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Mental health

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Original poster

Sertraline - GP told me to take in the evening but is this right?

18 replies

stressedofnorthlondon · 09/02/2012 22:46

Was given these today for PND. When I asked about side effects she mentioned affecting sleep so I said "I should take them in the morning then?" and she said no, it's advised you take them in the evening.

So, I took my first one about an hour ago, but from reading threads on here it seems that I should be taking them in the morning so I'm a bit confused!

(I'm up sometimes every hour at night at the mo feeding DS so I need to be able to cope with this too)

When do other people take them???

OP posts:

YankNCock · 09/02/2012 22:48

I take mine in the morning, but occasionally in the evening if I've forgotten!

MelangeATrois · 09/02/2012 22:50

I take mine in the morning. I can tell by late afternoon if I haven't taken them that day as I feel spinny and tired.

Original poster

stressedofnorthlondon · 09/02/2012 22:52

Where you advised to take them in the morning? I'm worried now after reading on here about people having strange dreams etc!

OP posts:

YankNCock · 09/02/2012 23:00

TBH, I can't remember anyone saying when I should take them.

BupcakesandCunting · 09/02/2012 23:04

I started them two weeks ago this sunday, I was taking them at 11pm before bed... and feeling horrendous. I started taking them earlier (about midday) on the pharmacist's advice and I can't tell you how much better I feel! Honestly, I was taking them at night and having terrible dreams (about women with their breasts chopped off), insomnia, panic attacks on waking...

MelangeATrois · 09/02/2012 23:10

I do have very vivid, detailed dreams nowadays, come to think of it....

No-one has ever advised me to take them at a particular time but I have read somewhere that if they affect your sleep you can take them in the morning to help with this.

Original poster

stressedofnorthlondon · 09/02/2012 23:14

I think I'm going to start taking them earlier as from tomorrow! Do we think there'll be an issue with me taking it at 9pm tonight but then, say, 10am tomorrow??

OP posts:

BupcakesandCunting · 09/02/2012 23:16

What the pharmacist told me to do was stagger it backwards so on Monday I took at 11pm as usual, tuesday at 8pm, wednesday at 12pm, today at 12pm, tomorrow I will take at 8am. I would say don't take yours until at least midday so that there is a twelve hour gap (just me being extra cautious!)

Original poster

stressedofnorthlondon · 09/02/2012 23:19

Thanks bupcakes. How've you been with them other than that? Any other side effects / signs that they're helping yet?

OP posts:

BupcakesandCunting · 09/02/2012 23:23

Until yesterday, I was feeling like shite! Knackered (I mean first trimester knackered!), tearful, more anxious/depressed than ever, no appetite... but yesterday I saw a light at the end of the tunnel and I feel like they are starting to work for me. I didn't cry yesterday or today which is progress for me!

Don't let that put you off though as many people get on great from the off with no side effects. If you need to ask anything, ask me on here. This is my third stint on them, although this is the highest dose I've been on, so I am an expert.

Original poster

stressedofnorthlondon · 09/02/2012 23:28

I think I need to warn DH about the side effects then! I'm glad hear you're feeling better and that the light is there. I've taken AD's before (Prozac) and they were fine, but I this time I feel really really nervous about them though I know I really need them as I was getting out of control. I'm sure I'll be back to ask you lots more questions!

OP posts:

Browneyedgirl3107 · 28/02/2012 20:12

I started taking them 2 days ago, doctor advised me to take half of a 50mg tablet daily and then after a week take a whole tablet. Havent been on this before, had to try them as my panics are stopping me doin things i want to do i.e baby groups, visiting friends etc.
Im feelin pretty anxious about taking them but am goin to stick with them as Im hoping they will do me good.

Taysh1109 · 28/02/2012 21:34

I've been taking them for nearly a year now. At first I felt pretty horrendous on them (although nothing could be worse than how I felt before!), but within 6 weeks or so I felt fine. I take them first thing in the morning. I still have vivid dreams, but nothing horrific. And they don't affect my sleep, if anything, they actually make me sleepier than I was before! Give them a go, and stick with them for a while... once the side affects wear off you'll feel a lot better.

NinthWave · 28/02/2012 21:49

I've been taking it for almost 4 weeks now, and take mine in the morning with some food. I was taking it in the evening but I was getting the horrible vivid dreams (being trapped on a rusting old bus with a man covered in beetles was one delightful example) so switched to mornings.

I felt crappy at first, so so tired and grinding my teeth/dizzy/memory lapses, but that's all calming down now.

ThatllDoPig · 28/02/2012 21:55

I was told to take mine in the morning. They took a while to work, but now am feeling so much better. The first two weeks on them were worse than how I was feeling before starting. I nearly gave up, didn't know how much more I could take of feeling like it, but then things suddenly lit up one day and I had a good day, feeling like me again, and it carried on. I hope the same happens to you.
My memory is shocking though, and I do feel like I have to do one thing at a time. But thats ok, my thought processes have slowed down and I feel calmer and much more positive.

redspottedfrog · 28/02/2012 21:56

I started them a few weeks ago. I've felt a little sick at times, my sleep has been a little bit affected, and I have had some more-vivid-than-usual dreams. I'm trying to take them earlier in the day but I'm awful for forgetting pills so take them between 12-6pm.

I think I must have had an initial placebo effect as I've felt much better from the day I started taking them pretty much. I'm happy to keeo taking them as they seem to be doing me some good right now.

UtterlyButterly · 28/02/2012 22:08

The first week I starte I felt great! I think it was a placebo effect.

Then I had insomnia for two weeks and felt sick and dizzy.

Now I am just tired a lot. Like no energy at all. I also have the vivid dreams.

But....I wouldn't swap them for the world. I have been on every AD there is! Things have been so much better for me with these. I'm working and in a new relationship. 6 months ago I couldn't even leave the house!!

MorrisZapp · 28/02/2012 22:17

Well done! So glad you have meds sorted out. You will get better now.

I had crazy/ disturbing dreams when I started on sertraline, but I'm fine now. The doc didn't tell me what time of day to take them so I just take them with my breakfast.

I got worse before I got better, but with support I managed to push through and in a few weeks things levelled off, then gradually got much better.

To me they were no less than a miracle. My son now has a happy, loving mother, and I have my sanity and confidence back.

So glad to hear you're getting the help you need, good luck.

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