Depression

[Tash1987]

I’ve been feeling really low couple of months now, saw my Gp yesterday did a test and it shows I’m suffering from server depression and anxiety, she’s given me 50mg of sertraline , I know I need these to help me calm but I feel like a failure taking them, what more depression, lupus what’s next

Has any one been on these medication what where the side effect. I’m scared of what my posaib side effect could be

[whisperit]

Hello Tash,

There are few things worse than depression - you have all my sympathy. Sertraline is a really common antidepressant and the side effects aren't usually a big problem. I think I took it about 15 years ago and found that things improved very quickly. Given the choice, I'd rather be on sertraline than steroids anyway!!!

And it may give you enough of a lift/change that you can get back into a routine of doing mood enhancing stuff so that you can get back to normal in a couple of months. X

[Tash1987 in reply to whisperit]

Thank you for your reply

[maggielee]

I think recognising that your unhappy & getting help is huge. A professor specialising in lupus said that lupus effects are brain as well & that it can be part of the illness (,in addition to whispering comments). I think are lives are a constant juggle and the autoimmune diseases another huge aspect of our lives to adjust too. I have been out of the sun for a number of years and miss it greatly...So try to reflect on being in it for a few minutes ,(the sun 🌞) just to feel the natural warmth. Finding moments of normal is something I try to capture & recognise when I can, helps some...

Hope the meds help takes time, stick with it.... Big hug to you and thanks for sharing...ml

[Tash1987 in reply to maggielee]

Thank you for your comment, thanks a lot 🙂

[_jenc_]

I'm sorry I haven't been on the medication to offer my insights, however I just wanted to say that I hope you are okay. 💜 Lupus is a very difficult and unpredictable illness and depression and anxiety are not only two conditions Lupus itself can cause but also, having such a difficult chronic illness is enough to lower anyone's mood! You are not a failure for feeling this way and you are doing the right thing in reaching out for assistance from your doctor and taking medication that might hopefully improve your symptoms. It takes real gumption to do that and I just wanted you to know that.

Sending you a big hug and hope you feel some relief soon. Take care x

[Tash1987 in reply to _jenc_]

Thank you for your reply 🙂, I’m happy I went to the Gp now

[Melba1]

Please don’t feel like a failure for needing help. It’s actually a big sign of strength and not being a failure to ask for and accept the help and drugs we need.

The lupus causes all sorts of changes in our bodies, including our brains and moods. It’s also a very normal reaction to having a disease that changes your life so much. Even lots of ‘normal’ people without diseases need a little help sometimes. Several of my friends have taken antidepressants and felt much better.

Sorry you feel so bad at the moment and I hope you feel a great deal better soon

Xx

[Tash1987 in reply to Melba1]

Thank you for you kind words, much appreciated

[leslieliesel]

I hate/fear medication also...yet I have had panic/anxiety disorder which leads to depression..I take 75 mg of sertraline + 300(i think) mg of wellbutron....The only reason I gave in to taking the medication is I am a true hypochondriac when not medicated...I sit at the computer and get every disease I find on the internet...it is enough that I got breast cancer at 50, I am 63 now..I was dx'd with lupus almost a year ago.....those were on my hypochondria list of dreaded diseases since my early 20's......I'd rather take the medicine than live in FEAR...side effects...took away my panic anxiety for the most part...messes with sexual desire...or maybe that is life, not the medication.....It doesn't cause weight gain or crazy increased appetite like some others I have tried....but that could be because of the Wellbutrin added along with sertraline.......Good luck as you weigh out the pros and cons

Xx

[Tash1987 in reply to leslieliesel]

Thank you very much for your comment, I will wait and see in a couple of weeks what my side effects are

[leslieliesel in reply to Tash1987]

I hope it works well for you!!

[nanagill]

Hi Tash, don't feel like a failure. We all need a little help along the road at times. I have never been on sertraline but my brother is and he says he's never looked back since starting to take them. Take care. 😊

[Tash1987 in reply to nanagill]

Thank you , can’t wait and hopefully will feel like your brother, when the medication starts to work

[Paloma25]

It is so hard to cope with all the disappointment and sadness of lupus limitations. Please don't feel like a failure - you are brave to go to the doctor and try the medicine. It will likely help. Remember that we are your invisible friends here on the LupusUK site, thinking of you and hoping you feel better.

[Tash1987 in reply to Paloma25]

Thank you very much means a lot, yes your guys are all friends, Cause most of you all understand