Just contacted GP and so proud

[LindaEllen]

I've suffered with anxiety (and depression that I think stems from the anxiety) since I was about 18 and I'm now 30. It's never been debilitating but it certainly limits the way I live my life.

For goodness knows what reason (as I'm not actually feeling too bad at the moment!) tonight I finally got the courage to send an online consultation form to the GP.

They're not doing face to face at the moment so I guess I'll either get an email reply or possibly a phone call.

But either way I'm really proud of myself.

I think one of the reasons I've not done it so far is that I'm scared whatever they suggest won't make me feel better - and then I have no options left.

Does anyone have any success stories of finally telling the GP and then getting treatment that really helped them improve their lives?

Hopefully this time next year I'll be able to say happy Christmas and really mean it!

Thank you so much for your support. I'll be relieved when it's done I'm sure (then I can start being anxious about the meds instead haha - I don't know what I'll do with myself if this actually works and I stop worrying all the time 😂).

11 hours and it'll all be done. And most of those hours I'll be sleeping!

@LindaEllen just popped on to say I'm thinking of you. You have waited this long. You can do it. It's ok to not be ok. You have your notes you can refer to if you need to and you won't be the first person to cry at your gp if it happens. I'll be back to see how you get on tomorrow. Don't be put off by potential side effects from medication. One step, and breath at a time.

[quote mrsdiddlydoo]@LindaEllen just popped on to say I'm thinking of you. You have waited this long. You can do it. It's ok to not be ok. You have your notes you can refer to if you need to and you won't be the first person to cry at your gp if it happens. I'll be back to see how you get on tomorrow. Don't be put off by potential side effects from medication. One step, and breath at a time.[/quote]
Thank you so much, I needed to read that 💗. I'll be back tomorrow once I know what's happening ☺️.

Amidst the anxiety at the moment is definitely a little bit of hopefulness - think about all the things anxiety has ruined for me, and the things I could enjoy if I didn't worry so much!

Good luck tomorrow. You can do this xx

The phone call lasted literally 5 minutes. Doctor was nice. Just asked about symptoms etc and she seemed keen for me to guide my own treatment etc. She asked what I wanted to try (ie meds or counselling) rather than telling me what I should do.

So I've chosen meds and she's prescribed a low dose of sertraline to start me off with, with a follow up appointment in 2 weeks.

I'm terrified of the side effects. Worryingly, she didn't talk me through anything, just sent a prescription to the chemist. Sertraline can make you feel suicidal which I believe you should be warned about (but I don't have those kinds of thoughts usually, so shouldn't happen to me).

Anyway. Scared or not I'll take them for the two weeks she recommended. Will drive to the chemist after lunch when DP brings the car back and start tomorrow morning.

Part of me wants to go back to bed for a bit now haha as I didn't sleep well last night at all!

@LindaEllen well done! Hardest bit done. Sorry she didn't expand on potential side effects. You've definitely earnt a nap to make up for last night if that's at all possible for you. Try not worry or replay any of it back. You can do this!

[quote mrsdiddlydoo]@LindaEllen well done! Hardest bit done. Sorry she didn't expand on potential side effects. You've definitely earnt a nap to make up for last night if that's at all possible for you. Try not worry or replay any of it back. You can do this![/quote]
Haha I did have a nap! Picked tablets up, ready to start them tomorrow morning.

Scared of side effects as one of the things I get anxious about is being ill - so the sickness/upset stomach possibility is really getting to me. I don't have to go anywhere which is good so I can just ride it out I guess!

Well done OP! Hardest part done! Hoping you feel a bit of relief (though I know when you have anxiety you worry about every little thing, so understandably, it's taking the meds)

I'm a bit worried about side effects, but only have a low 20mg dose of my medication, so hoping it won't be too extreme. On day two now.

@middleager

Well done OP! Hardest part done! Hoping you feel a bit of relief (though I know when you have anxiety you worry about every little thing, so understandably, it's taking the meds)

I'm a bit worried about side effects, but only have a low 20mg dose of my medication, so hoping it won't be too extreme. On day two now.

I've got my fingers crossed for you that you get through the first few weeks side effect free!

The way I see it, we get through this, and there's a good chance we get our lives back :).

As someone who's always been an anxious adult I'm quite excited about what this new way of feeling could potentially look like.

