So I'm going to see a psychiatrist dec 22. I was given zoloft three months ago but never taken them , I feel that it's best I see the psychiatrist and let them decide what I realy need. Anyways i have one question for those on SSRI's.. is the meds worth the go.. i mean seriously I'm not sure where I'm headed with all these physical symptoms and honestly i will never give up but my job is definitely on the line right now and the ability to function and take care of my children is also getting harder. Everybody is different to meds but I just like to know if ssris are worth getting on. I've seen many post on how people got on them and changed their life but when they got off they were worst then before starting them. I also seen youtube videos about how their emotions were somehow locked in the center . I understand it works differently for everyone but I think my biggest fear is losing touch with my kids when I'm on them..I just want the majority to say itll be fine and that I can still feel the love for my children when I'm on the pills...otherwise I rather go on living them and take the pain and suffering..I hope you guys are getting my drift...because I believe there is no sense in living a symptom free life but yet you cant feel for nobody then actually suffering but knowing you can still feel the love for your family ...
That's the biggest set back for me I guess with ssris..other then that if the majority can assure me itll be fine then I'm all for it.
Hey QUICH. I just started on a SSRI that was prescribed by my PCP. She started me on 10 mg lexapro which has been shown to have less side effects and work more quickly. The thing with SSRI’s is that they up your serotonin intake which can be both a good and a bad thing. Serotonin is one of those neurotransmitters that needs to be in perfect balance and too much or too little isn’t good. I think the most crucial thing for you to know is that you need to be very open about how it is making you feel. You got to find the perfect amount of the SSRI that you need and sometimes that can be tricky. But remember that the dosage your psychiatrist can give you can change and sometimes it’s not an issue with the SSRI itself, but rather with the dosage. Anxiety stems from a lack of serotonin in and going on an SSRI isn’t meant to numb you or anything. It’s meant to get rid of that imbalance so that you can return to your “normal” self. Also, with going off SSRI’s...the be completely frank with you, some people require staying on SSRI’s forever because they can’t quit get back to that balance of serotonin without having medication. That’s why doctors taper you off because they’ll be able to see “ok is this something we can actually do?” There’s no shame in needing to take something to help a physical imbalance. It’s like taking iron. Some people just don’t produce enough and need it daily while others don’t. Some people are only anemic for some time while others are chronically anemic.
My experience so far has been positive besides some nausea and I guess like dizziness. I don’t feel numb and I feel like I’m well on my way to returning back to how I was. I used to be VERY against going on a SSRI (for myself) until I remembered that at the end of the day, anxiety is a chemical imbalance. That being said, however, I wouldn’t have ever gone a SSRI if I wasn’t in therapy. My anxiety may have a physical cause but there’s also a mental cause that I need to work through. I don’t believe in “numbing” yourself with medication, which is why I made sure I had established a good therapist before even considering a SSRI. Overall, i think they’re a great option when you’re willing to work with the dosage. Also remember that the SSRI you’re out on may be great for someone else but not the best for you.
Thank you. This truly sheds light on my situation. The dizzy part you mentioned though lol..I already struggle with the dizziness lightheadedness day in day out..its all good I guess I just gotta take the chance
I’m not sure id describe it as dizziness. I think it’s more so like a feeling of brain fog. Kind of like there’s a lot going on in my brain and it’s hard to absorb my surroundings if that makes senses. It’s gotten MUCH better with time though. When I first started it was very prevalent but now it’s hardly there. Also remember that SSRI’s can make you feel worse before you start feeling better. That right there is a key. Have you researched any other SSRI’s besides Zoloft?
Oh ok I see brain fog. I've gotten that once before but it was probably from my xanax or increased tense anxiety..i also have looked up other ssris but lexapro and zoloft was said to be the two with the least side effects and better tolerated. So I'll wait until my apointment to see my psyc and see what he gives me...I've read alot between lexapro and zoloft and it seems majority of people did better with lexapro . But like its said we all differ..
Ya! My PCP is really knowledgeable on psychiatry related illnesses and medications so she was telling me all these studies she’d read on lexapro as well as other patient’s experiences with it. But everyone is different just as you said. Just really try to be in tune with your body when you’re taking it. Are you more aggravated? Do you feel numb? Those are the types of things I’m looking out for.
Agreed! There is so much negativity that remains when medication is the topic. No one addresses the fact that anxiety causes damage that is much greater than the possible side effects of controlled appropriate dosage.
I've been on meds a long time. I still have " feelings" I am emotional and not like a robot. I'm capable of working and loving my family. That hasn't changed from taking meds. I also have episode of anxiety and sadness. So, the issues are still there they just don't " take me out"
It's all quality of life. When it gets really bad, which happened to me, you will know there's no other choice but to try
Exactly , I guess I'm willing at this point to go on them I just feel like its best I seek the right prescribed meds from a psychiatrist then my primary doctor. I'm sure I need to be on it already due to all these symptoms but I guess to better look at my situation the phsyc knows best...but thank you for reassurance on the emotional state. Honestly I couldnt live without loving my children the way I do now and if anything should take that feeling away in rather be dead...I don't wanna die yet lol 🤣 but u know what I mean...
That explains it all. Lmao ...😁.. it's funny how the person giving me good advice about meds is also having mix emotions lmao🤣🤣...I'm kidding lol...go drink more coffee
I have a question for you. Do you still drink despite being on an SSRI? I’m going to consult my doctor in a week regarding this but everything I’ve read either says do not drink while on an antidepressant or that it’s ok to have a little drink here and there. I hope that’s not too personal of a question.
