Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Roseneath on November 04, 2017, 07:50:25 AM
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So after ending up at the GPs again...after another circle of health anxiety I am on the brink of starting Sertraline (I think...).
I feel I have wasted 5 years of my life with anxiety and this year it has started to effect my family as like yesterday I feel immobilised with it. It is beating me down. Could some of you lovely ladies give me an idea of what type of ' side effects' to expect in the first two weeks?GP said I just need to treat this as Day 1 and be positive. (Husband not supportive at all. He said last night I just need to get over myself and it was as if I wanted to make myself ill. I try and hide my HA anxiety from him as he thinks it is all in my mind but yesterday was so wretched I thought if I was honest as to how it is eating me up he would be there for me....wrong). :'(
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I really feel for you roseneath and not having a supportive husband can't be easy, mine tries to understand but he's full of advice, eat healthier, exercise, etc. He doesn't realise I have no motivation whatsoever, that just 'getting through' ach day is enough of a struggle. I too am thinking strongly of taking ads but I'm so afraid of side effects. I did try one a while back (the name escapes me) but I had awful night terrors and felt more anxious, doc said to stick it out but I couldn't. I really hope you feel better on yours , I may go back to doc and try another type because I too am fed up feeling so bad all the time. Keep us posted how you get on I totally get the 'wasting years' feeling, me too. If our eye sight gets bad we wear glassses, hearing we get hearing aid, broken leg crutch so why not something to help us to cope with the emotionl stuff .
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At Easter my daughter developed anxiety and was put on sertraline. She had awful side effects and felt worse. The dr had said to stick it out but she was getting full blown panic attacks so she stopped. She's had an awful summer and last week went back to a different gp who has put her back on sertraline and persuaded her to stick it out and advised her to get sufficient help with kids' school runs etc. She's had to give her little cleaning jobs up temporarily whilst she's settling on it. She said the other day (day 5) it felt like she was feeling a bit better. Her main symptom of anxiety is extreme nausea and she's gone from 10st to 8st 5lb in just weeks so really was at breakin point. She's also given her BBs
Menopause has given me social anxiety and it's really affected my life. Just recently it all started to lift but it's coming back and during the good phase I applied for and got a new full time job . I'll be hearing any day soon when my start date is . I just want to feel confident again
I knew nothing about anxiety before meno but it truly is a nasty cruel symptom
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Has the GP given you an anti-anxiety or an anti-depressant medictation? Each illness is different so requires the appropriate drug.
Let us know how you get on. I have friends who 'do well' on what you have been prescribed. Personally I've had dreadful reactions to some ADs, others have been fine.
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I think it's the fear of the side effects from ads that's putting me off but I'm at the stage where I'm sick of existing instead of living. I really am considering trying medication" please let us know how your daughter gets on
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My GP has said (and I agree) that the sertraline is for my anxiety (for me specifically health anxiety - I don't worry about anything else at all. I have this morbid feat of not being there for my kids, my son is very sensitive and is terrified of anything happening to his parents so I think this feeds it). I feel this is not depression as I don't feel down; just in mental, exhausting negative loops which make my adrenaline /cortisol surge all the time . It does come and go but my brain seems to find something to worry about; then I go through all the GP / testing cycle which stresses me out even more, all to find it is either nothing or some minor aliment. I did a self help / remove councilling sesson over 6 weeks but I think it made it worse talking about it and doing 'homework' on it! Also tried CBT and Mindfulness, you name it. It has definately got much worse in the last 12 months since I came into peri and is much worse just before my period starts. I have been convinced I had dementia several times in the last 6 months only to feel fine 2-3 weeks later. After spending too many night checking my pulse every 5 minutes and clutching my heart in a sweat thinking it was going to burst something had to change. I have a Harry Potter party for 20 to get through today so I am going to start it Monday. Will let you know how I get on!
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Wishing you all the best roseneath, really hope ads work for you, I too have sat with my finger in my pulse in sheer panic and I also worry I won't be around for my kids, my daughter who will be 15 next week is very sensitive and suffers with anxiety so I constantly worry about her
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I can never feel my pulse ::)
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Anxiety is so debilitating that it can make you depressed without realizing it. Benzodiazepines (sp?) are sometimes prescribed along with antidressants to minimize start-up anxiety. They are addicting, so you would only want to use them for a short while or as a rescue med.
