Started sertraline today.

[IShitGlitter]

I have felt like shit for months maybe even over a year...losing my shit far too easy and become a raging stress head. After what should have been a lovely weekend away my mood ruined it for me.

Enough was enough today i went to the gp had a good cry there told her everything and shes given me some sertraline ive took my first one today.

Anyone else just starting sertraline or already on it?

[stayorgonow]

I'm taking it (sometimes, but I stop too regularly). I find it helps enormously.

I'm also a raging banshee queen, but it does modify me, and makes life 'brighter'.

The reason I don't always take it, is I'm also taking other drugs (Topiramate and sleeping pills mainly), which affect it.

I also take Lithium sometimes (again I'm not very compliant), it makes a bigger difference re: moods, but it's far too strong and dangerous if you simply have depression (I don't take it all the time due to weight gain, and the fact it makes life 'flat').

Are you menopausal by any chance, or had a baby recently? I've found I'm a slave to my hormones, and wish they could be sorted.

[Octopus37]

Yes, I have recently started taking it about 5 weeks ago. I’m finding it helps

[IShitGlitter]

my youngest is 2 and eldest is 4 so quite a while ago but felt like this for a long long time i was hoping it would just go away but it never did. I thought id failed if i ended up on ADs but this weekend i started getting a touch anxious and thought enough is enough i need to do something.

[Fooferella]

I've been on it for about 5 years and my life has been drastically changed for the better. It was really awful for the first few weeks because it can make you feel truly unwell but after about 3 weeks I suddenly came out of this fog that I had been living in for years. Life still has its ups and downs and I do feel low sometimes but it all seems much easier to cope with.
I just feel normal.
Best of luck OP, I hope it helps.

[stayorgonow]

It's amazing you've taken this step, you should feel proud of yourself.

Don't beat yourself up about taking antidepressants; if you (or your children) had an infection you'd take antibiotics, it's the same thing.

Think of it as a helper, to get you through the worse. Once you start to feel better, then you'll wonder what the worry was for.

They are great for anxiety too, but it takes a while to work, so don't get disheartened if you feel worse initially (I didn't so you may not, but it's best to be aware).

[DotBall]

I started 3 weeks ago. Had a few side effects for 5 days and since then have been great. Not ‘happy way hey’ but I find it difficult to think negatively about things that stress me. It’s been liberating.

[detachablehoof]

I've been on it since Easter (have PND). I started on 25mg and then went onto 50mg a week later which made me feel significantly better. Am on 75mg now and haven't had a bad day in three weeks 🤞🏻 really feeling like I'm on the mend.

Hope you also feel better soon, accepting you need help is the most difficult bit IME!

[IShitGlitter]

its so good to hear positive stories. The gp told me that it might get worse before better and to stick with them. I used to be so laid back and positive before. So can not wait to come back to my old self again!

[Shadow01]

I started on 50mg a few weeks ago. I’m very up and down but I’m hoping that will settle down soon.

[Jessy111]

Hi glitter :)

I've been prescribed sertraline today too. I've had anxiety and depression for some time but some shitty recent events have made it alot worse and I've hit my 'rock bottom' where I had to get to before I'd admit to myself I needed help.

At the moment they're in the cupboard and I'm apprehensive to take one. I think I'm going to split them in half for the first week and see how I get on with the side effects before upping my dose.

I'll be checking this thread as I'm very interested to see how they work for you. Best of luck and well done for reaching out for help, I know how hard it is to make that step.

[IShitGlitter]

Shadow01 sorry to hear that hopefully they will start to settle soon my doc said it can be up to 6 weeks until the full effects are working.

Jessy111 I think sometimes the hardest bit is admiting you need some help.

I was like that at first about taking them and thought sod it ive felt like shit for so long whats a few more days added to the mix. I took my first one about 3pm and about 8 i felt a little sickie and a bit of heartburn but the heartburn is normal for me it was the chocolate i ate as i felt sorry for myself I have took my second one this morning at 7am with my morning cuppa this is the time I plan to take them. There next to the kettle so theres no excuses to forget them.

I feel a little better just letting the docter know how ive been feeling and getting some help.

hope you get on ok Jessy

[IShitGlitter]

feeling a little jittery at the moment...nothing that i couldnt handle or is uncomfortable but I hadnt eaten all day yet so might have just been that. Feeling a bit hot flushy when am up pottering doing housework but other than that feeling ok

[Jessy111]

Thanks for the update Glitter, that doesn't sound too bad. Hopefully it's similar for me and not worse :)

Did you take the full tablet? I'm not that brave so I'm doing a 25mg dose today which I'll keep up for a week until my body is somewhat used to the tablets then I'll be taking the 50mg as prescribed.

My doctor said to make sure I eat well so Perhaps that jittery feeling you have is down to an empty stomach as you've said

[M3lon]

When you begin taking them (or reduce or increase the dose) it takes about 72 hours for the level in your system to become stable. In other news you should take them in the morning as they can cause insomnia if taken in the evening!

The whole 'it takes 6 weeks' business depends on the reason for taking them. For anxiety and mood instability you would expect results much faster - in line with the 72 hours. For depression it can indeed take much longer. This is because the drug is not treating depression directly but given the brain space to begin to recover. The recovery itself will depend on a lot more than just the drug, typically CBT or other talking therapy and behavioural changes that begin to restimulate the brain.

