Is anyone else just starting out on sertraline?

[SnozBuriedUnderThePatio]

Does anyone want to ride through these first couple of weeks with me?

I took my first dose yesterday and will be taking my second tonight. No side affects after the first one other than not being able to sleep at all.

Anyone else out there for support?

[cymrukernow]

MadnessMouse my headaches got so unbearable that I had to go to the doctor for better painkillers- which seem to work. It's just an awful side effect that hopefully will disappear.

Day 14 for me and I am definitely feeling less physically ill, though my head is still mashed. DH is force feeding me which has helped as have zero appetite.

[Snozberry]

I'm sleeping better, although wide awake now thanks to the sodding alarm going off at 4am for no reason. I think I've been lucky as far as physical side effects so far but only on day 6. I'm sorry so many of you are having awful headaches.

[leopardstick]

I'm on day 11. Still feel awful. Really anxious and paranoid. Missed a trip in to the city today as I've convinced myself that I'll get caught up in a terrorist attack. Absolutely obsessing over something bad happening to my DS (who is with his dad this weekend lucky for him!). I haven't slept in over a week and despite no appetite for the first week (a good thing as 4 stone over weight and a binge eater) I am now craving carbs all the time.
I'm snappy with DH, bored but unwilling to do anything he suggests. Can't wait for bedtime

[cymrukernow]

Leopardstick I am on day 15 and only just feeling - sometimes- that things are getting better.

Having no sleep is awful and bound to make you feel 10x worse. Have you tried listening to relaxing music or a hypnotherapy YouTube video? Anything that might take the pressure off, even for 10 mins? Not easy I know.

[StarTravels]

My headaches seem to have almost disappeared now, so fingers crossed yours do soon cymru

[alseb]

Stay with it! 11 months on. You will slowly all start to feel so much better. It does take a while and sometimes you actually can feel worse, but the anxiety does go!!! You can and will feel so much better. Take care.

[Snozberry]

How's everyone doing?

I'm properly bone achingly tired but struggling to sleep. I'm considering taking them in the morning instead and seeing if that helps

[mumtoblaire]

I take my 100mg in the morning and sleep fine. I did have some insomnia episodes during the first two weeks but now 2 months later i feel better. Not good but better. I think when i see gp in two weeks time i will ask about upping to 150mg as had total meltdown at work yesterday😕 which is not like me to show that side outside of my home. Collegue i confided in advised me to take time off work and the gp also suggested this but i feel it is better to carry on as normal.

[cymrukernow]

I am on day 17. Had a meltdown on the weekend. Was feeling low and was on my own one night- thought I'd treat myself to a g&t. Big stooopid mistake! Had panic attack and was so so sick had to ring for help at 1am.

[Madnessmouse]

That sounds scary cymru, sorry to hear that :-(
Apart from the headaches, I don't feel too bad. But I am still on a tiny 25mg dose. Upping to 50 tomorrow!

[cymrukernow]

Madnessmouse it was- but have had better days since. I do feel better sometimes so I think Sertraline is working for me.

I'm just so impatient to feel more like me again. This is my first bout of depression, so I am anxious that I might not get out of this mess.

[Star2015]

Hi,

Can I join you please? I took my first 50mg last night for depression. I've been signed off work for 2 weeks, is everyone else off work too?

I didn't sleep too well yesterday but I napped for 3 hours during the day so put it down to that. My head feels 'full' but has felt like that for the past few days.

I've been given a months supply of the meds, my dr didn't suggest a plan going forward in terms of how long I should stay on the tablets for, I think I may just need a short term pick me up (do they work just short term?)

Hope everyone's feeling ok today.

[StarTravels]

I used to take mine in the evening snoz and also had problems sleeping, but moved to taking it in the morning and sleep fine now.

I think most people stay on them for at least 6 months star. You need to give them time to work and then to (hopefully) fix the underlying issues. I've never been signed off work for MH issues, but I am currently on maternity leave, so not working. Hope you start to feel better soon.

[Madnessmouse]

Cymru, glad you've had some better days since.
Star head feeling 'full' describes well how mine feels!
I'm a SAHM, don't know how I'd cope with amxiety plus baby and work!!

[fuzzpig]

I've been on Sertraline for a while now but just increased from 50 to 100. I fucking hate winter

[fuzzpig]

I am off work but because of physical issues not mental health. I've had MH problems forever but being off work (and most likely losing my job) is definitely making it worse.

[Star2015]

I'm guessing I should make an appointment to see my GP before my tablets run out then.

I've felt very wooshy today and my heads been killing me

[Snozberry]

They can take 6-8 weeks to fully settle so I don't think they'd only put you on it for 4 weeks star. I was given 2 weeks worth to start with and then will have a review and they'll give me more. I think it's just to make sure you go back and talk through your symptoms and if it's working before they give you a repeat prescription.

I have been very lucky so far, had the odd strange zap in my head and some shakes in the morning and I am exhausted but I am sleeping alright now and no major headaches or nausea or anything. Only on day 9 so hoping nothing awful is around the corner. My anxiety isn't lessening yet but I'm sort of finding it helpful to be able to tell myself that it will.

[Star2015]

Thanks snozberry I definitely only have 28 tablets so will have to make another appointment. Hope it settles your anxiety soon

[PennyPinkleton]

Hi Star2015 I'm about to start mine in the morning. First time of taking and I too have 4 weeks worth - I have booked to see my GP in 3 and a half weeks.
I have been prescribed sertraline for anxiety/panic attacks.
I wasn't given advice on how to take, so I'm going with the 25mg for a week and then increasing to 50 in a week.
I'm a bit worried about the side effects whilst it gets into my system but I cannot continue as I have been, so fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

[Star2015]

We can be buddies Penny, let me know how you get on X

[PennyPinkleton]

Absolutely 2015
I hope you're doing ok - keep me posted!

[cymrukernow]

Just coming to the end of week 3, been a very up and down week. Sometimes really jaw clenchingly anxious. Other times feeling calmer but a bit spaced out.

Was prescribed for depression / anxiety. I am forcing myself to leave the house but still have a strange sensation like I am behind an invisible wall, like I am in this world but not part of it IYKWIM?

[leopardstick]

Day 15 and slowly feeling like the side effects are lessening. Although clearly it is 3am and here I am. Wonder if to switch back to mornings but then do I take one tomorrow or wait for Friday morning?

In terms of the depression I don't feel any better. It feels like I'm just waiting for side effects to go rather than to feel better in that sense.

My husband has really annoyed me saying a reaction I had to something yesterday wasn't normal and he wants me to go back to the doctors. He's right but I just feel that this diagnosis now means everything I do is brushed aside as part of the illness and he just wants me fixed.

[cymrukernow]

Leopardstick it is still early days for you and Sertraline can take up to 6-8 weeks to really kick in from what others tell me. I am on day 21 and am still having the occasional panic attack. But it will get better- we have to believe that!

I feel terrible guilt about what I'm putting my DH and DCs through. Sometimes it is hard to explain how I feel and they want me fixed too. But as the weeks go on I realise that it's going to take a while, and there are still plenty of ups and downs. Hope you have a good day today.