Sertraline support

[LouiseLouise2213]

Hi.. I'm on day 3 of taking sertraline for depression and anxiety.. I'm feeling pretty strange and thought it would be good to share and compare and basically just support other people in the same boat.

Also after a bit of advice.. I work 5 days a week in a very busy very sociable butchers shop which I'm finding hard.. Is anyone else working whilst taking the AD.. If so how are you finding it?

.....xxx

[twiglet59]

Hi LouiseLouise I have been on Sertraline for about a year and a half now. Started low dosage of 50mg upto 100mg then 150mg, which I found to strong and made me naseous. So I reduced to 100mg again, which was ok. The first couple of months were hard. Sometimes I found the anxiety which I take it for, felt worse. But after they kicked in. I did feel better. The symptoms I had in the beginning were extreme tiredness and nausea (sleeping an awful lot). I work at a hospital. So a lot of interaction with people (which is where my anxiety lies). I had to take a week of sick because I felt pretty depressed and so tired with it. I would say you will just have to see how you go with it in the beginning. I found it very up and down. I am now trying to ween myself off of them and now on 25mg a day. What symptoms are you getting. Do you mind me asking what type of anxiety you take it for. x

[LouiseLouise2213]

Hi twiglet
Iv been given 50mg to start with and I have to go back in 4 weeks to the doctor. I'm unsure of what's fully wrong with me if I'm honest.. But I struggle going out places these days.. Even answering my phone sometimes.. And Iv battled depression as long as I can remember but its now affecting my whole life. Sometimes I don't even get out of bed or get dressed on my days off.. And as I'm the main counter assistant at work I have to talk and deal with all of out customers. It's so hard to pretend every day that I'm fine when I'm not. Taking time off unfortunately isn't an option for me either. Wish it was..

Do you feel any better in yourself after a year and a half? Hope so....xx

[twiglet59]

Not at the moment. Very tired today had a long car journey back which should have taken 3 hours but took me 5. Always getting lost, even with a Sat Nav. My poor dd! Very up and down at the moment again. My Mum passed away a few months ago and having lots of family grief with money, which doesn't help and dh drinks too much sometimes, which doesn't help, but other than that trying to take lots of deep breaths and telling myself it will get easier. I hope you find it helps for you. Be kind to yourself and take time off if you need it. x

[LouiseLouise2213]

Aww Hun.. I'm sorry for your loss.. And yes money brings so many problems.. I feel your pain on that one.
It's so hard to not let yourself start sinking again isn't it.. I'm constantly talking myself round.. Trying to remember to keep track of my own mind so I don't sink any deeper.

Thankyou.. I hope so too.. I'm not looking forward to going to work looking and acting like a space cadet mind! Lol and the dry mouth is unbelievable!
I really hope you feel better soon. And that the weaning off the AD is an easy process for you.. You've come this far Huni.. Xx

[twiglet59]

Sorry didn't read the end of your message about not being able to take time off. I know that feeling of not being able to answer the phone. You just feel like locking yourself away and not seeing anyone. I find it really hard to make eye contact with people. I really worry that I make people feel uncomfortable. This website is great being able to chat with people with similar problems.x

[LouiseLouise2213]

Yep eye contact is a no go for me most days too! I flare up with the most horrendous blushes.. Which makes me more embarrassed which stresses me out and so on and so forth.. Endless cycle.. And yes I do lock myself away As much as my life will let me.. With 3 kids tho it's not easy ha.
Yes it really is.. I felt like I was the only one until I found this site and read some of the threads....x

[bestguess23]

I worked whilst taking it and generally adjusted well.

I was very unlucky long term as I developed a sleep disorder from them that never went away. Miserable but I suppose a small price to pay for one of the best ADs.

[LouiseLouise2213]

That's good to hear best.. Iv done 2 shifts and I know everyone noticed I wAs off.. Which just makes things worse..

Sleep disorder? Do you mind me Asking about that? I'm already a bad sleeper don't think I could bare more insomnia! And If you're feeling better then yes.. Small price.. It's so good to know there's light at the end of all this malarkey! I can't even remember who I am anymore. I can't wait to feel like her again x

[Verso]

I've worked all the way through. I wish I'd perhaps taken the first week off, as the sertraline did take some getting used to and my anxiety got much worse before it got better - but it did get better. I'm head of a department and in a very visible job and no one has commented on anything (people know me well enough I think they would) so I think I've managed the side effects ok.

