Medication

Just.Fin · #1 6th March 2019, 19:22

Has anyone any experience of life after long term use of anti depressants? I was on cytalopram and others like it (of and on) for a good 15 years or so but have been "clean" for over 8 months. I'd be lying if i said I wasn't struggling but its hard to know what is normal adaption and feeling and what isn't.

Anyone with experience/info in such things would be welcome for some perspective.

NervyNic · #2 6th March 2019, 20:07

I have been off my meds for 3 months now after being on them (all types of anti-d's) for 10 years or so. Still getting used to it - feel quite tired most days. Like you say, difficult to know what is 'normal adaption'. Did you suffer any side-effects coming off them? I was very fortunate that I didnt have any.
Anyway, following this thread...

Just.Fin · #3 7th March 2019, 16:04

Im not sure. My life is quite chaotic and im never certain whats symptoms and whats just whats going on at the time. I think that's whats so annoying about life because we live in the now its hard to get any perspective on whats "actually happening" because how I feel can (I assume) massively skew all memories experiences. I never have any certainty about how i'm doing but at the moment I feel pretty angry, sad, frustrated seemingly all the time. How do I know if thats because my lifes actually shit right now or it just "feels" like it is.

Just.Fin · #4 8th March 2019, 11:21

I'm sure no ones interested but I made an appointment to go speak to a doctor about all this. Hugely disappointing, she was one of the most useless unhelpful people I think I've ever tried to discuss a difficult problem with. She essentially listened to the first half a sentence then gave me a patronising talk about how "real life is hard for everyone" belittled my concerns and basically made me feel like shit....then paradoxically prescribed me a medication I've never heard of called Mirtazapine ...didn't tell me anything about it, then I left.

Cried a bit then went back to the front desk and forced myself to insist I had an appointment with a different doctor...booked for next week.

Went and asked the pharmacist to actually talk to me about what the medication is and what its side effects are. He at least tried to be helpful but was clearly almost as uncomfortable with the conversation as I was.

In conclusion I don't really know what to do next. Emotionally I can't keep not sleeping and almost bursting into tears at work but on the other hand I'm unwilling to take a drug that seems to have been picked at random by someone who wasn't listening just to get rid of me. Any thoughts anyone has on any of that are greatly appreciated.

Just.Fin · #5 8th March 2019, 11:31

Oh yeh...and she chastised me for not spending time with friends and having a social life. "well of course your going to be unhappy if you only spend time with people rarely you should have a social life and get your family to support you" ...le me " ummm yeh what a no brainer huh? silly me id never thought of just having more friends and people to support me...and here's me thinking what I needed was a kick in the face? Gosh what a surprise. Thanks random vile woman for that sage advice. I'll just shuffle off outside and unpack this miraculous network of close friends and well balanced emotionally supportive family members that I carry around in my purse for occasions such as this.

Indigo_ · #6 8th March 2019, 17:26

One of the last GPs I saw told me I needed to make friends. I don't actually want to make friends and I'm quite happy without. Didn't tell her that though.

I think you're doing the right thing in making an appointment to see a different doctor. The "real life is hard for everyone" comment is truly awful

Dougella · #7 8th March 2019, 19:09

That's really awful Just.Fin I'm sorry the GP was like that! I've also had the 'don't you want to socialise with friends?' and 'life's hard for everyone' comments and cried afterwards too. You're definitely doing the right things seeing a different doctor and maybe hold off starting the medication until you talk to them about it.

limey123 · #8 8th March 2019, 19:35

I'm sorry to read this, Just.Fin. It sounds like that doctor either wasn't able to understand your concerns or simply couldn't be bothered to try. Either way, it's a poor show.

Anyway, hopefully the next doctor you see will be more knowledgeable and sympathetic.

This being said, I think it's very hard to put into a nutshell what you are going through and describe your life and state of mind in the 5-10 mins that a GP has to consult with you.

A much more thorough approach may well produce better results in the long run. About a year ago, I received CBT for SA from my community mental health team. I found it really helpful, and it was really in-depth, we really got to the bottom of my issues. The lady who was taking my case was nice, knowledgeable and sympathetic, and also had a knack of asking intelligent questions. The tasks she got me to do really helped my SA. The therapy lasted many weeks and was completely free. Other members of the same team handled the medication side of things.

