The Depression Thread #2

[Pollyanna263]

Hi all, hope this is okay to post. I was wondering if anyone if anyone was willing to share their experience with antidepressants, specifically ssris. I have spoken to my GP about starting medication for GAD and depressive episodes and am due back next week to discuss my options. I’m kind of overwhelmed from researching. There’s so many different types, side effects etc, I don’t know what to make of it all. My main q’s are 1.which ssri is generally offered first, 2. What side effects have people dealt with and how bad, 3. Is it worth it? Im so sick of living with mental illness and medication seems like the next step in managing it, but I don’t have anyone in person I feel I can talk to about all this. It’s all very overwhelming and scary. TIA xx

It’s absolutely okay to post
I think most people here have tried at least one antidepressant.

The first is usually sertraline - because it’s well-tolerated, well-known, and cheap.

Side effects take a few weeks sometimes to settle. They really vary by person, in terms of what (if any) you get and how bad they are.
For some, the side effects are tolerable and easier to cope with than the effects of the illness itself.
For others, the side effects are too much.

Don’t let that frighten you, because what you get with one you might not get with another.

It sounds like your GP is lovely and supportive. The fact you’ve spoken about it and are going back to discuss options is great.

I would ask what the plan would be if, for example, the first one you try doesn’t agree with you (side effects aren’t tolerable, or symptoms aren’t relieved) - how long do you need to wait; can you book follow up appointments now so you know you have them (see what GP says but maybe 1 week, then another 2 weeks, then 4 weeks?)

Is it worth it? For me - yes. Absolutely. It’s allowed me to live, rather than be consumed by depression and trauma.
It has ti be worth a try, right?

Good luck. We are here

 

[Dianne]

It’s hard to advise because everyone reacts differently to them. I’d guess Sertraline is commonly prescribed. I found it good for anxiety but made me feel really flat and I had stomach problems. It also made me weirdly happy at first, like bursts of mad excitement. I was on 50mg, then 100mg then 150mg. I swapped to Duloxetine 30mg turn 60mg and found that that was a better fit for me.

 

[nimblefimble]

Thanks that’s all very helpful! I’m very nervous for my appointment, I’ve been to doctors before about my anxiety as a teen and have never managed to get proper help. I struggle to advocate for myself and I’m always worried it will be brushed off as nothing or laughed at. I’m desperate for help and I’m dreading being told I can’t get it.

 

[Carapop]

i’m desperate for help and I’m dreading being told I can’t get it.

Say this!

Write some notes down before your appointment. When you’re feeling calmer and relaxed in your own safe environment without anyone looking at you expectedly. Read this to the doctor. It will take some pressure off you and the occasion.

You don’t need to be overwhelmed. The GP will recommend the drugs and dosage. This is their job and not yours.

Please don’t google the different drugs and possible side effects. It will only worry you. EVERY POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECT that has been noted in trials has to be recorded and our minds are so powerful we can convince ourselves of Damn near anything with enough suggestion. The placebo effect is strong and can work against us as often as it works for us.
Some have side effects disappear after a few days, some weeks, others might have side effects that persist throughout (but the side effects pale in comparison to what the drugs are managing to effectively treat). And there are lots and lots of people who have no side effects at all at all.

What else have you tried? I find medication is most effective when it’s not the only tool being employed. It can help you regain your footing and strengthen you to face your demons in therapy. Or make it easier get out of bed in the morning to start the day with a walk. Quiet the noise in your brain so you can try meditating or yoga or acupuncture or a new hobby you always wanted to try.

And as said above, if you don’t like the first drugs you try, then there are loads more to play with. It’s going to be a bit of an experiment but you’re not on your own and there is a whole world of opportunity out there.

 

[nimblefimble]

Say this!

Write some notes down before your appointment. When you’re feeling calmer and relaxed in your own safe environment without anyone looking at you expectedly. Read this to the doctor. It will take some pressure off you and the occasion.

You don’t need to be overwhelmed. The GP will recommend the drugs and dosage. This is their job and not yours.

Please don’t google the different drugs and possible side effects. It will only worry you. EVERY POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECT that has been noted in trials has to be recorded and our minds are so powerful we can convince ourselves of Damn near anything with enough suggestion. The placebo effect is strong and can work against us as often as it works for us.
Some have side effects disappear after a few days, some weeks, others might have side effects that persist throughout (but the side effects pale in comparison to what the drugs are managing to effectively treat). And there are lots and lots of people who have no side effects at all at all.

What else have you tried? I find medication is most effective when it’s not the only tool being employed. It can help you regain your footing and strengthen you to face your demons in therapy. Or make it easier get out of bed in the morning to start the day with a walk. Quiet the noise in your brain so you can try meditating or yoga or acupuncture or a new hobby you always wanted to try.

