Anyone recently started antidepressants and wants to chat/share progress and support

[Sleepy21]

I have posted a few times on MN about recently starting Sertraline, asking for others experiences - just wondered if, like me, there were any new/recent starters who wanted to just chat and post on their progress, challenges and good bits too! I find it really helpful rather than just thinking about it alone. Would love to connect with others who are still adjusting on any anti-depressant x

Me please! I’ve recently started escitalopram. Took ridiculously long to titrate up to 10mg (quartering 5mg pills) after being really nervous to start but I’ve managed it and have been on 10mg for 3 days now. It messes with my sleep every time I increase the dose but it does pass. I’ve also had a little dizziness and sweatiness but it has been pretty manageable. Not seeing any benefits yet but I know that’s to be expected. How about you?

Very glad to hear from you! I am 8 days into Sertraline - my sleep has been disturbed which has been the worst part, and now I’m feeling very low and flat 🙁I feel like some of my anxiety symptoms have gone down a tad but overall I am not seeing the benefits yet either. Like you, I know it takes time but I have to admit it’s pretty crappy waiting to feel better! Is this your first time on an anti-depressant?

I tried sertraline maybe around 10 years ago, only for a few days but it made me incredibly low so I stopped. I’ve had anxiety for around 25 years and have tried literally everything else, therapy, cbt, propranolol, meditation etc etc. The anxiety got to unbearable levels recently and was impacting on my life in very unsustainable ways so I really felt like I had no other option than to give medication my best shot. Hence the very slow titration to make sure I stayed on it! Am so hoping it works. What about you, is this your first time as well?

I tried Citalopram about 16 years ago now and I also got very low on it after a few days and stopped. I’ve had anxiety for as long as I can remember, even at a low level as a child. I go for long periods without it and then something happens or things get on top of me and it comes back -anxiety episodes have definitely got worse in my forties, I don’t know if that is possibly connected to perimenopause? Like you, it’s really impacting my life so time to try and look at a long term solution! I’m finding it particularly challenging having young children when feeling like this so I’m praying hard that I feel the benefits of the medication soon! How are you getting through the days? I feel I am just muddling through, and I so desperately want to feel like ‘me’ again

I am very similar! Also mid forties and think perimenopause is contributing to how bad things have felt recently. I’m desperate not to pass on any learned anxious behaviours or associations to my child and actually that’s a big part of my anxiety at the moment- the method of pushing through despite feeling anxious and trying not to care about it doesn’t work that well when I’m also extremely desperate not to show any hint of anxiety! Very much muddling through at the moment and that’s just how it’s got to be for now. I am actually doing well at not feeling too guilty about it, I think because I am trying to address things. I haven’t felt like me for so long that I don’t even know what that would feel like 😔

Very similar situations! Are you on HRT, or have you had any hormone testing? I am going to try and feel less guilty for muddling through - I keep battling with the thought that I’m not being a good mum as we haven’t been doing the number of things we normally would but trying to focus on getting back to where I was. I hope that one day it just springs upon you and you suddenly feel more like you. Very comforting chatting like this knowing I am not battling these feelings alone - sounds silly but sometimes I feel like I’m the only one!

Yes it’s so nice to not be alone!
Not on HRT yet. I sort of wondered if I should try that first but I don’t really have any other peri symptoms apart from my hair falling out 🥴 And as my anxiety is longstanding and I was just so fed up and upset with it that SSRIs seemed like the best option.

How old are your kids? My daughter is 11 and sometimes if I am really struggling I will say I am not feeling well so that the pressure to be ‘normal mum’ is removed.

Hello! This is a good idea for a thread.

I started 10 mg citalopram a week ago, with a view to titrating up to 20 eventually. A few months ago, the doctor put me straight on 20 and I had a horrible reaction (intensified my panic attacks) so I stopped but am now trying again as panic and OCD are in danger of completely taking over my day to day. So far, no real side effects other than sweating a bit more than normal. I take the tablet at night and sleep is so far unaffected. No therapeutic effects as yet either.

Wishing you both the best with yours, hopefully this medication can give back some calm and normality.

