That sertraline makes me realise how mental I've been for the last decade (at least)

[glassecase]

Honestly never felt better, well maybe pre-18 years old.

Amazing stuff and I don't feel like I'm 'on' something.

@Meruem - I take venlafaxine and mirtazapine - my psych said they are usual to take together. Work great for me!

@HandsFaceLace - that's great for you but some of us have serious mental illnesses that can't be cured. I'm not saying other therapies can't help but often we will need to be medicated for the rest of our lives like those with serious physical illnesses - it shouldn't be stygmatised to need medication for mental illness. You don't stigmatise someone with diabetes for taking medication rather than being naturally healed?

@whippettiger - so happy you got the help you needed. I agree with everything you say.

[quote UndertheCedartree]@HandsFaceLace - that's great for you but some of us have serious mental illnesses that can't be cured. I'm not saying other therapies can't help but often we will need to be medicated for the rest of our lives like those with serious physical illnesses - it shouldn't be stygmatised to need medication for mental illness. You don't stigmatise someone with diabetes for taking medication rather than being naturally healed?[/quote]
Exactly. I wish it hadn’t taken me decades to realise that.

@ssd - I take 8 different meds plus vitamins - I always take everything together. They're not all at the same time but I take 5+ vits in the morning, some at lunch, some at dinner and then 4 at night.

[quote ChocoCho]@OP so sorry, I thought you were insinuating my post was bringing the mood down and thought that was possibly why people weren’t replying. Sertraline has been given not just my DS but all of hope that we can finally move on.

Thanks to those who’ve replied saying it affected them initially but then things got better.[/quote]
Nooo sorry if you thought that x

Wow. GPs never really share this bit.

The side effects of Sertraline (SSRIs) include:
decreased alertness
headaches
nausea (feeling sick)
sexual problems
tooth decay and oral health
diabetes
SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)
gastrointestinal bleeding
serotonin syndrome
suicidal feelings
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
hypomania or mania

The reason it is so hard to come off is because of the withdrawal symptoms which include the following new symptoms you didn't have before:
dizziness or vertigo
electric shock sensations in head
flu-like symptoms
problems with movement, such as problems with balance or walking, or involuntary movements
sensory disturbance, such as smelling something that isn't there
stomach cramps
strange dreams
tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Plus symptoms like what lead you to take them in the first place:
anxiety
crying spells
depersonalisation (feeling detached from your surroundings)
depression
disturbed sleep
fatigue (feeling very weary)
mania
mood swings
poor concentration and memory
suicidal thoughts.

Take a look at the Mind website before begging your GP for these drugs, especially for depression and anxiety that have social / environmental / external causes. You may be going from frying pan to fire.
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/antidepressants/about-antidepressants/

[quote insideoutsider]Wow. GPs never really share this bit.

The side effects of Sertraline (SSRIs) include:
decreased alertness
headaches
nausea (feeling sick)
sexual problems
tooth decay and oral health
diabetes
SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)
gastrointestinal bleeding
serotonin syndrome
suicidal feelings
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
hypomania or mania

The reason it is so hard to come off is because of the withdrawal symptoms which include the following new symptoms you didn't have before:
dizziness or vertigo
electric shock sensations in head
flu-like symptoms
problems with movement, such as problems with balance or walking, or involuntary movements
sensory disturbance, such as smelling something that isn't there
stomach cramps
strange dreams
tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Plus symptoms like what lead you to take them in the first place:
anxiety
crying spells
depersonalisation (feeling detached from your surroundings)
depression
disturbed sleep
fatigue (feeling very weary)
mania
mood swings
poor concentration and memory
suicidal thoughts.

Take a look at the Mind website before begging your GP for these drugs, especially for depression and anxiety that have social / environmental / external causes. You may be going from frying pan to fire.
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/antidepressants/about-antidepressants/[/quote]
So unhelpful.