Me and DP were watching 'Planet Earth' last night & I was seeing all the amazing places and saying maybe we could go there one day. I mean, we won't (we're poor thanks to covid!) but the fact that travelling might be a possibility for me is nice. A week on the beach in Spain would suit me as I haven't been abroad since 2009 as the stress isn't worth it!!!

Taking my first dose in a few hours. Nervous about it and think I may get side effects psychologically regardless of what the tablets do haha but I have to get through it!

Can't put it off as I have a follow up appointment in 2 weeks which would be pointless if I'd hardly started 😆

Just taken the first tablet.

I won't lie, it sat there looking at me for a very long time. I even text DP who was at work saying I felt ridiculous for having to take tablets just to feel like a normal person.

He sent me the most lovely text back (which is unusual for him haha) and it just made me realise it was okay :).

So I'm just going to try and keep busy because I feel sick already (psychologically - I've literally only just taken it haha) and I don't want to have time to think about the possible side effects!

There's always a chance I'll get none of them whatsoever and I'll have wasted a heck of a lot of time worrying for no reason. Why change the habit of a lifetime though haha.

How are you feeling now OP?
Day 3 on mine but its giving me severe heartburn I think.

@middleager

How are you feeling now OP? Day 3 on mine but its giving me severe heartburn I think.

I feel a bit spacey but other than that okay. I'm not sure how quickly side effects would start anyway, I only took one this morning so maybe I will get some more at some point. Also feeling quite anxious which is supposed to be a common side effect but I think it's just because I'm worried about side effects haha 😂.

I hope your heartburn improves soon, fingers crossed that's all you'll get though :). After all the horror stories I read I had kind of resigned myself to being in a state of constant panic with a banging headache throwing up every 5 minutes .. so it's nice not to be (yet!)

@middleager

How are you feeling now OP? Day 3 on mine but its giving me severe heartburn I think.

Ooh also, I read on another thread that someone was having issues with heartburn but they started taking the tablet with loads of water rather than just a mouthful and that helped - not sure how much you use but could be worth a try!!

You are normal. You'd take paracetamol for a bad headache wouldn't you? You're not abnormal for that. You'd take antibiotics if you had an infection wouldn't you? Taking antidepressants is treatment for a chemical imbalance in your brain, it's that simple.

My DP started on sertraline a few months ago and is feeling a lot better. He says it's just like the heavy pressing feeling on his head has lifted and it's easier to carry on with his days. He also had some talking therapies which he found helpful too (but took two different tries to find a therapist he gelled with)

@addler

You are normal. You'd take paracetamol for a bad headache wouldn't you? You're not abnormal for that. You'd take antibiotics if you had an infection wouldn't you? Taking antidepressants is treatment for a chemical imbalance in your brain, it's that simple.

My DP started on sertraline a few months ago and is feeling a lot better. He says it's just like the heavy pressing feeling on his head has lifted and it's easier to carry on with his days. He also had some talking therapies which he found helpful too (but took two different tries to find a therapist he gelled with)

The bizarre thing is, I know that, as I did a whole module on brain chemistry and SSRIs as part of my degree! It's just my anxiety talking I think. I know it's not like that really and I have done/am doing the right thing.

I'm so glad your DP is doing well now. The weight being lifted is all I want! Anxiety plays such a huge part of my life, I can't do anything without worrying about some aspect of it, so it'll be freeing to see the back of it or at least a reduction :).

I hope your DP continues to do well! It's good to read positive stories about sertraline - I've read far too much negative ones.

I'll try taking it with lots of water thanks. I've suffered from heartburn ever since pregnancy 15 years ago. It never went away, but this is definitely aggravating it.

I don't suffer from health anxiety though (one of the few anxieties I don't have) so I can imagine you might be waiting for/thinking about the effects, which makes you more anxious. And just the thought of tablets too. But hang on in there and try to distract yourself with a book or bath, TV if you can?

I've been out for a long walk as am trying to improve my physical health too.

I think it's helpful that there are lots of other posters who can advise on what to expect and to share their experiences.

@middleager

I'll try taking it with lots of water thanks. I've suffered from heartburn ever since pregnancy 15 years ago. It never went away, but this is definitely aggravating it.