I upped to 100mg after about three weeks and haven't looked back. It's been brilliant. I don't get a dry mouth (though I did very badly with lofepramine years ago, which is a tricyclic not an SSRI - so badly I felt I was slurring my words at times!) - and my sleep was messed up before I started taking it (waking up at 4am and not getting back to sleep). The difference now is that when I sleep, I sleep more deeply, and I think I'm getting more REM sleep too - or at least I'm remembering my dreams more and I actually feel refreshed when I wake up (even if it's at 4am!)

Hang in there. If sertraline is right for you it will make you feel "normal" again - that's certainly what it's done for me. If it isn't right for you, there are LOADS of other options.

[bestguess23]

Of course Louise, I slept great on Sertraline but now cannot get in to deep sleep ever. I also have developed sleep apnoea but have zero risk factors. I have had a sleep study done and they do think it was something that happened whilst on the Sertraline. It's frustrating and rare but I'm still here so the Sertraline did its job in that way.

[LouiseLouise2213]

Hi verso..
So good to hear success stories and optamism about these funny tablets.. Really does make me more determind when I feel like giving up.. Iv got a full busy day in work tomorrow and I must admit I'm stressing about it.. My eyes look like I'm on narcotics plus the shakes and drowsyness.. Yuck..
I'm Gna stick with sertraline for this first month and see how I am at the end of it.. It's abit scary not knowing how you will be/feel on a daily basis isn't it...x

Hi again best.. Sounds awful.. My mum suffers with sleep apnea. Such a tiresome illness.. But so glad you're feeling better and feeling refreshed when you wake up.. That's one thing I miss. Waking up ready for my day instead of wishing it over.
Day 4 for me.. Still in bed.. Feeling odd..

Sorry for the long winded reply.. But Thankyou both for yours...gives me hope lol .....xx

[LouiseLouise2213]

Well I'm slowly but surely sinking.. DH wanted a bit of you know what.. Couldn't bring myself to move let alone feel.
I'm 'not trying' aparantly.. As if taking tabs that are rocking my world upside down isn't trying!!!!
Feel so guilty but angry at the same time. Iv explained first few weeks could be tricky.
Don't understand why he would want me to knowing I don't really want to!
Lay in bed alone shaking feeling queezy.
Seriously don't think our relationship is Gna survive this and don't think I can cope on my own.

[Haily111]

Louise, you do need him to be supportive. I read this the other day. It may be worth letting your OH read it :


Add message | Report | Message poster TheoriginalLEM Thu 23-Jul-15 16:14:54
I read something today that made me think i should share my experiences of having an anxiety disorder. I dont want to put this in mental health please.

If i really think about it, i have suffered from anxiety all of my life. I didn't have an especially unhappy childhood and i wasn't a victim of abuse. I remember convincing myself i had HIV and passed it on to DD1. Total rubbish of course, but every time i got sick or my lymph nodes were inflammed i was convinced it was the begining of the end.

Then when i had DD2 it really came to a head, resulting in a breakdown. I spent a good few years in a state of paranoia and it nearly cost me my relationship with DP. I think it has severely damaged my relationship with DD1 as i never allowed myself to get too close because i was convinced either i would die, or she would. I have managed to keep that side of things under control to a degree with DD2. There is a big age gap.

I have had lots of counselling and am on anti-depressants and at the moment i am doing ok. The reason i am writing this is what i read on "time to change" website, i could have written so i want to raise awareness.

So what does my anxiety mean to me now?

It means that I can just feel anxious for no apparent reason, the anxiety can happen and i can feel my brain going through my filing system of thoughts looking for a reason for the feelings. IF i can catch this before i find a reason to justify the elevated heart rate, that pit of the stomach sickness that you get when receiving bad news and rationalise that its just my anxiety i can control it. If there is something i jump onto, like at the moment im waiting for my smear results, unwated thoughts take over and i am playing out a whole scenario in my head of hospital visits, tears and terror. I can, with effort, rationalise my way out of panic.

I have to keep busy, inertia is anxiety's best friend. If i allow my brain to meander it will go down the anxiety road and there will be "voices" telling me how rubbish i am, how everything is going to shit and not to bother doing x y and z beause its not worth it because something bad will happen.

