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Original poster

Sertaline help pls

51 replies

Binny36 · 07/07/2020 10:17

I got prescribed 50mg for PTSD, anxiety and depression but just after one day I stopped as I was shaking so couldn’t hold my baby and felt really sick so couldn’t function. I just phoned dr to discuss maybe 25mg and his reaction was it’s no difference between 25 and 50 and will make no difference to me. Surely this doesn’t sound right? I’m very sensitive to medication. He said stick to 50mg.

OP posts:
Facelikearustytractor · 07/01/2021 11:31

My sister went on this and gave up in a few days due to throwing up and drooling. It was only for mild anxiety and sleep issues. She decided to try to manage without it and ended up not needing it, but understand that if you need it you should have something.

I am about to start taking a very low dose anti-depression tablet for sleep issues and pain management and have decided to just take half to begin with even though it's a very low dose. Maybe that's an option if you can feel that you can wait a little longer to get the benefit of the medication?

Kir5tyTwiggy · 07/01/2021 11:32

As only done one day I feel I should carry on but how bad is bad to think they are not for me ? If I wasn’t in lockdown and my partner wasn’t here I would have to stop as I could not look after my kids and do school run if felt like this on my own. Is it that they are to strong for me

Kir5tyTwiggy · 07/01/2021 11:37

Does it help you sleep as I can’t sleep either and as I say only took one but I didn’t sleep at all last night

GigantosaurusRex · 07/01/2021 11:42

I've started sertraline this week and was recommended to take half a tablet for 4 days or so before going up to the full one (so 25mg and then up to 50mg). She said it would reduce the chance of side effects. I was going to take a herbal sleeping remedy last night but it said on the packet not to do so if you tale antidepressants - are you taking anything at night?

Kir5tyTwiggy · 07/01/2021 11:48

No I don’t take nothing I did buy some sleeping tablets but I thought I shouldn’t take them as I starting new antidepressants and wasn’t sure on mixing them

Nonamesavail · 07/01/2021 11:50

I heard the same. I think you will be used to it in 3 days pls try and stick it out. I have ptsd and take 150mg every day and I get no side effects now x

Murmurur · 07/01/2021 11:59

@Kir5tyTwiggy maybe you could try taking half a tablet and ringing your GP surgery for more advice. It can affect people in different ways. Overall it made me sleepier but I can't remember what it did on day 1. You might need to experiment with whether you take it in the morning or at night.

My GP has always made me feel like it's my decision how much I need. She said when I tapered down too quickly "you're giving your brain a huge shock. Be kinder to it." It's not necessarily the drug itself that's the problem, it's the change. Give it a chance to settle if you can, but if you can't, then your doctor will likely be able to give you other options.

Kir5tyTwiggy · 07/01/2021 12:07

Thank you guys , I’m just praying that can stick with it and it gets better , was just worried that it was to much as I haven’t saw anyone say that it made them feel spaced out and like u have had a drink (if get what I mean) but yes I am thinking of taking half tonight and see how I get on with that maybe and if not ring my GP and go from there

Murmurur · 07/01/2021 12:22

Good luck with it.

Even if you find you can't function much for a few days, a lot of people do end up finding it a good long term investment.

RadicalFern · 07/01/2021 12:28

Keep going OP, sertraline is rough to start with. I had all the side effects to and was miserable for a couple of weeks. If it's any consolation though, the side effects are a sign that it is effective in you. Also, you can definitely have your evening wine!

Kir5tyTwiggy · 07/01/2021 12:28

Thank you I’m going to try stick with it

Hopefully I’ll be back on here saying I got through it and are feeling much better Smile

Iloveyogurt · 07/01/2021 12:31

It's worth persevering, try taking before you go to bed. Side effects were strongest for me in the few hours after I took it. I came off it after being on for 18months or so but decided life was much better being on it so went back on again!

DinosaurDigestive · 07/01/2021 12:32

I have to take any anti depressants at night time as the side effects are too much for me especially with children to look after!

With Sertraline the usual as far as I was aware was 25mg for seven days and then the 50mg. The tablets are scored so it is snapping in half.

It is common for people to need to take at night due to side effects. It doesn't affect the end results. It is about what works for you.

Before I was told to take at night I had avoided them for a long time as couldn't manage the dizziness and nausea with them during the daytime particularly after starting them! Really unpleasant.

Hope it settles down soon for you

pleasefeedthecat · 07/01/2021 12:43

Take it at night until it's in your system. There is a difference between 25mg and 50mg, the doctor is talking rubbish. I've been taking this type of medication all my life.

Kir5tyTwiggy · 07/01/2021 12:46

Yes I took mine at bed time that is why I was so shocked how I felt this morning but I will half the dose tonight and hopefully that will help with the side effects, it’s good to know that most people have side effects but they get through it , nice to not feel alone and people are so nice on here

Murmurur · 07/01/2021 12:56

I wonder if morning might be better for you if your worst side effect is insomnia. Maybe give it a couple more nights before first though.

Hankunamatata · 07/01/2021 13:03

I'm on 25mg and had shakes and sickness for a week then felt so much better. I'd half your 50mg tablets so taking 25mg for a couple of weeks then try 50mg

Kir5tyTwiggy · 07/01/2021 13:12

Yea guys I was thinking is morning any good but then thinking maybe evening around 6-7 o’clock as last night I took at 10:00 but yes half my dose is a must tonight , it’s just finding the balance that right for you , I’m only on day one so I have to battle through , feel so bad that I only day one and struggling

Murmurur · 07/01/2021 13:49

@Kir5tyTwiggy don't feel bad. It gets easier.

Don't forget to take a reasonable drink with it. It's not a tablet to take dry or with a dainty little sip.

Kir5tyTwiggy · 07/01/2021 14:45

Yes one thing I didn’t do was have a good glass of water with it

AlexP87 · 23/10/2021 10:06

So I’ve been on sertraline off and one for 2 years. Just had my does increased to 150mg, is it normal to be getting side effects again? I had them for about a month before. Also my period is quite heavy not sure if it’s stress or sertraline. Thanks x

RealBecca · 23/10/2021 10:30

Is sertraline make you feel normal or does or actually boost your mood to happy?

AlexP87 · 23/10/2021 10:44

For me it made me feel normal x

RealBecca · 23/10/2021 11:06

Thanks @AlexP87 - hard to know what normal is sometimes! X

WhoWearsShortShorts · 23/10/2021 11:14

@RealBecca

Is sertraline make you feel normal or does or actually boost your mood to happy?
For me it dulled the edges of emotions so I didn't feel ecstatically happy but neither was I in that dark pit that depression put me in. You do enjoy things and you do get sad, you're not like a zombie plodding through life so I think that what it means to say you're normal - your negative emotions aren't as extreme.

Sertraline saved me - if youre in a bad enough state to be considering it then I would say try it