Antidepressants

[boredom]

Antidepressants Is anyone else on them with heart meds if so which ones do you take I am on Flouxetine for Gad which has got worse since heart attack but they seem to have stopped working anxiety is sky high can,t get out asked GP and she just upped the dose said she can,t change them. Any suggestions please all gratefully received.

[Heyjude31]

Hello boredom, I am very sorry to hear about your anxiety. I am on Mirtazapine and it is prescribed for anxiety. I was also suffering from very bad nausea which was linked to the anxiety. It took about 5 weeks to get properly into the system but it certainly helped the anxiety. I do hope you manage to get some help it is awful to feel so anxious. Take care, Judi

[Hidden]

Hello interesting reading about your antidepressants. I was on fluoxetine since 2008 and they worked in the early days. But this year I informed the doctor that I wanted to change after having a go at going up from 20mg to 40mg. Had a few issues when I decided to go from 40mg to 20mg on my own back, basically I got double vision for a day. However to this day I don't know what caused it. I did go hospital but they soon sent me home. Any way since my heart diagnosis my anxiety has been quite high so I have started on sertraline 50mg. It does not mean that they may work for you but both medications are ssri.

[boredom in reply to Hidden]

Already on fluoxetine been on them approx 10 years think they must have stopped working now put me up from 20 to 40 mgs losing weight really worried as cant afford to lose it also on diazepam 2 mgs have to find something else. Will call helpline tomorrow thanks for the replies most welcome just have to put the weight back on and get my stress under control.

[Hidden in reply to boredom]

I do think that anti depressants can wear off. Or your body gets use to them. But it is hard and it is still an area the medical profession are learning about.

[Palpman in reply to boredom]

I am on Mirtazapine but they are known for weight gain. I'm constantly hungry.

[MummaSoap]

Hi Boredom

I’m sorry to hear that you’re having a difficult time managing your anxiety; I also have anxiety but I’m not medicated. Please disregard my ideas if they don’t feel useful/relevant for you.

I use mindfulness meditation and a few grounding/breathing exercises to help manage my symptoms. There’s a plethora of information online if this idea inspires you to try some in conjunction with your meditation (I certainly wouldn’t encourage you to stop taking the medicine).

My favourite grounding technique use your senses in 5,4,3,2,1 and helps you to refocus on the present and bring your awareness to your breath and help you regulate it (if you need to).

I also use a breathing technique every morning called “the light breath” to almost create a protective and positive shield around me to help me feel more prepared for every day.

When I climb into bed I practice around 5 minutes of meditation to help settle myself for a more restful night’s sleep.

Good luck and best wishes

Soap 💛

[Dogloverxthree]

dear boredom, so sorry your suffering so much from anxiety, and depression I’m the same but terrified of medication I take the minimum of tablets for my heart condition but cannot take anti depressants, because of the fear of them ! have you been offered talking therapy, I’m just waiting to start counselling and praying it helps I live alone so it’s quite scary.hope you get some help soon

[Harefieldfan]

hi boredom. I’m on fluoxetine 20 mg per day. Have been for years , way before heart attack. Not sure if they work any more, but they do make me anxious. Afraid to stop them, though. They worked at first.

[Ewloe]

I have heart arrhythmia’s after my heart attack. So have seen both a cardiologist and electrophysiologist. It was the electrophysiologist who because I now have generalised anxiety suggested medication. We all know anxiety isn’t good for the heart. After he went away and looked into it he suggested sertraline as the safest medication for me. He wrote and told the GP to prescribe it. I’ve been on it about 7/8 months. I’m sticking with the lowest treatment dose, that’s my choice as it’s definitely helping me and nothing is 100% safe.

Also sertraline is known to-at first make symptoms worse ( which it did but it’s really worth riding that out) for a few weeks and can do the same with dose increases.

Good luck

[Palpman]

There is a difference between anxiety and depression and each are treated separately.I was on Sertraline plus Diazapam for years but now my GP has put me on Mirtazapine only as it treats both components.

[Vincent1955]

Hi -I’m on Citalopram and it’s been great for me. I hope you get things sorted soon. There is nothing worse than being anxious constantly. Warmest wishes - Clare

[simonblue]

I am on Citalopram,and my anxiety and depression,are sky high since heart attack,just before Christmas,understand what you going thought,its not nice at all,take care

[Beta70]

Not sure why your GP would not change your meds perhaps you could have another word with her, as obviously she knows your medical history. I took Fluoxetine initially for anxiety successfully but the side effects for me were bad nightmares. Later I was prescribed mirtazapine which helped with the anxiety but I was permanently tired and also gained weight. The problem for many people ( including me) with starting or changing anti depressants is that they take time to kick in during which time your anxiety and depression can become worse. I have finally managed to wean myself off them all completely, as well as off caffeine and just drink fruit or herbal teas . I tend to use distraction techniques and have a small portable radio with earphones and listen to local radio whilst getting on with other tasks. But in my experience anxiety is the worst thing ever so I suggest you make another GP appointment asap. Best wishes.

[ParrotLover22]

Hello. Sorry you are feeling Depressed, it's a horrible feeling. A few years ago, after looking after my Sister for a long, long, time, I was completely worn out and very depressed after losing her! My Doctor prescribed me Setraline, he did take into account the other Tablets I was on and thought they would be suitable. I was on them for quite a long time, not now, but they certainly helped me 100%

[boredom]

Thanks for all the helpful replies will ask about Mirtazapine GP said there was nothing else she could put me on but there has to be an alternative. Received a letter today from health authority saying I was on the list for clinical psycholoigit sorry spelling hope to get more help from them. Hate taking meds but have no choice at the moment as I need them. All the people here are so helpful and kind