My year on Sertraline.

Y
Nebuchadnezzar said:
Whilst a sicknote is a nice idea, I can't financially burden the mrs again. She already carried me through my last meltdown and that time off was meant to be about rediscovering myself, I probably didn't use the time as effectively as I could have. I did some basic IT certifications in an online class and the aim was to try and transition into a non office based role eventually but of course, I've ended up lost in the mire again and can't see the woods for the trees. I know these roles don't work for me and this was always meant to be a stopgap, I possibly wasn't ready to go back when I did but scratching by on 200 euro a week wasn't doing it either. When all is said and done and I'm better mentally I need to retrain and requalify as right now I'm a bit pigeonholed into these types of high touch sales support/admin roles.
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Yo
Nebuchadnezzar said:
Whilst a sicknote is a nice idea, I can't financially burden the mrs again. She already carried me through my last meltdown and that time off was meant to be about rediscovering myself, I probably didn't use the time as effectively as I could have. I did some basic IT certifications in an online class and the aim was to try and transition into a non office based role eventually but of course, I've ended up lost in the mire again and can't see the woods for the trees. I know these roles don't work for me and this was always meant to be a stopgap, I possibly wasn't ready to go back when I did but scratching by on 200 euro a week wasn't doing it either. When all is said and done and I'm better mentally I need to retrain and requalify as right now I'm a bit pigeonholed into these types of high touch sales support/admin roles.
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kaz7 said:
I think the drs should warn more about the side effects from first dose till you settle on it , i had to go on valium to get me through the first couple of weeks as the anxiety was much worse than usual , i was not far short of jumping off beachy head it was so bad
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Seroxat was horrific. Think it’s illegal now for under 18s such are the side-effects.
 
I did 9 months on Citalopram about 8 years ago when I was setting up my new business, the stress involved with leaving a decent job and taking such a huge risk at 44 years old with big mortgage and 2 teenage kids just tipped me over the edge.

They did exactly what I needed them too, I went to the group therapy sessions as well, but personally I couldn’t wait to get off them and forced the issue through with my docs as I didn’t want to become dependent and I knew too many people that had spent years and years on them and therefore it had become natural, and I didn’t want to be the same.

Ive always recommended them though to anyone I’ve had similar conversations with, can’t fault the medication as I was most definitely old school in thinking I could beat anxiety/panic etc on my own devices, when I patently couldnt.
 
I was on 150 a day sertraline for a year, I'd done a stint a few years earlier on a lesser dose. It works well when you need it but do not ever just stop taking it, you have to ease yourself off it or it will fuck you over...once off it you are fine and in a good place.
 
Well here I am a month in, just got a prescription last week for another month that I'm happy to stick with. Insomnia and sweats were tough at first and I found my anxiety was heightened in the morning, though whether this was the medication or pending doom of a day in that job - its hard to really tell.

Emotions certainly feel less extreme. It was a mistake to tell my employer about any of this, I was instantly put on a "performance improvement plan" the minute I was signed fit by the doctor (who actually offered to sign me off as long as I wanted - I saw no point in hiding as I know the game is probably almost up). I'll likely be off from that job in January, hopefully on my own terms as I do have another interview lined up for the 5th but there is a chance it will be on their terms too. Odd mix of feeling like a failure but at the same time, being able to rationalise that my face never fit for this position no matter what I did. The weekly reviews I have now are little more than show trials in which the goalposts constantly move. So onwards and upwards hopefully.
 
If it works, great. If not, do not hesitate to go back to your GP. The NHS is not at its best right now, and mental health has always been a weakness in the system. Especially once they decide you are not a threat to yourself or others. I eventually got referred to a consultant, but only because I told my GP that I wanted to be able to work, not just sit staring at a TV all day for the rest of my life.

It was the consultant who eventually found the right drug for me and I have never looked back. I have the occasional black day, which sometimes turns into a black three days, especially during the dark months. But I can talk myself out of it, given time, daft as that sounds.

I don't think the Black Dog ever goes away. You have to be on the defensive against it forever, with sentries alert to the first hint of attack. But near-normal can be attained and life then becomes tolerable or better.
 
Holcombe bloo said:
Good effort. Same as me I’m hammering it in the gym slim build and still nearly 12 stone!
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I've been re-reading through the thread and there are posts I wanted to respond to, but I just want to say, for everyone else, use the gym not just to get in shape (whatever that means to you) but as a place of solitude and you time.

It's really important to get time to yourself away from social, work and personal pressures.

If you don't look at it as 'hard work' or a 'chore', you WILL come to love what that personal solitude does for your mental well-being.
 
Johnny Mars Bar said:
My mrs is on it.

She suffers with anxiety, particularly in social situations.