And as said above, if you don’t like the first drugs you try, then there are loads more to play with. It’s going to be a bit of an experiment but you’re not on your own and there is a whole world of opportunity out there.

thanks so much for your kind and helpful words. I have tried all sorts, mindfullness, meditation, journaling, cutting out caffeine, breathing, exercising etc. I’m not saying it doesn’t work because who knows how I’d be without it, but it’s not really enough i don’t think.

 

[Carapop]

thanks so much for your kind and helpful words. I have tried all sorts, mindfullness, meditation, journaling, cutting out caffeine, breathing, exercising etc. I’m not saying it doesn’t work because who knows how I’d be without it, but it’s not really enough i don’t think.

You are surviving but it all feels harder than it should, right? Well done on doing so much work already. It isn’t easy. Best of luck with the doctor, prepare in advance and don’t let them fob you off. Oh and please let us know how you get on!

 

[StatusWoe]

Hi all, hope this is okay to post. I was wondering if anyone if anyone was willing to share their experience with antidepressants, specifically ssris. I have spoken to my GP about starting medication for GAD and depressive episodes and am due back next week to discuss my options. I’m kind of overwhelmed from researching. There’s so many different types, side effects etc, I don’t know what to make of it all. My main q’s are 1.which ssri is generally offered first, 2. What side effects have people dealt with and how bad, 3. Is it worth it? Im so sick of living with mental illness and medication seems like the next step in managing it, but I don’t have anyone in person I feel I can talk to about all this. It’s all very overwhelming and scary. TIA xx

Hiya, just wanted to say that it's easy to get scared off by long lists of side-effects. I nearly didn't start antidepressants because of it, but they need to list every possibility and in reality most people don't experience the really bad effects. It's hard to say what the symptoms will be like for you because medications affect people so differently. It sounds as though you've tried lots of alternatives before considering meds, so I'd say it's worth it. Mental health is important and you can always stop antidepressants if they don't help or if the good outweighs the bad.

I was prescribed Mirtazapine, which I think is an unusual one for a 'first try'. It was prescribed by a psychiatrist rather than a GP so I don't know if that makes a difference. I don't even think it's an SSRI? It was chosen because it helps sleep and causes weight gain/increased appetite. Those were both things I needed at the time, however the side-effects were very unpleasant (not serious - just not nice). It didn't help my mood either, so I came off it eventually. Next one was Citalopram. You're a lot more likely to be given Citalopram than Mirtazapine. I think it's fairly common. I had insomnia and dizziness for a couple of weeks then no side-effects after that. It made a huge difference to mood and ability to cope in daily life.

It's important to let your GP know about your concerns, though. Hopefully they'll be able to answer any of your questions and reassure you. I wish you the best of luck with your appointment.

 

[shadowcat5]

Im really sorry for posting for on here cause my problem is so pathetic but I’m really miserable at the moment. I feel like I’ve hit breaking point. All I’ve done for 2 days is cry. I haven’t been in work for 2 days cause I’ve ill but a bit of me is berating myself cause I wonder if I do actually feel ill or am I just sad and needed a break. I feel guilty for missing work cause I only starts a few week ago but I honestly couldn’t face it. I’ve posted about my struggles with the office on another thread but I’m really starting to hate the office environment. It just overwhelming. I keep telling myself that I’m lucky and I am grateful but i just can’t cope anymore

 

[Carapop]

Im really sorry for posting for on here cause my problem is so pathetic but I’m really miserable at the moment. I feel like I’ve hit breaking point. All I’ve done for 2 days is cry. I haven’t been in work for 2 days cause I’ve ill but a bit of me is berating myself cause I wonder if I do actually feel ill or am I just sad and needed a break. I feel guilty for missing work cause I only starts a few week ago but I honestly couldn’t face it. I’ve posted about my struggles with the office on another thread but I’m really starting to hate the office environment. It just overwhelming. I keep telling myself that I’m lucky and I am grateful but i just can’t cope anymore

Pain doesn’t have perspective. First you need to forgive yourself for feeling like this! You already feel tit, you don’t have to bully yourself for it.

It’s so difficult to be compassionate to ourselves, but if your closest friend told you she was feeling low, would you tell her that she’s lucky and snap out of it?

You’ve taken this time to recover and recuperate. The distinction that society imposes between mental and physical health is a fallacy. It’s all just health. Our mind influences our body and our body influences our mind.

Please try and treat yourself kindly and gently. Your struggle is real! Use this time to rest and do things that help you relax or cheer you up, whatever that might be. Build yourself back up, build an armour around you, and you’ll feel better able to face the office again next week.

