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Original poster

Sertraline Buddies - Part 2! Support for all on AD's...

968 replies

Chuffchuff · 28/08/2014 17:25

New thread for when the first one gets full - welcome everyone Smile

OP posts:
Severeanxietypleasehelp · 27/01/2015 18:20

Going to read this thread in full now but just spoken to GP and starting on low dose of sertraline tomorrow. Have been on it before but cannot remember what it was like as have had just about every AD at some point over the years.

Any advice for a newbie? Am going on a 2 week holiday on Saturday so hoping that helps and side effects not too bad.

Severeanxietypleasehelp · 28/01/2015 10:40

This newbie killed the thread Wink

Just got my sertraline - going to try 25mg this morning and 25mg this evening to see how i get on.

Pandora37 · 04/02/2015 19:08

How have you been getting on severeanxiety?

I went to see my GP as I've been feeling down again. I was half hoping he'd change my meds as I'm not sure they're working but he just gave me a form to fill in to go to counselling. Which is fair enough I guess but he commented that this had been going on for a long time now and I need to get over what happened and sort myself out. He didn't say it quite like that but that's how it came across and I was like, great even my GP's fed up of me now. :( I didn't like to say well actually I've been depressed on and off my whole life but no-one seems to care, my GPs haven't really been interested, my previous psychiatrist fobbed me off and told me I was fine. Sorry to be whiny but I just can't be bothered any more and unless I'm on the verge of suicide I don't think I'll bother getting medical help again as there's no point. I'll carry on with the counselling and self-help and I'll carry on taking my medication but I can't be bothered to fight a losing battle.

bexrll15 · 05/02/2015 14:20

Can I join please .. I have been suffering from panic attacks which has led to panic disorder .. *fear of fear incase noone is familiar .. I've been suffering for a few years now with anxiety but the attacks have just got worse last few months I tried everything to self help but finally bit the bullet and went to doctors yesterday and they prescribed me with 50mg sertralin I've got bloods next week to rule out over active thyroid and also counselling .. so day 2 anyone else same as me?

bexrll15 · 05/02/2015 14:25

Oh I also have 3 beautiful children ??2 boys 7 & 8 and a little girl who is 3 ??

bexrll15 · 05/02/2015 15:38

Well thought I'd update .. had to grab my little girl from nursery and the feeling of a panic attack came over me on the way .. I don't drive i was walking and I wasn't sure if I would faint or not that's the feeling I got never had a panic attack in the street before .. I'm feeling a bit not with it today can't quite explain it but definately not normal and a slight headache which comes and goes . X

TheCatAteMyTaxReturn · 08/02/2015 00:08

Hello

A few facts about me - first and foremost, I am 42, male, very happily married with one lovely ten-year-old son.

I have had treatment for depression since 1994. I have been prescribed tricyclic, SSRI and SNRI antidepressants, and for around a six-month period the anti-psychotic Thioridazine (mellaril)

The most recent prescriptions for me were sertraline, which seemed to stop working, and was replaced by citalopram, which does not work as well as advertised.

I do not drink alcohol, smoke or have OCD, but have a history of MDMA and LSD abuse, though nothing in the last fifteen years.

My wife, who will introduce herself here soon hopefully, has endured more traumatic events than me, and has been treated with A-Ds for PTSD-related depression and panic attacks.

I have reached a point where it's unlikely that I will come off A-Ds for any length of time.

I am hoping to get my prescription changed by my doctor next week.

BagelwithButter · 08/02/2015 01:22

Can I join too? I've been on 20mg of Citalopram for nearly two months for depression.

Since bereavement in 2009 and redundancy in 2010, I have just been drifting. Some counselling in 2011. Another bereavement in 2013 but I feel like 2014 has been the worst.

I have no motivation, no libido for years, my children know I'm not happy, feel guilty for not being a better, more positive person when I souls be grateful for nice house, kids and husband (who, after all, hasn't gone yet). Sorry for the self-pity but my Dr said when I finally went on ADs that, if not treated, depression becomes chronic and I feel like I will always be this way. I feel trapped that I have to live as long as possible for my kids, but I don't really want to live like this for years and years.

Danimirj · 08/02/2015 12:37

Hello

I am 41 years old, female, happily married with a blessed only son.

I live with my husband of fourteen years, who has long-term problems with depression. We understand each other, where many other so-called professionals do not.

I arrived in Britain as asylum seeker from the civil war in Former Yugoslavia, in 1994. I have seen many things I wish I had not.

I got indefinite leave to remain in 2000, shortly after marrying my English DH. I have been treated with Prozac and Paroxetine, for panic attacks at the time.

In 2002 we tried to start a family. There was a pregnancy, but no child. Doctor put me on long course of Effexor. My DH was was put on Mellaril at same time. Wrongly, we think.

