My 10 month journey

Posted , 2 users are following.

My 10 month journey ( though really a 25 year journey)

I was on paroxetine time for 25 years ! A long time . I had some good months but mostly bad times- I always managed with good diet and exercise.I did not drink too much- difficult when your young and your friends want u to go out drinking . Looking back my sleep has been bad for 25 years since a traumatic incident. This all came on after traumatic incident with pain attacks

I suffered from and anxiety and depression for 25 years but just battled on telling the doctor I felt fine when it came for a review of medication.

Also doctors did not really understand mental health issues 20 years ago - they were nearly embarrassed to talk about it.

Doctors I have dealt with in last year have been superb. Younger and seem knowledgable about issues. I also am aware some older doctors also are superb unfortunately my experience was not great. Mental health charities and stars speaking up about metalinvi health has been good.

Did get counselling 25 years ago which I remember being good.

Recently I decided to try another antidepressant sertraline - well it has been a journey . Was taking 50 mg for 3 months hoping I was getting better . Some days were fine but bad head aches, night sweats kept telling myself I was getting better. I was not. Felt awful . felt bad even going back to doctor At the 3 months, upped dose to 100 mg - I would say I only started to improve after about 10 weeks after that But basically after about 3 months on 100 mg I feel so much better. feel bit numb at times. Looking back wish I had changed antidepressant before now.

What a difference.

Now I am happy but still the odd bad day - but everyone does ! I always had put up a front and made out I was happy . Deep down I was struggling to get by .

Recomendation

I did try fish oils , vit d , light therapy , sleep apps but with little success. Though do not knock these therapies as some research out there proving they work

What I feel is everyone is different and responds differently to treatment

lesson i learnt

Mental strength

Keep going - Do not give up

Exercise - I swam - this saved me / even if only 10 lengths . Team sport as well

Read self help books

Friends

Always meet people - some days I felt so tired I did not want to .

But forced myself to meet people.

Avoid negative people who make u feel bad. People who like drama and complain - I avoid.

Medication

Stick with antidepressants if u have been prescribed them, give different ones a go. speak to your dr

This forum did help me with discussion how other felt

Trust

Confide in someone u can trust - unfortunately I had a great family but never told them anything. No one knew at all what I was going through. I just never got the right moment. Maybe one day I will. This I feel could really help .

Anyway I hope this post helps someone out there.

I am looking to the future happy and excited to what it will hold. Thinking of u all take care.

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Edited

    Hi Neal

    Im grateful to come across your post. I have terrible anxiety and my doctor put me on 50mg sertraline increasing to 100mg after a month. This totals 11 weeks in all. At week 8 I started to feel better and a week later something happened at work and i became very anxious again!

    Your post has given me hope! Are you still doing well ?

    • Posted

      yes i am keeping well,the odd time abit anxious but itdoes pass. all i would say is stick with it , Took a good bit of time, but they do work . everyone is different . hope u are ok.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply. It looks like it took quite a long time for you to start feeling better? I still feel pretty rubbish. I feel anxious about getting anxious if that makes sense? Im thinking about some counselling. I have tried CBT but I didnt find it that helpful. I need to be patient but its so hard after 3 months 😦

    • Posted

      yes took a long time but stuck on it - worth it - how u feeling now

    • Posted

      Hiya.

      I am on week 15. Doc put me up to 150mg 4 weeks ago... I dont feel quite as bad but i am still anxious. I think the adjustment will take time to work?

      Thanks for replying it really helps.

      I hope you are still doing well?

    • Posted

      yes doing realky well , so much better than when i was on seroxat - like so different. i did not do so much when ibwas on other antidepressant. great u have stuck with it. it means if u ever have to change u know the effect sertraline has on u. pleased u are doing abit better

    • Edited

      thats great you are doing so well.

      i am willing to give the meds a while yet!!! Im hoping they are helping ..,

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