My experience with Sertraline.
Posted , 4 users are following.
I have been suffering from Depression and Anxiety for about 6 years. I started off with CBT as I was scared to go on medication. In September 2014 I suffered from a huge breakdown attack, my parents didnt know what to do as I wanted to commit. They had phoned nhs24 and i got an urgent appointment with a doctor. I had been diagnosed with severe depression and put on sertraline 50mg at the time and propranalol 40mg and receiving CBT. Over the weeks I wasnt improving so my CBT counsellor had put my medication up to 100mg in November. I kept habing suicidal thoughts, lose of appetite, very low moods, hearing voices in my head. Yesterday I had a counselling session but I had brokendown infront of my worker. The suicidal thoughts got worse, voices in my head got louder, I had very bad hot sweats, bad shakes and sickness, my counsellor had referred me to a psychiatric hospital to get rediagnosed and a re-assessment. I was very very close to bein kept in the hospital. I later found out I have a severe case of Depression and OCD - Intrusive Thoughts. My medication has been upped to 150mg and I have been referred to a psychiatrist for better support than been given just CBT. I haven't been able to work since September due to how severe it is, so I'm aiming to get better so that I can get my work and education back on track. I know it will take time but i honestly hope my new dosage helps me.
Does anyone have any advice? Bearing in mind I have had a lot of side effects with this medication but my doctor doesnt want to change the medication at the moment.
Thank
1 like, 20 replies
Digsby Ellie82038
Posted
It sounds as if your strength and will-power have got you this far - you are stronger than you think. But I've got to agree with John - after 6 months, you should be feeling some benefit from the meds or this probably isn't the right one for you at this time. I was presribed a drug during Nov/Dec for my suicidal depression which I kept taking (up to a dose of 200mg) but I felt no benefit and the side effects were horrible. In consultation with my psychiatrist, I changed to Sert and after 8 weeks am starting to feel more positive.
What part of the country are you in? I'm surprised that you haven't had a psychiatric consultation sooner. Sorry - that wasn't meant in a bad way but when I was at my worst, the Crisis Response Team were monitoring me on a daily basis.
I also have a family with mental health issues. Although we have this in common, it's not always easy to talk to those closest to you. However, it can bring you closer together. The most important thing is that you feel able to share your feelings when you need to. Many of us online can relate to what you are feeling so never feel isolated. You are precious and unique and the world would be a poorer place without you so please never consider that a reality. You have something to contribute to life that only you can give, and nobody else.
I was petrified that I would end up in a psychiatric ward but I thought it would be for the best if it would help me get better. You will get better because you want to get better. Never give up. Let us know how you are getting on. We are all rooting for you!
Big hug x
Ellie82038 Digsby
Posted
I have been trying my hardest to stay positive and think of new distractions but its difficult to give them a chance, I've told my mum and dad to keep me away from sharp objects and other tablets. It has got to the point that I cant even wash or go near sharp objects without my intrusive thoughts telling me to hurt myself, it is the exact same as other tablets. I can't go out on my own because I hear voices in my head telling me to do harmful things.
I live in Scotland, my doctor thought because i'm only 20, 21 in 1 and a bit months, he wanted me to attend CBT but after what happened on wednesday he now realises how bad or worse my health has gotten. Sadly mental health runs in the family but I still find it talking to my family about the slightest things, although I do try and talk about them if I feel okay to.
All I want to do is get better and be able to go back into work, my doctor said to me that I am not fit for work and I havent been for 5 of those months. Ive even tried work as a distraction but my boss noticed that I wasnt coping and I was getting bullied from other colleagues so I had quit my job, my boss was understanding about it so that is okay I guess.
I will keep you updated as much as possible with my health, thank you for the advice and the support. I hope things are improving for you.
Big hugs, Ellie x
Digsby Ellie82038
Posted
I really feel for you as I know what it is like when there seems no hope. I haven't worked for 4 months but I'm hoping to get back in the next couple of weeks. Slowly, my self-confidence has been returning and I have been working hard to challenge the negative thoughts so my mind isn't going round in a self-destructive spiral. This takes a lot of my energy though so I know what it is like some days to feel like giving in. You are a strong person because you are not blaming anyone else or yourself for the position you are in. You can't change the past - you can only influence your reaction to the present and choose which direction your future will take. We all learn to cope in different ways and what works for one may not work for someone else. I have started to find enjoyment and fulfilment in little things again which helps me to plan for the future. I'm not saying that days aren't hard - perhaps my resilience is getting stronger.
I'm worried about the voices you are hearing because they reinforce unhelpful thoughts in your head. They also prompt urges which I know you don't want to act on. They are just urges though, like thoughts - they are not a reality that you have to act on. Are you still having the CBT? Your brain is like a muscle and sometimes needs to be trained to do something that doesn't come naturally, like thinking in a different way, until it becomes a habit, more automatic. I want to wave a magic wand and make things better for you ;-)
Keep positive and don't give up hope of returning to work and getting back to a normal routine. We need goals and dreams to motivate us. I hope there is good news in your life very soon. Keep in touch.
Digsby
x
trudy63745 Ellie82038
Posted