My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

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

Mental health

Sertraline buddies?

999 replies

OnlyGodKnowsWhy · 24/07/2017 17:22

I started sertraline 2 days ago and I am having a horrible time 🙁 I was hoping there might be others out there starting up too that would like to chat and support each other. I'm a lone parent and only have my mum.

OP posts:
Anise7438 · 24/07/2017 19:59

It gets better very quickly I promise.

ChristmasAccountant · 24/07/2017 20:03

I'm on day 2 and struggling with nausea mainly. How are you feeling?

ChristmasAccountant · 24/07/2017 20:16

I'm on day 2 and struggling with nausea mainly. How are you feeling?

MonsterQueen · 24/07/2017 20:18

Day 2 here too. Nausea and dizziness have floored me for a few hours both days. Will be worth it.

TattyMonkey · 24/07/2017 20:21

I have been taking it for years and have stopped and started when pregnant twice but every time I was told to start on a really low dose and slowly build up. I started on I think 25 or 50 initially and then moved up to 150. Did your Dr tell you to build it up? I've heard from other people that they don't always specify to do so.

TattyMonkey · 24/07/2017 20:23

I wanted to add that sertraline really has helped me enormously as I used to have crippling PTSD and anxiety. It really has changed my life as corny as that sounds!

GplanAddict · 24/07/2017 20:24

I'm on day 14. My nausea went after 4 days :)

I had a low point at a week in but I think that was hormonal. I do feel like I have more patience in the last few days, which is a lovely relief!

Getting terrible cluster headaches though. No idea if its the meds or not.

What dose is everyone on? I'm on 50mg.

thefutureisfemale · 24/07/2017 20:25

I started on Friday, 30 weeks pregnant and struggling. Please tell me it gets better.

GplanAddict · 24/07/2017 20:26

It will get better future!! Promise!

tackytriceratops · 24/07/2017 21:17

Must always take in the morning. (Psych told a good friend). Iirc day 3 was the worst for drowsiness. It does get better!

Tootsiepops · 24/07/2017 21:26

Sertraline saved me. I'm two months on it and life is pleasant and enjoyable again.

NanFlanders · 24/07/2017 21:30

Hang on in there! I've taken most of them and sertraline was easily the best. Physical side effects faded after a few days, and I felt really 'normal' - not emotionally numb the way you do with other ADs. (One tip - always take with food, or you risk heartburn.) Good luck.

OnlyGodKnowsWhy · 24/07/2017 22:27

Wow I wasn't expecting so many responses!

Day 2, 25mg for me, after day 3, I'm to increase to 50mg. I have actually been on sertraline before, 4 years ago when I had a breakdown but I was so unwell, I can barely remember the start ups.

I've had a horrendous day but I now know that it isn't side effects, it's my anxiety causing me so much distress. I spoke to a CPN and will be getting support as of tomorrow as I know I need it.

Today was very very low mood, tears and racing thoughts. No appetite but the nausea has lessened. Didn't get much sleep last night, not holding my breath I will get much tonight.

I've always taken sertraline at night, told myself it means I will sleep through most side effects!

OP posts:
ChristmasAccountant · 24/07/2017 22:33

I've taken at night too for the same reason but a friend mentioned better to take in the morning. Have been started on 50mg. This is all new to me.
Glad you will be getting some support from tomorrow.

ThatVogueLife · 24/07/2017 22:35

Hi everyone 👋🏻
Such a relief to see this thread. My doctor wants me to take this too but I had a really bad time after the first tablet that I am struggling to find the courage to try again. I had such a feeling of terror and was sick. Has anyone else has this happen and gotten through it?

Barbie1 · 24/07/2017 22:40

I'm a year in.
I don't think I'll ever forget the first few days. I was gurning. Grinding teeth and awake most the night. I felt sick, dizzy and totally not myself. Had to force myself to take the next few days.

I think day 7 was the turning point for me.

Hang in there x

GplanAddict · 25/07/2017 07:40

Has anyone else started having cluster headaches?? Third day in a row that I've had sudden, debilitating pain in the early evening. Only relief is to press firmly on the area that hurts.

OnlyGodKnowsWhy · 25/07/2017 08:10

I've not had headaches but I'm on 25mg, I know it can be a side effect though, drink lots of water.

Waves of Anxiety in the pit of my stomach this morning and I'm shaking again, clenched jaw. I know I need to keep going but it's really hard, I'm still in bed because I'm dreading the day ahead.

OP posts:
GplanAddict · 25/07/2017 09:22

What have you got on today GodKnows??

How did everyone sleep last night??

Day 15 for me. I think I'm really feeling the benefits now. Despite the headaches and insomnia I feel so much calmer. It's almost like the patience compartment of my brain has been removed and been given a spring clean. I still get down, and feeling of failure etc but at least I'm getting out of bed and doing the basics for the children. I haven't cried in 2 days!! :)

R1nderCella · 25/07/2017 14:18

Hi everyone,

I'm on day 7 of 50mg. I felt so good yesterday, for the first time in ages I didn't feel out of breath or like someone was sitting on my chest.

Today though, I feel like I'm getting 2 days worth of anxiety and nausea. I had a massive panic attack this morning.

Hand hold for everyone, we'll get there soon.

MonsterQueen · 25/07/2017 17:04

Day 3 for me. Also grateful for this thread. Two eldest unwell so that has helped distract me. Less dizzy, less nauseous, but so very tired. Having headaches though. So good to read the positive stories.

I am on 50mg. I considered dropping to 25 but figure I have already done 2 days at 50 so might as well carry on. I was terrified to take it today. Glad I did.

Sleep is very odd. Very vivid dreams. Waking frequently, but could have slept all day if I had the chance.

NC4now · 25/07/2017 17:06

I've been on 100mg for about three years. It will get better. I just feel normal now. Not normal enough to stop taking them but normal enough. No real side effects unless I miss a few days.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

purpleflower23 · 25/07/2017 17:09

Hello! Good to have found this thread... I'm on day 2 of 50mg; I had a terrible night's sleep last night and am really nauseous (feels like morning sickness), tired/lethargic and headachey today with a dry mouth! Hoping it gets better soon... Sad xx

R1nderCella · 25/07/2017 17:52

@NC4now - you have no idea how relieved I feel to read what you have wrote. The hardest bit for me is the anxiety, I can cope with the depression, I have years of experience at pretending to be happy. It's what feels like the physical weight of the anxiety that scares me - can't wait for it to go away.

OnlyGodKnowsWhy · 25/07/2017 18:09

Evening all, rindercella, I'm sorry you have had a rough day, I hope the sertraline kicks in quick for all of us as anxiety is horrible.

I broke this morning, ended up a shaking sobbing heap and my neighbour called my GP. They have given me a supply of diazepam. I took one at about 12pm and although I still had brain fog, I managed to eat more today than I have in two weeks and got a few little jobs done around the house.

Even so, with diazepam to hand, I am terrified of increasing my dose to 50mg tonight. I can't believe I used to take 100mg a day, no problem for nearly two years, yet I'm scared of taking 50mg now.

As you can see ladies, my main problem is anxiety. Hugs to you all and I hope we all get a good sleep tonight.

OP posts:
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.