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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:
elliejjtiny · 31/07/2015 13:14

Welcome to all the new people on the thread.

S1ckandT1red · 03/08/2015 14:46

Thank you ellie,

How is everyone?
I hope this thread does not die a death as it helps to know there are others in the same boat.

Been on sert just over three weeks now and six weeks before that on citalopram. My anxiety in the evenings is better than before starting ADs but, a lot worse in the mornings than before.

The same could be said of my low mood. But my worst problem now is absolutely zero motivation.

Before starting I went to bed every night and got up every morning, washed and dressed and then cleaned up and walked the dog.

Now since starting the ADs I sleep on the sofa in my clothes most nights and go three or four days with out showering or changing and I am doing nothing around the house instead spend my days on the sofa watching rubbish tv and worrying this will not get better.

I feel a fraud as not a mum, I am a single man who gave up work to move in and look after an elderly friend with health problems who suffered injury after a fall.

Then after eight months an operation and many hospital visits my freind recovered at which point I developed a headache for several weeks which inturn triggered my anxiety which led to my current foray into ADs.

I really need to get better from this as the sofa has become a prison and my friend as gone from the cared for to the carer and I feel a burden.

Slipper5 · 03/08/2015 19:34

Hi, sorry to hear that. I did find that I had absolutely no motivation in the first few weeks, I did the same as you I just sat and watched rubbish tv or spent hours just staring out of the window at nothing in particular. I did wonder if it would pass and thankfully it did. I know we all react differently but I hope you will start to feel better and more alive in the coming days/weeks. Have you tried going for a walk, even just to the shops if they are local?

elliejjtiny · 03/08/2015 20:29

Hi everyone S1ck I find little targets help when you are at that sluggish stage, eg say to yourself that you will do a 5 min job like empty the kitchen bin and then you will have a cup of tea. Start very small and work your way up.

S1ckandT1red · 04/08/2015 18:28

Thanks for your replies,
I tried to get up earlier today and helped a bit around the house.
I did give the dog a bath,so one of us smells niceSmile

The past few days I have felt stoned, dizzy and generally not with it. More so when standing and especially when I first stand up.

Early days still I suppose,

Slipper5 · 07/08/2015 19:50

S1ck hope you are feeling better Smile

S1ckandT1red · 08/08/2015 12:35

To tell the truth I am a little better, not great but definatly some improvement in mood and anxiety levels thanks.

How's everyone else doing?

Slipper5 · 08/08/2015 20:16

Good to hear you are a bit better, onwards and upwards!

I'm feeling really tired last few days, even if I have loads of sleep, not sure if it's the medication or just one of those things

S1ckandT1red · 09/08/2015 23:37

Same here. I struggle to get up in the morning and when I do I am very tired until mid afternoon.

smileasyouneedtoo · 11/08/2015 09:18

I'm due to start sertraline today. I'm nervous about the side effects. What were the main ones you encountered?

S1ckandT1red · 11/08/2015 16:19

For me it was increased anxiety in the mornings, lethargy and generally feeling spaced out, plus nausea and lack of appetite.

Before taking I was suffering from anxiety all the time though and came close to calling an ambulance one evening due to racing heart and pains in my chest.

Now despite the rough mornings still my afternoons are generally better and my evenings I almost feel normal.
The nausea is now rare and don't feel as spaced out.

My main problem now is the lethargy but then I am only just over a month in (1 week on 50mg 3&1/2on 100mg).

Hopefully you won't get any side effects but it's not uncommon to feel worse before you get better.

Despite the rough start up I am glad I stuck with it.

S1ckandT1red · 11/08/2015 16:59

Hi, by the way.Smile
Hope you feel better soon.

MrsCK · 11/08/2015 20:03

Hiya, can I join please? first dose today-50mg. what can I expect?

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 11/08/2015 20:19

Hello - hope you don't mind another person jumping in but does anyone have any experience of duloxetine? I have recently switched from Sertraline and am getting some odd side effects.

Slipper5 · 11/08/2015 21:55

Hello, I know everyone is different but I had side effects for 2-3 weeks, neausea, upset stomach, insomnia, lack of energy but this did pass. I now feel so much better, I was very sceptical but the tablets have really worked for me and I now feel so much like my old self and it feels good! Still have the odd stange day but very few and I have only been on the tablets for about two and half months. I Also had to go from 50mg to 100mg to feel the difference (& no extra side effects when increasing the dose).

I have no experience of other tablets I'm afraid as im new to this too.

Hope everyone starts to feel good soon, stick with it if you can. You aren't alone.

Slipper5 · 11/08/2015 22:03

(Sorry this is on sertraline)

S1ckandT1red · 12/08/2015 16:45

Hi MrsCK and SchroSaw,

SchroSaw, why the switch from sertraline, was it not working for you?

Me2you · 14/08/2015 00:01

Hi new to MN. Been on 50mg sertraline for about 3 months have got a prescription for 100mg but bit worried about tinnitus! Has anyone had this as a side effect? ? I'm not obsessed with side effects or anything but that's something I just don't want I've already got floaters (not from sertraline ) and don't want some other permanent annoyance. I asked my doctor if I did get it would it go if I stopped taking sertraline but she didn't know.... Thanks

Me2you · 14/08/2015 15:54

Also has anyone had any gum problems while taking sertraline or swollen gums?

MrsCK · 14/08/2015 19:31

I feel stoned on this medicine :/

S1ckandT1red · 14/08/2015 21:25

I was quite stoned to start with, not 100% clear headed yet but it has improved a lot.

Just having my first alcoholic drink in three months, just the one. Hope I don't regret it tomorrow.

S1ckandT1red · 16/08/2015 17:47

Sorry me2you don't know about the side effects you mention other than I haven't had them.
Although I have been particularly dizzy the past couple of days and headaches today.

smileasyouneedtoo · 17/08/2015 19:22

I've been really really sick on sertraline. I've been sick every morning since starting 6 days ago. When will this be over?!

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 18/08/2015 00:24

I switched because duloxetine is also used for neuropathic pain and Fibromyalgia, so it's a better fit for me. :)

Verso · 18/08/2015 09:48

Just popping on to say I've been on Sertraline since March (initally 50mg then increased to 100mg) and it's been brilliant. Truly. I feel like "me" again. I thought the other day it's like it's put back the "umami" in life... everything was flat and bleak and scary before - but now I get happy about stuff and the horrible anxiety is a distant memory. I may well stay on them for a longgggggg time, as they really suit me.

I did initially have some side-effects (tummy upset and weird dreams) but now there's nothing apart from feeling much much more on top of stuff and contented.