People close to me try to understand, but its hard for them. When i tell my DP i feel bad but can't explain why.

The postman can send me into meltdown, we can't have a landline because i would be terrified of the phone ringing.

If you met me you would never know. I have a job now (only part time and sessional hours) and my colleague commented how calm I am when it is crazy busy and i have to do lots of things at once. The thing is, i thrive on this, because i don't have time to think. Unless I am solving a practical problem, thinking leads to paranoia and depression.

I am constantly exhausted because my brain never shuts the fuck up, ever - sometimes i have to play really loud music to try and stop the unwanted thoughts.

Its not all bad - I am the most dilligent worker you can ever employ because a mistake is not acceptable, it keeps me awake at night, even if its not my fault. If there is a crisis i am the one that deals with it because trust me, im ready, Im like a swan, graceful and serene on the outside, paddling like fuck underneath. Only really my DP and DDs have seen me lose the plot. I get things done, NOW because i can't have things hanging over me, but also i will not start something if im unsure which can hold me back sometimes but it will mean i research the arse off something before i go and do it. It will be done properly or not at all.

I can however freeze at simple tasks, i sometimes have to walk away from the dishwasher because my brain is too full to consider how to load it. Other times i can dismantle the dishwasher and diagnose and fix a fault.

I live in fear of "what if" but usually when it happens, its never as bad as i thought and i deal with whatever life throws at me - so why is it so scary before it actually happens.

If you have read this far, thankyou. Im not looking for sympathy, im OK, i just don't work properly when it comes to anxiety. I just want to make people aware, and maybe tell others that is not just you, lots of us get this - for various reasons and that its ok, you don't have to let it ruin your life. It nearly ruined (actually it nearly ended my life) mine but i wont let it anymore. I will be on medication forever and thats ok, and ive started running and am stunned at how much it really really helps. I always used to make a hmm face at the drs when they suggested exercise.

[manchestermummy]

Hello everyone

I'm on day 3 of sertraline and feeling awful. I've just taken a couple of stugeron to see if that helps with the nausea.

I'm feeling detached and like I don't want to do anything. I'm supposed to be a godparent at a Christening tomorrow and I'm absolutely dreading it. And then on Monday I have to go to work. My anxiety is work related and I just can't contemplate it. How I'm going to get through tomorrow and Monday I have no idea.

[manchestermummy]

I got through it. I felt okay, and actually today I think I'm feeling okay full stop. I'm finding that if I can distract myself, I can feel better, so just made sure I was always chatting to someone.

I'm trying to be positive, and tell myself that I'm getting there. I have to get there. I will not be ruled by this anymore.

Work tomorrow, however, is a completely different kettle of fish.

[findingherfeet]

Joining, only day two of sertraline and diazepam but I'm already worrying that it isn't working. I've had one (daft) panic attack and worried all morning about my DD swimming (she had a fabulous time) when do I get to feel calm?!

[bestguess23]

I feel for you all going through it, having been there. I also found on Sertraline that I felt I got worse before I got better. If it continues beyond a few days go back to your GP. The sickness and feeling like a space cadet should also improve soon. In the long run it will be worth the short term issues.

[findingherfeet]

My mood has lifted but I think it's just because I'm happy I'm finally doing something about my anxiety.

I don't really have any symptoms from the sertraline or the diazepam and still I have a constant nervousness or feeling of dread. As anxious as ever really. But only day 3....

[findingherfeet]

Is it ok to have a glass of wine? The answer is probably no... Urgh.

[bestguess23]

I'd be very careful because it can make you feel really woozy. It's not explicitly banned but you should probably see if any side effects develop first as it can exacerbate them. I think the official advice is to discuss with your doctor but I'd just be cautious at the moment. I'm not a doctor though, this is just from my experience.

[findingherfeet]

Terrible really because a glass of wine (don't need another) calms me far better than these pills...I've never taken more than paracetamol before and I'm rather unimpressed!

[bestguess23]

I found I could cope with a small glass once I had been on it a while. My DH on the other hand was floored after one drink when he had been on them for months. It's so individual so you may find a level you can have in time.

[findingherfeet]

Scary for your DH! I did have a glass and it was flippin lovely but I didn't take my 3rd nighttime diazepam afterwards.