Here we go again :(

[jaynemarie]

Hi all how are you all doing x

[Whitehall1]

I have found your posts really helpful - I have been on 50mg since the start of February and I can do so much more now than I could then (could not leave the house or see friends back then). However, I am still anxious and worry more than I should - will this improve?? I start my counselling next week with a view to been able to look for work (I was made redundant in Dec which is what triggered my problems). Will declaring my illness stop me finding work? my doc says not but I am worried . I also still have trouble sleeping - any ideas??

[jaynemarie]

I glad our posts are helping you. Lizzy and Patsa are proof that these tablets can help. I am on 100mg and find sleeping alot easier now. I am starting councilling in a couple of weeks dont really not what to expect. Hang on in there you will be fine x

[Whitehall1]

Many thanks for the support - I will let you know if I get an inerview! Adele xxxx

[Tyke]

Hi everyone

I'm pleased to say that I am now finally feeling a little better! It has been nearly six weeks on Sertraline. My concentration has improved, my sleeping is better, the stomach problems have eased off a lot and I am finding it easier to get started on a morning. I am also finding it easier talking to people (just wanted to avoid people before as I felt so rotten). I have even felt a decrease at times with the general anxiety and a bit less preoccupation with the physical anxiety symptoms. Hope the improvements continue!

Adele - whether to declare your situation to an employer or not is a difficult one. If being made redundant caused your difficulties, then it stands to reason that getting back into the workplace is just the right thing for you and it would probably not frighten off employers in the same way as leaving a job through anxiety or depression would. Personally I would never tell unless I had to as you just never know - if you were made redundant, can't you just say you were looking for work since then? I have also had trouble sleeping which worsened on Sertraline. This has eased off a lot now, but I found relaxation CDs or tapes at bedtime were a help. I would sometimes go to sleep before they had finished. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine and avoid any stimulants if you are not already doing so (caffeine etc) especially later in the day. Good luck.

Tyke

[jaynemarie]

Brillliant to hear your doing so well Tyke, it was worth persevering then ? Hope i can say the same in a few weeks Jayne x

[dillongraham]

hi i am new on here. I was prescribed citlopram about 15 months ago - started on 20 mg and then increased to 40 mg last October. I was also taking beta blockers to help control my anxiety after my dad died 27 months ago. I had some really bad days - the best days were staying in bed where it was safe and warm. I had to really push myself and i felt that nobody understood how it felt - including my partner. It was like people thought you were lazy - and yes we all experience death so how long is this going to take. Slowly the number of good days have increased. I was probably around 2/10 but now more like 6/10. The night sweats for me are the worst - really difficult to cope with and wake me up. During the day if i get stressed or flustered i feel like my body has been turned up a few degrees and i get hot. This a lovely website - you all seem so supportive of each other.

Helen x

[jaynemarie]

Hi Helen. glad to hear that you are on the up. People are lovely on here and i have found tremendous support from them. Take care and let us know how you are doing Jayne x

[Lizzyg]

Hi everyone

I really want to share with you all that I feel so well now and to give you all encouragement that you can get better!!

You will see from my earlier posts this year that anxiety just took over my life. I couldn't work, drive, leave the house, leave the bedroom at one point, eat see people, I was terrified of everything!

I am still on the the sertraline and have had CBT and read Dr Claire Weekes books which are fantastic, highly recommend!

I am now living my life normally. Back at work, socialising, driving and got a great appetite.

I actually feel happy!!! Still have some bad days, but I know that is what it is just a bad day. I get on with living regardless of how I feel.

To all of you out there please see your doctor accept all the help that is offered to you. Live through all the side effects of AD's and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Three months ago I thought my life was over and was very depressed but with hard work (and its such hard work!!) my life has turned around.

I hope I have given just a little bit of hope to everyone, take care to all of you and hope you all find some peace.

[rubytuesday]

hi there,

liz it's so lovely to hear that you're doing so well and i just wanted to say thank you to everyone who posted on here. i've been taking sertraline for 4 days, so am still in very early stages but have high hopes for it. reading all your posts about how you are feeling better is so encouraging, long may it continue x