It doesn’t seem to be helping massively tbh but all I can do is show my support and love and encourage her to take little steps as and when to try and get her mojo back.
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How long has she been on it ? Three months is a good trial period then go back and change drugs , it can take a couple of goes to find the right ones , i am on citalopram and mitrazapine , changed my life
 
Bigga said:
I've been re-reading through the thread and there are posts I wanted to respond to, but I just want to say, for everyone else, use the gym not just to get in shape (whatever that means to you) but as a place of solitude and you time.

It's really important to get time to yourself away from social, work and personal pressures.

If you don't look at it as 'hard work' or a 'chore', you WILL come to love what that personal solitude does for your mental well-being.
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I understand how exercise is good you. Something I have always done be it football, cricket, cycling but now I struggle to do exercise.
62, hernia, bad back, manual work my body is falling apart !.

After work I have a spare hour as I wait for my missus to finish.
I use this time as my time, read or just listening to music. In the summer just watching the sea.

Horses for courses but exercise etc is good.

I also changed my light bulbs to natural day light. They give a more white light which take some getting use to.
 
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give it to gordon said:
I understand how exercise is good you. Something I have always done be it football, cricket, cycling but now I struggle to do exercise.
62, hernia, bad back, manual work my body is falling apart !.

After work I have a spare hour as I wait for my missus to finish.
I use this time as my time, read or just listening to music. In the summer just watching the sea.

Horses for courses but exercise etc is good.

I also changed my light bulbs to natural day light. They give a more white light which take some getting use to.
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Yes, it's finding that time for you and shutting the world out.

Exercise, however limited, is good for you. Swim, walk, leisurely exercise biking. Headphones in, cut yourself off to be with you.

Other ways; art, nature, solitude however you find it.

Dim the outside and inner noise down/ turn it off for that short space of time as we lose a sense of self in this rush hour, pressure world.

Gaming, however, is the extreme of this and that needs controlling. Years ago, I used to game for hours and I game now, on average, about 3-5 hours in the whole year (I think less, this year!).
 
kaz7 said:
How long has she been on it ? Three months is a good trial period then go back and change drugs , it can take a couple of goes to find the right ones , i am on citalopram and mitrazapine , changed my life
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2+ years.

She went on citalopram for a few months which really sent her west sadly.
 
Bigga said:
I've been re-reading through the thread and there are posts I wanted to respond to, but I just want to say, for everyone else, use the gym not just to get in shape (whatever that means to you) but as a place of solitude and you time.

It's really important to get time to yourself away from social, work and personal pressures.

If you don't look at it as 'hard work' or a 'chore', you WILL come to love what that personal solitude does for your mental well-being.
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Or as an alternative get out for walks - I've turned into a right weirdo where the worse the weather, the quicker I am out for a walk.

I really enjoy getting my waking boots & waterproofs on and walking against the elements - I find it really therapeutic and cleansing.

Think of that scene from Shawshank, like a very watered down version of that............
 
give it to gordon said:
I understand how exercise is good you. Something I have always done be it football, cricket, cycling but now I struggle to do exercise.
62, hernia, bad back, manual work my body is falling apart !.

After work I have a spare hour as I wait for my missus to finish.
I use this time as my time, read or just listening to music. In the summer just watching the sea.

Horses for courses but exercise etc is good.

I also changed my light bulbs to natural day light. They give a more white light which take some getting use to.
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Not quite to your vintage yet GITG ;-) but I had to pack in running as I couldn't recover for the next one - I was in absolute agony with my knees.

However, pending monetary status and space I would recommend getting a Concept 2 rower or similar.

Really good workout that you can fly through in 20+ minutes and it doesn't take it's tole on your joints.

Just my two pennies worth - I have no excuse not to get into the garage on mine...............
 
Bigga said:
I've been re-reading through the thread and there are posts I wanted to respond to, but I just want to say, for everyone else, use the gym not just to get in shape (whatever that means to you) but as a place of solitude and you time.

It's really important to get time to yourself away from social, work and personal pressures.

If you don't look at it as 'hard work' or a 'chore', you WILL come to love what that personal solitude does for your mental well-being.
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Its good advice,in the main.....but just be careful that,in terms of obsession and need,the gym doesn't also become part of a problem.I speak from experience.
 
FantasyIreland said:
Its good advice,in the main.....but just be careful that,in terms of obsession and need,the gym doesn't also become part of a problem.I speak from experience.
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100% agree with you. That's also happened to me!

It is a fine balance but, for me, I was escaping the nagging pressures at my house too!

Haha!
 
Johnny Mars Bar said:
2+ years.

She went on citalopram for a few months which really sent her west sadly.
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Plenty more things to try though , life is too precious to spend it in the grip of anxiety , that is coming from me who couldnt get out of bed , answer the phone or the door , couldnt open post , was suicidal with anxiety

I wish her the best
 
At 3 months in, taking these is not a decision I regret. It may not be for everyone and the first 3/4 weeks really were difficult, but I've become much less withdrawn and been trying new things. Would like to get exercising again to try and find a natural route to progress in future, but its night and day in difference in terms of where I was in December.
 
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