Hello everyone
I wanted to come on here to let you know my story which I hope helps some of you. I am 45 years old and take 50mg Sertraline around 7pm at night.
Firstly should say that everyone is different and has different symptoms and medical histories so this story and advice will not be relevant for many people.
I have suffered with anxiety for years, many call it high functioning anxiety. I don't remember a time when I didn't have it and when I was younger, I always thought I just worried a lot. Roll on, a divorce, a child, being a full time working mother during a pandemic and 56weeks ago I finally succumbed and called my GP. I have to say it has been a life changer and its still early days.
I think anti depressants have a bad reputation, in fact they shouldnt be called that as some people are not depressed and that is very different from anxiety. I was very scared to take them....what if i turned into a zombie, what if all my feelings went away, what if I couldn't look after my child. I spoke to my friends and also contacted a few people i follow on Instagram who are mental health champions.
I was sick with nerves just before I took my first pill. I woke up at 3am but you should note that Im a bad sleeper anyway. The following morning I had waves of anxiousness, some numbness and prickliness in head and neck. I was very tired around 2pm then had a burst of energy in the evening.
Over the first week, this got better but I was very tired, like my brain was foggy and was hard to fully concentrate on things...but not worryingly so. The biggest thing in the first weeks, like most people say, is the waking up. I did have one night when I slept for 8 hours straight!
I can't believe I waited so long to take a SSRI. I main difference I have noticed is that I'm not so bad or short tempered, I don't react quickly to anything...just a general feeling of calmness. This is not to say that I don't get some anxiety but its no where near as bad as before and I think its good to still feel something.
And no, it hasn't affected my sex drive!
It took me 2 weeks to notice a slight difference and now at 6 weeks, I do feel like a changed person. I still have problems with waking up but I will that anyday over how hard to I used to find everything.
The road ahead is still long but I wanted to come on here as I know how scary this can all be.
Thank you for reading, I hope this has helped even just one person. Stay safe and well x
My advice is:
- sites like this are amazing support but be wary that everyone is different and unfortunately some people do not have a positive experience.
- go for a walk or exercise every day
- do not over Google side-effects and stories
- power through the first 2 weeks. Keep busy, keep a routine, try not to sleep in the day and have early nights
- use the obvious techniques of no phone, lavender at night-time to quiet the mind.
- write a journal for the first few weeks. Its helpful to see how far you come