I am on sertraline at the moment.

We try to be good parents, but YMMV. No-one is perfect. DH family has been very generous and helpful.

The hopelessness never truly goes away. It lies there, in your brain, waiting.

teawomen · 09/02/2015 08:00

Hi, after a little advice. Second time on sertraline and I'm on day 7. Can't remember how I was last time because it was so long ago but last night I woke up having palpitations in the night. I've had low mood, jaw clenching etc. is the night heart palpitations a common side effect and how long should I go before I speak to the doc about them Tia.

TheCatAteMyTaxReturn · 09/02/2015 08:38

Doesn't sound promising Teawomen, make an appointment ASAP IMO.

My 50mg citalopram side effects are much milder than yours by the sound of things, and worse than any sertraline side effects I remember having.

Don't hesitate. Good luck!

FurryTurnip · 11/02/2015 12:33

Hello, can I join you all? I have just been prescribed Sertraline, this is my third bout of depression but first time on ADs as frankly I'm terrified of them. But this time I want to get through this as quickly as possible. I am really scared about the possible self harm and suicidal thoughts side effects. Have any of you had these? Thank you. I need a hand to hold right now...

Original poster
Chuffchuff · 11/02/2015 13:18

Virtual hand hold here Smile

I won't lie, when I started taking Sertraline I felt pretty yuck for a few days. I was prescribed 50mg and my GP had suggested I take half a dose for the first few days to help with side effects, but I didn't listen and took a whole dose the first day. I felt nauseous, slightly out of it, and had horrible night sweats. The next day I went down to half a dose and stayed with that for the first week, and the side effects were much more bearable then.

I was prescribed them for anxiety (GAD) rather than depression. I didn't have any suicidal thoughts, but a few days in I did have a horrible anxious day where I felt really panicky. I was ok after that though.

It's not always nice the first few days but I would say the benefits long term definitely outweigh that. Do you have support around you from friends/family who know you're starting on medication? If so, lean on them a lot Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Chuffchuff · 11/02/2015 13:21

Teawoman how are you feeling now? I did have palpitations in the night (along with horrible night sweats) at the start (I mentioned it in my previous post), but that soon went off.

I think it is probably just a start up side effect rather than anything 'wrong', but obviously it wouldn't hurt to check with your GP.

OP posts:
teawomen · 11/02/2015 13:32

Today is the first day (day9) I've felt good. Up beat and less anxious. Second time on these for amxiety been worried they wouldn't work again. Havnt had the night time palpitations anymore which is good and I slept well last night. I have a good support network at both him and work (I work part time) which is a massive help.

I've started writing down day to day how I feel so that if I ever need to go through this again I can look back.

Original poster
Chuffchuff · 11/02/2015 13:34

That's good. I think you tend to get a bit of a surge of the side effects just before they really kick in and start to work, for some reason.

OP posts:
ourglass · 11/02/2015 13:38

Hello,

I'm new! Prescribed 50mg of Sertraline on Monday for severe depression and anxiety. Taken my second pill today and definitely feel strange. Jaw hurts, feel spaced out periodically and have sweaty cold hands. Going to grind through it!

teawomen · 11/02/2015 13:50

Yeah my jaw was aching all week. Has anyone ever been on them more than once that was my fear that because they worked so well last time they wouldn't work again... I know totally irrational

FurryTurnip · 11/02/2015 14:00

Thank you ChuffChuff (not sure how to do the bold thing!) It's good to know I'll come through it. I've been prescribed 50mg straight away plus beta blockers for panic attacks. I have a partner who will be supportive but I'm terrible at telling people or asking for help (all part of the problem!) but it helps being here and knowing others are in same boat....though wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, obviously.

And hi ourglass, I'm new too, on day 1 of Sertraline so we can go through the funny side effects together and look forward to coming out the other side very soon.

ourglass · 11/02/2015 14:10

Having an afternoon of paranoia - reading into texts with my husband too much. Horrible.

TheCatAteMyTaxReturn · 11/02/2015 14:49

Tapering off the citalopram, back 50mg ovaltine [fluoxetine] - likely to a have a shitty weekend of tetchy transition.

ANLBXX · 11/02/2015 19:37

Please can I join took my first tablet today after reading last few posts am really worried about side effects :(

ourglass · 11/02/2015 19:43

If it's any help I feel a lot better this evening. But nauseous though xx

ANLBXX · 11/02/2015 19:46

Thankyou ourglass am already feeling anxious so trying not to be more anxious if you see what I mean x

TheCatAteMyTaxReturn · 11/02/2015 19:49

Don't worry too much ANLBXX, ourglass the nauseous feelings go away quite quickly, and deep breathing helped make them pass for me.

the side effects of SSRIs are quite tame compared to older anti-depressants

which type are you taking, ANLBXX btw?