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?

AND I forgot to mention my name change - I am of course kazzawazzawoo, just namechanged, fancied something different ...

Hi all - sorry I've not been on here a for a bit either...

Hi Im like the new name . How are you feeling? Really sorry to hear about your DH's job . I hope something else comes along really soon.

I'm still doing ok; the odd day of feeling a bit wired but pretty good most of the time .

Hi Chuff Glad you're doing ok

Not feeling too bad here at the moment, obviously worried about our financial situation and work is very difficult and about to get a lot worse on Monday when I'm alone with the boss for 2 weeks, but hopefully after that the colleague who is off sick should be back and I can take some time off too. I've also reduced my hours to 2 full days and 2 half days, as I've been working so much and having to leave my dog alone - although now dh is home with her, it's not so bad.

Reduced hours will only apply when my colleagues are back. though. 5.5 days a week til then!

Hi Chuff - glad you're doing ok.

Imlike Hope your next two weeks are ok - enjoy your Sunday off Good luck to your DH job-wise.

I was very stressed and shouty this morning (school run, hate it!) but better now after work. Wondering about asking doc for higher dose? Only on 50mg still, week 5.

Hi Carrots Sorry you've been stressed. I didn't notice much until I increased my dose to 100mg after 3 months. Now I feel less anxious. I would have a chat with your gp.

Thanks Imlike - will discuss higher dose, thanks. Have been pretty low this morning.

Sorry to hear that Carrots Any specific reason for feeling low today?

I didn't sleep well last night - too much noise outside because I had the windows open - it was so hot! Now I'm headachey and tired and can't wait for the weekend and a lie in on Sunday - although it'll probably be too hot to lie in!

Hi Imlike - I know what you mean about not sleeping - it is so hot!

I think I'm low because I've felt like a bad parent this week. Shouting too much, DH criticising me for shouting. Late for school, stressed about teacher presents etc. I'm at home today - when I'm not at work I have more time to think and I feel like such a failure. Why can't I be more organised, manage my home life better? Feel like the kids would be better off without me.

Carrots I'm not very organised either. At least now ydd is at high school I don't need to worry about teacher presents etc! I was always the one at primary school with just a card when the other children were carrying in bunches of flowers and bottles of wine - dd would be very embarrassed

I know it doesn't help now, but in later years when you look back this will all be small stuff, and you shouldn't sweat the small stuff!

My house is such a tip at the moment, needs a good dust and clean - the skirting boards, doors - not to mention the garden needs weeding, my dog needs a bath and ideally a trim, but I can't afford that.

I can assure you that your children would definitely not be better off without you, they don't need an organised mum, they just need a mum who loves them.

Thanks for your kind words Imlike - enjoy your day off tomorrow

I had a better day today. Going to make sure I get more sleep. GP says to increase Sertraline to 100mg - will prob start next week. I'm lucky - my GP is kind and sympathetic. But practical suggestions too. She says to remember that I deserve a break sometimes - I'm going to pass that advice on to everyone

Glad you're feeling a bit better Carrots

It's hard to give yourself a break if you don't have a high opinion of yourself, but otherwise good advice.

I totally agree about it being hard to give yourself a break - I find it almost impossible.

I think the GP was trying to encourage me as she knows I feel worthless and like a failure - but she is trying to help me see that there are small steps I could take to try and feel better. Having a small amount of time just for me is something she wants me to work on. Fingers crossed. I feel so guilty if I sit and "relax".

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member to Mumsnet, I hope you don't mind me jumping in on this thread. I've just been prescribed sertraline by my GP and took my first tablet today. I noticed about an hour afterwards I felt very tired but I sometimes do feel like that and I had a bit of diarrhoea a few hours afterwards (sorry, TMI!) Got no idea if that's connected or not. I've been on fluoxetine in the past but felt like a zombie on it so am hoping this time it will go better.

Do you have to take it at exactly the same time every day? It's difficult for me as I've got to work 3 night shifts in a row starting from tomorrow and am reluctant to take it before I go in case I have side effects. I guess I'll have to take it in the morning when I get home, then switch back to the evening when the nights stop. I took it in the evening today, does it matter if I take it in the morning tomorrow or would that be too much for my system?

Hi

tbh I wouldn't take another dose tomorrow morning, as I'd worry about having too much in my body. Obviously I'm not a doctor, it's just what I think.

I've been taking it at the same time everytm day, always in the morning, as I didn't want it to affect my sleep.

