Been on sertraline 50mg then had low mood in menopause lack of sleep increased to 100mg for a week or so but gave me bad joint pain. So went back to 50mg then got anxious and obsessive thoughts so went back to 100mg as doctor would not give me diazapam as this calms me in a couple of days. Been on 100mg for just short of 2 weeks my anxiety and ocd have increased feel calmer today but got pulsing in the right side of my neck, upper back pain, headache, dry mouth , dizzy, jittery, hungry, sore eyes, Got a doctors appointment on Monday called the surgery just now and they said go back to 50mg will this make my symptoms worsen. Any advice how I can cope with the withdrawal before my appointment with the doctor on monday. Should I try 75mg thank you for your help, guidance and support. Is there anything natural that would help the unpleasant feeling. I had some wine last night to relax and sleep
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harryhonda25
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I hope that you don't mind me replying again. It's can be hard getting the right medication and there are usually a few downsides.
I can't really tell you if you should compromise with 75 mg of sertraline, as I'm not medically trained (apart from my First Aid badge in the Girl Guides - and that doesn't really count for much!) but in your position I think I would try it.
The symptoms you describe from the higher dose could just be temporary - antidepressants like sertraline often make you feel worse before you feel better, and settle down after a few weeks. But it can be tough while you're waiting for them to settle.
Perhaps ask your doctor about Phenergan - it's an antihistamine but as it has the useful side effect of calming you down, it is often prescribed as a sedative. I have some and take them occasionally - they can also help you sleep. I think they can be addictive, so it's best not to take them too often. But they could help you get over the odd bump in the road.
The herb Valerian is sometimes used to help one sleep, but when I tried it, I found it simply made me feel heavy-headed and headachy. I can't say if it works for anyone else. Make sure you check out any herbal medication you use, as it can clash with prescription drugs.
It must feel bad right now, but you can get through this and come out of it feeling better.
Good Evening Sally sweetheart hope you are well. Thank you again sincerely from the bottom of my heart. You have help me so much and I am thankful and grateful. You sound like a beautiful person who deserves the very best in life. Saw the doctor today he was very nice and understanding he thought the increase of my sertraline from 50mg to 100mg was too high too quick and it just made my anxiety and ocd way worse
Just feel so ashamed and upset that I put my lovely husband through hassle with me trying to get me better. Wish I could turn back the clock as I never ever wanted to upset or worry him I am sad about that. But unfortunately cannot change it not my fault just was not well
Dr gave me 75mg and will monitor me closely to see how I am. Need to go back to see him In 3 weeks or before if I need to
I am having talking therapy on Friday this week, do cbt, meditation trying to help myself best I can
I am taking those pills you mentioned for sleep as I am up early each morning for work and feel shocking if I haven't slept
How do you manage to cope because you sound so strong
I was strong but feel I have failed and gone backwards
Thank you so so much for your concern, support advice, kindness just everything you have done for me
Many thanks for saying such nice things about me! I've had OCD all my adult life and know what it's like - and also know a little about what works for it and what doesn't!
Don't feel as though you've failed - like a lot of mental health problems, OCD fluctuates. I think most of us have bad patches where we really struggle - I've had quite a few. It's a matter of picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off, and fighting it again.
And I think you need to feel proud of yourself for holding down a job. Although lots of OCDers manage to work, it isn't always easy, and not all employers are sympathetic - I remember a particularly unpleasant patch when I worked in an office, really unravelling and my colleagues not understanding and shouting at me.
I'm so pleased that the doctor was helpful - the 75 mg just might suit you better. An increase of dosage from 50 mg to 100 mg might not sound that much, but it's double what you were used to. It amazing how a little pill have have such a big effect.
I think most of us feel guilty about what we put our nearest and dearest through with our OCD - of course we would not if we could avoid it! But it's great that you have such an understanding and supportive husband.
Be careful about relying on tablets to help you sleep - they can be a wonderful short term solution, but they can be addictive. I know it's hard to function properly if you don't sleep properly - I'm practically catatonic if I don't get eight hours! There are some good CBT techniques that can help you sleep naturally.
Love and hugs back to you - do let me know how you get on!