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How are getting on Roseneath? I tried Sertraline last week, half a tablet for 3 days but day 3 was so awful that I gave up. Mstrangely I felt much better when I did but only for 5 days. Now I'm back suffering from stomach issues again.
Have you given it a go? I think I should have stuck it out for longer.
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Rebel2, I was talking to my daughter today about you. She was given sertraline at Easter after suddenly experiencing anxiety, because of the side effects she stopped taking them after 5 days I think. She went downhill and fast and worse than before she started taking them. She's been on so much medication since, as it also brought on agoraphobia and Panic Disorder. Her main physical symptoms of anxiety are nausea and palpitations.
About 10 days ago, in desperation she spoke to a different gp who persuaded her to try Sertraline again along with Beta Blockers. This gp explained she will need to cancel out the following 2-3 weeks while her brain and body adapt to this. I saw her today and she has started eating a little again and had no palpitations, and has been doing the school runs this week, something she couldn't contemplate the last how many weeks. She said, just as gp had explained, her settling in period was horrendous but the gp begged her to have faith in her xx
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That's interesting Annie, and really frustrating as my GP assured me that the side effects were minimal to non-existent! My I wish I had stuck at it now as I can't put aside any time to adapt going forward as I am self-employed and need to work. Although on the plus side, being out and about working always eases my anxiety as it distracts me.
Hope your daughter continues to improve and thanks so much for your kind support.
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You're welcome, and if you ever get desperate and need to try again at least you know now that it'll get worse before it gets better x
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It doesn't help at all when a gp says there are no side effects or very little. ADs take a while to get into the system, and in my experience I felt so much worse before I got better. You do have to ride out the unpleasant first few weeks unfortunately, but I have always been pleased I did in the long run.
Good luck
Lindyloulou
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Hi lindylou, can you give example of what to expect when starting ads please. I am going to doc tomorrow to get some as this anxiety has finally broken me. I hot very bad pain in my left arm earlier, it was travelling up and down my arm and really scared me as I have health anxiety focusing on my heart. I sat the past half hour crying an praying that I wasn't about to keel over with a heart attack, I took half an emergency pill(Xanax) and I have calmed a little but I can't go on like this scared all the time
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Hello Yammy, sorry for the delay in replying as I haven't been on the site for a few days. I have been on anti-depressants for a long time now so it is hard to exactly remember how I felt in the beginning. As far as I can remember I was very tearful, shakey, no appetite and even thought about suicide as I thought I just couldn't carry on as I was. I remember it was an absolutely dreadful time in my life, definitely felt worse than before I started taking the ADs it was a few weeks before I started feeling better. I remember going to see my local pharmacist who was very honest with me and said it would take a few weeks before feeling any benefit. So when I read that people give up after a few days, they really haven't given the tablets a chance. Although of course it is understandable when feeling so much worse!!
Hope you will feel better soon.
Lindyloulou xx
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Thank you lindylou I am on day three and the anxiety s a nightmare. Only on 5mg of citalopram very low dose although I don't think I could cope with a higher dose. I'm taking small doses of Xanax to take the edge off as I Don't think I can manage without it at the moment. I really hope I can stick it out as I know I need it
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I'm on a different AD but mine took 2\3 weeks before I felt any benefits as I recall . Hope you soon start to pick up. :)
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Thank you danzed. Hopefully won't be too long
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I think taking something like Xanax is a good idea, as it will help to dampen down the dreadful anxiety. Unfortunately I didn't have that option when I started the citalopram. Forget what dosage I started on, think it may have been 10mg which was then gradually increased. I am so glad I stuck with it though and I hope you will be too.
Lindyloulou
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Thank you lindylou, I really don't think I could cope without xanax, only very small dose but it's definitely helping, hopefully I won't need it much longer. It's reassuring to know that citalopram works
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How you doing Roseneath?