I am a teacher. I run 50 miles a week. I eat healthily. I practise mindfulness and have CBT. My mum is a manic depressive so unfortunately I think depression is in my DNA. I waited 42 years before seeking help because of this bull shit.

[quote insideoutsider]Wow. GPs never really share this bit.

The side effects of Sertraline (SSRIs) include:
decreased alertness
headaches
nausea (feeling sick)
sexual problems
tooth decay and oral health
diabetes
SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)
gastrointestinal bleeding
serotonin syndrome
suicidal feelings
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
hypomania or mania

The reason it is so hard to come off is because of the withdrawal symptoms which include the following new symptoms you didn't have before:
dizziness or vertigo
electric shock sensations in head
flu-like symptoms
problems with movement, such as problems with balance or walking, or involuntary movements
sensory disturbance, such as smelling something that isn't there
stomach cramps
strange dreams
tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Plus symptoms like what lead you to take them in the first place:
anxiety
crying spells
depersonalisation (feeling detached from your surroundings)
depression
disturbed sleep
fatigue (feeling very weary)
mania
mood swings
poor concentration and memory
suicidal thoughts.

Take a look at the Mind website before begging your GP for these drugs, especially for depression and anxiety that have social / environmental / external causes. You may be going from frying pan to fire.
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/antidepressants/about-antidepressants/[/quote]
What do you suggest instead then?

@OliverBabish - thank you for the amazing job you do. I have had so many amazing mh nurses and support workers who have helped me so much over the years.

I'm on 50mg a day and considering asking to go up a dose as I'm still having some anxiety etc. Has anyone gone up to 100mg and felt better?

I started it a few months ago. Has just evened out my mood, and made it much more possible to move forward. Am also having CBT.

Had slight nausea for a day or two to start and I think my mouth is a bit drier but that’s it.

@insideoutsider - yes, they do - it's all in the patient information leaflet. Lots of side effects are temporary or rare. Different side effects affect different people. It can take some time for your psychiatrist to find the right balance of medication with little side effects or meds to help with side effects. But that's what they can do very successfully.

[quote insideoutsider]Wow. GPs never really share this bit.

The side effects of Sertraline (SSRIs) include:
decreased alertness
headaches
nausea (feeling sick)
sexual problems
tooth decay and oral health
diabetes
SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)
gastrointestinal bleeding
serotonin syndrome
suicidal feelings
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
hypomania or mania

The reason it is so hard to come off is because of the withdrawal symptoms which include the following new symptoms you didn't have before:
dizziness or vertigo
electric shock sensations in head
flu-like symptoms
problems with movement, such as problems with balance or walking, or involuntary movements
sensory disturbance, such as smelling something that isn't there
stomach cramps
strange dreams
tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Plus symptoms like what lead you to take them in the first place:
anxiety
crying spells
depersonalisation (feeling detached from your surroundings)
depression
disturbed sleep
fatigue (feeling very weary)
mania
mood swings
poor concentration and memory
suicidal thoughts.

Take a look at the Mind website before begging your GP for these drugs, especially for depression and anxiety that have social / environmental / external causes. You may be going from frying pan to fire.
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/antidepressants/about-antidepressants/[/quote]
Stop scaremongering / being a twat.

All drugs can have side effects. Many people have no significant issues. Moreover, for many people these drugs make life liveable, and allow them to enjoy life and contribute more. It is of course a good idea to combine with CBT. You would never suggest people with physical illnesses didn’t take medication.

So glad it’s working great for you. Sadly it’s wasn’t the wonder drug I’d hoped for, it made me have no emotions like a zombie, restless legs at night, insatiable appetite for carbs which meant I put a lot of weight on, zero libido and inability to enjoy sex. Horrible side effects the week going into it and the week coming off!

Sorry to be so honest, just giving my experience. It’s put me off trying anything else even though I probably could do with it!