I had a bit of an upset stomach at first too.

Thank you. I should have really taken it this morning but I didn't think and I was asleep (bloody night shifts have wrecked my body clock!) I guess I'll have to take it in the evening again but I am concerned it could effect my shifts. Unless I just skip tomorrow's dose and start again Monday morning. Hmmm.

Hi Pandora - hope the Sertraline helps you. Can you find a time of day - eg lunchtime - that fits round your shifts, to take the tablets? I think same time each day is recommended.

I'm having a worse day today. DH very negative - says he is giving up on our relationship. Very angry. Also wants me to quit my job as the hours are difficult and pay is not worth it. The hours are inconvenient (some weekends and late shifts) but I like working.

What do you do when the person at home doesn't support you?

I'm in a 24 hour service and we don't get set breaks so it will be very difficult for me to take it at a set time each day. I shall try and keep it as close as possible though.

I fell asleep this afternoon and my heart was racing and I kept shaking and having to slow my breathing down. I also feel really sick, although I've felt sick for the past week but even more so today. I had a couple of mouthfuls of food earlier and had to run to the toilet to retch. Don't know if that is all related to the sertraline? I've got to do 3 nights in a row now so am a bit worried about taking it again today. I might wait till the nights are over and I've got some days off to take it again.

Carrots, that sounds really tough. I'm sorry your husband isn't more supportive. Could you try and find a job that has better hours? This isn't the same but I live with my parents (I don't have children) and my mum didn't support me over something recently. I felt really upset and alone, it's a horrid feeling. I hope things get better for you soon. :)

Hi i am new to the thread but no new to sertraline.

I had to start taking it again in December after being off AP a year. This was after being on different AP and anti physical drugs for 12 years.

I haven't managed to read all of this thread as it is so long, however have read somewhere on the forum that Sertraline causes sensitivity to sun. May I ask in what way. I off to Maderia in two weeks time.

Hi all

Not posted for a while but just wanted to say ..... So it's taken a good 2.5months to really settle on 100mg of sertraline ...

I feel much better, in control & positive.

The side effects in those early weeks have been worth it.

So what I am saying is .... Keep going with it, I do believe it works, just takes a while :)

Hope you're all ok! X

I'm not sure these tablets suit me....I'm having some literally shitty side effects. 2 hours after taking my tablet this morning I had massive watery diarrhoea and was retching but didn't bring anything up. Have had 2 other bouts of diarrhoea this afternoon. I feel so sick that I can't eat anything. I'm sure my stomach can't take these tablets when it's empty but I can't eat and I don't want to be having diarrhoea every day! It was really watery and disgusting. Guess I'm going to have to ring my GP up and see what he suggests. I've never had side effects like this to any medication before. Am I just unlucky? It can't be normal to expect to have diarrhoea every day....

Joining thread if I may. I've been on sertraline for 20 months been on 150mg for about 9 months. Hope everyone is ok today

Hi Pandora. Sorry to hear you're feeling so crappy. I felt rough for the first couple of weeks, and particularly horrible for the first few days. I had a bit of an upset stomach and felt really sick amongst other things. But I stuck with it because after reading this thread, I kind of expected to feel awful, and was feeling so terrible anyway ( anxiety-wise) that I was prepared to try anything!

After a couple of days of feeling awful with the severity of side-effects, I went down to half a dose for the next week to give my body a chance to get used to it - the side effects were much more bearable then, but still pretty yuck to be honest - I had a few days off work because I don't think I could have acted 'normally' because I felt so bleugh.

My GP told me (and I also read on here) that strong side-effects on start up can often mean that your body is very sensitive to the medication, and therefore will be really effective for you in the long run (smile). So maybe it's worth cutting down to half a dose for a few days and seeing how it goes?

Hope everyone else is feeling ok - hi susie . How are you doing?

And ps - good to hear you're feeling so much better journey .

Yep agreed! I had horrific nausea couldn't eat, had horrific upset stomach to the point of needing sudocreme (and NOT for the baby)

Honestly, it really takes time with these types of drugs. It's taken me 2.5months to feel any real benefit with no side effects.

Had I not persevered I don't know what would of happened to me & my beautiful baby boy (who at the time I didn't even want him near me) yes ashamed to admit but it's true.

Although, seriously if it's effecting you that badly then I would obviously talk to GP about it.

Sadly, no drugs come side effect free especially AD's

We are all here to support you! Keep going .... it without doubt does get better xxx