Dealing with Depression, PTSD, a new Pregnancy & Anxiety

Mental health
1

The last several months (9) has been a very testing time for me. It all began (9/15) when I was attacked from the back while at work by one of my patients, causing me to end up suffering from PTSD. It was horrible.

My BF, X GF (from 3 years ago) decided that she wanted him back. So, she started stalking& harassing me on social media. Professing her love for him (all of the sudden). So, we argued everyday. I later found out he slept with her. If that wasn't bad enough. I was in treatment for my physical injuries endured by my patient.

Dealing with those situations lead me to become depressed & anxious. 

I got into an almost fatal car accident March 2016. More PTSD. More issues.

Found a therapist, saw her once a week things did not seem to improve while talking to her. She did not offer much help. She was nice. After 6 months, I switched to someone else. Immediately upon meeting her she suggested meds (I never wanted any meds; old therapist suggested the same & I refused). Every time we met she suggested meds. Finally gave in.

I was first put on Prozac. Short period of time, 4-5 weeks the most. I was having suicidal thoughts. So, I stopped cold turkey. Did not let my GP & new therapist know for about 1 month that I had done this, there was no withdrawal sxs. Nothing. Awesome!

Still dealing with the X-GF & the current bad BF who refuses to leave. My situation is sticky... Work, & my combative patients. My own emotions & stressors. Life was becoming unbearable. Physical pain, emotional pain. Pain everywhere it seemed.

So, I got on Sertraline. 25 mg for the first week & 50mg after. I was on it for about 4-5 weeks & found out I was 3-4 weeks pregnant. I was on it for a total of 6 weeks. At first, my OB/GYN swore it's safe& I will be fine& that I should continue my meds. Being a category C med, I felt uncomfortable continuing the dosage. So, I stopped COLD TURKEY July 18, 2016. Boy, oh boy... Has it been one hell of a ride.

Vivid lucid nightmares

Cold/hot sweats

Dizziness

Vertigo

Upset stomach

Nauseous (crazy amounts of it)

Loose Bowels

Constipation

Excessive sleepiness

Extreme Tiredness 

Depression (I've been having a hard time getting out of bed)

Vision blur - Like it takes awhile for me to focus. 

Pain behind my eyeballs

Headaches 

I've lost my appetite. 

Vomiting 

& the worst part, I am PREGNANT. So, I have no idea if these are from this terrible drug. Or, my early sxs of being knocked up. LOL. I think it's the terrible drug. I will never take it again. I will find natural ways to deal with my issues. 

My question is: how long will I suffer for? It's been 9 days so far. The vivid nightmares has decreased. Vision blur, brain fogs, imbalanced walking, headaches & nauseous are alive & well. EVERYDAY. 

What can I naturally do to alleviate some of my distress? 

I will not get back on that horrible drug. 

2

Sorry to hear all that, it defiantly is the sertraline you should never just stop taking them just cut the dose down bit by bit for two weeks, When you suffer from deprecation and anxiety it means there is a chemical imbalance in your brain and the sertraline just levels that imbalance out I was strongly opposed to taking them but now I am on them I feel a lot better that I was i still have really bad days but much less than I did. Hope that helped a little and congratulations on the baby

3

Morning.i have gone cold turkey off anti depressants many a time and its not advisable as you will know by now.you need to be extra careful because of your baby.im not sure im even being any help to yiu but what if ound was writing all the crap in my head down was better than going to a therapist.i ised to do walking but my thiughts wouldnt switch off.listnin to music through rarphones also distracts my mind.remember to try and eat as a healthy diet is a basis for good mental health.hope things improve for u greatly and very soon

4

Claire,

Thank you. I will never go back on that drug again.  I felt no different while on it (6 weeks). 

There must be another way to combat my mental illness without heavy brain chemical altering drugs. 

I will seek high/low for it. No to Setraline... 

5

Kirsty,

Nope! I def see why it's not advisable. These withdrwals are deadly, I almost decided to get back on them. DAY 10... I can make it.

In 07' when my depression & anxiety started & peaked: I wrote in my journal everyday. It did help. 

Days that I don't feel super beat up, I workout. We try to eat a balanced diet here at home, & will continue to do so. 

Thanks

6

Hi! I have never had a baby before, but it sounds like some of the symptoms your describing are the combined effects of the baby and coming off of your meds so quickly. I find that eating a balanced diet helps with my depression, getting 8 hours of sleep, and walking. I have heard that eating well helps the baby too. Try eating healthy and and excersizing.