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How many of you work, or, how do you work while on these meds?

Posted , 6 users are following.

erinola
erinola

I've been on Zoloft for about five weeks now and each day is really hard. I work full time and am missing about one day a week so far due to bad anxiety. The meds aren't working for me (yet - not sure if they will), but I am wondering how many of you work outside the home? How do you cope with feeling like this and working?

Please share your stories!

I am in the US by the way. 

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • S.D.J
    S.D.J erinola

    Posted

    Yes I work outside the home. When I have anxiety or a panic attack I take deep breaths, but I don't inhale or exhale out in a large gasp, I try and be silent about it. I usually put on a fake smile. It's hard but no 9ne notices as far as I know or they just don't care.
    • erinola
      erinola S.D.J

      Posted

      I have nearly day-long anxiety that I attempt to control with klonopin while I wait out the Zoloft. 

      I have to admit, I'm sometimes jealous of those who don't work and can take the proper time to heal. 

      You're right in that most people don't notice. No one would notice here except I miss about one day a week of work and I am very open about my problem.

    • S.D.J
      S.D.J erinola

      Posted

      I also take clonadine if it's really bad. Ask your doctor for help.
    • erinola
      erinola S.D.J

      Posted

      I've never heard of clonadine... I do have clonazepam (which is generic klonopin) and that can help while I'm waiting out the right anti-depressant. I also start therapy soon. 
    • S.D.J
      S.D.J erinola

      Posted

      I am from the U.S. and I don't know if that 8s the same as the U.K. sorry.
    • erinola
      erinola S.D.J

      Posted

      No worries. Clonazepam works OK. Xanax was not a good drug for me for breakthrough anxiety. 
  • Mashuga
    Mashuga erinola

    Posted

    Sorry to hear it's so hard for you sad I've been on sertraline for 8 weeks and have recently begun cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety. I live in the UK and work pretty much full time but have had to take off a couple of weeks and reduce my bar shifts and only work in the day. People have commented that I don't seem myself ...I just say I'm a bit tired. Would really like a couple of months off but I don't know if it would do me any good. Every day presents a battle to get out of bed and face the world but it is getting slightly better. I hope your anxiety eases off as j know how crippling it can be!
    • sharon19028
      sharon19028 Mashuga

      Posted

      Hi. Sorry to hear your story. Ive been on Sertaline for 3 months now lifes not been kind either. I have been advised the therapy too have you found it to be any good. X
    • erinola
      erinola Mashuga

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry to hear you're struggling. I am starting therapy in about 10 days. I hope it can help. I've been in therapy off and on for years and didn't feel it did much, but maybe a new therapist will be what I need. 

      I did file for FMLA (in the states) and I can take up to 12 weeks off UNPAID (thanks US healthcare system!) but I haven't used up all my vacation time yet. My boss has been great and is working with me on letting me work from home if I need to. It doesn't necessarily help my anxiety and depression (well, the anxiety, some), but it's a nice option. Getting to work does seem to be what I need to do, as lying in bed all day doesn't seem to make me feel any better. 

      I feel ya' on the battle to get out of bed. That's my biggest hurdle of the day, too. 

      I wouldn't say I feel better, but I'm starting to have moments where I think I might see a light at the end of the tunnel.

      PM me if you want to chat! I know how rough this is! 

    • Mashuga
      Mashuga erinola

      Posted

      Thank you I appreciate that and I hope the therapy does help for you. I've had two sessions so far and I found myself saying things out loud that I didn't consciously know I was thinking so it does help. Admittedly I feel facing things can make everything worse for a while but I'm hoping that's a sign of it working. Like yourself there's a little light at the end of the tunnel, it just seems so far away. Keep aiming for that light I guess!
    • Mashuga
      Mashuga sharon19028

      Posted

      I've had two sessions so it's early days but I have found myself saying things that I didn't know I was even thinking consciously so that was a help. The CTB has started to make me think about the issues that may have caused the depression and anxiety. I haven't got a clue how to tackle them all yet but I am starting to become aware of what I might need to tackle if that makes sense. I really hope it works for you and I've predominantly heard nothing but good things about the therapy smile
    • erinola
      erinola Mashuga

      Posted

      In my case (I think), my anxiety doesn't come from any particular source. As far as I can tell, it's a chemical imbalance. Therapy may prove otherwise though! 
  • sharon19028
    sharon19028 erinola

    Posted

    Hi i struggle daily with work but im self employed so have no choice but to battle on. Its very hard coping with day to day life and depression as people around cannot see the illness. Sometimes i just want to stay in bed and hide away. I force myself to get up every day. I just felt as though i was turning a corner and my father passed away unexpectantly such a shock and my partner told me he wasnt sure where our relationship was going i sank to the bottom of despair. I try hard each day. X
    • erinola
      erinola sharon19028

      Posted

      It's a tough road! I'm lucky in that most people know I have this condition and most are very understanding and accepting. 

      I *always* want to stay in bed! Getting up is the hardest part of the day. 

      I'm so sorry to hear your father passed away. :*( Also, your partner. Either one of those things would be heartbreaking and I'm so sorry to hear you're going through both problems. (((HUGS))) You're doing the best you can. <3>

  • tee79997
    tee79997 erinola

    Posted

    Hiya! I work full-time, I started Sertraline 2 days ago over the weekend so pretty nervous as to how tomorrow will go. I'm a teacher so I won't really be able to take time off unless I'm in a really bad way so I'm hoping I can just get by without anyone asking too many questions. So far I've just had weird cramps and some horrid headaches. Yesterday I just let myself stay on the sofa all day, literally did nothing else but watch TV. Today I'm feeling a bit more energetic. Really don't know how I'll cope with work tomorrow. x
    • erinola
      erinola tee79997

      Posted

      I'm about six weeks in with no real improvement. I wish Zoloft worked for me, but after another week or so, I think I'm going to have to try something else.

      I wish you luck. This med seems to work for many, but it's not been effective for me.

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