Sertraline and any other ADs support thread

[hathorinareddress]

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.

Hello Mumto, many people take their dose in the morning, allowing it to work during the day. I think the trick is to take it at roughly the same time every morning. As to taking them before or after food I honestly don't know.

Thanks so much :). I think I'm incredibly pathetic but I just don't think I can tolerate this drug. Last night I slept about 3 hrs I think and the rest of the time swayed between carrying on with the sertraline or trying to get over things naturally. I have already wrecked Easter for my family although they are being lovely.

Thank you for the post loopy. What you say makes sense. Have just taken the second one but am very scared indeed. Some of that is my anxiety I know. Just wish I could sleep through the day!!

mumtothreeeee, I think we've started Sertraline at about the same time, although I started taking it in the mornings after Nicholas' advice.

I'll stick with it if you will. Feeling quite shaky and bleaurgh as well. Thanks for your words, Loopy. I know these things logically, I guess, but it helps to be told as well!

What Loopy says is right. You need to give these meds time to kick in. Mumto, being scared is natural in your situation, everything is unknown isn't it? It's hard to tell if what you're feeling is the drugs or your mind. Also, take up WorldOfMeh's kind offer of mutual support. Comparing of notes can help. Also, if you're not sleeping go to your GP on Tuesday and ask for something to calm you, as often other drugs are used to help while the Sertraline takes effect.

You can and will beat this illness. It will not be easy, nor will it be immediate. There may be times when things get on top of you, but you need to keep going and believe in yourselves.

Thanks, both. No bed for me unless my wee one has a nap. On my own with it today as it's her dad's 'day off' (mine yesterday) and there are things he needs to do. Hope mumto can, though! [busmile]

Yes, I'm in bed:( :)! Have been since Friday night. I am pathetic and should probably get up and distract myself but just don't feel good. Feel overwhelmed by having 3 children. This is part of my problem though- I pushed and pushed for a dc3. Dh was much less keen. Feel so guilty about it now, would be so much esier with just the older two :(.

Mumtothreeee you are not pathetic, that is the illness talking- it's making you feel to blame. If it were any kind of physical illness that meant you had to stay in bed for a while, you wouldn't feel guilty, would you?

I know exactly what you mean though because I feel the same, as if I'm just being weak. It's so much easier to see clearly when we're talking to or about someone else, isn't it? I agree with what Loopy said about being kind to ourselves.

I've just taken my second dose, but I've decided to start with half tablets for a few days before moving to the full dose. It seems a lot less scary. And after reading the thread I decided to take them in the mornings. So far I've been ok, a little nauseous but nothing else really. I've had a couple of easy days with my DH being around- and felt like a bit of a fraud starting on ADs if I'm honest. But I'm already dreading him going back to work after the holiday.

Hi all, I've only read the first few pages and probably won't be a regular poster as I'm back to work on tues but just wanted to add my experience. I have 2 DCs and have had PND both times.

The first time 150mg sertraline worked for me and I was on it for about 6 months- I started on it late as I didn't realise I had PND - bad tempered and black moods rather than crying etc. I had DS 12 months ago and I recognised the symptoms when he was 6 weeks and went back on the sertraline. However, even 200mg (max dose) didn't seem to be working, so I changed to mirtazapine which made me gain loads of weight.

Anyway, I still had black moods which felt like PMT moods so I asked to go on the pill - I was put on the mini pill because of BF - and literally overnight my moods disappeared and haven't been back, 5 months on! I went back over to 150mg sertraline and that and the mini pill have kept me well. I'm due back in work on tues and a bit nervous about whether I can handle the pressure of work but I'm just gonna see how it goes.

Anyway, I wish you all the best and this is a brilliant thread, I wish I'd found it 10 months ago xxx

Loopy. I obviously don't know your mum, but it does sound like she cares and prob thought she was doing the right thing. I don't know. I hate the idea of people knowing and being 'concerned' it makes me more anxious. Perhaps call and explain how you feel about it? It might be a relief for you both and improve your mood a bit.

Mumtothreeee. It is scary taking these meds. I was shaking when i took my second and almost stuck my fingers down my throat to get it out! Have calmed down about taking them a bit though now. I need to get better. Sleep will be disrupted for a while. I know it seems a lot to put up with when you're already low, but try to stick with it.

Well my mum came straight away. Felt much better and had a good chat. More anxiety this morning and got into a huge panic about my weight loss which is just fuelling everything. Using up so much energy being anxious that i can't put on weight and just feel desperate. Vicious circle. Kids eating choc, i'm in bed. Rubbish.

world of meh and pozzled amazing that we are all at exactly the same stage. You are both being very strong, well done :). Still in bed but anxiety has gone down a bit. Just waiting for the 4 hour Mark since taking this pill-that's when I was sick after the first one :(. Have any of you got much planned in the next week or are you keeping things quiet? I don't work but am thinking I'll have to cancel a few meet ups with friends this week.

mumto - I wouldn't be doing a countdown to when you're 'going to be sick'! I know that's not what you mean, but I reckon you might make yourself feel worse- can you distract yourself with a book or a film?

Nothing planned particularly: we have the HV coming because the doc referred me. Hopefully she'll be able to tell me a bit about the support they have for mothers with PND, apparently there's even a creche where they will take your kids for three hours while you take a breather..! Might be a waiting list, though. We're also going to see a childminder about taking our daughter one afternoon a week, to give me time to catch up on things which have been sliding and driving me nuts. Or sleep...

Next social event is Saturday. Really hoping things will have settled down by then! I don't work either, and don't have too many friends around here (not from this area) so the upside of that is no busy social calendar. Hooray for being unpopular!

Btw i don't want to hear anyone calling themselves pathetic (except me). We're all standing up to it and taking back control (with a little help)

Have got a few things planned for next week, but not sure i'll be doing any of them. My neighbour has just taken the two older ones to the park for a couple of hours, so at least i don't feel so guilty about them stuck inside. Still in bed, i can cope in bed. I think too much noise and activity sets me off. How's everyone this afternoon?

I have got a few things planned too but not sure I'll be doing any of them. I feel lightheaded just walking to the en-suite at times. Starting to feel a bit nauseous now :(. And dh has just brought me up a sandwich bless him. Don't know whether to eat through it like morning sickness or not!

That's nice of your neighbour deleting. I hope you get some rest. How many kids have you got?

Welcome to the thread Honeymoon, your story is fascinating. It really shows that the same problem might not be cured with an identical product.

To all of you going through this please do not describe yourselves as pathetic. You are ill: you will get better.

I think it's good that two or three of you are at a very similar stage in your treatment, as you can offer each other support/hug/hand to hold whilst knowing how the others are feeling, and have access to the same. Those further along can come and tell you things get better, and those just starting can come for help/advice.

Mumtothreee. Have also got three. Ds1 (9) dd (5) and ds2 (3) Am having a lovely rest thanks. In fact if i could stay in this mood i'd be quite happy. Feeling upbeat. Had biscuits at 11ish, pizza for lunch and eating chocolate and i'm not even gagging or sweating over it. Mum is in bed with me!! Neighbour/friend has still got ds and dd and has taken them to a cafe for lunch. Hope you ate all your sandwich up. I've been getting the nausea and a very dry mouth so it's difficult, but keep your strength up.

If these meds work, i'm never coming off them!! Can't go through all this again.

Just back in from a walk- felt stifled and sweaty indoors. Fresh air was really good, and the baby seemed to enjoy herself. Definitely still off my food and thirsty as anything (drinking seems to help) but starting to feel just a little bit better... I think?