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Mental health

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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:

mumat39 · 19/09/2012 22:03

Hello
I have been on citalopram for about 18 months. Had to start really slowly with 5mg as I was getting really woosy headed and just felt odd. Got up to 30mg but then found I just couldn't sleep. Gp put me back down to 20, not much change, so down to 10 and started feeling anxious again, which is why I was put on them to start with. Anyway, gp suggested that I go back up to 20mg but still not sleeping well unless I have half a bottle of wine. On average I was falling asleep after 230 am most nights. And with 2 young dc it's just boats good as I was waking up so so tired.

I have recently been back to the gp as still not sleeping and feeling really angry. He suggested moving onto sertaline 50mg. This was last week when I was also given antibiotics for bronchitis. I also have to take thyroxine daily for an under active thyroid.

For some reason I feel really worried about changing over to sertaline, as I had odd side effects with the citalopram when I first started. So for some reason while I've been worrying about starting the new pills, I've been forgetting to take the citalopram. I've been feeling really odd with dizziness that's been fading on and off all day long and I finally clicked yesterday that I hadn
T been taking the citalopram, so I started again yesterday. 2 pills in and I feel a lot less odd.
But,I'm still worried about moving onto the sertaline? I think I'm scared in a way. I thought initially I'd be on pills for about 6 months but to be 18months in with the prospect of changing Is making me feel sad. When I started on these it was for severe anxiety but as times one on I actually feel depressed but don't really know why. I feel like I'm being ridiculous and feeling sorry for myself. Is this normal? Is it worth moving to the new pills? The gp said to just switch over. Is that the best way to do this?

Sorry for my long post. And many thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me.

mumat39 · 19/09/2012 22:05

Sorry for all the typos. I mean sertRaline.

cupcake78 · 20/09/2012 06:56

I have just switched from fluoxetine to sertraline 8 days ago. I was also told to just switch, which I did. It's been fine, really it has. Been very tired but that's starting to ease. Sleeping through the night for the moment anyway. Feeling a bit nauseous but nothing I can't handle.

But most importantly I think I'm feeling calm, yes calm not very anxious. I still have moments but generally much more manageable, for now at least.

Go for it! It's trial and error at the end of the day

somewherebecomingrain · 20/09/2012 09:25

hey shaky i also have the shower thing! and the cooking thing and the shopping thing and the tidying thing and the getting down to work thing. ADs really helped with that. God i wish i could be on them.

mumat39 yes switching is fine. I personally found the side effects of fluoxetine nothing compared to the mental relief they gave me so i don't totally understand peoples worries about side effects. I'd do anything for those side effects right now but won't let myself cause im PG.

Maybe the side effects are worse for some people than they were for me. Can you go away on holiday and make the switch. i find it helps when mucking about with my meds to do it during a holiday. And also tell youreslf you will fee better. as i remember sertraline is a bit more sedating and could be good for you if you are having trouble sleeping.

NotTheDaddy · 20/09/2012 12:52

shaky I totally get the putting off showering and everything else as as well really! Bit like somewhere

I find it so very difficult to get out of bed and deal with tiny daily things that I would have done without a second thought when I was well. Everything just feels like it is so bloody hard at the moment.

I've been taking sertraline in the morning. Should I take it at night instead? Still getting the jaw clampy feeling and feel a bit numb today.

Shaky · 20/09/2012 14:08

I find that the depression takes away all my motivation to even do the simplest things.

It is so hard to get going. I have found that if I write a list at night of jobs to do in the morning it really helps. I keep the list short, (3 or 4 things) acheivable jobs such as putting the washing on and making sure that I put it away straight away instead of leaving it on the bed. I try to focus on one room each day, today I cleaned the bathroom.

I set rules in my head that I HAVE to do these jobs before I can switch the tv. Once I have done my jobs I can have a reward (chocolate bar etc). It's like having my own reward chart in my head. It gives me a sense of achievement, keeps me on top of things and stops my lounging around feeling sorry for myself.

I hate looking at all the jobs that need doing, washing piling up etc, I feel like it is giving me dirty looks and telling me how crap I am. Using my little daily list helps me keep control of things a bit more, stops things mounting up and stops me beating myself up over stuff.

Sorry for the essay.

NotTheDaddy · 20/09/2012 14:14

No, don't be sorry. That was quite helpful actually. I might have to start doing the same. So many things to do and too overwhelmed to know where to start. But start I must.

Wish everyone here a good day

somewherebecomingrain · 20/09/2012 14:16

shaky no - no apologies! i'm doing that TONIGHT. fabulous advice.

i have so much work stacked up and i can't tell my employers why im not doing it. im a writer and i swear that for me ads were like a writing smart drug. now i just stare and stare at the words. i can still sculpt them but it takes about 5 or 6 times as much thought - all of which is like forcing my brain through a mangle.

