Sertraline buddies - support for anybody taking Sertraline

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I eventually went to docs yesterday, been really suffering with depression. Is it possible the medication can result in side effects straight away? I'm feeling sick and no appetite today, however feeling better, clearer... I'm on 50 mg the lowest dose.. Anyone else share their experience please?

I felt stoned all day yesterday, today lightheaded and dizzy, with an upset stomach (though that could be what I ate last night) and a headache from jaw clamping. And I slept like shit last night. I think I'll stay on the sofa today.

Sorry you had rough time Dwerf, just do very little until you feel stronger. I'm hoping for a whoosh of motivation from better emotions, to enable me to get things done and sort out my life once and for all.

Dwerf the jaw clamping is horrid but it does go.......chill out and take it easy.

It's got to ease off by Tuesday, which is when I start a jobcentre thing I can't really get out of. They are going to love me, the moment I start I've got a list of days off for GP appointments...

Day 2 for me of 25mg - feel sick nearly constantly; headache comes and goes though. Didn't sleep too badly- a bit of tossing and turning but that's all.
Just feeling really sad and lost today - no-one to talk to and trying not to google side effects!
It's reassuring to read that things can get better, I'm determined to stick with it. Hope we're all feeling better soon.

Why a i having such an aeasy time of it on day 2, 50mg?

Is it my weight? I'm really heavy so the medication is diluted?

Feeling better but the 100mg i'm dreading a bit. Probably be here maoning my head off.

oh and a side effect is fatal vaginal bleeding wtf????

I felt fine on day 2 Solesource, it didn't kick in much at all until about day 4. And I'm not light.

I wouldn't worry too much about the fatal vaginal bleeding. It probably happened to one person and so had to be reported. If it was common, it wouldn't be licensed, not much sense trying to cure your patients with something likely to kill them.

Are you day 7 Dwerf?

I had better get prepared then, thanks Dwerf.

Keep updating if you can.

Day 5. All I had until yesterday was a touch of nausea, just enough for me to think 'urgh' but not enough to stop me doing anything.

But, I'm also a fortnight into the starting of other medications, so some of mine could be due to them. I went into the GPs for a gimpy arm and came out rattling. siiiigh

Oh Dwerf yes you did say day 5, i was trying to work it out.

Just drove to the garden centre and that was a big mistake. I feel as if i am under the influenece of drugs now. A bit spaced out. Pupils are like pinheads.

Driving is affected. Shit, No more for a while, i cannot risk that,

My house is a tip and i just cannot bring myself to do it.

Think i'll just do a bit upstairs nd change DS;s shetts, dry his clothes for weekend. I'm staying home as not driving anywhere whilst like this.

Does anybody feel kless hungry?

I still forced down a biscuit though

Speech is a bit slurred too

JEEz the 100mg will crucify me.

Hi again everyone and hi dwerf - glad to hear this thread has been helping you - it's really helped me too

kazza what a pain in the arse re your pay - will it get sorted out soon? Hope so...

And to everyone getting the start up side effects, for me the first week was definitely the worst, then they really started to tail off more every day.

sole I avoided driving for a few days because I felt so wierd, I also felt travel sick so that was fun! That's gone off now though, my only yucky side effect is a dry mouth.

And um - er - I have also noticed another strange thing though, at risk of getting kicked off the thread - things are a bit strange in the bedroom department too . Not necessarily in a bad way, but different....

Anyway, moving on - I started this morning feeling quite stressed, then a friend turned up and asked if I fancied going into town for a look round the shops. That's something I avoid sometimes because I get a bit panicky, but I went and actually ended up having a nice day .

Oh yes, the anxiety has definitely lessened, mainly because I'm walking around in a lovely drug induced fug.

Do they always bump you up to 100mg? My doctor never mentioned that.

I started on 25mg for a week then went onto 50mg. When I went back to my GP after 3 weeks he said I need to give it 6-8 weeks to get the full effect, and he is hopeful that 50mg will be enough for me. Maybe it depends what you're prescribed it for? For me it's GAD.

I scored 20/27 in a depression test and GP said it was bad. I am seeing her again on the 19th May to up dose.

She said not to expect to feel anything from this dose but i do a bit. Maybe she will review her decision on the 19th.

I started on 50mg, taking it for anxiety, I don't have a diagnosis, but I've got a long history of depression, on and off since my teens.

i'm confused tbh,

just have to wait and see...

I found this that hopefully explains it a bit?

sole maybe as you scored high on the depression scale your GP is thinking 50mg won't be enough. My GP said he always gives the lowest dose possible a good chance to work because it's good to find the lowest dose that works for you.

Hi, hope you Don't mind Me joining in.. I'm yet to start my setraline. been prescribed 50mg but I've had them for a couple of months. didn't want to start as I felt week and was scared of side effects. It's quite nice reading how you are all doing.

had this bought of anxiety and depression from some relationship problems with my partner from back in October. we are still together but just can't shake this feeling. I hate it. Dont know if AD's will help. feel very alone and scared tbh.

Hi rusty

It is hard taking the first one - but I was so sick of feeling crap that not taking them didn't really feel like much of an option. Have you been told to take a half dose for the first few days? I ignored my gps advice and took a full dose for two days, then felt so urgh that I went back down to 25mg for a week - it wasn't half as bad then. And in a funny sort if way, even though they made me feel a bit ill, at the same time they made me feel spaced out and dozey, which was quite nice after feeling anxious for months.

Maybe try to think that the sooner you start, the sooner you will see the light at the end of the tunnel?

I do think that the sooner I start the better. I worry about the effect it may have on my relationship and I've had depression before and powered through it with no meds. this did last a few years imo though. I hate feeling like this. I feel it's more anxiety though. I'm very confused but at the mo can't see any way out of feeling Like this.

why is it, external influences affect us like this. I see depression as a chemical imbalance so how has a relationship problem caused this. I want to snap out of it, as people say.

Rusty my DH and I have a much better relationship now that I'm taking the sertraline TBH - I actually like him now, mainly because I like myself a bit more I think! Don't be scared, we'll support you. I sat looking at the packet for days before I dared to try them. I started with 25mg for the first few days and then upped to 50mg. Best thing I ever did - the old me is back. So apart from my current upset tummy, it's definitely been a good experience for me.

Rusty, because stress causes hormonal changes. I think I've been coping with so much for the last couple of years that my body is now constantly on high alert for the next stress, hence raised anxiety levels. I mean, it would be natural and ok to have a bit of a restless night before something important the next day, it's not normal to have it every night. It would be ok to feel stressed about going and doing something unusual, but not to feel stressed over something you've done a thousand times before. Which is where I am at. I think high levels of stress over the last three or four years have altered my body chemistry a bit, and now something has tripped. I'm hoping the meds will help temper my stupid brain's over-reactions.

I started talking therapy on Thursday. I don't know how it will help. I work in the emergency services in a very macho environment (im a fella) and I'm worried about the stigma too.

I will keep you informed. this post has given me a lot of hope.