I get what your saying, I mean even myself my regular life style routines was working Monday thru friday off on weekends , so I would take the kids to the beach pick up the pop up tent bring out the grill. Bbqs and a 12pk of budlite.... and just enjoying the weekends.. I havent done this in a year after years of doing so...i feel like my kids are stuck in this situation with me because they were so used to the outtings but we just dont do these things anymore because of the physical symptoms of anxiety. I feel very sad about this and i know I need to be more active with them because I wouldn't want them to get older and end up being in my state because this is what they remember growing up....sometimes I drink but its every 4 months apart when i do and I'm not on ssris at the moment , but i also heard it's not the best thing to do while on them. Everyone's different i say enjoy your life to .
I drink but keep to the rec safe limit of 14 units per week and never binge drink. 5 units in a day would be my maximum. My doc says this is fine while I am on Antidepressants. I could not have got through my illness, GAD and depression without them. They do not affect my ability to love my child.
I do not mind if I have to stay on them for life. If anything I am better than before I was ill and I was pretty much anxiety free then. I do not feel anxious or depressed unless good reason now and am more sociable but I can still get physical symptoms of anxiety, breathlessness in particular. I have been on them just over two years and they gave me my life back.
I actually feel like I’m more in tune with my emotions on an SSRI. Before (and this is why I have anxiety lol) I used to avoid any type of feeling besides happiness but now I’m finding myself doing that less and less.
Trustngod, I've been on Lexapro for 5 years now and have a glass or 2 of wine occasionally. The main thing to remember is that even a small amount of alcohol that typically you wouldn't feel can make you sleepy, lightheaded, giggly, buzzed. Just be prepared not to drive on even 1 glass. I've heard some people say it brings on anxiety for them. As I say, I'm not a frequent drinker and when I do, it's wine or a little peppermint schnapps in my hot cocoa.
Hello Lm92. Thanks for this insight. I drank a glass of wine once and felt fine afterwards. But then I realized i probably shouldn’t do that while on an antidepressant and that’s when I became anxious haha. So, good to know. I’m not a huge drinker as is.
SSRIs gave me my life back. I was at a point where my anxiety and depression had me deadlocked and I was making my family miserable. I couldn't bond with my son because I didn't have the mental and physical energy to do it. I was too busy letting the worry control me. Those few weeks of nausea and adjustment we're so incredibly worth it. It's not a magic pill, and some anxiety sneakily creeps back through sometimes, but it's so much more manageable now.
My primary doctor has prescribed me zoloft but he also admitted he is not a psychiatrist so he doesnt know what's proper medication for me. So he gave them to me assuming itll work due to my anxiety. But I rather see a psychiatrist who has full knowledge in symptoms of my anxiety and then put me on the proper medication. I'm not saying zoloft isn't the right one but I rather take what is highly recommended in my circumstances then to take something that my primary doctor is only assuming is right for me. The only problem is psychiatrist where I'm from have been realy booked for the past 5 months but thank god dec 22 is my apointment. I hope this makes more sense
Yea, you should see a psychiatrist, your primary doctor probably didn't go to psychiatry school. My primary doctor prescribed me Medications too. I ever took them either
SSRI’s will not make you feel numb or void of emotions. You stated that You’re close to losing your job and your worried about getting off the med before you even take it?? You have nothing to lose by taking a med that can potentially improve your life...and even a Psychiatrist is not sure what drug would work on you best.!!!.
Meds do not make anxiety go away completely but they help with the intensity. There is a chemical imbalance in our brains that Needs correcting..... you would take an antibiotic if you had an infection, you need a med when the nervous system is out of whack..
Xanax is one of the worse drugs to get off of.. if you’re afraid of taking any med , that would be the one to be MOST CAUTIOUS of... highly addictive, SSRI’s ARE NOT.
There is no good reason to go off of a SSRI that is helping you...do what you need to do to feel better and that may include correcting your chemical imbalance in your brain..
I’m an RN and have been on them for many years. Anxiety remains but very manageable...
Well I can say I have been on Zoloft 7 yrs now and only 75mg not a med person but take bare min to survive I will not increase for one 40 yrs of anorexia and treatment began 7 yrs ago come next month I listen to my psychiatrist in beginning did as told med and treatment 96 visits in one yr Jan 2013 till Dec 32 same yr Zoloft keeps me from food obsession and PTSD from abuse all the reason anorexia took me at 14 happy free and recovered will be on Zoloft forever love it and would not be recovered if not I continue mental treatment every 3 mths and will always to survive Zoloft did not make me heartless nor unloving at all
Hello I’m sorry to hear about what you’re going through. I’ve been on SSRI’S for quite sometime even though I really feel I’m resistant to these meds. I’ve tried so many meds for my depression and to be honest none of them seem to do the job. The only medication that I can say that really helps me is Xanax. I’ve been on Xanax on and off for many years. It helps with my OCD, and anxiety. Have you ever had a DNA test to see what types of psychiatric meds will help? This DNA has been around for quite sometime. It matches your DNA with the meds that best suit you. The thing with all these meds is that they’re all trial and error. You’ve got to try them for a bit to see if they help, which kinda sucks, cause you’ll be suffering till the meds kick in. One of the best things I find for me is exercise, when I exercise I feel pretty good throughout the day. And also if you can take fish oils like omega 3 that also helps. Just make sure you’re not allergic to Omega 3. Hope this helps and good luck to you. SAMSON
Hi. Thanks for your post. It was very thoughtful on your part. I personally have been on an SSRI for a number of years (Paxil). I have found that it was well worthwhile and I did not find that it caused me to disconnect from others. It just calms down the anxiety and depression and worthlessness that we may be suffering from. Going through life with these feelings can really take a toll on what we were meant to be. I personally am thankful that my primary doctor put me on this medication. I didn't experience any side effects except weight gain. I know others do experience other side effects but they generally go away after a few weeks.
I hope you make the right decision for you having regard for your own personal situation and station in life.
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