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Anxiety medication first timer

5 replies

Aburg163 · 13/09/2021 20:19

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on Mumsnet so sorry if it's in the wrong place or not quite right in some way. Essentially I am currently at a bit of a breaking point with anxiety symptoms. I have always had anxiety under the surface and honestly it's taken me until now ( I'm 26 ) to realise it isn't just me being empathetic or quirky and actually it is hindering my quality of life. I used to suffer from migraines and thought it was muscoskeletal but something seemed to just tip me this past year and I went from working a very busy job and feeling like I was on a roll to doing a course for a couple of months to progress my career at home. I started off okay but by week 3 or 4 something inside me just changed and it was like the sudden slow pace made everything I've been through for a number of years come to the surface. The bereavement of a younger family member who committed suicide hit me like a ton of bricks and I started weeping uncontrollably one day. I thought it was just a funny five minutes and pulled myself together ready to get back to work in my fast paced environment again and for the first couple of weeks I was doing good. I met my new boyfriend and we were having a lovely time then that anxiety resurfaced again but this time as a complete and utter inability to swallow solid food around any person other than myself. I ignored it for a while and swung back and forwards between good days and bad days but as it gained momentum my throat has become tighter and more restrictive. I've now seen 3 hypnotherapists, used a swallowing device, had my bloods taken and saw my GP and I am beyond stuck with it all. My boyfriend is truly amazing as is my manager who has adjusted my shifts to help me to cope with how little I'm eating which I am eternally grateful for but this cannot go on, I have come to the conclusion I will probably need to start taking medication but I have no idea where I start. Before now I'd never even met my GP and I've never been on any medication at all. I have been cleared medically and my throat is in working order, but I just need something to take the edge off. I actually feel great mood wise, my relationship is wonderful and life is in a good place but my mind is processing old things I put on the back burner I suppose. Can anyone make any recommendations or possibly let me know what I can expect from anxiety medication? I cannot talk to my family really as they're lovely but explaining that I'm finally feeling the bereavement will be hard for them to hear. I really feel like I have nobody to ask so any sort of tips of advice would be appreciated. Thank you

OP posts:
Extragherkinsplease · 13/09/2021 20:28

Hi,
So sorry to hear you have been having a hard time.

Medication has worked wonders for me and I can’t imagine not taking it now!
I went from someone who struggled to talk to close family members (basically like a selective mute) to being a teacher! It has taken a long time with therapy etc but medication has certainly played its part.

I would warn you that each time I have started/ stopped taking it, my body has had about a fortnight of horrible illness which does make you want to reconsider but if you can get through this barrier it’s a huge thing!
I take sertraline but I did have to try a few before this one worked best for me!

I’m really not taking it lightly when I say how different my anxiety has been since I started taking it - I can do so many more things without even thinking about them now.

Someone once said to me…
Would you not wear your glasses just because you felt it wasn’t important? No? Then why would you not take medication to help with something else?

Don’t be worried about taking them - we all take other medication when we have a headache/ put plasters onto cuts. Anxiety medication is just a plaster for your soul.

Aburg163 · 13/09/2021 20:34

@extragherkinsplease thank you so so much for your reply I am so grateful. I think it's sold it for me really, I'm going tonspeak go my GP tomorrow and get going with it. Thank you

OP posts:
Extragherkinsplease · 13/09/2021 20:38

♥️♥️♥️

Do make sure you have a good chat and talk about the different medications available for you.

I know it’s such a hard decision to make so best of luck to you 🌸

BennyBean · 16/09/2021 17:47

I have had help from my doctors and it was all done over the phone two weeks ago i started with medication for noise Anxiety i have not noticed a difference yet but i am going to keep taking it because all the reviews have been good and hope i can get through the barrier and come out the other side i take Escitalopram 10mg i hope you get sorted the doctor was really patient with me and said she has had a lot of patients with high Anxiety this year more than last year i hope you get better soon

GiantCheeseMonster · 16/09/2021 22:04

I am four days into taking sertraline for anxiety.

Physically I feel a bit rubbish (sleeping badly, shaky, no appetite, achy - as if I’ve had flu) but I can already say I’m feeling better mentally. That horrible churning feeling in my stomach has gone and I’m not spiralling into catastrophising every thought. Everyone says the side effects can last a fortnight so I’m sticking with it as I already feel better. You can do it OP. Flowers

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