Perhaps you could consider inquiring locally with your mental health team whether something similar is available to you?
Your GP (dare I say it) should be able to refer you, though I believe (from memory) it may actually be possible to self-refer.

Good luck!

Just.Fin · #9 9th March 2019, 08:57

Thanks for the feedback guys it means a lot just to know have some similar experience and I'm not just being a div. I decided to just try and wait to see this other doctor. I read through the leaflet and it seems like there's no point taking the tablets and getting a weeks worth of side effects if I end up changing or quitting them next friday. Plus there's a possibility of morning hungover drowsiness which is no good for me considering I have an early morning commute and work with heavy machinery.

Thanks limey123. I have had counselling before (I think it was, on balance slightly more helpful than stressful) so I took your advice and emailed the local mind/mental health team to see about getting an apportionment or something. I probably should have rang them but i'm kinda scraping the barrel for energy to force myself to do the difficult stuff.

NervyNic · #10 9th March 2019, 13:20

Just.Fin I think you are definitely doing the right thing waiting for a second opinion. That first doctor was most unhelpful and said all the wrong things. Good on you though for going to the pharmacist and getting the leaflet to read through.

I think you are doing tremendously well for emailing the local MHT when you are not feeling great. I am sure they understand that not everyone is up to phoning - I certainly hate making any phone calls let alone when feeling really low.

Good luck with your next doctors appointment. Hope they are more understanding and better placed to help you.

Just.Fin · #11 11th March 2019, 18:24

Thanks

Just.Fin · #12 12th March 2019, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skitz

sorry to read that you have had bad advice from doctors Fin. I have been off my medication since march. I feel like I am worse when I take them.. I can just about cope at the moment. I'm never going back to medication, I think therapy is better then that.

I am glad to hear therapy works for you skitz. I think I do, do better on the medication....but I just wonder what the cost of that is over the term and how to calculate whether its worth it if that is unknown.

NervyNic · #13 15th March 2019, 03:47

Good luck with the 2nd doctor Just.Fin

Just.Fin · #14 17th March 2019, 21:18

so I am to test these tablets. I guess I will just see how it goes.

Just.Fin · #15 18th March 2019, 18:24

Update some more. Jesus christ they lie when they say the drowsiness would be gone by the morning. I don't think i'm going to be able to take these as I felt dangerously hungover till lunchtime and my working day starts at 8 and is heavy machinery. Maybe it would wear off but I don't think I have the leeway to wait for it to.

Bluebear · #16 25th March 2019, 06:03

Just.Fin, I’m sorry about that awful doctor you consulted. I’ve received similar comments from doctors who were two of the most unhelpful humans I’ve ever spoken to.

I hope the side effects pass soon for you.

Just.Fin · #17 26th March 2019, 20:30

Thanks bluebear. I had to hold off on the tablets for a week as I had too much on to be a zombie. Taken again today and hopefully this week will allow some leeyway.

ps yeah it amazes me how crap a supposedly highly trained professional can be sometimes.

Just.Fin · #18 17th April 2019, 18:21

Update. New doctor. New pills. The other ones were just awful. Now a new set and whatever crud they bring to my life.

Dougella · #19 18th April 2019, 14:39

^ I hope the new doctor is more helpful and the new meds will maybe work better for you, sometimes it takes trying a few different ones to find the one that works for you.

Consolida · #20 19th April 2019, 02:43

Good luck with the new pills Just.Fin.
I don't blame you for giving up on the last lot if they were making you feel so sleepy especially as it sounds like you have to be particularly alert in your workplace.
It can often be a bit hit and miss finding the right medication but hopefully, once any possible side effects have settled down, these will be the pills for you

boots38 · #21 8th May 2019, 18:56

Nice thread! Completely came off Escitalopram 24/2/19 after 26 years being on them and as time goes on finding it harder tbh. Yesterday went to psychodynamic counseling first time - gonna try it once more but don't think it is for me. Just bought an excercise machine for my tiny little bedsit

Meditation does help me when I go.

I hope the new medication is helping you Just.Fin