeling like this.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

Hi wrongtrouser, I woke at 3.30am :( hopefully it will go back to normal after a few weeks.(thank you mrspotatohead) apart from a short work shift I took it easy today and then saw a friend. I think I will try to get an early night but for some reason I am just not sleep til late-tho I am during the day-figures! I won't give up.
I bet you had a wet dog walk today!

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

Hi stilllearnin, sorry you are having a rough time. I would call the dr too. I though the side effects , were supposed to go after a few weeks. Racing heart is the worse, actually so it nausea and anxiety-hell, it's all rubbish! :) but you know we are on the right path to getting better. Let me know how you get on.

[stilllearnin]

Thank you private. I will ring the Dr tomorrow and report back. Luckily my counsellor and gp are very good.

[WrongTrouser]

Hi Private Sorry to hear you are still not getting a good night's sleep. Sounds nice to see your friend though. Honestly, it will be worth it when the ads start to take effect. For me, it has just let me get on with and enjoy my life again. I had to increase my dose a few weeks ago, and that is really helping now.

Not too wet here today, so dog content - he is a bit pathetic when it's raining, or even if the grass is wet.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

Slightly better sleep last night til 5.30am. I will take that!
Been up and not so up today.hints of anxiety but nothing like before. I did start to do some physio exercises and got quite light headed and my heart raced (not through exertion).
Got a nice but busy day tomorrow.
Your poor dog not liking rain! :)

[WrongTrouser]

That sounds positive Private Enjoy your day tomorrow 🙂

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

I slept til 6ish which was fab but have been really down most the day. Really annoying. My kids have noticed I am sad tonight. :(
I hope tomorrow is better.

[BCGRMDP]

im having this battle today

[WrongTrouser]

Sorry to hear that you haven't had a good day Private, although a better night's sleep is good. Are your children supportive when you are feeling sad?

[WrongTrouser]

BCG Are you undecided about taking ads or have you started?

[BCGRMDP]

i have them but i cant beat the feeling tjat if i take them i will lose my kids

[Wolfiefan]

BCG Why would that happen? I've been on medication. Surely my kids are better off if I'm treating my anxiety and depression than having to deal with me being ill.

[WrongTrouser]

BCG Are you worried about having the label of depression? Really, you shouldn't worry about that. What Wolfie says is right. You are doing the right thing for your children to take medication if you need it and get better. Loads of people take ads. For me a lot of the motivation for taking them is so I can be a good parent and partner, as it was awful for my family when I was poorly.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

Wrongtrouser my children are so loving and supportive (when they are not squabbling with each other!). They don't know anything about this though as they are only in primary school but they are very cuddly kids which is great.
BCG I agree with wolfiefan, I read your thread earlier. Maybe have another chat with your doctor.x

[BCGRMDP]

just feel like im losing my mind

[WrongTrouser]

Your children sound lovely Private. Mine are great too, teenagers - still quite cuddly, now and then

[Wolfiefan]

BCG. It is illness. You're not losing your mind. You aren't well and the medication can be one part of your recovery.

[BCGRMDP]

thank you. my clearest times of day are first thing so just took my first dose.

dreading the mental health team coming tuesday :(

[stilllearnin]

Hi BCG Just wanted to say I am thinking of you as you are clearly having a tough time. Well done for taking the meds. You have to give it a try. You know really that you have to keep trying everything and anything that will work. As the others have said, you just cannot be penalised for getting treatment when you are ill. I am having a difficult time with my children and I know how scary it can be when professionals get involved with your family (sorry I have not seen your other thread so i am assuming a fair bit here). You have to have faith that you are doing the best you can for you, to get well. That way you can work on anything else that is going on. If you can, please try to be as kind to yourself as possible in the next few weeks.

I have started to split my dose and to be honest it isn't working very well. I am only on 50mg. The side effects have gone but also the benefits. I am going to keep at it until Tuesday when I see my favourite GP.

[BCGRMDP]

thank you.

im feeling horrifically sick right now :( can barely move without feeling like im going to throw up

[stilllearnin]

Ok. This is when you need to be kind to yourself. It is most likely the medicine so that means it will pass. It is purely a physical reaction. Do you have to do much today? Can you try to imagine it's one of the children that's feeling sick - what would you do for them and then do that for yourself.

[JustAnotherPoster00]

OP would you tell a diabetic not to take their insulin? Of course you wouldnt, help yourself by taking the medication, you might not need to be on it forever but it will help by giving you that bit of breathing room inside your own head.

Good luck OP , be gentle with yourself but take your meds

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

I woke at half 6 so that was ok but my mood took a nose dive. It was my worst day for a while. I don't want my oh to get cross with me being low and acting strange (which I kind of was. I felt strange today) he is being lovely but not sure how long that will last. I guess I am only a week in so early days yet. I had plans to see my friend but initially text to cancel. I then took myself on a walk which made me feel a little better and then saw her. I was glad I did. I don't think I was miserable with her. I don't want to be known as the miserable friend. She always lifts my spirits.
Bcg-I hope you are feeling better today.x