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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

3rd week on Sertaline - only positive stories please

43 replies

Belle82 · 12/09/2022 14:41

I finally gave up breastfeeding my son to go onto antidepressants as I realise I’ve probably had depression/ anxiety all my life.

I started on 25mg 3 weeks ago to ease into the side effects gently, I only seemed to get very mild side effects and so I went up to 50mg (2 weeks ago) - only mild side effects again.

But I feel like this constant anxious / doom feeling, I thought after 3 weeks it was meant to be gone.
They definitely had placebo effect at first but that’s now gone.

How long did it take you to get rid of this horrible increased anxiety?
I really want to keep a positive mind about this medication, please please please only tell me about positive feedback, I don’t think I can manage any more anxiety 😔

OP posts:

Emily29 · 14/09/2022 08:38

The first few weeks are rough, but each week will get easier & you'll start to feel yourself again ❤️ I can't remember exactly how long it took now but usually 4-6 weeks I think. Take care xx

DoingJustFine · 14/09/2022 08:45

@WonkasBooboofixer

the best bit I can be a passenger in a car again whereas I was having real issue with that

This is me! I stopped driving because I was so panicky, but then the panic spread to just being a passenger in a car. It scares me now. I'm always worried I'll open the door and jump out. (??)

Do you gain weight on Sertraline?

DoingJustFine · 14/09/2022 08:46

Sorry you've got Covid, OP. I hope you have a lovely family around you to help.

popandchoc · 14/09/2022 08:54

@DoingJustFine I have gained 2 stone as just seem to have no off switch which is annoying . Rather feel happy though .

WonkasBooboofixer · 14/09/2022 08:59

I have gained about half a stone but tbh I'm not the best with staying away from the sweeties. I'd rather be fatter and able to live than thinner and a nervous wreak.

pointythings · 14/09/2022 09:08

My DD2 is on 100 mg, about to increase to 150. She had bad nausea and sleep issues, but after about 6 weeks she was so much better. She wouldn't be here without it.

TheSoapyFrog · 14/09/2022 09:47

It can take 6 weeks for it to kick in. I remember going to the doctors and wanting to come off of it because the side effects were dreadful. He said I needed to persevere and I did. And I'm glad I did, because it was a life changer. I did have to go up to the full 200mg dose though.

Dotjones · 14/09/2022 09:54

Please take my comments as positive. The TLDR is it worked for me, but took time.

It took me about two or three months to really feel any benefit. Actually I didn't feel the benefit myself even then, but other people began to notice it in me. My boss saying he was really impressed with my attitude recently, that kind of thing.

It might be that you've not reached the correct level for you yet. Doctors are rightly cautious and build your level up gradually. When I tried to reduce my levels a few years ago there was a very noticeable change when I went from 200mg to 150mg, but almost nothing between 150mg and 100mg. When I went back to 150mg, no benefit, when I went back to 200mg, I was fine again. 200mg is just the level I need for it to work for me.

NightmareSlashDelightful · 14/09/2022 10:00

I'd echo what others are saying. It took me about five weeks to get back to cruising altitude, and feel like I was able to draw on better mental resources. And there was continued improvement in this respect over the next few months too.

Also, it's worth noting that if you've got covid, it's not uncommon to feel weird if you're on antidepressants. I've been on sertraline for about three years now and when I had covid I felt decidedly odd for a couple of days. I think it's just a weird buggerance that happens when disease meets medication. I'd say stick with it, and it should lift/shift a bit once you get over the covid.

TheLoupGarou · 14/09/2022 10:01

Hi OP, I was on sertraline for about 5 years - including through two pregnancies with no ill effects.

I started on 50mg and increased to 100 and then 150mg for a while. When I felt a bit better I went down to 100mg then 75mg and was then on a maintenance dose of 50mg for ages until I gradually tapered off them.

It does take about 6 weeks to be fully effective, bear in mind that 50mg is the lowest therapeutic dose, so you could speak to your GP about going up a bit if you are still feeling anxious.

Sertraline absolutely saved me. I eventually felt well enough to come off them, but absolutely would take them again if I felt myself backsliding. The early years are super tough - go easy on yourself 💐

mindutopia · 14/09/2022 10:12

The first 2-3 weeks I felt very sleepy, like unable to function sleepy. But my mood improved quite quickly, within a few days. I took it for depression though and not anxiety. I would say though that it's made a massive difference over before I started (it's been a bit over a year now) and I have no regrets.

Nursey94 · 14/09/2022 10:23

I was commenced on Sertraline about 25 weeks pregnant, initially on 25mg, then 50mg and now 100mg.
I felt pants for about 3 weeks but within 8 weeks I felt so much better and wouldn't be without them now

theruffles · 14/09/2022 10:45

I started Sertraline about 2 months ago and it has stopped a great deal of the horrible irritable and angry feelings I'd been experiencing, mostly directed at my DC unfortunately. It took around 6 weeks to work - in fact it wasn't until I noticed I was no longer feeling constantly angry every day that I realised it had been working. I haven't had any side effects that I'm aware of but it does take time to work OP.

Odoreida · 14/09/2022 10:50

It absolutely vanquished my post-natal depression. I shudder to think what would have happened if I hadn't been sent to the GP by a nice midwife. I bonded with my lovely son (he is now 11) and came off it around 3 years later with no problems. Good luck with everything!

NoodleDoodleDo · 14/09/2022 10:56

I started sertraline at the end of June, 25mg for first week and then 50mg.

I noticed a difference in about 3 weeks - the only way I can describe it is that the noise in my head had stopped, the constant thinking about stuff and endless self criticism. It wasn't until it stopped that I realised how noisy the inside of my head had been. Not sure if that makes sense.

It has continued to improve since then. I feel calmer and happier. I am also having counselling

LindaEllen · 14/09/2022 11:03

I've been on it since Jan 2021. Started on 50mg and stayed there - it's been enough for me. It's changed my life. It was rough at the beginning, but within 3 months I was a different person and I love what they've done for me.

Not everyone settles with it, but certainly give it a little more time :).

Original poster

Belle82 · 14/09/2022 16:35

Thank you so much.
Going by what a lot of you have said I will give it another few weeks to see if it kicks in.

OP posts:

SCheesee · 15/05/2024 14:30

Hi everybody

I have finally bitten the bullet and made a GP app about my anxiety, hoping to start something to help this. I believe my traits are more ADHD related, but I know this is such a long route to go down, and would much rather start something sooner to combat my overactive mind.

what are your experiences on anti anxiety medication? I just want something to calm my mind down. I’m petrified about gaining weight, have use experienced that as a side affect?

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