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?

Hi again all

kazza I know what you mean about wondering if this is 'it' for the medication - I still have very up and down days and keep having to remind myself that all the info I read says it takes 6 - 8 weeks to take full effect and we're not three weeks in yet

Mrsbirdie - sorry you're feeling crap - I did too after seven days but honestly, if you're anything like me you will already be over the worst of the side effects and in another two or three days they will really be going off.

Hi all, Mrsbirdie, hope you feel better soon. I remember feeling like that too but as Chuffchuff said the side effects should stop any day now.

I went back to work today, just for 4 hours. Tuesday I'm doing 4 hours too, then back to normal from Wednesday. I felt ok today, a bit more optimistic. It IS early days, hopefully eventually I will feel more like my old self.

Hi all.

Well done kazza, that's brilliant! One step at a time.

Had a horrendous night last night. Was under instructions to up my dose to a full tablet after 8 days or so, took my first full one last night - woke up at 5am this morning feeling like an anxious mess. Waking early likely to do with the three hour nap I took yesterday (oops!) and the anxiety mainly surrounding bills, which are a bit 'issue' for me. But just feel a bit jittery and on edge. Was hoping the side effects when increasing the dose wouldn't be too bad but it seems I've not gotten away with it. Trying desperately to distract myself with little luck. Any ideas?

Sorry for yet another massive moan.

Sorry increasing the dose affected you. My sleep was affected too and I have a tendency to lie awake thinking about bills Not got any ideas for distraction I'm afraid I hope tonight you'll be so tired you'll sleep well.

Hi how is everyone today?

I had my follow up docs appointment today as have now been on the meds three weeks. He asked me lots of questions about how I'm sleeping, how I'm doing day to day, how I'm feeling etc. He said he's happy that I do generally feel I'm getting better which is a really good sign as it's still early days. He also said in his experience it's also a good sign that I felt so rough with the side effects to start with because that means I am very sensitive to the meds and that means they are likely to work much better in the long run!

He said again that it will take a few more weeks for me to feel the full effect, and that basically over the next few weeks he would expect me to feel better and better .

So anyway I now have another two weeks supply and am feeling quite optimistic.....

Sorry not two weeks, I meant two months!

Hi Chuffchuff, I have my follow up appointment tomorrow. Glad yours went ok.

I went back to work today after almost ten days off-I worked a half day Saturday-which was hard. Had a terrible night too, as I woke up when dd went to the bathroom and lay awake for ages worrying she was ill. Totally over the top but that's how I over react.

I saw my gp this morning. She's happy for me to continue with the ads and I've to go back in 2 months to see how I'm getting on.

Snap!

Quite a relief, I think I was worried after going through those side effects she would take me off them again.

Well I'm taking it as a big positive that my doc basically said the worse the side effects at the start, the bigger effect the meds are likely to have on you. Hopefully the same goes for you

Can I have a hand to hold? I am veteran depression sufferer. I am bipolar, but the depressive end of the scale. I was on mood stabilisers (lamotrogine and quetiapine) and taking venlafaxine at the same time. The three together were amazing. So amazing that my psychiatrist and I agreed that I could try coming off the ads. Really bad move. Since finishing the ads and just being on mood stabilisers, the world has crashed around me. So I am now back to being on ads. I tried to go back onto venlafaxine, but it just didn't seem to touch the sides. So I am now sat here with a packet of sertraline in front of me. I made the huge mistake of 'researching' googling the side effects and I am now officially terrified. I just don't know if I can face an increase in symptoms, esp the anxiety. Please tell me it's worth it. I don't think I can take much more.

And the anxiety over this has made me eat a packet of party rings. Oh the guilt.

Stuff, sorry to hear that.

I've been taking sertraline for three and a bit weeks. I did have side effects, but not increased anxiety However, I know the side effects can differ from person to person. Are you starting on a low dose?

I'm starting on 50mg, but he wants me to increase over 3 weeks to 150mg. I love my psychiatrist and have complete faith in him. So I know I have to try this. But I am soooooooo worried about side effects. But if this doesn't work, my next option in lithium, which is another level scary.

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time suffragette

I was really worried about side effects too, but I was feeling so crap I just made myself start on the meds and tried to think of it as the first step towards getting better

I did have side effects for about the first ten days, although I didn't feel more anxious particularly [im taking them for anxiety]. I did feel quite nauseous but found it helped if I didn't allow myself to go to long without eating and just kept nibbling little things. I had also heard they can affect your sleep to start with so I take mine in the morning to minimise that and I sleep fine...

Btw - you asked if it's worth it - I've also only been taking them three and a half weeks, and I know I still have a way to go, but overall I am definitely feeling better already. So yes, IMO it's definitely worth it.

I took my prescription to Boots today, where I think I collected my first pack, but I've been given a different pack/brand. I'm really worried about this (not what I need! ) I asked the chemist and she said it would be the same. Fingers crossed. I can't face having the side effects all over again

Have you started taking the new ones yet or do you still have a few days of the old ones left? It might be worth phoning your docs to check. Have you dared google it?

It's probably fine but I would wonder too...

I have a few days left. I'll google it and see

I get - variously - sertraline HCL or Lustral. Lustral is just a brand name for sertraline, which is now out of patent. There are lots of manufacturers of the generic sertraline but it's all the same stuff.

So, Kazza, what I was trying to say is you won't get any additional side effects xx

Thanks I hope not.

Hi all

I still haven't started my sertraline. I keep getting the packet out but just can't face it. I think my problem is I don't feel as hideous as I did as am on 150mg of venlafaxine. But it isn't enough to make me feel normal, hence why I'm changing. Someone give me a kick up the butt to take one.

I felt very dizzy and ill after taking in the morning (like OP 50g) and changed to take at night and then didn't notice any side affects as I guess just slept through them. I did start to feel better, but was given for stress and anxiety rather than depression. 50g usually is as such a low dose. However, I got worried about the side effects of stopping taking it, and then stopped taking it gradually before my body got too used to it. I still think I felt happier and less anxious when taking it though.