 

[nimblefimble]

Hey all, had my appointment today and was put on 50mg of sertraline to start me off. Feel so relieved like I can breathe again. The doctor was so lovely, he just listened to what I said and didn’t question or dismiss like I thought. Thanks so much for all the advice, really gave me the push to do what I needed to do. Hopefully onwards and upwards from here!

 

[shadowcat5]

Pain doesn’t have perspective. First you need to forgive yourself for feeling like this! You already feel tit, you don’t have to bully yourself for it.

It’s so difficult to be compassionate to ourselves, but if your closest friend told you she was feeling low, would you tell her that she’s lucky and snap out of it?

You’ve taken this time to recover and recuperate. The distinction that society imposes between mental and physical health is a fallacy. It’s all just health. Our mind influences our body and our body influences our mind.

Please try and treat yourself kindly and gently. Your struggle is real! Use this time to rest and do things that help you relax or cheer you up, whatever that might be. Build yourself back up, build an armour around you, and you’ll feel better able to face the office again next week.

that’s so kind thank you for replying. I just feel like im drowning atm but you’re so right. I need rest and time to recuperate so that I’m capable of handing the office. Thank you so much

 

[Carapop]

that’s so kind thank you for replying. I just feel like im drowning atm but you’re so right. I need rest and time to recuperate so that I’m capable of handing the office. Thank you so much

I speak from oh so much experience! And feel free to vent here whenever you need.

Hey all, had my appointment today and was put on 50mg of sertraline to start me off. Feel so relieved like I can breathe again. The doctor was so lovely, he just listened to what I said and didn’t question or dismiss like I thought. Thanks so much for all the advice, really gave me the push to do what I needed to do. Hopefully onwards and upwards from here!

ah I was thinking of you! Delighted doc was so considerate and supportive. And it’s amazing how empowering and relieving it can be to just get it all out there and be heard.

 

[nimblefimble]

I speak from oh so much experience! And feel free to vent here whenever you need.



ah I was thinking of you! Delighted doc was so considerate and supportive. And it’s amazing how empowering and relieving it can be to just get it all out there and be heard.

Thanks so much! empowered is definitely the word I was looking for! Anyone else who is on anything like sertraline, when do you take it? Morning, night, with or without food? Doc said it’s different for everyone and how it reacts so wasn’t sure which to try first!

 

[Dianne]

I took 25mg Sertraline at first (just broke the tablet in half) because it made me feel sick on 50mg straight away. If I can remember I took it in the morning with water then had my breakfast.

 

[Slaybutter]

I’m caught in this vicious cycle where buying things gives me a dopamine rush but then thinking about having to return things that don’t work saps me of said dopamine.

Seriously, I would subscribe to a service where someone comes over, looks at all the stuff in the corner close to the front door, and sorts out the returns. No judgments, no questions asked. Just putting it in to the universe brings me peace. 🥲

 

[ElChanguito]

I wish I could erase myself from this planet.

 

[StatusWoe]

I'm trying to make a decision about antidepressants. I'd been taking Citalopram for a couple of years, but stopped a month ago. Since then, I've had awful panic attacks and very low mood. I spoke to the nurse and she said to restart them, but I have concerns about this.

• What if the depression and anxiety isn't a result of stopping the antidepressants? Maybe it's just coincidence. I have PMS, the weather has become dark and cold, and my mood does have natural ups and downs, so what if I'm just in a temporary down?
• If the Citalopram doesn't make a difference I'll only have to come off it and go through withdrawals all over again.
• I'm worried about side effects of taking medication long-term (i.e. over many years) because I'd been having stomach issues that seem to have disappeared since I stopped Citalopram. The leaflet said something about bleeding in stomach/intestine which terrified me even though it's apparently very rare. Also, I think my sleep's improved a bit and don't know if that's related to being off medication.
• My mood's not as bad as it was the first 3 weeks after I stopped taking it, so maybe it'll continue to even out?

So basically I'm hesitating. The list of 'pros' is shorter than the cons but still significant. Restarting antidepressants might stop the panic attacks and the terrible anxiety. Anything that has the potential to stop depression is worth considering. I was doing so well, and now I'm an upset irritable mess.

I wish I could erase myself from this planet.

Do you want to talk about what's going on? Is anyone helping you? It sounds as though you need all the support you can get at the moment. It is possible to overcome this kind of depression - even though it never feels that way when you're in the middle of it. You matter, please take care.

 

[Carapop]

I'm trying to make a decision about antidepressants. I'd been taking Citalopram for a couple of years, but stopped a month ago. Since then, I've had awful panic attacks and very low mood. I spoke to the nurse and she said to restart them, but I have concerns about this.

