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?

((Hugs)) Imlike, hang in there, you can do it! I know the feeling, I dreaded going into work recently and every time someone said "but you've only got 3 more days to go" I'd want to cry because 3 more days felt like forever.

I've just failed my placement. I knew it was going to happen so it's not a shock at all but it's still rubbish. I feel strangely detached from it though and like I don't really care. That may be the depression talking. I don't know if there's any point in carrying on but I'm not qualified to do anything else so I'm screwed either way.

Sorry to hear that Pandora. Is it something you can retake?

I'm not qualified to do anything but type I didn't know what I wanted to do at school/college, so slipped into secretarial work. Looking back, I think I've struggled with low self esteem all my life and haven't felt worthy/able to do anything. I still at the age of 49 feel I'm no good at anything.

I love the work I do, dealing with the public, but hate my boss who offers no support, can only criticize (sp?) and doesn't do his job properly, let alone know how to do ours. He is lazy, comes in late, goes home for lunch, leaves early and when he's here barely does anything. It makes me so cross when I'm doing the jobs of 3 people right now and he's not putting himself out at all, yet I get paid a pittance and he is paid a manager's salary. Sorry ... rant over!

But I've changed job so many times because I either feel I can't cope with not being able to do the job perfectly or I'm bored because it's too easy and boring, that I swore when I started here 17 months ago that this would be the job I stay with until I retire. I can't bear the thought of interviews. Also I get on well with my 2 colleagues, it's just the boss that is difficult.

I can retake it Imlike, it's just finding the motivation to do it. I'm honestly not sure whether I want to stay in the area I'm in but as I said, I'm not qualified to do anything else. My tutor asked me if I want to take a year out which may be a good idea to consider my options but at the same time I want it over with (I've only got 7 months of my course left to go).

Are you sure you can't change jobs? It's not ideal of course but it sounds incredibly stressful and if it's making you feel ill it doesn't sound like a good environment for you at all.

Normally it's not as stressful when we're all in, but since I started 17 months ago it's been an almost constant run of holiday and sick leave.

However, I'm not sure I can cope with working for my boss for years to come.

However, more and more I think my lack of confidence is the problem. I'm not confident in my work, meaning I constantly worry before during and after each task, which is exhausting.

I wish my gp would offer me cbt.I don't feel I have the confidence to ask for it, feel they must think I'm pathetic.

I think I'm a bit tearful yesterday and today as I've just come on for the first time in 9 weeks.Hopefully I'll be in better form soon.

How's everyone?

Hi Imlike, I think you do need to ask for a referral for CBT. The GPs at our practice give us self-referral forms, my GP was very encouraging when I asked for referral. I think it shows that you want to try and solve some of the problems causing the depression/anxiety. You are not pathetic, one in 3 people suffers like this in their lifetime. Try and be kind to yourself.

I am struggling through side effects still. Day 6 for me, and the worst side effect at the moment is anorexia-type behaviour. It's bizarre, I usually love my food, and am not slim by any means, so this 'I'm not eating/have no inclination towards food/not interested/not hungry' lark is very unsettling. And nervousness. If anything it seems to have increased in the last 48 hrs. Grrrrr. Sorry to moan, just needed to offload somewhere

Morning, is there room for a newbie?
I am on day 4 of sertraline (again!). Been on sertraline for 2 years for post natal anxiety up until 3 months ago after weening down to one a week for months before I stopped.
Absolutely devastated that I have found myself here again. It's really come out of the blue. One minute coping, enjoying life and over the weekend 'bang'.
Back on sertraline now, having horrible horrible side effects. Don't remember side effects first time around as I was already away in a cloud of tiredness with a 4 week old baby last time.
I have read through posts ( lots there and can't concentrate, sorry), they have given me hope that side effects will go, just doesn't feel like it at the moment :((((

Welcome mouse.

Hi Mouse

Sorry to hear you had to start taking Sertraline again. Stick with it, I'm sure the side effects will clear up soon. I didn't suffer too much, apart from headaches, but I did start on a half dose for 8 days. What dose are you on?