Good Evening Sally how are you feeling today. Thank you for your kind, comforting and positive thoughts. I so appreciate your help you have been amazing. I am feeling much better now and quite strong at the moment. I will take on board all your advice thank you. . I was on olanzapine for 10 years that was horrendous to come off. Terrible withdrawal. No help from my doctor it was the lovely people on this forum who gave me support, advice and confidence I could do it. I did and I feel quite proud of myself for doing it. Sending hugs to you lovely person x
Good Evening Sallyskins how are you feeling. I am trying to get a doctor's appointment as I have ocular hypertension which is pressure in my eyes. The eye specialist thinks the sertraline is causing an eye problem. Can't win at the moment. One day feel better then feel depressed and anxious. Sending love and hugs ou are sorted really soon. Thank you so much for being there for me. I do feel alone with this
One does often feel alone when one is down. But I'm happy to help.
There are other options. One is HRT - I haven't taken it myself so I can't report on it, but I've heard it can help, at least in the short term. Doctors often prescribe anti-depressants for menopausal symptoms, which isn't always appropriate.
But for OCD, there is something called inositol, which is a natural substance. It can be bought over the counter in some chemists and health food stores, or online (always check that an online supplier is genuine!) and so far, studies have indicated that it can help with OCD. Large doses are needed - 18 g a day - and side effects are minimal.
Best to discuss it with your doctor first - though many doctors are sceptical about treatments that haven't been approved by NICE and so forth. In many ways they are right to be so - there are a lot of dodgy 'remedies' that don't actually work and may cause harm.
But inositol appears to be safe and - and if further studies are carried out, and prove positive, it may become a standard treatment for OCD.
I'm so sorry that you're feeling so rotten. Remember that the menopausal symptoms do settle you and you come out the other side feeling much better. Lots of hugs. Sally x
Good evening Sallyskins thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, support and encouragement means the world to me. I was on HRT patches but they made my skin so red sore and burning I could not use them, so Dr put me on hrt gel with a hrt tablet to protect my womb as I have endometriosis. The gel and tablet gave me really bad allergies, asthma and I had an anaphylaxis reaction where I was taken to hospital by ambulance as my tongue swelled and I couldn't breathe. So not on any hrt now. Got my talking therapy and cbt course starts 12th December. Do you take an antidepressant now. Well you are an amazing person bless you and you taking the time to reply to me I am very grateful for.
It's such a pity that HRT gave you such bad reactions. I do think that there needs to be more help for menopausal women - as I said, I didn't really have any bad symptoms when I went through it, but I know lots of women really suffer.
I still take antidepressants - in fact I've been on them since I was 21! If they work, why not? They don't suit some people though.
The menopause is a process and does take some years to settle down. I still get some PMS though I no longer have periods - this is apparently normal. So I feel grottier and more bad tempered and impatient - and my OCD gets a little worse - as if I was about to start a period.
There are a few organizations that have helpful websites - here are a few links:
Thank you once again for your kind reply and support. I cannot thank you enough my lovely. I am doing better and have my cbt and talking therapy on Tuesday 6pm to 8pm. Little anxious as I don't know what to expect but I am on the right path to me feeling better so that is all that matters. Hope you are feeling ok. You are such a beautiful person for helping me the way you have. If ever I can repay your kindness by me helping you please let me know. Here if you need me x
Just knowing that you are getting therapy and knowing that there is something that you can do - that's makes a difference in itself.
CBT does the heavy lifting when it comes to feeling better. Medication can help but it's not enough on its own - CBT does the real work.
Don't feel too anxious about the CBT. It can be hard work as it involves challenging a very persistent enemy: OCD. Don't feel as though you've failed if you don't always succeed - the point is to make an attempt. And each attempt, whether it succeeds or not, is another stitch undone in the straitjacket that OCD has you in.
Try to make sure the therapist goes at your own pace - enough to make you feel a little uncomfortable (and CBT does make you feel uncomfortable) but not so much that you feel you can't manage it.
I often think back to when I had a frozen shoulder - any movement was agony and it ached from neck to wrist. But once I started stretching it, painful though it was, the pain started to lessen and I regained some movement in it. CBT is pretty much the same!
Thanks so much for your kind words. It's good to know that we've got each other's backs!
Good morning Sallyskins hope you are well. Thank you so much for your kind reply appreciated as always. I am doing well but I have to go in for surgery on Tuesday 30th january as I have fluid in my womb they will do everything by hysteroscopy and it is only day surgery but I am scared of being put to sleep in case I don't wake up and survive the operation. I know its stupid but I am so frightened for my husband to be on his own. I keep thinking about cancellation of the op. Got to try and get through this patch. Sending lots of love x
Don't think of cancelling the op. It's normal to be concerned - not stupid at all! But surgery is very safe now and this is routine. For the doctors, surgeons and the rest of their team, it's very routine - part of their day-to-day working lives. For the patient, though it feels like a Big Thing and it's easy to get it out of proportion.
