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Depressed and in need of advice and understanding.

(118 Posts)
Hairspray100 Mon 04-Sept-23 18:16:47

Good evening,
This is my first post as a new thread and I feel like I really need a friend.
I have had an ongoing health problem for few months now and this along with various other troubles has sent me a little bit over the edge.
Health problem seems mild to others and to family members but has had a major impact on me.
To the point where I have really lost my way and am now in the midst of a depression that has overwhelmed me.
I have visited the GP more times that I care to mention and have become obsessed with every little thing.
I have googled until I am at the end of my tether and have finally started on medication today. I delayed this while I googled all the side effects of the medication until I nearly went mad!
As you can probably tell I am an anxious person but I so want to get this under control.
My family tell me that I am wasting the final years of my life due to all of this and not enjoying anything. They are right, I cannot enjoy a thing and can’t concentrate on any past time.
My grandchildren are my joy but I feel like I am making their lives a misery as well.
Various other things happening which are adding to it all. Husbands health, family issue with son etc etc.
waiting to see a counsellor but I know that there will be a long wait for that.
Has anyone else ever felt like this?
Many thanks if anyone reads post.

rjack Thu 07-Sept-23 19:48:30

Please go for a walk daily. Only for around 10 minutes then build up from there. When meeting someone say "Hello and smile". The enormity of that simple step will make a huge difference to you. Walking is a great healer for any problems we meet along the way. Good luck in all you do.

Hairspray100 Fri 08-Sept-23 15:56:42

Many,many thanks xxxx

Mandymoo456 Wed 20-Sept-23 10:55:25

Hi there
You sound like me, I am a week in on taking sertraline so I'm up and down, I did sleep better tho from day one so I'm optimistic,
It's good to read other people's posts as this dreadful illness makes you feel all alone

aromachology Fri 22-Sept-23 09:00:25

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aromachology Fri 22-Sept-23 09:52:51

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ElaineI Fri 22-Sept-23 16:03:34

Hairspray100 I have been on sertraline for about a year and a half. I started on a low dose and it had to be increased but feel better for that. I also had counselling through Vocal which helped me articulate my difficulties though the things that make me down will never change. Reading things on Google can be helpful but if you believed everything you would never go out. Hard to stop though! I've not joined the Black Dog thread yet but may do in time. I do sometimes feel a bit aggrieved as many of the things that make me down are not my doing.

Hels001 Fri 22-Sept-23 18:43:31

Hairspray 100
I can truly sympathise with how your feeling. Don't feel alone your not as you can see here. I have taken sertraline in the past for anxiety and depression it does help it took about 4 weeks before I began to notice a difference in how I was feeling. You will get through this be kind to yourself it won't happen overnight so don't beat yourself up. It's one day at a time until one morning when you'll wake and think "ooo I feel a bit better today" Take heart it will get better.

florina Sat 07-Oct-23 22:35:17

Thinking of you Hairspray Such a lot of lovely replies which I found comforting too. Wishing you good health and sending positive thoughts

Coolgran65 Sun 24-Dec-23 03:21:00

I know this is an old thread but it does seem very relevant to me. I think I can relate to Hairspray100 who if if recall correctly said that a family issue didn't help. Apologies off I've got that bit wrong.
All my adult life has been difficult and I've coped with anxiety. First of all with my ex husband and then my daughter who still blames me for many things. Recently things have spiralled and I felt like I was going over the edge. Shakes and tremors, anxiety through the roof, knots in my stomach, no appetite, diarrhoea.
My doctor started me on sertraline and I'm on day 10. So far I'm slightly calmer but still not good. The problem issue won't ever go away. I will always be blamed. It is a stressful relationship but I don't want to lose contact though I don't t think my daughter would care. Not sure. I don't want to push things in case she just cuts contact with me. We aren't close and I can't see that improving because of how she sees the past.
I have had one counselling session so far where I was pretty much told I need to deal with it and accept the consequences.
I am hoping that the sertraline will help me be stronger and although the situation won't change, that I will be able to cope better and not worry so much. It is so painful to have an awful conversation go round and round in your head constantly increasingly.
I pray that this medication will work for me. I'm wondering did it work for you Hairspray100.
I think Allsorts was also dealing with an issue that would not change. Again apologies if I've remembered incorrectly.
I wish the next 4 weeks would pass quickly in the hope this medication works.

Doodle Sun 24-Dec-23 03:54:29

Coolgran so sorry you feel like this. Many of us can sympathise with the description of how you feel. Depression and anxiety can affect all of us at some point.
The medication will help but as you realise already it does take time.
It won’t fix the underlying problem but might help you be more calm about it and cope with it better.
Family problems get to us all. Main source of worry for a lot of people. You are not on your own.
We can’t offer a solution, only a sympathetic ear and support if you would like to join us on the Black Dog thread you would be most welcome. Take care.

Kate1949 Sun 24-Dec-23 10:06:06

Coolgran I can relate to your post. I have posted many times about my horrendous childhood. I can honestly say I was terrified every day as a child. This hasn't really gone away. I am very afraid of life - waiting for the next awful thing to happen. It usually does. Yes there have been lovely times but I always have this underlying fear so I can never truly enjoy anything. I too suffer with shakes (shaky hands) which is embarrassing. I hope your medication works and you start to feel better. It's no way to live that's for sure.

Coolgran65 Sun 24-Dec-23 14:52:19

Thank you Doodle and Katie1949.
Doodle, I did take a brief look at the Black Dog thread. Everyone seemed very chatty and getting on with things which is encouraging. I think I'm not just ready for the chatty bit yet but may join it with a just short post.

Katie1949, I'm so sorry for your fears. That cloud that hangs over everything.
Do you take medications still have the shakes.

Out of interest, can anyone tell me....... I posted in the Heath Forum and this thread was oldish. I thought posting would then take it into the Active Forum but I don't see it in Active. Can anyone explain. Thank you.
......

Coolgran65 Sun 24-Dec-23 14:53:43

Ooops.
Forget my last paragraph above. I see this is now in the Active Forum.

Coronation Sun 24-Dec-23 15:01:49

@kate1949 I'm the same. I can never properly relax and always expect the worst. Bizarrely I cope well with things but being hypervigiliant and anxious is always there. I know mine is due to an awful childhood too. It's exhausting.

Coronation Sun 24-Dec-23 15:03:19

@hairspray100 how are you?

MerylStreep Sun 24-Dec-23 15:40:34

Can I ask if any of you who suffer with anxiety have practiced any techniques? or read up on what is physically happening to your body, ie, adrenaline.
I could explain here but it’s best that you read up on it yourself.

I know this technique works. Please read the comments if in doubt, what have you got to loose?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUx5kLFyx-M

Coolgran65 Sun 31-Dec-23 18:40:00

I last posted when I was on day 10 of sertraline. I am now at 3 weeks tomorrow. I thought I was improving but yesterday and today I've had a nervous tummy, many bathroom visits, feel shaky, and overthinking. It's New Year's Eve. Do I send a best wishes email to my daughter who ignored the one I sent last week. I am sick with indecision.