Hello everyone, I havent been on here since my original post back in November, but wanted to give an update as a message of support and hope for anyone taking Sertraline (ar any other AD's for that matter).
I have been on Sertraline for a few months now and have had my dose increased twice to 150mg a day and I have been feeling great for at least 3 weeks now. I started out on 50mg and had an abundance of side effects including the nausea and headaches every day, I felt spaced out like I was on illicit drugs, had jaw clenching, fatigue etc infact I actually felt worse on them initially and had many desperate tearful phone calls and visits with my GP. With her support and encouragement to stick with them and her increasing the dose to 150mg, Im finally in a much, much happier place.
Towards the end of last year, I felt utterly hopeless, 4 years into the severest bout of depression I've ever experienced I thought my life as I knew it before was over and this miserable black hole I was in would be my forever existence. I was wrong and am so glad I stuck with them. The side effects are all gone now, I take them when I get up and within an hour or 2 I actually feel a sense of euphoria - not sure if it's my mind or what but I feel so positive and hopeful which I hadnt felt for so long. I was on the verge of giving up and just disappearing but I now have a renewed sense of joy for life and am looking forward to the future. Im currently working with the greatest advisor ever at the job centre and am looking forward to getting into some training this year to support my career change to working with kids or animals and am starting group CBT therapy with Talking Space (Mind) next Tuesday! Group therapy would have been out of the question last year as I had become reclusive and almost hateful of being around people, suffered severe anxiety and rarely left my flat. I now feel like my confidence is slowly returning, the anxiety is nearly non-existent and I've had very few "low" moments over the last few weeks. Im going out much more and stressful events like not being able to run my car at the moment (which would have devastated me previously) have not bothered me and I have even been able to look at it from a positive view point that I will save money and get more exercise! This is VERY unlike the way I've been for the past few years (the smallest things would reduce me to tears and send me to bed for days) and I have to credit the meds as nothing has actually changed in my life, just the chemicals in my brain!
For those of you still struggling in the early days with Sertraline (or any new meds) my advice would be to stick with them for at least 3 months! I know how hard it is to deal with the awful side effects every day and there were many times I threatened to stop taking them, but with my GP's support I stuck in there and am now reaping the benefits and hoping to get my life back on track!
I want to extend a very heartfelt thank you to @PackItInNow for your very sweet messages of support when I first appeared, it really helped and seeing all the support and advice you have extended to so many on here has reminded me of all the wonderful people in this world that completely overshadow all the assholes Ive had the misfortune of meeting!
Support when struggling with depression is crucial and the best thing you can do is TALK ABOUT IT! I used to avoid talking about my depression because I didnt want it to define me, but I talk openly about it now and even publicly on Facebook to raise awareness and as a result I've received a wealth of support that I wouldnt have received had I continued to battle alone. Dont be scared to talk about your condition and how it is affecting you and dont be afraid to ask for help.
I wish everyone well in their recovery of this awful affliction, just remember there is always a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, no matter how long that tunnel may seem!
Love & best wishes for 2013 to you all x Mags x