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Mental health

Please help sertraline 50mg

17 replies

RebeccaH1981 · 16/03/2019 09:25

Good morning I wonder if any body could give me any advice on some anti depressants my doctor has prescribed me it’s called sertraline 50mg and also some propanol 40mg this is the 3rd day taking sertraline and the side affects are horrible sweats, shaking, insomnia now don’t get me wrong I can deal with this as long as it’s not a permanent thing and there is light at the end of the tunnel but I’ve read mixed reviews also low sex drive low libido. I’ve been on and off anti depressants for years but never stuck to them because the side effects are so bad! The reason for the medication was I was back and forth from doctors with worry, anxiety and stress I would be really grateful for any advise 🙂

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Orangesandlemons82 · 16/03/2019 09:29

I found the first 10 days horrible with side effects, but after that It improved and was able to carry on taking it.

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Jinglejanglefish · 16/03/2019 09:29

I'm on sertraline for pnd. I had mild side effects that lasted about a week and since then I have felt fantastic. There is another thread on the mental health forum about it and lots of people suffer the same effects as you, but most say they ease off after two weeks.

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Orangesandlemons82 · 16/03/2019 09:30

Also I found it better if I took it at breakfast in the middle of the meal. If I took it in the eve I did struggle to sleep.

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Chwaraeteg · 16/03/2019 09:35

I found sertraline very side effecty for the first week. Lots of shaking, wandering, nausea and racing thoughts. It was fabulous after a week though. All the side effects went away (other than increased thirst - which may be down to breastfeeding). I found it really effective.

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Olga321 · 16/03/2019 09:51

The reason for the medication was I was back and forth from doctors with worry, anxiety and stress I would be really grateful for any advise

My advice would be for you to tackle the cause of your anxiety and find a practical way to deal with it. The most effective book I've come across is Dr Dorothy Rowe's Depression: the way out of your prison It's very readable and effective.

You would also benefit from practising mindfulness. I recommend Mark Williams' meditations (on YouTube) and his book.

The reason you've been on and off meds for years is because they might help alleviate some of the unpleasant symptoms (if you can get over the side effects) but they don't cure your anxiety. Only you can do that. Best of luck.

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BentNeckLady · 16/03/2019 09:56

Sertraline cures my anxiety completely. The first week was pretty shut but since then it’s 100% better.

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LittleCandle · 16/03/2019 10:04

If it doesn't settle, or starts to get worse over the next few days, please go back. DD2 was prescribed this and her side effects became steadily worse and when she was persuaded to go back to the GP, she had sertraline poisoning, which is rare, but can happen.

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windysowindy · 18/03/2019 09:49

Oh @Olga321 please be very careful with what you say on a mental health forum

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TeaforTwoBiscuitOrThree · 18/03/2019 10:08

Hi, I've been on Sertraline for 5+ years now, started with 50mg, went eventually up to 100mg, but now down to lowest dose (25mg) - it took about 2 weeks to feel 'normal' again, but I did have CBT counselling at the same time. I would recommend have CBT as well, as the sertraline fixes the result of your anxiety, but not the causes. It's really helped me with PND and anxiety. I take Sertraline in the morning, when I get up. If it makes you feel rough, then best take it with some food. I also found eating something before I got out of bed helped (I kept a biscuit/banana next to my bed). Good luck, stick with it and you'll feel better soon.

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Olga321 · 18/03/2019 11:47

Oh @Olga321 please be very careful with what you say on a mental health forum

@windysowindy - what on other makes you think I was anything other than "very careful"

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Olga321 · 18/03/2019 11:48

That should say what on earth

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OhDearGodLookAtThisMess · 18/03/2019 11:55

Dh has been on sertraline for around 6 weeks now. He has really struggled with it. Still feeling unwell and has tingling and shakes. He's halved the dose now and is thinking of jacking it all in (the tablets I mean) or getting the gp to prescribe something else.

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Frenchfancy · 18/03/2019 11:59

Dd took about a month for the side effects to go and to get the benefits.

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Olga321 · 18/03/2019 12:53

Dr Sarah Jarvis is on Radio 2 (Jeremy Vine) after 1pm today discussing coming off anti depressants. Hope it's helpful to anyone who's interested.

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RebeccaH1981 · 13/04/2019 08:23

Thanks everyone I decided to stop taking the medication I just couldn't do it! Was feeling really really unwell Ill book back in with doctors but in the meantime I've been exercising quite a lot and I find it really does help!

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restlessrobin1240 · 13/04/2019 17:31

I have been on sertraline previously , along with many other anti depressants. I have also had propranolol . He one piece of advice my gp has always given me is to stick with the medication for at least 3-4 weeks as it takes this long for any positive effects to be felt . It is quite normal to go through a rough patch when you first start taking them but it WILL get better and you WILL feel better . It will be worth it. 50mg of Sertraline is the lowest start dose for an adult .
Is the propanolol for anxiety as well ? Are you seeking talking therapy as well ? i hope so. I can recommend mindfulness for anxiety. Please look locally and see if they offer the 8 week MBSR Mindfulness based stress relief course as this truly benifits and is very holistic .

Medication helped me gain initial control and regain my thoughts and general well-being and then i focused on the holistic options for long term management.

Good luck and please stick with the sertraline , it will improve i promise ! xxx

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RebeccaH1981 · 15/04/2019 21:28

@restlessrobin1240 I really wish I would of stuck it out now! Instead I gave in at the first hurdle I just couldn't stand the feeling! I'm a very active person and they just made me so tired along with feeling sick and feeling hungry! I'm a nightmare I can't win if I read side effects suggesting the medication can cause weight gain I won't go near it because then that will be the next problem! I think your right I need to seek some therapy I'll defo try what you suggested I have had counselling in the past but it's just never worked for me thank you again for your advice! 😊

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