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Hi. Really struggling, back on sertraline

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 11:47 am
by simonsays
Hi - just joined. I'm two years off the sertraline that I took for nearly 20 years but have just had to go back on and the side-effects are pretty bad - tiredness, headaches, lack of motivation. I'm also not sleeping. My girlfriend said she couldn't be with me because of the insomnia and anxiety and we split up a few weeks ago, which triggered things to get really bad - though I think I've gradually been going down for quite a while. The insomnia has been a problem for many months now. I'm quite lost. No family, and only a couple of friends to support me but I can feel them drifting away because of this. Don't know whether I should have gone back onto sertraline or tried fluoxetine - that doesn't seem to give people these awful side effects. Or maybe I should have just tried to stay off and wait for a miracle.

Sorry to go on. I'm pretty low

S

Re: Hi. Really struggling, back on sertraline

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 1:44 am
by Mary1990!
Hi,
I understand how you feel, because I’m in some what the same boat as you. I take fluoxetine aka Prozac, well I mean I used to I tried to wing my self off it because I thought I was better, but it didn’t turn out well. Personally I don’t like it because it makes me feel numb and I feel like I can’t really process other people’s feelings or if I do I feel so late at doing it. The medication helped me a lot in my darkest times. Now that I’m off it and hitting rock bottom all my friends and family don’t know what to do with me but I’m here trying to figure out what to do because I’m so lost. I know how it feels that you feel like you barley have any support because at the moment I really have none I’m sorry for what you are going through

Re: Hi. Really struggling, back on sertraline

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:04 am
by simonsays
Thanks Mary - I'm sorry for what you are going through too. I really didn't want to go back on the sertraline but I had no option when I had to cancel my classes (I'm a part time lecturer). The side effects of going back on are awful. Nausea, tiredness, shakiness, lack of motivation. Now I'm just, literally, on my own in my flat trying to deal with it. I have a few friends but they all have their own lives and they quickly get frustrated at not being able to give me a solution.

Re: Hi. Really struggling, back on sertraline

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 8:40 pm
by Spleefy
Hi Simon,

That is one of few drawbacks of synthetic antidepressants. I wonder if the doctor can prescribe another type of antidepressant that will have less adverse effects on you?

Something else you could try is to see a naturopath—that is, if it is accessible to you.

I’m not sure how much you know about naturopathy and its philosophy, but it may be worth your while to look into this as a viable option.

You can also use both allopathic (drug therapy) and naturopathy (holistic medicine) in a complimentary fashion.

I created a post yesterday re: a TED talk on depression that I saw on YouTube called: This Could Be Why You Are Depressed and Anxious.

What I love about this talk is that it acknowledges other essential aspects of depression that are often overlooked by medicine. You may find this talk useful.

I will provide the link here for your convenience…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB5IX-np5fE

I can relate to no family and few friends. The TED talk includes the importance of connecting with other people--not to talk about how miserable we are, but in exploring ways to find meaning in our lives.

We are meant to be in a “tribe”.

Social inclusion, togetherness, and community-based living is key, but we are moving more towards social exclusion and independence. One of the prominent features that I've noticed among people with depression (including myself) is that we are so darn lonely. We have a lack of friends and family support. And formal support is often limited and has that clinical feel to it. Depression requires more than drug therapy and individual talk therapy.

OK I’ve had my brief, mild-mannered rant lol. I’m invested in this issue we are all going through because I know what it’s like to live with depression, anxiety, loneliness, and inadequate (and at times sloppy and lacklustre) healthcare.

Taking antidepressants for nearly 20 years is inconceivable to me.

I will leave you with a thought….

I finally overcame 10+ years of depression when I stopped treating depression and instead worked on myself.

Re: Hi. Really struggling, back on sertraline

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 4:43 am
by Prycejosh1987
simonsays wrote:Hi - just joined. I'm two years off the sertraline that I took for nearly 20 years but have just had to go back on and the side-effects are pretty bad - tiredness, headaches, lack of motivation. I'm also not sleeping. My girlfriend said she couldn't be with me because of the insomnia and anxiety and we split up a few weeks ago, which triggered things to get really bad - though I think I've gradually been going down for quite a while. The insomnia has been a problem for many months now. I'm quite lost. No family, and only a couple of friends to support me but I can feel them drifting away because of this. Don't know whether I should have gone back onto sertraline or tried fluoxetine - that doesn't seem to give people these awful side effects. Or maybe I should have just tried to stay off and wait for a miracle.

Sorry to go on. I'm pretty low

S

You and your girlfriend should come together with the common aim and that is support each other in this time. If its possible get back in contact with her.