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

[Chuffchuff]

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

No problems.

I hope your are feeling a little better today.

Can I join please? Moved from escitalopram to 50mg sertraline as it had stopped working. On my second week and find that taking it at night seems best - during the day I felt dizzy and lightheaded. Even after a few days I am calmer and more accepting that I am ill and less desperate and impulsive. Might be something to do with the total lack of energy tho ... but am determined to get thro this. Main worry is how long it will take - work ( which I love) were unhappy at the first 2 week sick note so not sure how they will cope with at least one and probably 2 more.

Feel free [I don't make the rules!]

Escitalopram is a new one on me...hope sertraline works out for you, seems to be going better sooner - taking SSRIs at night seemed to work better for me, too.

Sometimes I think taking time off work with depression is counter-productive - displacement activity and the company of others helps the effectiveness of A-Ds, I have found.

Staying at home in a brooding spiral, did not.

Keep on keeping on, everybody!

First time I went on sertraline I took time off work (2years ago) re started two weeks ago and made sure I didn't take time off work this time. Last time I say and moped around the house. It hurts to be there it really does. However my managers orders r for me to go in even if it's to sit and make the cuppas my colleges are very supportive. We r all different.

I am forbidden to even look at work emails yet. Too much of a perfectionist to be at work and do nothing. Dh taking time off to keep an eye on me plus it is half term for dcs so home is the place to be at the moment - I need rest first and foremost.

I did it again last night and we had a spectacular row. God I am so selfish. I say things I don't mean and I put him through so much grief that he doesn't deserve. Depression does make us selfish, doesn't it? My trigger is alcohol but I can't help myself. Is everyone else avoiding alcohol?

I drank some last night. Thought I would as I shall start taking fluoxetine again today. Not really a good thing to do when you are on A-Ds, but it happens.

The problem seems to be not the alcohol, but what you said after consuming it.

I have given my loved ones much grief and anxiety over the years, but if they truly love you they will stick around and support you.

Depression does make people selfish, but no-one is going to be selfish on your behalf. Ultimately, your peace of mind matters the most, and it's the only one you can do anything positive about.

(PS Depressives are very good at giving help and advice to others, but are often utterly useless in trying to apply their own advice to their own lives )

Yes you're right, thank you for the support.

I know I can't/shouldn't drink for a very long time but it's just putting it into practice isn't it?! It's going to be horrible and egg shelly for days now. I've really disappointed him. Sometimes it's tempting to just drive far far far away isn't it?

How are we getting on? It's two weeks today and although I feel better I'm still having irrational thoughts!

Re. Alcohol. Last drink I had was New Year's Day and I've ended up back to how I felt two years ago so that my finish. I miss it I like my wine but it's not worth it for me. Hope everyone is ok.

I feel better - I'm still having irrational thoughts!

The irrational thoughts never really go away, or they don't for me. No drug can change your thought patterns.

I miss it I like my wine but it's not worth it for me

Alcohol, in itself, isn't going to push you back down the slippery slope. I have drunk alcohol while on A-Ds [but not anti-psychotics] and it hasn't badly affected my mood much. Nevertheless, I don't drink much at all, now, not even with meals, and I don't miss it. Takes all sorts.

Keep smiling - forwards is the only way.

When I started these meds the first time my irrational thoughts, anxiety and low mood all diminished so I know it's possible. Re guarding the alcohol that is what i believe tipped me over the edge so to speak. Your right it's not the only factor but it doesn't help.

If it's a trigger, and it interferes with your medication, you'll just have to resist the temptation. Not easy I know, spurning something you enjoy.

But if it's what you have to...I have no other advice...

I went to my gp this mornng about an unrelated matter and started to feel anxious as my blood pressure was being checked. He could tell something wasn't right and asked about how I was feeling and I just burst into tears. Ended up telling him everything I have kept bottled up for about a year and a half- work stress, loss of a close relative, problems with dp, stemming from me 'not being the same person' anymore. I told him all about my panic and anxiety that I feel fairly regularly and my irrational thoughts. Ended up leaving with a referral to counselling and a prescription for 50mg Sertraline . (he asked me loads of questions first and mentioned depression.)

