Prescribed Sertraline - scared about the consequences.

Treatment and medication
1

Hi everyone. I've never posted here before, but I found the site after searching for 'Sertraline' and I really need some advice from people who might understand me and my concerns. Sorry if this is long winded, but here goes...

I'm 30 and over the years I've always suffered what I always considered 'low points' - typically in times of stress or emotional strain, I would slip into huge lows which seemed all-consuming, making everyday functions a battle, often characterised with crippling anxiety. The thing is, I always thought I should just 'man up' and deal with it. I considered my issue more that I was too sensitive than actually having any sort of condition. Cutting to the point, I hit a low at new year which finally made me go to see a doctor - I chose not to see my GP, but another doctor in the surgery since I felt more able to talk about it to someone who didn't really know me at all (my GP has known me since I was 11). She put me on Sertraline there and then (50mg per day), and also referred me to start seeing their resident counsellor each fortnight.

I picked up the pills, but didn't start taking them. I was very weary, having looked up the side effects. I've also had a relationship years ago with a girl who was on Seroxat, and that left me with bad impressions of anti-depressants in general. I went back to the doctor and she told me it was fine if I chose not to take the pills, the choice was mine. I then went on seeing the counsellor and have done so up until now with things actually feeling better.

But now things have changed. I've been in a relationship with a girl I love dearly for the last 15 months. Last week it ended. I took the step to end it, but only after she made it clear she didn't love me anymore. For right or wrong, she was always the constant that made other things more bearable and gave me strength. With it all ending suddenly I've sunk straight back donw to the bottom. I'm in a job I don't enjoy. I'm about to move into a flat alone, which was intended to give me and my partner more privacy and time together. I live in an area near my parents, but with only one real friend nearby. As I hope you kight understand... I'm terrified. Of both how I feel right now and how things might get worse.

I went back to see the doctor on Friday, but she wasn't available so I had to see my regular GP. His attitude is basically that I need to be on Sertraline. He's signed me off work for this week, reluctantly, but has told me that if I don't start taking the pills then he'll refuse to sign me off again or otherwise help me since I'm 'refusing treatment'. Does this sound reasonable? I feel so backed into a corner and really don't know what to do. I've read about the side effects of Sertraline on here and other sites, and in honesty I don't know how I will get through this time, moving into my flat alone, and keeping up with my job... if the medication will potentially give me the side effects many have described. How has anyone else coped? I'm just finsing it hard to see how taking them will actually help, and I don't like how my GP has made it seem that I don't have a choice. Should I be able to ask for a referral to a professional counsellor, as in at the hospital rather than their own in-house part-time counsellor who I have been seeing?

I know that's all very long winded, but I really am worried about what road I'm going down and what might be best for me. I'm terrified of things getting worse. Any advice or words on your own experiences would really be appreciated. :cry:

Thanks

Mikey

2

Hi Mikey,

I have been on Sertraline for 4 months...my life is changed beyond recognition. I will not say it was easy for the 1st month, but gradually I have found each day has a bit less anxiety & depression, I am also slowly coming off valium (should never have been on it in 1st place) my condition is good now

I would strongly recommend CBT (Cognital Behavioural Therapy) it really helps you deal with your life better - you literally and gradually learn how to change how your mind works, and it is a tool to help you throughout the rest of your life. Your therapist is your rock until you can stand on your own 2 feet....which WILL happen.

If you find that you start the Sertraline and it makes you more anxious to start with your doctor will probably prescribe a very few tranquillisers just to take for bad moments. Can I just say that you may not suffer any -or only a few side effects, if you do, smile just tell yourself it is the pills & not you, and that they actually will help.

Please think carefully about what your doc says, you are in fact, better going to work, I felt so bad some days that I thought I was never going to get through the day....now it flies by & I love my job again.

Some years ago I took Cipralex, and I didnt have one side effect, and I came off them with very little problem. I think Sertraline is better, it works slower, but better.

It is, of course a fact that everyones body works differently, don't think

you will have the worst journey - for that is what it is.

Hoping this helps,

be brave and positive, you will get through, and learn more about yourself as you go along the road to recovery

3

Hi Annie, I just wanted to say thank you for your response. It's been a couple of weeks since I posted on here, but I did read your reply. I just felt in too much of a muddle to reply.

I still haven't started taking them, but I have to admit... i am now thinking about it. I'm still very wrroied about how reliant I will be on them. I just want to feel better though. Aside from my relationship breaking down, which has gone on up and down over the last few weeks, I'm just not happy with my job, my prospects, and my own overall lack of self-worth. I'm back at work now, but some days are very hard and I often feel so unhappy. The smiles just cover the cracks. I guess all i want is to fix this, so i'll keep reading and see how I feel about starting them. Thanks again. - Mikey

4

Hey - glad you came back. Antidepressants are not like benzos/tranquillisers. They make you feel NORMAL, and you will not be reliant on them - or crave more, like you do with benzos. You start on a low dose and gradually build up - until you find your correct level. Yes, there are side effects, but not everyone gets them, or some, or even any.

You will find it a gradual process, I have found through CBT that writing down how you are feeling - and why- and is it so bad- and what can you do about it....this helps you rationalise your thoughts a bit - because when you are anxious and depressed you get things totally out of proportion. Your life cannot be all bad...at night before you go to bed write down all the good things that have happened that day, it may only be you saw a really nice car, or a great building, or someone said they liked your jacket - really trivial I know, but it helps to go to bed positive. There is also a guy called Glen Harrold who does hypnotic tapes that really relax you ...you can get them in Waterstones, or Amazon. I have found them very helpful, and they are bestsellers, so they are not a con.

My best wishes to you

Annie

5

Hi Mikey, you are going through a very stressful time. The ending of a relationship and moving house are in the top ten of stressors. When your feeling down and stressed everything else looks bad like your job, friends etc. I know ive been there. Do you really need to move into this flat on your own? Have you any good friends in work you could confide in?