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Chronic Fatigue and anxiety & depression.

Posted , 5 users are following.

Sal60
Sal60

I've had CF for ten years and with every relapse comes a feeling of fear and anxiety which leads to depression.  

For years I took 15mg. Mirtazapine an anti-depressant but weaned myself off it, foolishly I now realise as I wasn't able to cope with a big emotional upset, had a round of 'boom & bust' crashes and had to start taking them again.  However, they weren't working as well as before and my GP has changed my medication to 25mg Sertraline. This is a different type of anti-depressant and I am in transition having been on them a week.

I've read & been told that when starting these SSRI drugs you can feel worse before you get better.

Can anyone tell me,  how bad is worse?  

I'm feeling pretty bad at the moment, lots of side effects and mood swings not helped by the CF.  The local pharmacist tells me I should feel better in another week after when the tablets really start to kick in.

Anybody had similar? Or any words of encouragement please.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • ellie77378
    ellie77378 Sal60

    Posted

    Bless you sad

    I feel totally the same!

    I had depression and anxiety for a long time before cfs and I was off all medication, until I was bed bound, nothing to take my mind off anything and worried about the future.

    I'm on fluoxetine, I think that's an SSRI? Everyone is different, but the 'worse' stage for me lasted just a couple of weeks. While your body is adjusting to the medication you might have a few side effects, that may make you feel worse emotionally. I know it sounds cliché but try your best to push through, when everything is settled you should feel a bit more uplifted, just keep your mind on that!

    I really hope it all goes smoothly for you, if after a few weeks they aren't what you expect don't be afraid to speak to your doctor and maybe try something else. I was on citalopram in the past, the first day I took them I felt like I was on drugs and I got no benefit at all, then I found fluoxetine was the one for me! The transition period shouldn't last too long so try not to worry yourself, it'll all work out smile

    • Sal60
      Sal60 ellie77378

      Posted

      Many thanks,  I shall hang in there and hope for some improvement.

       

  • jimmy_48419
    jimmy_48419 Sal60

    Posted

    I'm in the similar situation as you.  I've been taking sertraline off and on for CFS for the last few years.  I stopped taking the meds around April time but about a month ago a relapse kicked in - I'm thinking anxiesty caused it.  I started to take 25mg about 3 and a half weeks ago and I'm starting to feel a bit better now.  25mg is a very low dose though.  I used to take 50mg and I felt better quicker t so I'm not 100% sure of the effectiveness of 25mg but I definetly feel better than I did a few weeks back.

     

    • Sal60
      Sal60 jimmy_48419

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply.

      My GP thought it best to start me on a low dose as we CF sufferers are often more sensitive to drugs.

      I'll persevere and hope things improve.

  • alison44235
    alison44235 Sal60

    Posted

    I don't take any anti-depressants. They have terrible side effects with me. I have had M.E. for 32 years. Most of the time it is very difficult to live with. I just battle on with a lot of  misunderstanding amomgst friends and family. Anti-depresants are not the answer in  my opinion. I don't know what is though, sorry.
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