To being with, you could ask the hospital if your op will involve a general anaesthetic. Day surgery often only uses a local anaesthetic so if this is the case, then you don't have to worry.
This op is for your benefit, and you should feel better physically after it. Perhaps concentrate on what you will be able to do after you've had it - perhaps a treat or a day out with your husband!
In the meanwhile, perhaps you could ask your GP for a prescription for anti-histamines - Phenergan, for example. Though originally used for allergies, they have a sedative side-effect, and make you feel calmer. They're only for short term use, but they could get you over the blip. Taken before bed, they can help you sleep. I have some which I take occasionally. Make sure you don't drive on them, as they can make you drowsy.
The odd drink is all right, but don't hit the bottle. Alcohol is a depressant, and though it may make you feel temporarily relaxed, it can also make you feel worse.
I'm here for you if you need support - and do let me know how it goes! Sally x x x
Thank you once again for your support, kindness, care and help means more to me than you can ever know
I have calmed down a little now about my operation with the help of meditation and CBT
Joined an app on google play store called Loona it is £30.00 for the year but I am finding it really relaxing. Plus it does bedtime stories for adults can highly recommend a free trial
You always come accross so positive a true inspiration for me as I would like to get to where you are now. That is my goal
Yes I am certain I will feel much better in my tummy once the op is done then I can recover at home
Booked a facial the following week after my op so I can relax with a little treat
I am always here for you too if I can help with anything just message me
Tried the antihistermine before bed but fiond it hard to wake up the next morning for work ok if I am not working though
You have a lovely day you are an amazing lady don't ever forget that
Thanks so much for saying such nice things! Good that you're feeling a bit more positive about the op. And a facial is really something to make you feel better - I've had them a couple of times (given me as a present) and they are really nice!
Thanks for the heads up about the Loona - it sounds like a good investment! I read a lot and do crosswords online and a lot of sewing and knitting, which I find helps me to relax. I shall check it out and perhaps give it a go. The bedtime story sounds good!
I occasionally have an antihistamine to help me sleep - I did try valerian herbal tablets once, having read that they were really helpful, but they just made me dopey and gave me headaches. On the whole antihistamines and the like to help you sleep are for occasional use only - it's important that you get the different cycles of sleep - deep sleep, dreaming etc - as they're good for brain health and general health.
It's likely that dreaming is our brains processing what has happened to us during the day - digesting, sorting and filing, as it were, and some meds that just knock you out completely mean you miss out on that processing. But occasionally is all right!
I had surgery yesterday under anaesthetic they did a hysteroscopy, colposcopy, DNC took a piece of my cervix away and got rid of the fluid in my womb the consultant sent it off for analysis as he said it looked unusual but he did not think it was cancer but said he may want to do a hysterectomy.
I go back to see him 14th February for my results and our next plan. I am very sore, bleeding, nauseous and tired but I am keeping smiling.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out with your support and kindness means the world to me. Take care and I will update you x
I had lexapro stop working after 10 years and went back on Prozac 40mg with clonazepam for a month. slowly getting off clonazepam I'm in menopause and as estrogen goes down so does serotonin. Time to try a new med
Good Evening Beth thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me greatly appreciated. I am now taking 75mg of sertraline and I am back to feeling myself again. No thanks to my doctor who refused to give me diazapam which would have made me better in 2 days. Hope you are feeling better. I was on olanzapine for 10 years that was horrendous to come off. Terrible withdrawal. No help from my doctor it was the lovely people on this forum who gave me support, advice and confidence I could do it. I did am I feel quite proud of myself for doing it. Sending hugs to you lovely person x
I'm on clonazepam while I wait for Prozac 60mg to work. I can't deal with the anxiety or the constant thoughtsl I'm burnt out. Why won't they give you benzos? I pay privately and in the states my dr always gave it to me while I adjust my dose or switch meds. Too much work
Thank you so much for your kind reply Beth greatly appreciated. I am trying to get a doctor's appointment as I have ocular hypertension which is pressure in my eyes. The eye specialist thinks the sertraline is causing an eye problem. Can't win at the moment. One day feel better then feel depressed and anxious. Sending love and hugs hope you are sorted really soon. Thank you so much for being there to help
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