I don't suffer from health anxiety though (one of the few anxieties I don't have) so I can imagine you might be waiting for/thinking about the effects, which makes you more anxious. And just the thought of tablets too. But hang on in there and try to distract yourself with a book or bath, TV if you can?

I've been out for a long walk as am trying to improve my physical health too.

I think it's helpful that there are lots of other posters who can advise on what to expect and to share their experiences.

Ah right okay I guess it makes sense that it'd aggravate anything like that - heartburn is a listed side effect. I guess the good news is that if it's unbearable or doesn't go away there are other things you could try!

Definitely trying to distract myself. I've been reading all afternoon and catching up on TV now. Funnily enough, one of my anxiety symptoms is not being able to concentrate. I can never watch a film without going on my phone or wandering off, I can only read 2 pages of a book before I put it down .. yet today I somehow read half a (trashy, admittedly) novel. Perhaps I'm 'calmer' because I know I've taken positive action. Obviously the tablets can't have done anything in a few hours haha - but it's an effect I'd like them have in the end!

I need to exercise badly, as I know that makes me feel good, but at the moment I'm too concerned about potentially being ill (feeling sick/needing the loo etc) because of the tablets so I'm not straying far! Plan is to chill out as much as possible, and do as little as possible, for the next week. Not hard given lockdown!

I did enjoy reading so many stories of people saying it changed their lives. Wish I hadn't read quite so much about side effects, but the rest of what I read at least made me think it was worth it.

Made a lasagna for dinner, which tasted funny. Food tasting odd is a listed side effect, everyone else assured me it was fine. I hope that one goes away as I do love my food, maybe too much! Stepson helpfully pointed out it was a covid symptom but I've been there done that haha.

Sorry that was so long btw - I'm planning on using this thread as like a diary type thing to look back on when I'm (hopefully) feeling better, so I'm just typing what comes into my head :D.

That's what DP does too, one way his anxiety manifests itself is not being able to just do one thing, he will have to be on his phone while watching a film or he'll do his painting hobby while having a film on one pc screen and playing a computer game on the other. It's like he can't settle. It's something he wasn't aware of being caused by anxiety until his therapist pointed it out. So now he makes a conscious effort to do one thing for half an hour and that time limit makes it seem more achievable.

My best friend has been on sertraline off and on for several years now and has credited it with helping her through several really difficult life events, with no side effects either.

I really hope it works well for you!

Well that was a rubbish nights sleep! I've never been someone who struggles sleeping, but last night I couldn't switch off, I kept getting music in my head (really annoying songs from films I used to watch as a kid 😂) and my heart was beating so strong I could feel/hear it.

It's pretty much how I used to be on Christmas Eve as a child - except that was Christmas music and the reason was obviously excitement.

Unsure whether the sertraline caused this (I took it in the morning so some should have left my system by then!) or whether it's because I'm anxious about it anyway.

But; that's been the only problem so far, I'm lucky that I have sod all to do this lockdown so I can nap if I'm tired later .. hope everyone is okay!

I love my DP dearly, and he does his best to support me.

But I swear, if he tells me to stop thinking about side effects one more time 😂😂.

I mean, the man's not wrong.

But if I had the ability to turn my thoughts on and off at will, I wouldn't need the tablets! 😂

I can never get anything done when I've slept badly. Hopefully tonight will be better @LindaEllen Another day done though! Yay!

My day has been full on. Working from home. Home school learning. Cannot wait for my bed.

@mrsdiddlydoo

I can never get anything done when I've slept badly. Hopefully tonight will be better *@LindaEllen* Another day done though! Yay!

My day has been full on. Working from home. Home school learning. Cannot wait for my bed.

Same - I have very little to do luckily so I can just ride this out. Not that there's anything to 'ride out' so far.

Hope home schooling is going okay, must be tough. My stepson needs encouragement but he's 17 doing A Levels so there's not much I can do by way of helping!

Feeling quite anxious today.

I got to sleep quicker last night but woke up at 6 and couldn't drop off again .. so stayed awake until DP left for work at half 8. I had a little snooze after that but then got up at half 10, and feel anxious with a headache.

Both could be due to poor sleep. Both could be due to the fact my period is due today/tomorrow/whenever it feels like.

But everything is still manageable. Taken third tablet this morning.

Hi there - Ive just posted about my positive experience :)