Hi all. I was on Sertraline for 6 years but it stopped working as well. Am now 10 days into taking venlefaxin and it’s been quite a ride!
I feel ok today though, it can take a good few weeks for a new medication to settle and begin working!

My sons are 4 and 7 - my 4 year old is still very needy so even if I say I am unwell and going to have a rest he will say ok but then come and join me - although he very sweetly said to me this morning he was coming to take care of me! I did try HRT a few months ago, more because my cycles were becoming so short and I was sick of the symptoms, but gave up after a few weeks as I started to get palpatations and got scared it was going to fuel anxiety. I probably should have pushed through it, especially as I am now back with it anyway! But I didn't immediately want to go back to it as thought it was better to get the anxiety under control. I imagine it will probably be required though in the near future - I am hoping for both of us that along with the SSRI, we may get a winning combination! Me too! My hair is definitely shedding at a faster rate 😩

Yes, I am feeling so up and down that I wanted to find others going through the same as I think it really helps. Thank you, and glad to hear that you are not suffering side effects from it - hope it continues to work well for you and yes, hopefully calm and normality is on the horizon for us all!

Have you had many side effects? I am finding the waiting a challenge, I need to stop counting the days and thinking ahead so much, and just take it day by day

I felt kind of overly energised on venlefaxin for the first few days. And trouble sleeping.
I felt very strange thr first week of taking sertraline. But stick with it, it can take weeks to reach its full effect.
I’m also impatient for the venlefaxin to start really helping with my ruminating and anxiety.
It’s horrible being a worrier isn’t it?x

Be very wary, read up on anti depressants. They have many side effects are not the happy pills GPs perched to be. Their mode of action is to destroy receptors in your brain. The chemical imbalance theory is unproven and just a simplification by pharmaceutical companies. Most GPs to not fully explain the side effects or how to come off them safely meaning many people are trapped. I speak from experience, none of it good. AD’s have ruined my life and that of many others.

Your 4 year old sounds very sweet! How are you doing today? I slept well which is great and feeling ok today so far.

@theonetwothats very brave of you to give them another go. Will you go straight up to 20 from 10 or try 15 first?

@viteviteThank you! A few years ago I was on citalopram and it did the trick for panic attacks for me, taking the edge off the adrenaline and constant worry/intrusive thoughts. However, I think the doctor was a bit ambitious putting me straight on 20 this time. I think I’ll do two weeks on 10 then go up to 20 and see how I get on, hopefully with no adverse effects this time! How do you plan to titrate up? Do you take your tablet in the evening or the morning?

Unfortunately feeling terrible today - really hoping things get better as I feel like just stopping them but I know I need to persevere! Some reassuring words needed.. @vitevite glad you had a good sleep and are feeling better @Lizzbear yes, so horrible being a worrier and I feel like it’s amplified at the moment - just trying to take it day by day but it’s not in my nature!

Sorry you’re feeling awful today. I hope you can relax this evening and maybe watch your favourite programme. I often feel more depressed on a Sunday. Could that be something to do with it and the medication kicking in still?

Oh no, sorry to hear that. What dose are you on at the minute? Is it worth going a bit slower?

That’s great you know it works for you! I’m finally at a therapeutic dose so going to hold here for 4+ weeks to hopefully see some signs that it’s starting to work. At the moment I take mine in the morning as I have other meds that I take them too so it works to do them all together. How about you?

Thank you - currently trying to relax in front of tv as we speak ;) I think it’s def the medication and tiredness, and the desperately wanting to feel better and a frustration that’s it’s taking some time

I was started on 50 and I am wondering whether to reduce like you say? I am speaking to the GP on Tuesday so I will see what they think along with the side effects I am having

That sounds like a good idea. It’s definitely for the best to take things as slow and steady as possible. I take mine at night now, partly because I’m thinking if I experience any side effects I might be able to sleep them off!

Hang on in there, like another poster says you can always lower your dosage if needs be, good that you have a GP appointment lined up.

I’m planning on making appointment and going back on Sertraline next week! Initial side effects have been putting me off, but it’s needed.