Rollercoaster

Had a terrible night... Haven't slept. Had anxiety all night long... I wasn't like this before I started fluoexitine. Hope I'm not the only one. It seems 1 step forward and 2 back. Will see my GP later this morning hope I can get something to ease the panic: anxiety.

[smjtty]

ALL THOSE MEDS MAKE ME WORSE THERE IS NO EZY REPLY

I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH WHEN YOU DO

NOT TAKE YHEM THEY GET MAD THE RIGHT ALL THESE MENTAL

ILLNESS STUFF LIKE A PERSON IS CRAZY HOW DID WE GET THERE

STAY A WAY FROM SUGAR CAFFEEENE

[Pearwig]

I used to take Fluoxetine (Prozac) when my problems were to do with the past - the break-up of my first marriage and the loss of my career through depression. A trainee GP then switched me to Sertraline when my problems were more to do with the future - fear about losing the girlfriend who is now my second wife, and shortage of money. I now need 50mg/day, with increases to 100mg/day if I become anxious before stressful events such as long drives or foreign holidays. Like all anti-depressants it does have disappointing side effects for a newly married man! From Pearwig.

[Hidden in reply to Pearwig]

Hi my GP just changed me to setraline today he felt the Prozac was not doing any good... Let's hope new mess work.xx

[Hidden]

I've heard it's tough to get the meds right, I am also on fluoxetine and its my first introduction to SSRI's. I can say three and a half weeks in that there have been some horrible side effects, nausea and feeling tired all the time, but I have my days where I feel calm and clear and like nothing really bothers me.

(It does nothing for my agoraphobia though, I am still quite fearful of other people and to get outside and get amongst it. I am hoping therapy will help with that. )

I hear you on the 1 step forward and 2 back!!! It feels like a never-ending uphill battle sometimes. Hang in there, and yes definitely talk to your GP about what you are experiencing. Like I said I've heard it can sometimes take a few tries to get the meds/dose right for your condition, but when it helps it really does ease some of that anxiety and depression and helps you to function a bit better.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Only been on fluoxetine 2 weeks but had 2 days with no sleep and anxiety through the roof... GP wants me to change to Setraline tomorrow... He thinks Fluoxetine should have been helping by now... So worried about changing for fear I go back to beginning.

[Hidden]

Unfortunately it sounds like you may have to start again from scratch, but if you can wait out another two weeks perhaps Sertraline will be more tolerable to your system and you may notice some great benefits with your anxiety. I am unsure of fluoxetine myself still, but I have to wait to potentially come off it for my next doctors appointment. I'm not sure exactly how you are supposed to feel when it "kicks in". So that doesn't help.

Try not to worry about getting the right meds, eventually you will find the right one if you keep being persistent and honest with your doctor. I know the trial and error phase sucks, for lack of a better term. But it's better that you try a new drug if you cannot stand the side effects of the one you are on.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I don't think I have a choice really it is either that or stop all meds... Which is so tempting when feeling so rubbish... I could cope with some side effects but not agitation 24 hrs a day and no sleep.

[Hidden]

Yeah I hear you. It's a toss up between waiting out the side effects for a potential benefit, or just going "au naturel" and trying to deal with anxiety through alternate ways like therapy and exercise and meditation. It's really whatever works for you.

[MattBuckland]

Hi Matthew

I am a couple of weeks into sertraline, for side effects have been minimal unlike on the Effexor stuff that made me crazy.

Not sure if I am getting a lot from them at the moment but it is early days and best not to overthink it.

Hope they work for you and you get some relief. One thing, at the moment I am seeing a counsellor weekly and wouldn't want to use the drugs in isolation, but everyone is different.

Sending out a positive vibe.

Cheers, Matt

[Hidden in reply to MattBuckland]

Hi Matt

Not doing well on the Prozac I'm hyper agitated and high as a kite. GP feels fluoxetine is not right for me.... He refused to give me anything to take the edge of it... Had to go into work to see director today and I only have a couple more weeks sick pay and will have to go to work or lose my home etc... I just hope I sleep tonight if not back to GP... Really not sure of taking the setraline tomorrow... It's pure hell at the minute and I am beginning to doubt I will get there. Cheets

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Matt

Ignore the typo meant to be cheers.

[MattBuckland in reply to Hidden]

Hi Matt

When the Effexor kept me up for 48hrs straight I went back to the doctor and he gave me 7 days of sleeping pills. He suggested this and said that he wanted me to get some sleep. It didn't help with the anxiety but at least I got about 5 hrs a night which I was grateful for. 1st night off them not good but yesterday I got 6 hours sleep. Could you go back to GP and explain that you need a break from this and something to help you get back into a sleeping pattern? I know it may feel like begging for drugs but it is for a good reason. As to the sertraline, your choice, but might be worth roughing it out, you have probably got so worked up that it will be hard to work out side effects from anxiety symptoms, best not to think on it. I have taken sertraline in the past and it did work (probably shouldn't have come off it). You don't sound like your work is as understanding as mine which is not good. I am finding it hard to see the future as well at the moment but if you were 'there' before then a way back must be possible.

Not sure if you are alone or not but with the sleep at one point I paced back and forth like a maddie for over an hour which tired me out a bit, desperate times?

Thinking of you mate,

Matt