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Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

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Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Mental health

Sertraline advice please

27 replies

hoppy35 · 26/09/2013 22:30

Just been prescribed sertraline by my GP and I'm slightly nervous about taking them I don't understand how a tablet can stop me feeling anxious / scared about going out can anyone explain I'm worried about the side effects such as will I still feel in control will I know what I'm doing
What I'd love to hear is that it changed someone's life for the better who was anxious about something as simple as going out for a walk or taking the dc to school normal everyday things

OP posts:

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Hazynomore · 26/09/2013 23:44

I've been on Sertraline for about 8 months now and I know where you're coming from. I can't say it's been a miracle cure for me (that was counselling) but it did make me feel 'braver'. At no time did I not feel like myself though! Side effects for me was jaw clenching and a dry mouth with did go away after a while. I would suggest that 'talking therapy' would go hand in hand with the anti-d's so don't be afraid to ask for it at the GP.

madbutnotbad · 26/09/2013 23:51

I've been on it for a couple of months now and I do feel less anxious and more myself iykwim. Don't seem to have had any terrible side effects and don't feel spaced out at all.
I think it is hard when you first start a new medication especially one that effects your feelings but hopefully they'll give you a little leg up on the way to getting yourself back.
I do hope they help and you start to feel less anxious soon.

Sophiedotty · 27/09/2013 10:25

I have taken it for 19 years. It's been the best one with the least side effects for me. I was told by my psychiatrist to beak the tablet in 1/2 for the first 2 weeks. The usual dose is 50mg so take 25mg. You may get a slight headache, mild upset stomach & feel a bit detached. You may feel your heart race a bit. It's been the best AD for me. I shall be on it long term. I have major depression & suffered anorexia. I function well. I have 2 jobs & run my own mobile beauty business. I have 3 kids & no family support. I haven't had a panic attack in years.
It takes 2-4 weeks to feel the benefits. After a few months you will feel the cloud lift & start to feel your old self again.
Keep seeing your Dr regularly as they like to monitor you & may need to adjust the dose.
I hope you feel better soon.

Sophiedotty · 27/09/2013 10:27

Also take it in the morning as it makes you feel more alert. You may have trouble sleeping the first few weeks too.

whatsinthebagangelos · 27/09/2013 10:51

Hello, I've been taking it for a few weeks now for PND. The first few days I had a slight headache and felt a bit spaced out but this passed very quickly. I feel much much better and still like me. I have jaw clenching like a pp but catch myself doing it and try to stop. Feel a bit tired but so much better than without it. Good luck.

Notsoblonde · 28/09/2013 08:12

I have been on it for 4 months now and it has been a miracle cure for me, I am functioning as I was before I had anxiety, my confidence has improved greatly, I am dealing with difficult situations with alot more ease amd am generally more relaxed and enjoying life again. The first 2 weeks were hard but I saw a difference after that, I am aware that it takes longer but I noticed a definite improvement.
I will tell you my meds sat in my cupboard for a month until I plucked up the courage to start them. good luck.

Funnyfishface · 28/09/2013 23:31

Hi happy have you started your medication yet?
I took my first sertraline 50mg on Wednesday
I wondered how you were getting on

hoppy35 · 29/09/2013 13:33

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences it really does give me hope it might even give me the courage to start them tonight when the dc go to bed

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hoppy35 · 29/09/2013 13:35

Hi Funny
Will let you know how it goes
How are you feeling so far ?

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Sophiedotty · 29/09/2013 13:41

Don't take it at night, my psychiatrist always advised to take it in the morning. You will feel more alert & if taken at night may find that you can't sleep.

hoppy35 · 29/09/2013 13:57

Thanks sophiedotty will take your advice first thing tomorrow I'm on it

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Sophiedotty · 29/09/2013 14:49

Also break it in 1/2 & just take the 1/2 dose for 2 weeks. This will lessen any side effects & your body will get used to it. The tablets aren't coated & have a Lund do you can snap them in 1/2. My psychiatrist had started me on 1/2 a dose of any new medication so it is ok to do so. If you go straight onto the 50 mg you will feel the side effects more so in the first few days.
I have been on this med for years & it's been the best one for me.

Sophiedotty · 29/09/2013 14:50

Have a line so you can snap

Funnyfishface · 29/09/2013 22:00

Hi hoppy

I have been on citalopram 10mg for a year. For bad anxiety and panic attacks. The side effects for the first week were horrendous.
I was so scared to even take any anti depressants that I put up with ongoing side effects of insomnia, hot sweats and weight gain.

Last week I started a new job. And the anxiety went sky high. I got an emergency app with my gp who pleaded with me to change meds to sertraline. I was terrified. And I mean terrified. I didn't want to change meds. I was scared of how my body would react. I thought I would lose my job.

Well the fabulous news is I started sertraline 50mg on Wednesday early evening. Also 1mg diazepam. For the first time in a year I slept through the night. Went to work Thursday and was fine. Slept Thursday night. Had a whole day at work on friday and can honestly say I had no anxiety. I have had zero side effects. I have taken for 5 days now. I am going to continue taking them with my evening meal.

I wish I had started them sooner. For the first time in 3 years I am having moments of my old self.

I hope they have the same effect for you. Best of luck. And don't research side effects. Xx

Notsoblonde · 30/09/2013 08:20

I was on citalopram for a year after dd1 I dont think they helped me at all, I do notice a big difference with the sertraline

hoppy35 · 30/09/2013 09:46

Took the first 25mg and cried at how did I get to be this low.
But onwards and upwards

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Notsoblonde · 30/09/2013 10:17

well done on taking it

Sophiedotty · 30/09/2013 13:37

Well done you will feel the benefits in a few weeks.
It really had been the best med for me.

holstenlips · 30/09/2013 13:42

I take it and it is the best one I have tried out of lots!
Has pulled me out of a black hole. Any side effects stopped a few weeks in.

kim147 · 03/10/2013 15:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hoppy35 · 03/10/2013 20:44

Good luck to you as well Kim early days for a few of us but previous posts have given us hope

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Funnyfishface · 03/10/2013 23:31

Hi just checking in.

9 days for me on 50mg. I take around 6pm. Have been sleeping quite well. No side effects except the odd feeling of a bit spacey.
Anxiety quite low.

Much better than citalopram for me

How is everyone else

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Sophiedotty · 04/10/2013 02:38

Funnyfishface you should take it in the morning not the evening. It makes you feel more alert that's why you need to take it in the morning. I have taken it for years & have always been prescribed to take it in the morning.

ThatVikRinA22 · 04/10/2013 03:06

im on sertraline. it has definitely changed my life for the better, been on it since last dec. I was a depressed nervous wreck. I was about to give up my job as a police officer because of the crippling anxiety. I spent my days off in bed. I had 5 months off work. now I am fearless, I am functioning. gp scared me by saying I need to start coming off them in feb.....they took a good 2 months to work, and for the first 6 weeks I did experience side effects but when the dose was upped then to 100mg I didnt get a reoccorance of the sude effects. I would say try them. they did wonders for me. I have a series of threads on the mh boards, think we are on the 6th thread now, but you can see my recovery iver the course of them. feel free to join us....we are a fruendly bunch and support each other. ...

Funnyfishface · 05/10/2013 00:21

Sophiedotty - they def dont make me feel alert. Within a couple of hours of taking mine I feel very tired. I sleep well and am ok for work the next day.

Thank you tho. It's obviously different for all of us.

Of course it's early days for me. Only 10days in so I might change to the morning if they start to keep me awake.

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