Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

Sertraline and any other ADs support thread

990 replies

hathorinareddress · 31/03/2012 11:13

Following on from a suggestion by LittleWhiteMice on a thread I have going on here, I am starting a support thread for anyone taking Sertraline or any other AD.

I started taking it yesterday after eventually plucking up the courage to go to the doc on Thursday.

I feel a bit weird but not too bad.

OP posts:
kat1885 · 12/06/2012 20:22

Muddy if you're having thoughts please ring the hospital.

MrsMuddyPuddles · 12/06/2012 20:43

I had dinner and am not having suicidal thoughts feeling better, so am not sure if I should still call? Confused

MrsMuddyPuddles · 12/06/2012 21:30

Ok, I've called them (thanks Kat).

In case anyone else has similar worries: It's apparently a normal thing when coming off ADs mid-course. I was also warned that these thoughts might stay with me for the next week or so. He did confirm that it means they "probably" were working a bit, but he says "SSRIs are much better" and "if you're switching, they'll be a reason" so it's best to keep with the switch.

How are you feeling? Less anxious about DS?

Also wondering how everyone else is doing? hopefully fine and therefore able to go out IRL and enjoy things, rather than obsess over stuff in here

kat1885 · 12/06/2012 21:40

He's being a bit sicky because of the mucus and is really upset as he can't breathe clearly. The Dr didn't say it was a waste of time taking him in but I feel bad for wasting their time as I know I have anxieties regarding health so think worst case scenario. Still worried and have him sleeping on me and I don't want to put him down.

Glad you rang the hospital and they have reassured you.

MrsMuddyPuddles · 12/06/2012 21:55

:) Nice and snuggly way to sleep, even if it's due to anxieties. Plus it will help him because he'll be a bit upright so drain better.

I don't quite understand... you're saying that it is simply that you are worried that you wasted their time with your worst-case fears? Do you have any anti anxiety meds to take the edge off? Or do you want to talk through things, would that help or would it just make it worse?

kat1885 · 12/06/2012 22:14

Yes basically it is. But then I worry about everything. What people think of me, health, that anyone driving behind me will crash into me and then the generalised worries that come with pnd (my children hate me, I'm a crap mum, I can't cope etc).

I'm on sertraline but its been less than a week. I'm also waiting for counseling sessions for my anxieties. I bottle a lot of things up now as when I talk about them to people in rl I get told to stop being so stupid (especially healthwise as I catastrophise everything which is why I thought this cold was more than.that and then took up a Dr slot for it).

Sorry if it doesn't make sense, I'm not good at explaining how I feel.

AnotherLoad · 12/06/2012 22:46

hi all sorry to crash in

im not on setraline, im on fluoxetine (20mg) i took my 1st yesterday and other then a fuzzy feeling nothing too bad, took tonight one at 9pm and same again. is this right or is it meant to be different?

about the eating thing, felt hungry this morning so made breakfast. as soon as i looked into my cereal bowl i couldnt eat it, tried but burst into tears. then struggled to eat my half a sandwich.

also littlewhitemice i get the shaking/shivering :( wish it would stop

MrsMuddyPuddles · 12/06/2012 23:37

kat, you mean all those worries aren't normal? Confused hope this doesn't mean I've got some sort of anxiety thing going on, too

Welcome AnotherLoad! Sorry to hear your food isn't going down very well. Hope the side-effects get better!

NicholasTeakozy · 12/06/2012 23:39

Hello Another, glad you found us. Fluoxetine can have that effect on you yes. The fuzzy, slightly numb feeling. The loss of appetite is fairly common too. See if you can get some counselling booked. The side effects often wear off quite quickly if that's any consolation. Don't forget, the aim is for you to get better, so meds and other help are necessary. You will get your appetite back.

Kat and Muddy, you both did the right thing calling for help. When all you can imagine are worst case scenarios it really helps to get someone elses opinion. Kat, as you're new on your ADs see if you can get some Lorazepam to help with your anxiety. It's safe to take when bfing.

Muddy I think the reason for cutting down the Lofepramine before starting Seroxat is to get a reduced dose of a tricyclic in your system when starting on SSRIs.

Hi again Cats, lovely to see you back. SSRIs have that effect on some, they sort of wash you out, make you feel numb and listless for a time.

CatsSleepAnywhere · 13/06/2012 09:36

Hi Another I'm on exactly the same tablets as you (been on them 6 weeks now). I had various side effects, from lack of appetite to shaking, itchyness, not being able to get to sleep straight away then waking at 3 in the morning.
Am now going through a phase of comfort eating.
I was told to take mine in the morning.

I don't want to scare you with any of what I am saying so please try and stick with the tablets. If you feel you are really struggling though it might be worth talking to you doctor or someone.

The side effects seem to have calmed down now but I still find myself awake at 3 in the morning some days. This morning it was like there was a battle going on in my head between the negative thoughts and the sensible thoughts which was a bit odd! Hopefully the sensible thoughts won cause I decided to get back into bed and go back to sleep. Then I really didn't want to get up when my alarm went off but had to. Sad
Things seem a lot worse in the middle of the night when you are not quite "with it" and everyone else is asleep.
I do feel a bit strange sometimes, like really calm. then other times I feel anxious.