I'm now on 100 mg and feel less anxious, although I've struggled the past couple of days due to stress at work. Feel a bit calmer today, just can't wait for my hols next week now

Thank you imlike. I'm on 50mg, which was what I was on before. I seem to have every possible side effect though. Feel really spacey, nausea, increased anxiety, crying a lot.......you name it!
Work stress is though, especially when you're so desperate to hide it from everyone........roll on your hols :)))

Hi Mouse, welcome

Thank you Today.
Not too sure about the headache greener. Paracetamol helping? Think it's a case of taking each day as it comes, from my reading of the above posts.

Greener, when I first started taking Sertraline I only had the headache for a few days, but when I increased my dose it went on and on, took over a month to go I agree, try taking paracetamol, it might help a bit.

Hope your headache has subsided greener?
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced really horrible thoughts when in an anxious state? It's really bothering me :(((

Got through another day at work. Today I was completely alone- my boss is ill now too! One and a half days left alone then a day off, then Monday my colleague is back

I had some great news today. My edd lives abroad and can't make it over to see us this summer because she has promised to house sit for her (almost) parents in law.So instead she has booked for ydd and I to fly to Berlin to visit her! Ydd has never flown and only been abroad once, so she is very excited.

I need to lose some weight in the next two weeks, as all my clothes are very tight and uncomfortable. In fact I have barely any clothes

Mouse I didn't have that but I know it affects everyone differently. I hope it passes soon.

I have Mouse, a lot more than usual. It's starting to go now (day 7) but the nervousness is still there. I had the locksmith round today to change the locks because I'm so worried someone will break in. I feel like a prisoner.

Do you have any hobbies? You may find if you can get into a really good book or something similar it takes your mind off things for a while. Otherwise a box-set of something on TV works well I find. I'm half-way through Stargate SG1 at the moment, and I find I'm thinking very little while I'm watching. I hope you find something to help.

Imlike, have a wonderful time in Berlin! Are you near a Primark, so you can stock up on a few cheep holiday things to wear? Even just a new pair of shoes can help you feel better about things. Anyway, enjoy.

Nice to know I'm not the only one Today. I am being kept busy running after an active toddler and busy busy 6 yr old.....exhausting!
Imlike, wonderful you have a lovely holiday to look forward to. It will do wonders for you to be somewhere new with loved ones.
Just bought a book from amazon called 'A life at last', reading through this chaps website he totally gets anxiety and try's to simplify the mechanisms behind our thoughts and actions. Thought it would be worth a look, I don't really understand anxiety and need to get a grip with it to move forward, if that makes sense.
Have a good day

Thanks No Primark here, only in a small town and really have no money due to dh's unemployment I'll go through all my stuff and see what fits best and just take that. Hope the weather will be nice, so I don't need to take heavy jeans etc, as only taking hand luggage.

Going to visit MIL and SIL's family in Wales beforehand too for a couple of days. It will be difficult to stick to a healthy diet.

How are everyone's experiences with mixing alcohol with the tablets? I know I've asked before, but over the next few weeks I'm going to be faced with offers of drinks whilst out and about and I haven't really drunk more than the odd white wine with soda over the last 4 months. I really don't want to make myself ill whilst away, so will probably steer clear, but also don't want to explain to people why I can't drink

Mouse that book and website sound interesting, I will take a look.

I have horrible thoughts when anxious too Mouse. I've had a lot of nightmares recently about people in black who represent death hanging around me. Disturbing. That book sounds really interesting.

I hope you have a great time in Berlin Imlike. Can you say you're cutting back on alcohol as part of a diet? As alcohol does contain a lot of calories. I know some people say they're on antibiotics so can't drink.

Yes, I thought about saying I'm on antibiotics too ... Might do that.

I find when you're on holiday, if you say you're cutting back on calories, everyone says, "oh, but surely not whilst you're on holiday, have some fun ..."!

I'm not much of a drinker at the best of times, so don't miss it, and I hate the pressure from a lot of people to drink lots.

That's great Greener

Today was my last day working alone Monday one colleague comes back, Tuesday the other and Wednesday I'm on holiday for two weeks

Hope everyone is ok.

I tried St J Wort, it didn't really help. But like all AD related, it's go to be given a few months to really start seeing any benefits. Maybe worth a go

I still get down days on Sertraline, but just "cope" better if that makes sense.

Bad moods are awful especially when contending with someone else!!!!