• What if the depression and anxiety isn't a result of stopping the antidepressants? Maybe it's just coincidence. I have PMS, the weather has become dark and cold, and my mood does have natural ups and downs, so what if I'm just in a temporary down?
• If the Citalopram doesn't make a difference I'll only have to come off it and go through withdrawals all over again.
• I'm worried about side effects of taking medication long-term (i.e. over many years) because I'd been having stomach issues that seem to have disappeared since I stopped Citalopram. The leaflet said something about bleeding in stomach/intestine which terrified me even though it's apparently very rare. Also, I think my sleep's improved a bit and don't know if that's related to being off medication.
• My mood's not as bad as it was the first 3 weeks after I stopped taking it, so maybe it'll continue to even out?

So basically I'm hesitating. The list of 'pros' is shorter than the cons but still significant. Restarting antidepressants might stop the panic attacks and the terrible anxiety. Anything that has the potential to stop depression is worth considering. I was doing so well, and now I'm an upset irritable mess.



Do you want to talk about what's going on? Is anyone helping you? It sounds as though you need all the support you can get at the moment. It is possible to overcome this kind of depression - even though it never feels that way when you're in the middle of it. You matter, please take care.

I was listening to a podcast with a psychiatrist during the week, she specialises in anxiety. She said that the withdrawal symptoms of coming off SSRIs etc MIRROR the conditions they’re prescribed to treat. It stuck in my brain because I’d been on Lexapro for over a decade and went cold turkey in June this year. I feel I am losing my mind. It was hugely reassuring to hear this about the withdrawal side effects. And the longer you have been taking the meds, the longer the side effects endure. But it is not forever. There will be an end point. I am all about that light at the end of the tunnel! And then we just gotta find all the things we can to ride it out.

and it is very difficult to find any joy in life at the moment, for anyone! We have the energy crisis and climate crisis and inflation and I know the Uk government is in bits and the weather has suddenly turned tit! Anyone would be impacted. Some of us are just a bit more vulnerable and sensitive to it.

I’ve upped my Vit D and gotten a light box to try and counteract the SAD. And started taking natural supplements - ashwagandha and saffron have both been proven via clinical trials to be effective in treating anxiety and depression

 

[Fanny Muchmore]

I genuinely can't remember the last thing I posted here - but I quit my prozac cold turkey because I gained over 10lbs within 5 days and I was getting super bloated... stomach and face... I literally had to go out and buy new jeans because my old ones wouldn't button up. Plus my insomnia got worse instead of better. (It's still rubbish though - I had finally started to improve it but since being put on the zoloft and then the prozac it's just all gone to hell again ).

I was thinking of just doing without an antidepressant for a while because I think I've been on them all now, but I can feel the darkness creeping back in. Just the lack of motivation and the complete despondency and ennui.

 

[StatusWoe]

I was thinking of just doing without an antidepressant for a while because I think I've been on them all now, but I can feel the darkness creeping back in. Just the lack of motivation and the complete despondency and ennui.

Completely relate to that feeling. It's never a good sign. Whatever you decide, I hope you begin to feel much better soon.

I was listening to a podcast with a psychiatrist during the week, she specialises in anxiety. She said that the withdrawal symptoms of coming off SSRIs etc MIRROR the conditions they’re prescribed to treat. It stuck in my brain because I’d been on Lexapro for over a decade and went cold turkey in June this year. I feel I am losing my mind. It was hugely reassuring to hear this about the withdrawal side effects. And the longer you have been taking the meds, the longer the side effects endure. But it is not forever. There will be an end point. I am all about that light at the end of the tunnel! And then we just gotta find all the things we can to ride it out.

and it is very difficult to find any joy in life at the moment, for anyone! We have the energy crisis and climate crisis and inflation and I know the Uk government is in bits and the weather has suddenly turned tit! Anyone would be impacted. Some of us are just a bit more vulnerable and sensitive to it.

I’ve upped my Vit D and gotten a light box to try and counteract the SAD. And started taking natural supplements - ashwagandha and saffron have both been proven via clinical trials to be effective in treating anxiety and depression

Thanks for replying. I can't imagine being on a med for 10 years and then going cold turkey! That sounds rough. Are you still feeling the withdrawal symptoms then? Have you noticed any improvement? I went from feeling good to feeling as though I was being swallowed into a black pit (depression cliche, but an accurate one). I'm still debating whether to go back to the antidepressant or stay off it for a few more weeks.

You're definitely right about the UK being a mess right now. I've stopped watching the news because politics, war and environmental crises are stressing me out so much. I know everyone must be feeling it to some extent.

Vitamin D is a good idea too. The nurse actually gave me a prescription for some Vitamin D. Sometimes iron helps too if you're feeling especially tired.