Nausea was my worst symptom. My GP told me that 'Prozac' had no known side effects and I told him "I'll find some" - I DID >:(.
Sometimes I feel hung over for no reason ::) but that passes and because I am aware that it's due to the AD, it worries me less than initially.
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Hi everyone in this lovely forum. Well in the end I got the sertraline prescription but after reading the leaflet and doing some research on line I didn't take them. For me I know I have anxiety but this is who I am and it does come and go and is dependent on what I am stressing over health wise at that moment. I was worried that if I take ADs that is me on them for life and that will be the new me. The stories of people trying to come off them were 50% terrible. And what do you know for 3 weeks I felt fine, then I have a week I am a bit edgy and stressed (the week before my period is the worst) If it is sunny I am better, if I am on holiday I am fine. If I stay off caffeine, do exercise etc I feel better. I didn't like the way My GP was so keen to get me on sertraline like it would make all the worries go away. When I asked about addiction and coming off it he said just not to worry about that now, just take them and come and see him in 4 weeks. So for now I am on 1 x 40mg proprananol per day and I think that calms me a bit. But I know this hormonal stuff is menopause so I can live with that. Of here come the kids.
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I take 20mg Propranolol at night. Plus my AD. Trouble is, reading what happens to others is rarely a reflection on how we will react! I took 9 weeks to stop taking one AD under careful supervision. Still here ;-). I have to take my AD for Life as my depression is un-controlled without.
Glad that you have recognised a pattern, if you can cope with the physicality of any variations then that's good!
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Roseneath - hello, I'm so sorry to hear of your battle with anxiety. I've had a dreadful time of it too, with adrenaline/cortisol surges, over the top anxiety and, latterly, cyclical ‘madness' and anxiety which left me genuinely fearful, I felt so awful.
I just wanted to say that I take Prozac, and I don't think I will ever come off it. It's an SSRI which is motivating instead of sedating, and also seems to help my anxiety. I've got a thread on here somewhere with all the history...but I've been off and on Prozac for years for exactly the reasons you stated. I didn't like the idea of having to take a pill to feel normal - like I used to, and I hated the idea of having to take it for life. I looked at it as the enemy, instead of a friend. I know that sounds daft, but mental health issues run in my family, as diabetes does in others, and heart disease in others...and I've realised Prozac is just a med that I have to take in order to live a normal life. As diabetics take insulin, and heart problems need statins. The difference in me - off and on Prozac - is like night and day. Life and death. I'm not exaggerating....I don't think I would be here without it.
I'm not suggesting you try Prozac...it works for me, but citalopram (and ecitalopram) are newer SSRI's, and they all work the same....but in different ways!
But please, don't NOT take it for fear of taking it.
Sending you best wishes and hope you are ok
X
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Hi Roseneath, I totally understand how you feel about Sertraline. I was prescribed them last year by my doctor when I was diagnosed with reactive depression. They are still in my kitchen cupboard unopened. I have been trying all sorts of other routes to help me with symptoms of the menopause and my depression. Hypnotherapy, herbal supplements, more exercise, you name it. I have referred myself for counselling but I am still waiting to hear from them. I did CBT last year but felt I got more help from my close friends. Some days I find that I can just about cope but others, like the last couple of days have been horrendous. I have been a blubbering wreck. I feel like I am actually losing the plot. My fella is useless at supporting me, in fact most of the time he adds to my stress to be honest!
Hang in there. I don't know about you but since finding this forum I have found it be a great help, particularly on bad days, there is always so much good advice and support.
I hope you are OK
Take care x
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There are two types of depression: organic and clinical [situational/reactive]. Trouble is, GPs and others don't always recognise that there are differences. I have to take an AD for Life. Hard to accept initially but now Himself and I have a Life again. I also have clinical depression [long story short] so when my brain is low for more than 3 mornings in a row, I up my dosage in order to survive. My GP is aware that I self-medicate. I also have an emergency Valium-type drug and for years have taken Propranolol. At first it was 80mg at night for 3 months then dropped to 40mg at night, which after a few years I split into 20mg night and morning: due to more increased low-grade headaches I have dropped the morning dose.
