Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: MIS71MUM on September 09, 2015, 04:17:50 PM
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Hello all - I really need some advice please.
I've been off Sertraline for 10 days now after taking for 10 days. The last week has been totally awful with heightened anxiety, crying spells and depression. I didn't have the depression before I took Sertraline. I think I am fooling myself that if I become clean from the Sertraline for 2 weeks, I'll return to my pre Sertraline days. The last 10 days, I've restarted the femoston and iron tablets and have taken 4 x 2mg diazepam.
It seems every day I get a bit of a down spell and feel confused about who I am and what I'm trying to achieve!
I've now got Citalopram from my GP but am afraid to take it because I had such a bad time on the Sertraline. Any advice greatly appreciated xx
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Mis71Mum - I think what you are experiencing is quite normal when coing off an AD/SRRI like Sertraline. Why were you given it in the first place? If they gave you the sertraline for meno symptoms to replace HRT, why did they do this? If you have had anxiety then Citalopram alongside the Femoston may be worth trying. I personally think you should give yourself more time to get over the Sertraline before starting another SRRI - if in 4-6 weeks you feel you want to try the Citalopram with the Femoston then do it then.
Were you feeling generally better when on the Femoston before? DG xxx
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I've been on both those meds (they gave me a cough and a tight chest so I came off them). They helped with the anxiety but all SSRIs take a while to settle down and you need to take them for three or four weeks to feel any benefit.
TBH, though, I think GPs prescribe ADs too easily. If you're not clinically depressed or anxious, these meds won't help. Anxiety is common during the menopause but doesn't respond well to ADs.
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I'm on full hrt Tabbycat and ads were the only thing that took the anxiety away for me ,so think that was a bit of a sweeping statement,each one of us is different surely . ;)
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My anxiety started when I was on full HRT.
I tried ADs but couldn't stand the side effects.
I really wanted them to work as at that point I really needed help.
ADs are prescribed very successfully for anxiety.
Honeybun
X
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Hi Everyone
Thanks for the replies. I have had chronic anxiety for nearly a year. Once I commenced Femoston 1/10 and continued it for 3 months, the anxiety settled a bit. I then went to Femoston 2/10 and the anxiety went through the roof.....at the same time I was told my ferritin levels were 6. My GP then pulled me off the F2/10 mid packet. Since then I've gone haywire and my GP prescribed Sertraline in place of hrt.
Because I was struggling at work, I started the Sertraline and it caused me massive problems since coming off it. Can only describe as bending my brain and massive panick attacks.
As I have been off sick for 2 and a half weeks, I feel under pressure to get well and cope soon. Hence that's why I feel I have to start the AD's before returning to work.
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Mis71Mum
As it will take at least 2 weeks for the Citalopram to kick in and may possibly bring some nasty side effects to start with, I really wouldn't start them until you have let the Femoston 1/10 get you back on track. Don't feel pressured into going back to work until you feel ready. Unfortunately GPs do rely on ADs/SRRIs too often - yes, they can help some women with their anxiety but GPs don't warn you about the side effects and SRRIs don't always work. Be patient and give yourself time to gather your strength. You don't sound ready to go back to work. DG x
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Hi Dancing Girl - I think your right re getting the F1/10 under my belt first. And to be fair, the depression and anxiety is not worsening. My counsellor thinks I will return to normal if I give myself time. My Mum and Dad are "babysitting" me every day as I don't like being on my own whilst the children are at school. So at the moment, I don't think I am well enough to be in work. It's so hard to explain where I've been mentally to people if you've never suffered. Xx
Honeybun - how do you cope with anxiety without AD's? Xx
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Mis71Mum
Many of us go through phases of depression and anxiety for all sorts of reasons and it can be baffling how debilating it can be. I'm pleased you are getting some counselling as this will hopefully help you to keep things in perspective. I've had some rough times in the past, I did have some CBT therapy which helped, and one can emerge stronger. Do try some Mindful Meditation - my GP suggested I read a book about it and I've found this very helpful. There are a number of good books about practising Mindful Meditation but I read: Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world 5 May 2011
by Prof Mark Williams and Dr Danny Penman
DG x
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Hi Dancing Girl
I have the last book you mentioned! Just not felt up to reading it but will as you've now recommended it.
I hope to stay off AD's for as long as possible to give the f1/10 time to work and accept that my crying spells are all part of my brain rebalancing post Sertraline. Sometimes when you're in the midst of all the fog, you can't think clearly. So thank you for listening and helping me become objective xxxx
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I am on sertraline. I came off it 5 years ago because I wanted to but needed it again. However the side effects were bad, I lost my appetite, was more anxious but over the weeks it settled. I gained weight and all anxiety was gone until my disasterous year this year and meno stuff. I have just upped my dose a little. I would say whatever you take, if you really need it stick with it for over a month at least. The benchmark for these things is if they make you more anxious to start it means they are going to work for you.
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Does anyone take any vitamins, ie B6, B12 or D? Just thinking of how to give myself a boost after coming off AD's. Would they be safe to take with an occasional 2 mg diazepam too?
If so, what doseage would be acceptable?
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I don't think vitamins generally interfere with medication - there would be warning on the vitamin packets if they do. It's not a bad idea to take a good vitamin if you are feeling run down but this shouldn't replace a good balanced diet. There is still plenty of sunshine through September and October so getting out in the sun for 15- 30 mins each day (try to expose your arms if you can) to really get a boost of Vit D is a good idea.