I'm now reading the information leaflet and worrying myself about the side effects. 2 weeks of feeling even worse? How am I going to cope? I am currently off work for half term so that's not too bad but come next week I will be back under the ridiculous work stresses!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I've just started Sertraline 50 mg today. First dose at 11am after going to doc with severe anxiety attacks, an overwhelming feeling of doom and feeling panic stricken. 3.5 hours later and I feel just as bad, bit of diarrhoea and very jelly legs. Is this normal? Waiting two weeks to feel better is going to be dreadful. DH is on anti depressants as just been diagnosed with bipolar and I am so concerned for our future if he cannot continue working. Will I sleep tonight? Having only two hours of sleep each night has been awful. I am really hoping these tablets will allow me some escape. Any advice greatly received. Thank you.

And how long does one stay on these tablets?

Sorry - should have said "Hi" and asked if you minded another on the thread. It has been so useful reading everyone's experiences. I'm slightly dreading day 2 (tomorrow) and wonder if I should do a half dose and build myself up?

Hi sadmumma and olegjogslot. Thought I'd say hello as someone who is just a few days ahead of you on the Sertraline. I'm on day 6 now and was also terrified of the side effects. I'll be honest, it's not been a great few days, nausea, dizziness, tinnitus and total exhaustion, but nowhere near as bad as I expected. No worse than having a bad cold or a tummy bug. And I think I can see some of the positive effects already, my mind seems much more calm, I can see that there is a way out of all this and I feel quietly optimistic that things will improve. I take my tablet at night, helps with the dizziness as I can just lie down, try to eat even if nauseous as it helps, and just try to get through it. There's lots of great support on here. X

Will I sleep tonight? Having only two hours of sleep each night has been awful. I am really hoping these tablets will allow me some escape.

You may not sleep at first, but before long you will be able to sleep on a rotary washing line. Once you get the nausea and low mood side effects out of the way, its mostly plain sailing weather - the trick is not stopping and starting and actually sticking with the programme.

And how long does one stay on these tablets?

Five years in my case but then I have a particularly intractable form of depression. I don't think I'll ever wave goodbye them any more than a diabetic would insulin.

Hopefully it's different for you.

should have said "Hi" and asked if you minded another on the thread

You can post wherever and whatever you wish . They let me on and I'm a right wrong'un....

Hi everyone am on day 6 started off with 50mg for two days but felt so sick so halved dose (as one of my anxieties is to do with sickness!) Am actually feeling okay will up to 50mg in a couple of days no other side effects so far fingers crossed and have been sleeping okayish but my anxiety is much worse at night so hoping it will improve and also waiting for a referral do cbh therapy x

Hi, I've posted here before, but I've name changed since. I've been on Sertraline for about a year now, I'm on a dose of 150mg. It has really helped with my anxiety, but I still feel low and lacking in motivation and confidence. I have an appointment with my GP in about two weeks, I know she wants to discuss lowering my dose, but I really don't think feeling like this is normal. I don't want to do anything, don't want to wash, go out, cook or clean, I lie on the sofa watching daytime TV or reading MN on my phone and eating junk. I'm already overweight and hate myself for not managing to control myself.

Last week I got some bad news, my mum has been diagnosed with cancer. She's waiting for tests to find out what stage she's got.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on. How is everyone coping? Chuffchuff, hope you are ok - we started at the same time, I've name changed twice (at least) since then.

Hi all, do you think it could be a problem taking two of my Sertraline tablets close together? I mixed my tablets up, so rather than taking a beta blocker this morning I actually took another 50g of Sertraline after taking one last night. Other than the fact that I have felt like I have been hit by a truck today could i have done any harm? Thanks! X

FurryTurnip

IANAD but I don't think 100 mg of Sertraline in

Thank you thecat! Maybe the Sertraline will improve my iphone abilities, an added bonus! X

Building myself up to it all day, finally took my first dose about an hour ago.

Dr recommended taking it after food to lessen the nausea symptoms.

Fingers crossed it will all be OK overnight and tomorrow.

Thanks Furryturnip and everyone else, it makes such a difference knowing others are going through the same thing! ?

Not sleeping. Another terrible night. Another week of this before Sertraline kicks in?