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Original poster

Did you tell work when you started taking Sertraline?

16 replies

ilovetomatoes · 26/03/2023 20:17

im on day 3. Feeling pretty ropey.

but my line manager is one of the reasons I’ve started taking it. So do I push on through and get beyond the initial few weeks? Tell her and see how it goes? Or get signed off possibly? She won’t react well but if I’m not up to doing work she will crucify me

OP posts:

OwlBeGone · 26/03/2023 20:19

I did because I had to take a few days off until I acclimatised to it but I have a supportive manager. I'd be inclined not to in your case tbh. Can you just take a few sick days (if you self certify) but not give the real reason?

TwirlyGalaxy · 26/03/2023 20:20

If you're taking medication because of issues at work I'd probably say a little break from work would help you to start feeling better so go with getting signed off. Hope you feel better soon, it does get better x

Northernsouloldies · 26/03/2023 20:23

I wouldn't be telling the person whose the main cause of you being on AD. Get signed off and get that bit of breathing space you require.

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Original poster

ilovetomatoes · 26/03/2023 20:25

@OwlBeGone i think taking sick days without a genuine reason would piss her off. She might see it as me just being obstructive and difficult. She’s definitely out to get me so I don’t want to give her any reason to go after me any more than she already is

OP posts:

whatisforteamum · 26/03/2023 20:28

Poor you OP.I think you should take a few days off.
That said if she is watching you and on your case is it possible to push on through so you have less absences.
How bad do you feel.?

OwlBeGone · 26/03/2023 20:31

What's making you think telling her the real reason will make her any easier on you? I actually think I agree with the pp who's suggested getting signed off. You need to get yourself on an even keel and feeling stronger which will probably take a few weeks rather than days. The acute phase of starting Setraline lasted 4 or 5 days for me.

Original poster

ilovetomatoes · 26/03/2023 20:32

I haven’t slept properly since I started taking it. Feeling achey and sick.

I think I’ll have to battle on. She is truly awful. For various reasons I am stuck here for the rest of the year most likely until I can get another role.

OP posts:

OwlBeGone · 26/03/2023 20:32

Longer term, is looking for another job a possibility?

Original poster

ilovetomatoes · 26/03/2023 20:33

@OwlBeGone I was thinking she might back off a little if she knows and I have it on record that I am suffering mental health issues. She is coming down pretty hard on me in general.

OP posts:

FruHagen · 26/03/2023 20:38

Do NOT tell anyone at work. See if you can get signed off for a week to stabilize and talk to people you can trust at home or in a friend group.

Original poster

ilovetomatoes · 26/03/2023 20:42

@FruHagen just curious as to why you’re so adamant I shouldn’t tell anyone? Are you aware of someone being discriminated against?

thanks all for the advice, I will keep schtum for now and see how I get on this week. If I find it hard I will get signed off.

im massively all over the place so very grateful for some perspective here

OP posts:

SirTarquin · 26/03/2023 20:44

@ilovetomatoes ilovetomatoes · Today 20:32I haven’t slept properly since I started taking it. Feeling achey and sick.

Speak to your doctor, explain you are struggling to adjust to the drug and the cause of your anxiety is your line manager so you don't wnat to speak to her about it ( if you haven't already told the dr this) and request directly to be signed off work for 7 days.

The reason I say to mention it to the dr is in this sort of situation you don't know what is going to happen and it is a good idea to have recorded in your medical notes the source of the problem as evidence. For example, say things get worse, your line manager starts bullying you and you have a serious psychiatric breakdown - you may very well have Personal injury claim against your work and evidence that you'd reported cause of your stress independently is always helpful.

Original poster

ilovetomatoes · 26/03/2023 20:55

@SirTarquin yes I have mentioned the full reason to the GP. I used an online private doctor so they sent me the notes, I have it all in writing.

OP posts:

FranziskaSchmidt · 26/03/2023 21:09

What dose are you on? It might be worth asking if a lower dose and then gradually increasing would be better.
And no, I haven't told work. Even though I am also on it for work related stress and anxiety. I am on a very low dose though.

Original poster

ilovetomatoes · 26/03/2023 22:01

I’m on 50mg. The doctor said it was a low dose.

hope things get better for you @FranziskaSchmidt. It’s so all consuming isn’t it.

OP posts:

FranziskaSchmidt · 26/03/2023 23:23

Thank you. Things are definitely improving for a number of reasons. I am only on 25mg because I was so underweight when I started on it. I also started HRT and CBD oil, not all at the same time. But that might be why I have been able to get away with such a small dose. I also went for months of counselling and put boundaries in place with work. I decided that it had been long enough and I needed to get on top of my MH for once and for all.

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