Not feeling all there :(

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hey

I'm just back from a nice relaxing weekend birthday break with my partner but now I feel low, depersonalised and anxious again. The weekend was lovely but it's almost like I can't cope with anything at all out of routine without being left with this sickening numbness which makes me want to escape myself. I just had a couple of drinks and my sleep pattern was a little different I suppose.

I'm on my 8th week of sertraline and I'm starting to wonder if the drug is actually holding me back on getting the most out of life. Like if I get a bit tired I suffer. Although at the same time I know how bad I was before I took it..

Any other folks experiences greatly appreciated smile

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Yes i experience this every time i have a drink or if i go out of my routine, i was on sertraline for a good few years and ended up strong enough to come off them eventually. I still cant really drink or go away without feeling the way u do so i try and avoid drinking or going away which is really sad but i still do it with a little push from my fab partner. Its all anxiety kicking in. A doctor once told me that there is no magic pill they are only a croch to help you cope better mentally but you have to do the rest yourself e.g positive thinking and cbt. I definitely do think sertraline work they gave me the strength to to think more positive and eventually came off them. Unfortunately though if drinking makes you worse (which most people i know with anxiety it does) you will have to try resist having a drink at least till your strong enough to cope after. Awful i know but true. A councillor once said too that you would feel rough after a drink with or without anxiety so just remember that if you do drink it will go soon but the anxiety is making it last longer. I hope you feel better soon and don't let your anxiety win. Fight it the best you can and good luck

  • Posted

    I feel the same when I drink it kind of makes the anxiety go away for the period that I'm drinking but the next day my symptoms are x10 so I know how you feel pal

    • Posted

      Funny you should say that. I get exactly the same. I can have a few drinks with my partner fine, I can unwind, relax and enjoy myself without worry but my god the next few days are horrible. Anxiety levels rocket!
    • Posted

      Yeah I really get this enhanced depersonalisation/derealisation feeling this has only happened since I have been unwell I never used to get this when drinking
    • Posted

      Hi thanks for your replies smile

      It's kind of reassuring to know I'm not alone. I wonder if it ever improves. I never used to get this before I kind of broke down in July. It's a god damn awful sensation. I wonder if I'm not strong enough for the changes in sleep/ alcohol messing with my brain chemistry at the moment.

    • Posted

      Hello WeeClare.

      I read a really good description of Anxiety saying that the feeling you feel now are basically like tremors after the earthquake of effects that hit your body doing a panic episode. The temours might be strong initially but eventually level out.

      I had my break down in June and I am still feeling it. The only way I can describe it is that I just don't feel right. Very shaky, always got headaches,dizziness and tension in jaw but it has eased up 10 fold compared to what it was a few months back! I was a right mess. Also not taking any medication has helped weridly. Anti-depressants were a horrible experience. Never again!

      My biggest problem is sleep at the moment, it's exhausting this anxiety rubbish.

      I do hope it does improve though. Got to stay optimistic I suppose. They say Anxiety and depression is closely linked and I know how dealing with these symptoms 24/7 can really drive you're mood down.

      Keep posting on here to check up everynow and then. It does help just getting things off your chest.

       

    • Posted

      Hi Thomas

      Thanks for your words everyone's insight really helps. A culmination of different stresses hit me so I just became continually anxious. I couldn't sleep and I think this triggered the depression.

      I needed the antidepressants just to get me functioning again because I'm a single mum at home with a mortgage on a new house.

      Now though I just feel like I want my exit strategy from them because I actually want real feelings if that makes sense. I probably need to stick with them though because they have definitely helped in a very desperate time. It would just be so nice to be able to drink and break routine with fun stuff without feeling awful for ages after...

  • Posted

    This is not uncommon when taking antidepressants. Because alcohol is a depressant, it can make you feel really low, then there is a rebound effect that takes place that sends the anxiety through the roof. I would avoid alcohol if you can! Especially since you are still in the early stages of medication. I hope you get through!
    • Posted

      Hi Lauren,

      Thanks for the advice. Still feeling it five days later so I think I've learned my lesson sad

  • Posted

    Hi WeeClare

    Perhaps mixing alcohol is ill advised.

    Go out and exercise...helps me

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