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Mental health

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Original poster

Scared of medication

11 replies

DandDoodlz67 · 04/08/2023 17:59

I have pnd anxiety and depression and I have nocturnal panic attacks
my gp prescribed me sertraline at first and I had the most horrific side effects they told me to stop
mice now been taking phernagen
and have been today prescribed citalapram and beta blockers however after the sertraline I’m so scared of trying them as I’ll never forget the bad reaction I had to sertraline
has anyone else had similar? Does the anxiety and panic feeling get worse initially? I’m scared of looking after my baby and feeling suicidal and unable to sleep again

OP posts:

DustyLee123 · 04/08/2023 18:05

Being scared is part of your illness 💐
My DH started Citalopram after researching antidepressants, and his only side effect was feeling a bit tired. But I’d say that they helped him relax, and so sleep better.
Give them a go.

Grannyknowsbest · 04/08/2023 18:11

What side effects did you have.
I have suffered depression and anxiety over 30 years.. been in psychiatric hospitals.. had and still having counselling.. think I've been on almost every antidepressant there is.. citralapram stopped working for me.. ( I've been on Prozac.. worse one for me) Trazadone ( okish) Seroxat stopped working.. Sertraline is good for me.. buy we are all different.. took approximately 4 weeks to get over the side effects and for it to start working. It's well know for very vivid dreams.. but out of everyone I've tried it's the best for me.. Every antidepressant takes on average 3 weeks to start working and get over the side effects. I didn't like beta blockers.. but when l go into the " black hole" my GP will prescribe me two weeks worth of Diazepam as long as l continue with my counselling.. I'd speak to your psychotherapist or GP .. or your Psychiatric nurse at your GPs first.. l hope you were offered counselling first before medication.. that's the NICE guidelines.. Good luck.

FatArse123 · 04/08/2023 18:30

When I first took Sertraline DH pointed out that I had starting holding onto the kitchen table during dinner times, out of some unnamed terror. It then got better, particularly when I upped the dose. That said, I found it was messing up my sleep, so I switched to Mirtazapine, which seemed to work well immediately. There is a lot of trial and error with ADs, I have discovered. Hang in there OP!

Original poster

DandDoodlz67 · 04/08/2023 19:43

Thank you all that’s really helpful to know
I have heard that different ones can work differently and not every type will be the same. I think I must have a low tolerance perhaps but maybe I just need to tell myself to expect the worst and to carry on in the hope it will work out

OP posts:

Annaishere · 04/08/2023 19:48

I found citalopram to be absolutely brilliant for anxiety straight away

watermelonsugar11 · 04/08/2023 19:48

I was like you and had horrendous side effects with sertraline and then fluoxetine. My gp put me on 20mg citalopram last year and I was so anxious taking them.. it took about 2 weeks for the side effects to go and after that I felt like a different person!! I did go a bit dizzy now and again on them, had very vivid dreams for about a week and was tired a lot for the first 3 weeks but once I got through that I was completely fine on them!! About to go up to 30mg and I'm anxious about it but I know the side effects were so minimal and they helped me to function so much

Original poster

DandDoodlz67 · 04/08/2023 20:08

That’s great to know thank you! I wonder out of interest if anyone has had excessive yawning that’s another thing I have experienced with ssri

OP posts:

NancyJoan · 04/08/2023 20:14

I have nighttime panic attacks. The beta-blockers are amazing. You can feel your heart just slowing down after about 15 mins, and you can go back to sleep.

kizziee · 04/08/2023 20:35

What side effects did you have? It might be worth you asking your dr if you can start on a lower than usual dose to try and reduce any initial side effects.

Original poster

DandDoodlz67 · 05/08/2023 07:36

kizziee · 04/08/2023 20:35

What side effects did you have? It might be worth you asking your dr if you can start on a lower than usual dose to try and reduce any initial side effects.

I felt suicidal and I had brain zaps then a panic attack then went on for around 7hours!! Constant yawning and hot sweats the whole night I was up with the constant panic attacks one after the other and like being struck by lightning for the entire night
Btw I only took two half tablets and that’s how I reacted! I didn’t even have panic attacks or anxiety before just feeling depressed and sad so they caused me a whole load of anxiety and new problems

OP posts:

kizziee · 05/08/2023 16:44

You poor thing - I know how horrific that can be.
Definitely discuss with your dr. They can start you on a very small dose and you can also potentially take diazepam in the first few days to help with early side effects.

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