NotTheDaddy · 20/09/2012 14:50

somewhere bless you. You seem such a sweetheart. If you are really struggling I must encourage you to talk to the health professionals and get back on meds as soon as you feel the need...as in the slightest hint of relapse. FGS please don't put it off like I did. I'm lucky I'm still alive really. xx

somewherebecomingrain · 20/09/2012 15:31

nothedaddy thanks! i am tearing up. thing is i know i won't become suicidal. if i did i would go on them - but i don't have that 'excuse' iyswim. i'd just be going on them to enjoy life again, be more reliable professionally, not argue with my DP be a stepford wife to my dp and clean the house. i'm not sure that's a good enough reason.

somewherebecomingrain · 20/09/2012 15:32

ps i'm glad you're through that. are you feeling better now with the Sertraline? xxx

NotTheDaddy · 20/09/2012 15:41

Ok, well that's a really good thing that you know you won't get suicidal. Very positive. However, suicidal thoughts are not the only symptom of this awful illness. You seem to be exhibiting other symptoms from your previous posts. See how you get on but when you pass the first trimester ask midwife, ask GP, ask whatever questions you need about medication in pregnancy. But you will probably know yourself when it gets bad enough. I hope it doesn't and you stay well throughout but please take care of you so you can take care of baby when he/she gets here xx

somewherebecomingrain · 20/09/2012 15:55

i'm going to line up sertraline for the moment the baby is delivered as otherwise it's going to be a terrible car crash.

but i have my nuchal tomorrow so am a bit wary of thinking that far ahead right now! must say im relaxing into not miscarrying though - i can feel the little blighter i'm sure of it.

thanks for your advice. i will speak to people. i am lined up for some cbt/mindfulness therapy especially for depressed PG women.

you look after yourself too - i am so glad you are through your low patch as you sound like a great person.

NotTheDaddy · 20/09/2012 16:50

No, I'm far from being a great person...just really concerned for you my dear. My plan was the same as yours. I was planning to wait until the birth but right at the last hurdle I've had to give in to the professionals and admit I need the help of ADs so that I don't crash with PND.

As for suicidal thoughts, they're still there unfortunately. Like a dull thud thud in my head every day. However, I think I'm able to rationalise my way out of doing it at the moment which is good.

I'm glad you have lots of things in place for you in preparation. You are being very sensible.

hairytale · 21/09/2012 09:11

notthedaddy sorry things are so crap. I was determined not to take ADs while breast feeding but I got to crash point and am on them. Have increased dose today to 100mg.

Sleep deprivation is really not helping me.

Hope you feel better soon.

Look after yourself somewhere

shrinkingnora · 21/09/2012 13:32

I have gone up to 100mg today as well! Just started feeling like everything was coming back, a little worse each day. Feel weird and buzzy and also the GP thinks I will be on them for at least 12 months which is somehow a bit upsetting. Hope everyone else is ok.

cupcake78 · 24/09/2012 14:38

Does the sickness wear off with time? Day 11ish and still feeling icky

Middy86 · 27/09/2012 01:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsNPattz · 27/09/2012 01:56

Hi, I take 100mg. I was on Citalopram but stopped when I found out I was pregnant, but by 20 weeks pregnant I just wasn't coping so started on 50mg before gradually going up to 100. My little boy is 11 days old now and am a bit anxious about PND but so far so good and I think having the buffer of the Sertraline, and knowing I still have the support of the Perenatal team and option to increase dosage if necessary, helps! Good luck everyone

LosingItBigTime · 27/09/2012 08:30

MrsNPattz I'm glad to hear you're doing ok 11 days after birth of your son. Congrats by the way!

I'm 38 weeks now and am on 50mg sertraline. I've been consumed with worry about the effects on the baby-particularly withdrawal after birth. Did you experience any such issues once your little boy was born or was everything ok?

LosingItBigTime · 27/09/2012 08:39

Hope all was ok!

somewherebecomingrain · 27/09/2012 08:55

yes mrsnpatz i'd love to know your thoughts on that too

xxx

hairytale · 27/09/2012 08:59

Am having a bit of a relapse. Not getting much sleep as baby not sleeping through any more. Just want it all to stop. Not as bad as my first episode but still not right despite being on 100mg for about a week.

Am on my own all day today with the baby so need to force myself to get out if the house.

MrsNPattz · 27/09/2012 09:29

We had no side effects at all due to the medication, in fact it was barely mentioned while we were in hospital as I had gestational diabetes so the focus was on that. I clued myself up before I started about all the possible side effects, and I really think they are rare. Of course this is just my experience, but I think as long as you have the support of your gp and maybe the hospital (which I did) then it can be better in the long run to have the meds than not!

MrsNPattz · 27/09/2012 09:30

hairytale I hope your relapse is just short term - take care and good on you for trying to get out of the house

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