I feel so alone

[Yorkshireteaalwayswins]

I’m really struggling right now. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 10 years ago and put on sertraline. All was well until I started Mounjaro at the beginning of this year. I noticed my mood starting to dip but I was aware that low mood was a potential side effect and I wasn’t planning on staying on Mounjaro for long due to cost.
In May my anxiety returned briefly on holiday but abated once I got home so I thought it was a blip. In July it returned full force and I went to the doctor. She told me to stop the Mounjaro immediately as she said it affected mental health if that was something you were prone to. Luckily I already had by then.
Due to low libido she offered to change me to Vortioxetine as it had less of an impact. I tried it for 10 weeks before quitting as all I experienced was either really bad depression or extremely heightened anxiety. I have been back on sertraline for 11 days today and I feel no better. No appetite at all, constantly feeling sick plus palpitations and always feeling scared. I know I must love my husband but I can’t feel it right now. He just feels like a mate who I can’t connect with.
I keep telling myself that it’s just the medication and to give it time but it’s been so long already. I feel so alone and that I’ll never be happy again. I’m terrified that my marriage will be ruined and my husband will be devastated. I’ve had insomnia but the last two nights so I’m exhausted too.
I don’t know what I want from this but I needed to tell someone.

Thank you, I really am trying. What did you try acupuncture for?

A life time of wobbly MH

I’m 43. I had blood tests done yesterday to check my hormones but the doctor says she’d want to stabilise my mood first, even if perimenopause is a factor.
I have briefly wondered about adhd but I don’t think that I have it. Some behaviours resonate with me but not enough for me to question it.

Thanks, I’ll have a google and see what I can find.

Sorry I didn’t see this. The MJ is long gone. I’d stopped it before I saw the doctor in July.

I am not sure what to recommend on the MIND website, maybe just take a look and see what they can offer.

Good luck.

Hi Op, didnt want to read and not send you a message. I've been there and I know how awful anxiety can be, but you will get out the other side. Sertraline will take at least 2 weeks to have any positive impact, and 6 weeks to start having full effect. The initial side effects can be pretty grim and sometimes temporarily increase your symptoms. Unless your side effects include things like suicidal thoughts, i would try and get to two weeks to give your body a chance to get used to it. If things still feel unbearable then consider trying something else. All these medications work differently for everyone but you will find one that suits you and they really can help you. These days i manage my anxiety with exercise mainly- i know it can be hard to make a start but even putting in your headphones and going out for a walk everyday can really help. While you are waiting for the meds to help please try to get outside everyday (especially if the sun is out), drink lots of water, regular deep belly breathes and any distraction that works (comfort shows, small treats, warm bath etc.) You will be ok xxx

I loathe exercise, OP - force yourself out (put coat over loungewear) for 10 minutes a day. That small totter makes a big difference.

I deeply resent it but once you’re out (the hard bit is leaving) it passes in a flash and boosts your brain chemicals.

You’re doing well - this is the shit bit where
the meds are going in but not working yet - hang in there.

100 per cent agree.

Hi @Rubes24thanks for your message. I have hope as the sertraline worked so well before but I didn’t have any side effects (that I remember) when I started 10 years ago so this has really thrown me. I’ve decided that I’m going to start walking this week. I tried last week but I kept ruminating and practicing conversations in my head so I don’t think I felt a benefit. My sister has recommended podcasts rather than music as this should distract my brain more. Fingers crossed I can keep to it.

This is something I’m going to try this week. I used to be a proper gym girl but I’ve really lost my mojo over the last year. I need something to focus on so maybe this could be it. Thank you.

Hi Guys. Actually woke in the night without the pit of anxiety cursing through my body. First time in a long time. Have a review with my psychiatrist this week, so hoping they can prescribe me something stronger. We did talk about CBT before but she doesn't think this would be beneficial at the moment. It also blurs lines that I have bipolar and I'm in perimenopause. I always say I can deal with the bipolar better than I can the anxiety. It just cripples me.

You may feel a tiny bit worse OP in the very early stages of taking the meds.
Every one you take, every step you make out of your front door is getting you out of the hole.

That’s great news. Walking up with that immediate fear that “somethings wrong” is really hard so I’m glad you got a rest from that today. It’s little things like that that keep us going.
Good luck for your meeting with your psychiatrist, I hope she can advise on something that will help.

This is so true and such a cruel thing. The meds are supposed to help but mostly people feel worse at first. I will fight this and regain my life.

I alwways think the irony is you can't do what you're supposed to do to help yourself....because you are depressed.