[IShitGlitter]

Jessy111 yes took the whole tablet. The docter told me to start at 50mg and she will up them at 4 week review if needed.

my mouth/jaw feels odd but am ok

M3lon
For anxiety and mood instability you would expect results much faster - in line with the 72 hours.

this is what am taking them for and I thought it was too soon to feel effects but today i went the shop and DD2 had a whopper of a tantrum...now normally i would get a big ball of rage in my belly be ultra embrassed but not today I did shout a little when i got to the car but the emotion didnt come if that makes sense so think the shouting was habbit and as soon as i finshed shouting to myself it was done with no left feelings of adrenaline and racing heart so fingers crossed they are starting to work there magic

[Jessy111]

Wow that is so encouraging Glitter, fingers crossed things are on the up for you already

Im really encouraged to read of the potential for them to work on anxiety within 72 hours.

A large part of the reason I was reluctant to start the dose was because I thought I might be struggling with the side effects for weeks/months before seeing any improvement to the anxiety.

[IShitGlitter]

Jessy111 how are you doing today? did you start them yesterday? ive took my 3rd one this morning. Last night my husband said am quieter than normal --he was more than likely enjoying the peace i never normally.

Keep running the loo....another side effect i think

[M3lon]

That sounds great glitter !

I think the best thing about being on setraline for me was that it gave me a chance to practice not freaking out about things.

When I came off it again, I had more emotional/adrenaline response again, but I sort of remembered how to put it in its place and not let it control me.

For example, I had a major fear of insects (not quite phobia, but close) and when on setraline I found I just wasn't getting the adrenaline rush...so I could ignore them or even find them pretty and interesting on occasions. When I stopped, I did get the odd adrenaline spike when something landed on me, but there was enough space for my thinking brain to get in with an intervention before things spiralled into panic.

[Jessy111]

Still haven't started them

I know. I know

Got the packet out last night, got a glass of water ready and then panicked.

I've got an upset stomach and swollen glands so I have a bit of a bug. It's just another excuse for me to have not taken them yet, though, if I'm honest.

Truth be told I'm scared to begin the course because I've latched on to the doctor telling me that my anxiety would likely get worse on them before getting better. I don't think I could handle an increase in my already sky high anxiety but I really need to push myself to take them.

I have proparonol too which I've taken one of this morning. I'm familiar with them so not as nervous about side effects.

How are you aside the upset stomach? How is your anxiety at the moment?

[M3lon]

jessy I hope I haven't raised expectations too much! These drugs have two modes of action, firstly the biochemical, the actual changing of the level of neurotransmitters, and then the behavioural...what people do that is different because they are now potentially freed up to act in a different way and the knock on benefits that has.

If you are taking for anxiety, I would expect you to see a real impact in your anxiety levels certainly within a week. It might then take longer to convert into feeling able to do things you'd previously been avoiding etc.

In summary, if you aren't feeling some change in the power of your anxious response quite quickly then its probably worth going back to GP for either higher dose or a different drug.

If you are feeling some benefit, but it hasn't converted into lifestyle change then its worth waiting the 6 weeks before re-evaluating.

I hope that makes sense - sorry if its unclear.

[M3lon]

jessy I really don't think its accurate to say that its likely to increase anxiety initially. That's been reported in a specific groups of patients taking it to control panic attacks - are you taking it for that reason?

In the general population it happens but again, more in people who are teenage/young adults (again that might be you!).

So while it is something to keep an eye open for, its not something I could class as likely even within the focused groups.

[Jessy111]

Thanks M3lon for clarifying and explaining that

I'm 25 and I have been prescribed them for severe anxiety. I've been having panic attacks and the doctor thinks I have PTSD from a recent trauma (childbirth gone wrong and complications afterwards)

I've barely moved from the sofa all day except to sort the children, the proparonol has left me feeling half asleep so maybe not the best thing to be taking regularly if I can avoid it.

Really admire you Glitter. I wish I wasn't such a bloody wuss. I guess that's the anxiety in me, though. It makes me a bit irrational I think.

[ForestDragon]

I've also just started sertraline - on 2nd pill today, 50mg. Officially it's for PND (have an 8 week old) but I've been a ball of anxiety for years and definitely since having DS1 3 years ago, and it's taken DS2 arriving for me to have things come to a head. Thanks for those who've shared what it's like once it's effective and how you felt afterwards. That has gives me a lot of hope. I should be getting some support from the perinatal health team too once the referral comes through, but that's more counselling etc I think.

I'm already feeling calmer for taking 2 doses (though yes the stomach upset has been really bad!) Though I was assuming it was more due to feeling like I'm taking some action than it actually kicking in, but from what you said M3lon it could be a real effect which is good to hear. IShitGlitter it's great to read that you're already noticing good effects! Jessy111 good luck with deciding what's right for you - would it help to just say you'll try them for a few days? And if you get more anxious after 72hrs say you'll definitely head straight back to the GP?

[SouthWestmom]

Started on 25 mg last week, moving to 50 tomorrow. Have not needed my nightly glass of wine since so here's hoping!

[M3lon]

jessy I'm really sorry to hear that.

Has your GP lined you up with treatment for the PTSD? There are some good options now, and honestly, getting that sorted is likely the key to everything for you.

I was stuck in depression for 4 .5 years before understanding the trauma I'd experienced during childbirth. I didn't have classic PTSD so it didn't get picked up and then became sort of embedded. Eventually I was able to reprocess my experiences and regain the first stepping stone in my mental health. Honestly a great deal fell straight into place after that.

I hope you can get a similar outcome!