just starting out on medication

[ala]

Hi. I have just been prescribed medication for depression and anxiety today. I have had my doctor telling me for over 12 months that I need medication and had given me scripts but I never filled them. I am so nervous about taking medication! I know I need to but ....anyhow, I filled my prescription and decided I need support to get through this journey so here I am. 

[MisterM]

Hi Ala,

I am glad I found your post.
I was in your shoes 3 weeks ago. I was so scared to take my first dose of an SSRI drug for my anxiety/depression. It took me nearly a week from the time I was prescribed the drugs to take them.
I felt so unsure and scared. I kept chickening out and delaying every morning when I planned to take my first dose.

You can find my thread on this board where I was seeking feedback to get me through it.

I am glad I started on this drug as I feel better than I did before I took it and today I had a follow up appointment with my prescribing psychiatrist. He told me that I should continue to see improvements as the drug takes time to work its magic.

I don't know if you have been prescribed an SSRI like I have been. So far the side effects for me have been mild. First day I had a mild headache and felt like I was floating, a weird sensation. The following day or two I felt trembling/shaky. Now all I have is yawning and feeling tired at times during the day and interrupted sleep where I wake up at 2am but fall back asleep. These side effects don't really bother me and I feel calmer and my thoughts are brighter than before.

All I can say is you will never know if you don't try. If you have bad side effects give it time it should go away if not you can always go on another drug. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I wish you all the best and all the strength to get through this initial fear.

Let us know how you go.

[ala]

Hi Mister M. Thank you so much for your reply. I really do understand what you said about " chickening out of taking the meds" I have done that myself. In fact as the day has gone I have been having those self talk about " do I really need these?" And, " I'm sure I'm not that bad" but I have also been telling myself to just get all the support I need to do this. I don't have any family support and I am a bit of a loner so I only can rely on reading and writing on here so your reply means so much! 🙂 I think I need to keep asking and reading....I will get there as I am determined. 

[MisterM]

Hi Ala,

I am glad I could help.
I forgot to say what you mentioned that I was also thinking "do I really need these tablets" and "I don't think I am that bad to need them". These same doubts went through my mind. I am glad I started them as I am seeing improvements already and it should keep improving in the coming weeks. And if it doesn't help entirely I have the option of having my GP prescribe a higher dose.

I spoke to Beyond Blue on the telephone when I couldn't bring myself to take my first dose as I just wanted to get assurance and encouragement to take the first dose. I even called my prescribing psychiatrist and my pharmacist to get reassurances days beforehand as I was freaked out by reading online all the negative side effects. Please don't do what I did by reading too many sites, what you get online is very skewed as only those who have bad side effects type something (so my psychiatrist and pharmacist told me).

The only person who can get you to take the first dose is you.
Don't be scared, if you are taking an SSRI any side effect is not irreversible as I have been reassured.
You can always taper off the medication slowly if it is not for you (to avoid any bad withdrawal sideffects).

Ultimately the choice is yours, don't feel pressured into taking it. Just know it ain't bad going by my experience. But then again everyone reacts differently, no one can predict if you will or won't have side effects.

I am sorry to hear you don't have support from family. My folks don't really get mental health so I keep my issues secret from them. Only my sister and her husband know, they are not informed on anti depressants unfortunately and give me warnings which are not true i.e. antidepressants are addictive when they are not and they 'screw you up'. Sometimes it is better not to have support when others don't know anything about medications.
You are never alone in this. Know that.

I wish you all the best in whatever decision you make, let me know how you go.

[BigBob99]

Hi Ala,

 I have been on anti-depressant meds for 4 months and have been through 3 changes of meds until the psychiatrist found the right meds. I am finally starting to feel better. I was reluctant to take the meds as I was initially in shock about the diagnosis of depression, and thought how could this happen to me, plus I don't like the fact I have to take so many pills. Ultimately it was in my best interests to start the meds.

 In terms of support, suggest you see a psychologist, as I found it good to discusses my issues and concerns, it has provided me with a number of coping strategies and tools for the depression, and it provides you with external support.  

I have recently joined beyond blue and find it refreshing to be able to communicate with and read about other people who are in a similar situation to me, and find this another form of support. 

 All the best.