Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sertraline help

32 replies

sunshine99789 · 30/05/2018 14:08

My husband has been on Sertraline for almost 6 weeks now. He started off on 50mg then on the advice of the GP increased to 100mg.

Having read various things online I'm aware this medication can take a while to kick in but my question is should he be feeling any better by now?

He is jittery all the time, has bad restless legs, palpitations, is sleeping in the day (very unlike him) is very depressed and can't seem to catch his breath, He is highly emotional (not usually) and has had suicidal thoughts although he says he has no intention of actually doing anything.

Booked in for a review the end of the week but it's breaking my heart to see him like this.

He is anxious about the amount of time he has had off work and is worried the GP will send him back to work. He can't even drive at the moment as he feels so bad so I would be very surprised if he got sent back to work.

Could this be the wrong medication for him? He is worse now than he was before he started the Sertraline

OP posts:
tiny2278 · 30/05/2018 14:18

It could be wrong for him yes...or the dosage could be wrong. He'll need to make a note of all his side effects and discuss it with the GP. If it's causing him to have suicidal thoughts that he wasn't having before that needs to be addressed.

maxthemartian · 30/05/2018 14:20

Sertraline frequently makes things worse before they get better, and all this sounds like side effects.
That said, six weeks is a long time so it could be that it's not the medication for him. It can be very trial and error.

thatsscottishtender · 30/05/2018 14:20

Yes it definitely could be. I have a friend who had suicidal thoughts on Setraline. He needs to be seen ASAP and taken off it. I say this as someone who takes it successfully. It can definitely not work at all for others.

Original poster
sunshine99789 · 30/05/2018 14:28

I guess it would take a few days to wean off and get it out of his system, but he isn't willing to stop taking it until he has seen the GP, despite how I'll it's making him.

I have never seen him like this, I'm pretty sure it's a nervous breakdown. He isn't sleeping and is waking me up in the night because he is scared of his feelings. It's utterly heart breaking.

OP posts:
Original poster
sunshine99789 · 30/05/2018 14:28

Ill*

OP posts:
BrightYellowDaffodil · 30/05/2018 14:34

Sertraline had a terrible effect on me; I could hardly walk for shaking and I fell down some stairs. I rang the doctor who called me straight back in and gave me something different.

Could you ask the doctor for an emergency appointment?

thatsscottishtender · 30/05/2018 14:35

I really think you need to call a gp or hospital and get it reviewed now. It's just not worth the risk to his mental health.

thatsscottishtender · 30/05/2018 14:38

Does he sound like this op

Original poster
sunshine99789 · 30/05/2018 14:46

I'd say he has about 5 off that list

OP posts:
Original poster
sunshine99789 · 30/05/2018 14:48

Confusion, restlessness, rapid heart rate, twitching muscles and sweating

OP posts:
thatsscottishtender · 30/05/2018 14:55

Is there somewhere you can be seen? Or a pharmacy you can call?

Original poster
sunshine99789 · 30/05/2018 15:02

GP surgery isn't the greatest tbh, alternative option is urgent care centre but OH won't go because he feels he is wasting their time and other people need the help more than him ( typical male)
I think he is waiting out for GP follow up as they were very sympathetic and he would prefer to see that GP.

His mental health has plummeted since starting these tablets

OP posts:
persypear · 30/05/2018 15:39

Doesn't sound good OP. I didn't react at all well to it but in different ways to your OH.

i think the symptoms you describe are not the kind of side effects to just push through, although sadly there is usually some pressure to just wait and see in case you are making it all up. Feeling sick or dizzy or numb maybe but not suicidal thoughts etc. He should not come off it without medical supervision tough.

Not to frighten you but sometimes bad side effects can cause some lasting effects, if only from the traumatic experiences like he is going through now.

Try to persuade him no to wait but to see a GP ASAP and also try to get a message to the preferred GP as a back up. If he wont see someone, call the GP out to see him.

Don't be brave about this. He needs to know that not all anti-depressants have bad side effects.

thetemptationofchocolate · 30/05/2018 16:04

I had all of those things that you describe OP, but it only lasted about a week, then everything began to calm down somewhat. It does sound as if he's not getting on with that particular AD. My sympathies to you both, it's not easy to live with.

maxthemartian · 30/05/2018 16:11

Yes same here. I had terrible side effects but they lasted around ten days only.

autumndreaming · 30/05/2018 16:14

I started taking it in early October 2012 and didn't start feeling better until early Jan 2013, so it took 3 months. However it turned my life around so I think he should stick at it.

Original poster
sunshine99789 · 30/05/2018 16:31

Its not just him 'not feeling better' Its the severe impact this is having on his daily life. He is currently off work due to the way he is feeling. If it was just the case of feeling a little off I would agree with persevering, However its like he is about to go over the edge and only since starting the medication. He is worse....a lot worse.

OP posts:
NC4Now · 30/05/2018 16:36

I get on well withSertraline and have taken 100mg a day for years. It started having a positive effect well before six weeks, so it could be wrong for your DH.

When I first went for meds I started on Citalopram, which made me feel like your DH. It was truly grim and I’d rather live with depression.

My point being - horses for courses. Time for a trip back to the GP for your DH I’d say.

flowercrow · 30/05/2018 16:46

Can he/you ring the doctor? In my experience most would say stop/reduce if it's doing this to him. Six weeks is plenty of time.

Original poster
sunshine99789 · 30/05/2018 16:55

I did ring them yesterday but as the GP my husband wanted wasn't in he said he would rather wait till Friday. He is only going to take 50mg today (usually has one on a morning and one after tea) and do the same tomorrow.

He is a stubborn git strong minded man...if I had my way we would have already been to the hospital.

OP posts:
easterholidays · 30/05/2018 17:03

I had those symptoms when I started on Sertraline, OP, and I went back to the GP and she put me on Citalopram instead which really worked. If your DH would rather keep taking the lower dose until the Friday appointment I don't think two extra days' worth is going to do much extra harm, but equally neither is two days off them. He does need to be very clear at his next appointment about the symptoms he's been having: the GP will be aware of the common side-effects and should have no problem trying him with something else. Sorry that you're both going through this Flowers

persypear · 30/05/2018 17:19

Just be aware OP that withdrawal effects of S can be quite severe. You really do need GP back up and be prepared to call someone out.

I get the stubborness. But you may need to override him - he really isn't in his right mind just now. Its a big step though I know.

My DH tried many which did not suit him, some which made him much worse, and is now eventually on a non-SSRI antidepressant where the side effects are minimal and he is much better for it.

I still recommend trying to contact his preferred GP and to see if they can follow up with him ASAP.

upsydaisydah · 30/05/2018 17:21

Like other PPs I had these symptoms but they only lasted a week or so, and then again for a week when I doubled the dose from 50 to 100. Sounds like they don’t agree with him and he needs to try something else Flowers

FightMilk · 30/05/2018 17:23

My medication didn't begin to have any positice influence untill past the 8 week mark (cant remember exactly how long) and even then still needed a higher dose- it does vary person to person. That being said please dont ignore any scary symptoms- maybe call 111 if it persists?