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?

[Parkmama]

I'm on day 13 and feel so much better than I did. Had some side effects but they weren't horrendous and have mostly worn off now. I feel like my"old self" again which is such a relief after 6 long months of feeling dreadful.

[Confusedandworried321]

Oh gosh I was prescribed Sertraline yesterday and this thread is putting me off taking them, the GP suggested there were very few side effects (I've never taken ADs before).

I've suffered with anxiety on and off for years but mine is sort of circumstantial so I feel like I might give it time to see if I can sort myself out. The main reason is I've been flying off the handle at DS 3.6 (who is the cause of the anxiety at the moment) and it's not fair to him.

[OddestSock]

I started on setraline about 6 months ago. I've suffered depression for over 20 years, but aside from a very brief spell after having my first child, haven't taken anything for it (I went to the doctor when I was 19 and was told I was just hormonal and it put me off going again).

In December, I hit rock bottom, a lot of things had gone on, and one day I just couldn't do it any more.

I did have some side effects (mainly nausea and and also a day when I felt totally spaced out) for a week or so after starting, but aside from that, they've been life changing.

I've lost weight (finally I'm not comfort eating!), I started running, I've finally found the strength to ditch the people who were causing me so much upset, stress and anxiety.

I do have bad days, but I handle life so much better.

[Justonedayatatime11]

I was prescribed this on Monday but haven't dared to start taking it yet... my mood is entirely down to the medical diagnosis I've just had and I'm reluctant to take anything that has the potential to make me feel any worse... but I know I do need to take it. Think I need a kick up the bum!

[badluckmum]

Hi. I've just been prescribed sertraline today. I was previously on citalopram after pnd but things got better. I felt much better. I'm 32 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with aneamia this week. I went to pick up my iron tablets and was asked about my mood..I did say I was emotional but thought due to pregnancy hormones. I've now been put on sertraline to combat any pnd that they think might happen. Even though I've been feeling really strong. I took my first tablet this afternoon when I got home. Because of aneamia I fell asleep and when I woke up been getting sick.. I've just googled and it's a possible side affect? Anyone else had that?

[Parkmama]

I started sertraline today after 6 months of feeling anxious, sad, flat, irritable and all the rest!!! I'm nervous that the first few days will feel rough but am reassured by all of your positive stories.

[IShitGlitter]

jessy111 Hi jessy not going too bad felt a bit jumpy the other day and today ive been a bit more shouty than when i first started them but ive done a few night shifts and being knackered always makes me worse before i started on them.
Have you started yours yet?

[Jessy111]

How's it going glitter? X

[SouthWestmom]

I feel ok actually. Was a bit worried going up to 50 would be weird.

[hatethinkingupnamechanges]

I started taking sertraline in February. Honestly, I had been struggling with my mental health since I was a teenager (I'm in my thirties). The anxiety had become so ingrained that I wasn't even recognising it as something abnormal. In January, I had a full blown breakdown; I literally couldn't speak to people without breaking down into tears, I was paranoid that everyone hated me, I couldn't sleep, but equally could barely get out of bed, I was self-harming, the house was a mess; the works! It took a good 3-4 months for the sertraline to work fully (I have a history of being quite drug resistant for some reason), but now I feel great, and it's only now that I'm out of that place mentally, that I can recognise how ill I was.

Hope it all goes well for you.

[QueenoftheBayou]

Ooh a post I can contribute to! So I've had a great deal of different antidepressants over the past 12 years and I can assure you that sertraline has been the most successful. It can take a couple of weeks to really kick in but it's worth it. The side effects I have are clamping my jaw until my face hurts and night sweats, I'm used to it and the benefits certainly outweigh the negatives. The side effects come back every time it's increased but they'll subside. I'm on 150mg and it's a huge help. I take a lot of other meds but started with sertraline and it kick started my recovery. They'll have pretty much no effect if you don't take them regularly (I'm always telling my friend she actually has to take them for them to work!) Hopefully they'll work for you too

[IShitGlitter]

RedCrab
I hope they start to work for you. I too have the mum guilt and thats the main reason i went I wasnt enjoying my children at all. Now 4 days in and yesterday and this morning tantrums were dealt with calmly and efficiently. I dont want to get too smug with myself just yet though. my 4 year old just threw a whopper and I did get a little surge but i had the chance to stop breathe and keep going calming along with it.

Well day 4 few side effects am feeling hot today upset stomach has gone touch wood...I have read it can cause vaginal bleeding I did have a little yesterday and am sure am not due yet but it was only spotting anyway..... my 4 year old is testing them well and truly this morning

[IShitGlitter]

M3lon
what you say about practicing about not freaking out about stuff is so so true you have to stop and think well how should i deal this now. Normally I am filled with adrenaline and start to shout and generally storm around a bit. Now I have time to think before i go off like a bottle of pop. Kids bedtime was perfect last night they had a huge trantrum but it was dealt with calmly and ended quicker than normal. My husband stood there in disbelief and asked who am i and what have i done with his wife. He was so happy hes just wanted the shouting and ranting and unnecessary stress to stop for so long and want his normal wife back.

Jessy111
Your not a wuss at all youve done the hard bit by going the docters to even get them. Go on today take that step you can do it! My side effects have not been half as bad as i expected if you expect the worse then maybe it wont be so bad if you know what i mean. Although I am only 4 days in so i dont want to give you false hope.

ForestDragon
I am starting to feel alot calmer already aswell has your upset stomach gone mine came and went quite quickly so hoping today i dont have another episodes today. Have you got any other side effects? am feeling very hot today.

Noeuf
Thats great news! hopefully the increased dose will keep doing a good job.

[RedCrab]

I just started Prozac yesterday. I have been meaning to go to the doctors for a couple of years now but just...meh. I am stressed, shouty, upset, anxious mess. Plus having intrusive thoughts and have been binge eating in the evening for a while now.

The intrusive thoughts are so shit. I Am struggling to keep a lid on the anxiety and have been absolutely awful to my very young children.

Hopefully things will be on the up for all of us soon :)

[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!

[SouthWestmom]

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

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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

[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 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