Hope everyone else is o.k. (haven't had time to read all the posts)

CatsSleepAnywhere · 13/06/2012 09:38

Kat I have those worries too!

CatsSleepAnywhere · 13/06/2012 09:40

Just a quick tip, I was told it's good to write down your thought's sometimes as it helps you work out what's important and what isn't.

AnotherLoad · 13/06/2012 12:28

hi all

nicholas yes i have rang a number and will recieve an assessment phone call in two weeks, for counselling

cats ive had same as you mentioned, last night i felt abit itchy whilst in bed. last night i couldnt fall asleep :( must of been about 5am then had to be up early for school. my eyes were shut but nothing was happening :(

i find mornings worse, i wake up shakey, head ache, nauseous and woozy head. im taking my AD's in the evening when DC's are in bed i feel less worried incase they need me and i cant function right. i know silly!

thanks for replies
hope everyone is ok x

CatsSleepAnywhere · 14/06/2012 09:40

Hi all, How are you all today?

I am feeling quite down and tired at the mo. Sad Was awake at 4 this morning so it could be down to not enough sleep. I think I will try and rest this morning till DD has to come out of nursery.

kat1885 · 14/06/2012 11:17

Hi cats I'm also very tired. Have no motivation to do anything either.

My hv came to see me today as a follow up. I scored high on the pnd test which wasn't a surprise to either of us but means I'm being referred to the community psychiatric team, does anyone have experience of this?

WorldOfMeh · 14/06/2012 22:54

Hi folks- welcome, new folks.

Side effects: I think I have the itchyness- though I tend to get dry skin anyway. Thirsty a lot, too. Does anyone else yawn a lot? Not quite the same thing as sleepyness- though I think I could sleep and sleep if it was possible- I just feel like I want to no enormous, elastic yawns, especially a couple of hours after taking my meds (Sertraline).

I?m mostly doing better at the moment. The medication, fingers crossed, seems to have kicked in now. Everything isn?t perfect, but I am not so overwhelmed by anger, frustration and negativity so much of the time.

I have started to feel able to make some changes in recent days- cutting down on ?time waster sites? on the internet, starting to study something I?ve been meaning to for ages, taking the dog and baby out together for a decent walk every day. I sent a couple of letters the other day which had been sitting there waiting to be printed out (one since November!).

Those of you have just started on meds, please keep at it. I was extremely resistant to taking them and now I wish I had started them much sooner. My relationship with my daughter has improved so much already, and for that alone it has been more than worth it. (Fingers crossed this is part of a general upward curve rather than a small 'blip'...)

gingeroots · 17/06/2012 10:31

Another one crashing in here .

Haven't read whole thread but want to add that I have resorted to using Piriton ( old style sedating anti histamine ) to take edge off all the wired ,blood rushing ,muscle clenching stuff that goes with early days of Citoplam ( which I can't spell ! ).

Not sure if this ok or not ,but if anyone knows please tell me !

cupcake78 · 18/06/2012 07:28

Fluoxetine, 20mg just started 3rd mth..........My skin is terrible! Spots, dry patches very sensitive to textures. My hair Sad what's left of it! It's falling out, even hairdresser noticed it was thinner, I am so lucky to have great hair until now.

Anyone else found this?

gingeroots · 18/06/2012 09:34

cupcake - have you spoken to GP about your hair and skin ?
Sounds distressing .
Could it be hormonal ?
Diet related ?

cupcake78 · 18/06/2012 12:22

I haven't seen my gp since she first prescribed me them. mainly because I got a particularly bad reception when I asked for ads! Got the whole lecture of how they don't fix the problem etc etc etc

My diet is good and I'm going to try and drink more water.

bananacrepe · 18/06/2012 13:25

Hi, hope people don't mind my suddenly jumping on this thread! I've been on Citalopram for nearly two weeks and got over lots of the initial side effects, but the shaking is getting worse. Is this normal? And what do I tell work about why I am off? My boss would not be hugely sympathetic if he knew and I don't really want him to know anyway. Don't know if I'll be in tomorrow - depends on the shaking - and I really don't know what to tell them. Help...!

gingeroots · 18/06/2012 17:01

I think you need to go back to the GP about the shaking .

And cupcake - is there a different doctor at the practice you could see ?

NicholasTeakozy · 18/06/2012 17:09

Ginger, wrt Piriton, if you find it works then use it. And thanks for the tip.

Cupcake, I'd go back to your GP, explain your side effects and ask to switch meds as these look like they'll do your self image some unwanted harm.

Banana, there are drugs which help with shaking, I think there is a beta blocker which could help.

kat1885 · 19/06/2012 06:44

I forgot to take my pill yesterday. I know I'm not to double up today but will it cause any issues today? Got a 4yo and 7wo to take care of and I've only just started to feel less crappy and overwhelmed by it :(

MrsMuddyPuddles · 19/06/2012 06:54

Kat, I was on a different one than you, but missing a pill did give me mild side effects, sorry. Can you plan an easy day for yourself, at least for what your 4 yo does?

banana the gp may be able to help with what you tell your boss. If your work is like mine where you have to fill in a form with why you're off, maybe say "side effects to medicine" and "none of your buisness" if they ask what you're on?

Glad to hear you're doing better, Meh! :)