What Willstarttomorrow and Oliverbabesh say makes good sense.
I'm taking Sertraline. Some side effects but worth it. Wish I'd gone to my gp sooner.

[quote insideoutsider]Wow. GPs never really share this bit.

The side effects of Sertraline (SSRIs) include:
decreased alertness
headaches
nausea (feeling sick)
sexual problems
tooth decay and oral health
diabetes
SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)
gastrointestinal bleeding
serotonin syndrome
suicidal feelings
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
hypomania or mania

The reason it is so hard to come off is because of the withdrawal symptoms which include the following new symptoms you didn't have before:
dizziness or vertigo
electric shock sensations in head
flu-like symptoms
problems with movement, such as problems with balance or walking, or involuntary movements
sensory disturbance, such as smelling something that isn't there
stomach cramps
strange dreams
tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Plus symptoms like what lead you to take them in the first place:
anxiety
crying spells
depersonalisation (feeling detached from your surroundings)
depression
disturbed sleep
fatigue (feeling very weary)
mania
mood swings
poor concentration and memory
suicidal thoughts.

Take a look at the Mind website before begging your GP for these drugs, especially for depression and anxiety that have social / environmental / external causes. You may be going from frying pan to fire.
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/antidepressants/about-antidepressants/[/quote]
Begging?

I didn't write that list, it is off the Mind website. I have been prescribed SSRIs before. I told my GP I was struggling (work stress, lone parent stress, DV etc) and she prescribed me some SSRIs. She said nothing about side effects. I had to ask about the side effects a week later after the pharmacist handed me the drugs with a leaflet. GP sent me a link to the Mind website.

@motherrunner
@partyatthepalace
Why is it that there are hundreds of posts saying these drugs are amazing but very few expressing caution and you're saying I'm being unhelpful, scaremongering and being a twat? Don't people need both sides? I work with a group on MH workers who had some training about how to help people withdraw safely from SSRIs and other similar medication. I was grateful to sit in. One thing they said is how hard it is to come off and that some were prescribed for 6 months and people were still on it 10yrs later because of how heavy the withdrawal is.

Anyway, I was just sharing the other side.

Carry on.

And we will carry on.

@insideoutsider

Are you one of those people who say:
All you have to do is...
If it was me I would...
It can't be that bad...
Just take a walk

I'm on antidepressants and have been for over 10 years because if I don't I can't function and I'm not going to stop because my child needs me to be there for them

@MeowPurrGrr - please try something else. It is so common to not get on with one drug but another works brilliantly. Sertraline did not help me, citalopram helped a bit, venlafaxine and mirtazapine really helped. It took time to find the right combination of medications and correct doses - it was a lot of trial and error. Please don't give up x

@glassecase

And we will carry on.

This. Thank you for starting a thread where I can say what I’ve wanted to say for 42 years.

@insideoutsider - you started on some medication and thought there would be no side effects?? All meds have side effects. The GP hardly has time to go through them all. But the information is readily available - not sure why you've come on this thread as if you've made a great discovery!

If you have side effects work with your doctor to minimise/give more time to see if they go/try a different medication. Do not be scared of these side effects. It is much better to be reasonably well on medication than suicidal on none.

[quote UndertheCedartree]@MeowPurrGrr - please try something else. It is so common to not get on with one drug but another works brilliantly. Sertraline did not help me, citalopram helped a bit, venlafaxine and mirtazapine really helped. It took time to find the right combination of medications and correct doses - it was a lot of trial and error. Please don't give up x[/quote]
Thank you, I had a brief chat with my GP about it recently but decided to see how therapy goes first. I’m half way through counselling which I’m surprised at how much it’s helping me, then I go straight onto CBT for 6 weeks. I’ve also made some life changes which are helping.
It would be lovely not to have this gnawing anxiety in me at all times though so I probably will try medication again.

I read the leaflet inside the box before taking my first one today.
I wouldn't take anything without knowing the possible side effects.