I'm taking Feroglobin at the moment as I'm feeling rather tired - this is a good energy booster with B6, B12 and Iron. DG x
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I think my plan will be to get to 3 weeks clear from Sertraline for 3 weeks. And if that means taking a 2 mg diazepam every other day, then so be it. The fourth week, I'll be medication free. At the end of the 4th week, I'll make a decision as to what to do.
It's going to be tough because right now am struggling with anxiety and feeling more depressed than before. Also am due back at work on Wednesday! Not sure how that's going to go!
Each day I'm getting more hrt into my system so hopefully that will assist my recovery.
My dreams are so weird too!
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We have a thread about dreams too ::)
For me depression is totally different from anxiety. Some ADs can ease both problems apparently.
How is your diet in general? Low blood sugar can cause anxiety surges so eating every 3 hours might help.
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Isn't diazepam a "Benzo"? If so I would go easy on taking these especially every other day. They are highly addicitve and withdrawal could be worse than withdrawal from a short course of sertraline - from what I understand. Hvae you just started taking these?
I do hope the Femoston kicks in and you feel better. As some of the others have said if you can find ways to manage without Ads using techniques and reading such as Dancinggirl suggests then all the better, as you don't want to be on them for life unless you absolutely can't function without them! Once you are through the menopause then if you have the right HRT at the right dose anxiety should not be a major problem - if you didn't suffer from it at other times in your life - because hormones are stabilised. You just then need oestrogen at a sufficent level to keep your mood lifted, and the right progestogen that doesn't itself cause anxiety ( which some of them do!).
Hurdity :) x
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Yes I was conscious that I didn't want to swap diazepam for sertraline. I've taken 6 in 13 days which has hopefully seen me through the worst of the withdrawal. So from today won't take any more diazepam. It just feels that I'm suffering from rebound anxiety since stopping the sert.
I was a nervous girl growing up but as an adult it all disappeared until the last year when it has come back strongly.
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We have a thread about dreams too ::)
For me depression is totally different from anxiety. Some ADs can ease both problems apparently.
How is your diet in general? Low blood sugar can cause anxiety surges so eating every 3 hours might help.
You know last night, I thought to myself that I am confusing anxiety with hunger. I realised that I hadn't eaten for 7 hours. Going to start doing a diary and seeing if there's a link to it all.
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Was just thinking that yesterday I had some chocolate and some of the kids sweets wonder if that's why I feel so rubbish today. Been walking 3 miles every day with a hope of raising my endorphins.
CKLD - you may remember we previously spoke about my husband missing a stag do, I need to get myself sorted for the wedding 2 weeks today. No pressure!
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It is important to eat small amounts often - if you don't eat for long periods then your blood sugar drops and this will really effect your mood. Avoid sugary stuff and caffein for a while and really concentrate on a good balanced diet that will give you energy. Very good to get some exercise - well done. DG x
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For goodness sake :bang: :bang: :bang: stop worrying about whether you will become addicted to Valium etc., use as necessary i.e. when you feel that anxiety is spiralling out of control or as I did in the 1990s, the night before an 'event' I couldn't wriggle out of. 2mg is nowt in the bit scheme, I was advised 10mg daily if required. Because I knew it relieved symptoms I didn't need to use it unless necessary. Same with the current emergency med., I know it works …….. in fact GP has prescribed another packet ;) - the current 1 was given to me exactly 2 years ago and I have plenty left.
We are more aware of the possibilities of addiction and once I knew how my body and brain reacted to the various short-term anti-anxiety meds., I could cope [ish]. I tend to grab it more when we are on holiday etc., at home I try to ride it out but it is so hard sometimes recognising nausea as illness or hunger >:(
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As Dancinggirl & CLKD say - eat little and often - no wonder you felt weird! I never go 7 hours without food except at night!! I have always suffered unpredictably from low blood sugar symptoms if I go too long - but it doesn't happen often, although no way of knowing when! I always make sure I have low GI foods - ie slow release energy etc. If you then had chocolate and kids sweets - then you will be spiking your insulin levels - which if you keep doing this over time will make you crave sugar/carbs even more and eventually can lead to insulin resistance, wieght gain and possibly diabetes in the worst case scenario - as well as the odd symptoms due to fluctuating blood sugar.
Hurdity x
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When I walked a lot or was 'on the go' in a very busy job, I could eat what I wanted in the way of cakes, chocolate, buns; now I find they make my system feel sluggish so have cut them out. Keeping a packet of ginger biscuits by the bed was useful so that I could eat when I woke feeling weird.
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I've had a really bad day today. Been crying, down and miserable. Just can't see how I'm going to improve without AD's. 2 weeks ago I was feeling anxious, and tonight I am too. I keep picturing in my head my kids walking to school without me. I suppose because I feel like I've lost the old me. Don't think I've ever felt so low. So just got to give the Citalopram a shot for the sake of my family.
Any positives on Citalopram very welcome right now xxx
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I take the sister AD cipralex without problems. What dosage as been suggested?
Have you eaten today?
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I have been prescribed 20 mg but may halve it to get me started. Yes been snacking throughout the day but when I had my low point earlier, I couldn't eat to save my life. It's almost like the anxiety stops me from eating.
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It's a lovely day here in Sheffield. I woke up feeling real, a bit raw but like myself. After an awful day yesterday, I've decided to try and have today medication free and see how I get on. Then if I still feel ropey tomorrow, I think I'll then make my decision about Citalopram. Going to get myself outside with the kids and try and have some fun. Wish me look.☺️
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Sounds like a good plan!
Taz x :)
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It takes Citalopram a week/10 days to kick in and 3/4 months before a patient can feel benefit ;)