It's Trial and Error. I am more aware of my feelings and how to deal with the medication 'as necessary' these days. Mostly I feel OK!
Don't give up :)
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Hi everyone in this lovely forum. Well in the end I got the sertraline prescription but after reading the leaflet and doing some research on line I didn't take them. For me I know I have anxiety but this is who I am and it does come and go and is dependent on what I am stressing over health wise at that moment. I was worried that if I take ADs that is me on them for life and that will be the new me. The stories of people trying to come off them were 50% terrible. And what do you know for 3 weeks I felt fine, then I have a week I am a bit edgy and stressed (the week before my period is the worst) If it is sunny I am better, if I am on holiday I am fine. If I stay off caffeine, do exercise etc I feel better. I didn't like the way My GP was so keen to get me on sertraline like it would make all the worries go away. When I asked about addiction and coming off it he said just not to worry about that now, just take them and come and see him in 4 weeks. So for now I am on 1 x 40mg proprananol per day and I think that calms me a bit. But I know this hormonal stuff is menopause so I can live with that. Of here come the kids.
You sound like me! I've had anxiety since childhood and I've never tried AD's because I know that I would panic about the side effects and convince myself I had them. I then developed Health Anxiety which was worse than just the anxiety. I have convinced myself I have so many illnesses then like you, if I'm on holiday etc I'm fine. When I started peri, the anxiety increased ten fold. I've never known anything like it, it was just constant whereas before, I would have breaks in between. I just rode it out but it wasn't easy. Since October half term holidays, something has happened, I don't know why but my anxiety has decreased. I still get it but I'm able to not let it take over. Just before I was shopping, felt a bit dizzy but whereas before my heart rate would have increased and I would have felt shaky, I was OK. I almost feel like I'll jinx it by mentioning it here but I'm enjoying this new phase and I don't know if it's all hormone led or what, but I'm happy that at the moment (fingers crossed) it has eased. I can't believe how many women on this site suffer with anxiety as I have always felt quite alone in my suffering and that friends and family don't really understand it so it's good to read on here that other women are going through the same and I hope we can all come out the other end x
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Hello CLKD,
How do you/GP know the difference between organic and clinical? Is there any test for organic depression or is it just a clinical (no pun intended) diagnosis? I have many issues that could be the source of a clinical depression, but how do I know I DON'T have the organic type?
Conolly X
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No blood test etc., when I first became depressed I asked for an explanation but no one is interested. Depression is on both sides of my family from way back (to 1800s) so I don't have a chocolate fireguard chance of surviving on paper. Clinical - when a person becomes depressed due to issues that they can't change or can't see a way out of, even if change is possible can be treated by CBT or medication, relaxation etc..
My depression is cyclical - very ill, medication, feel better, stop medication, ill .......... a Psychiatrist called to my home in an emergency situation noted that I have a 22 month pattern = organic. When situations over-whelm me, i.e. when anxiety floors me, the depression is different: on top of the organic.
There are those that tell me that there is clinical/situational depression only - I soon kicked them into touch!!!!! It's OK to read about illness in books and to be told how to put coping strategies into action but the reality is different.
I have been told that depression is a 'learned' illness ........... no one can feel depression, they might act like they are depressed but someone acting won't remain depressed for more than a short while at a time. Depression itself confined me to bed ........ and no one IMO can mimic that!
I would suggest that you make a list of your Life experiences thus far and a separate list of on-going stressful situations: then put against the latter any coping agencies that you can access in order to ease those particular stressors.
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Hello CLKD,
Hope you're feeling well! Thank you for the explanation and tips, I will make that list.
Do clinical and organic depression have the same presentation or not?
Sorry to ask so many questions...
Conolly x
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No problem, if you don't ask you don't get! For me they present the 'same' although I now recognise the sublet difference. In that my mood eases if the problem is sorted or put to 1 side but the organic depression remains.
