Struggling 52 year old woman

Hi there,i was in exactly the same place as you 7 months ago ,couldnt even get out of bed most days,having anxiety attacks and became agro phobic.Never thought id be normal again but sertraline has really helped,i had really bad side effects for the first 6 weeks then things began to settle down and am now back to my old self.Still have iffy moments but can now cope with them.I was off work for 3 1/2 months and got a lot of pressure to go back,but did slowly part time at first then gradually full time.Hope this has helped Patty

Hi Patty

Thank you for replying first of all , it gave me some confidence in thses tablets I can feel an effect of these straight away they make me feel a bit dizzy and heady also Im getting palpatations but having read the paperwork this is normal.

With my work I simply dont want to go back there as they have caused this stress and depression that Im suffering with now , this has been going on for a year, I was only diagnosed by my GPin April, I cant even attend a meeting with them the thought of that makes me feel physically sick but I will master this one day

Glad my reply has helped a little,as to the work thing my aneixty was also a result of work .Managment did not want to listen and help me out of a stressfull situation and i have now been labeled a trouble maker who over reacts.But remember a job is just a job and your health is most important.My G.P also gave me propanalol tablets to take half an hour before a stressful situation or i could also take them when i felt aniexious,they really did help.Keep your chin up and just take small steps at a time.Im off for 2 weeks by the coast ,just hoping we dont get 2 much wet and windy weather .Dont forget your not alone feeling like this and there is a light at the end of the tunnel .Best wishes Patty :D

Hi Jue, I was feeling the same, work was depressing and I felt very lonely at work and I had lots of time to sit and ponder about how i was feeling. After sometime off sick, I decided it was best for me to get signed off and recover. I handed in my notice and I left about 3 weeks ago. There has been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders since.

I am on Sertraline and Propranolol and I find they are both helping alot. I feel alot better and am in the process of getting another job that has been offered to me with someone else and its more flexible. I am going to go for it, although I worry still that perhaps I am not ready, that is only a fear that comes with anxiety and I will not let it take over my life and control me any longer.

Do what is right for you.

Hi Jue 7. I have also been were you are now. It is a horrible feeling when you just can't seem to find the light at the end of the tunnel. You will get through this, honestly. Take each day as it comes and try to get out, even if you just go the library, shops etc. Your confidence will come back slowly and things that seem like big problems now will become manageable. I am on sertraline myself and have been on and off for a number of years. When I found myself like your feeling now I thought I would be stuck like it forever and couldnt seem to find a way out. I found trying to get out each day no matter how bad I felt helped. I also found reading and sudoko puzzles useful for distraction.