Hello. I have been prescribed setraline, and ever since picking them up I have been too scared to start taking them, due to reading up on the side effects.
I have been struggling with depression for around 10 years, and after rounds of therapy, trying exercise, NHS low mood course etc, i am in an especially low place now and have been for the past 12 months.
I am excited to feel better and hopeful they will work. My main blocker is my employer. My job is extremely high pressure and I am afraid of not being 100% at work, of dropping the ball due to side effects or being nauseous etc.
I work in London and live in the midlands so stay down there for a night in the week whilst in the office for 2 mandatory days. This alone is tiring and I am afraid of being fatigued due to side effects.
I had two weeks off at the start of the year and my manager was supportive. I feel anxious telling her about the medication, and do not want time off again as the workload is so intense right now, with lots of big projects going on.
I feel quite isolated with my worries as I don’t know who to talk to, I feel a bit worse now having picked up the prescription as I now feel more anxious than ever, about starting this next step.
Does anyone have any advice or experiences they could share? Do you think I will need time off work/are the side effects so bad? Or could I plough on and take them and work etc? I am seeing a counselor at the same time as taking them, so am also hopeful the combination plus running, will help.
Thank you so much for reading.