Acceptance is important. I've had depression for many years in various forms so am quite anyltical ::)
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Biker chick..Just to say I know how living with an other half who isn't sympathetic makes things so much worse. When I had a relly bad bout of insomnia last May he actually told me I should be in a ' loony' bin and I needed to snapout of it for the sake of the family. For me there is an element of letting it take over. I nearly cancelled my kids party last month because I was grounded with fear I was ill (totally unfounded it turned out). My husband told me to stop being selfish and just get on with it - I was angry but do you know whatit worked. I got up, wrote a list, we had a great party and my kids were so happy. So for me there is an element that it is a mental cycle which grip me. Like at the moment I have had a few nights bad sleep and I spend me day worrying I won't sleep at all tonight. It is like I am inviting these things into my head. I was NEVER like this in my 20s or 30s. It is so great to read of other people similar ages going through the same things.
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I would change the locks if my husband even hinted the 'pull yourself together' or 'selfish' card .......... :cuss:. Do they really think that we CHOOSE to feel this ill ......... :'(
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I know what it is like not having a supportive husband when it comes to illness. Everything gets unrealistically played down. He asks how I am and I have a choice of pleasing him by smiling sweetly saying I'm fine or telling the truth and getting the rolling of the eyes. Yes, CLKD, changing locks have sprung to mind many times but I think I am too long in the tooth now to start again!
On a more positive note after decades of low moods and some anxiety I decided to approach the GP for help. She prescribed Prozac and counselling. I took 1 tab a day for a month with no side effects but no improvement either. I then was increased to 2 a day and almost immediately discovered a new wonderful enthusiasm for life. As Yammi mentioned, I went from existing to really living. I am off them just now, no side effects coming off either. I wd have no hesitation in asking for Prozac again if I needed them. By the way, I did not tell hubby I was taking the medication which was very empowering. I would recommend to anyone to give ADs a try.
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I'm two weeks on ads, citalopram and to be honest I hate it. I've suffered with anxiety on and off for years but it's a lot worse since meno. I feel I am getting really down and anxious with the ads, where as before I would be anxious but not down. It's hard to explain but I feel flat and emotionless. I really am thinking of stopping them and just sticking to my Xanax which I just need now and again. As I said I have struggled for years but never went down the ad route. Not sure wha to do
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Hi Yammy. I am 48 too and in a similar place to you. Some days I am OK but others just a rushing head of fear 24/7. I am going through a bad week of little sleep at the moment; I dread going to bed then try a dozen ways of trying to fall asleep until about 3am when I get a few hours. I don't like taking medication as I feel I would never come off it but I have a pack of sertraline (unopened). I just feel with me the meds would keep adding up with their own problems and mask whatever is going on underneath which I feel are hormone fluctuations. I am sure cortisol / adrenaline is to blame . I am considering going back to the GP again and asking for some hormones tests as I want to make sure I know exactly what chemical is causing this before I take any more meds. My brief experience with HRT was horrible; made everything worse and then some.
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Give it time! The brain doesn't get where it is suddenly and needs support, it's up there, out of sight out of mind. I have never felt flat with ADs, however, when depressed I couldn't move from the bed.
If it is relieving anxiety the stick with it until the New Year? or your body/brain won't know if it's flying a bike or riding a kite.
Blood tests for hormone levels are reliably un-reliable.
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Phoned doc today and she has said to up ads to 10mgs for a few weeks and see how I get on. I took this dose this morning and am going to stick them out for another while, I figure I've done the hard part the past two weeks, so hopefully will feel he benefits sooner rather than later
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Yep. Little steps. Thing is, we don't get where we are suddenly ......... etc. etc. etc. ;)
Honey - well done! Thanks for the info. :thankyou:
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Doc upped citalopram to 10mg yesterday and bam, anxiety has me floored today. Just wondering is this a normal reaction and how soon should I expect it to ease. Had to take Xanax earlier to take the edge off.
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It is possible when you increase the dose but should only last a few days. The first month is hard no question about it but it does get better. Are you splitting it? ie 5mg morning and 5mg at night?
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Thank you Samade, Im taking 10mg in the morning On docs instructions. I will give it a few days and see. If still suffering I'll try splitting it, although it's an extremely small tablet and quite hard to halve. The half Xanax has really helped so if I need to I will continue for a few days until initial symptoms ease.