Sertraline buddies?

[OnlyGodKnowsWhy]

I started sertraline 2 days ago and I am having a horrible time 🙁 I was hoping there might be others out there starting up too that would like to chat and support each other. I'm a lone parent and only have my mum.

Big hug back x

I do also want to just say that despite the fact I personally find the start up rough with sertraline, it's because of my anxiety, not the sertraline itself. I would hate to think someone reading this thread would be put off! Sertraline has saved many lives, including my own 😊

Yup crippling anxiety/OCD. On it for 6 weeks. Wonderful now. Life more manageable. Concentration better. Still just on 25mg. Dr wants me to stay this low if possible. I just needed to reduce the anxiety to start working with CBT.

I've just started on 25mg today, plan is to increase to 50mg in 4 days. I hate the idea of taking antidepressants but I know I need to do something. I know I'm not myself, doc says it's classic depression and has referred to mental health services too.

I'm on day 7 (I think!) of 150mg increased from 100mg. I felt clearer headed this morning, less tired & less nauseated. Still having awful headaches though and lots of pain/stiffness in my neck. I found a post I made two years ago when I increased from 50 to 100 describing asking about neck/shoulder pain so I assume that's just something I get. Hope it stops soon.

Nomorestickers, this is second time round for me and it's taken me some time to accept that I have to go back on them, it felt like a failure. But it's not. It takes courage to start antidepressants and endurance to see them through to the good stuff. I've been asking myself how I ended up unwell, but it doesn't matter how. Our minds can become unwell, same as our bodies and antidepressants are part of the cure.

I found I suffered from a sore neck with a dose increase, I think it was just tension and caused in part by jaw clenching.

Three years in for me now on 200mg, I don't remember much of the initial start as I was quite unwell and switched from another ad. I do remember the jaw clenching and teeth grinding in my sleep, I got one of those gum shields from a sports shop which I wore at night to stop me eating my own teeth. Eventually that stopped but I still have very vivid dreams and terrible night sweats but that's a price I'm more than willing to pay for the first ad that has made a difference for me x

Morning all, I've woken up feeling ok. Hope it continues throughout the day. I hope you all slept well. Xx

Morning R1nderCella - glad you're feeling better today, lets hope it stays that way! I didn't sleep very well again last night and have woken up with a headache... sigh... less nauseous so far though and have managed some breakfast so fingers crossed!

" ... have woken up with a headache"

me too! Neck still stiff. Though I had two glasses of wine last night which I'm sure hasn't helped - it isn't terrible but seems resistant to paracetamol. No more wine for me.

Sorry you haven't slept well @purpleflower23 - day 3 for you today. Can you have a nap in the afternoon?

Laniakea - as boring as it is, steering clear of wine is probably a good idea! Do you have one of those microwaveable wheat bag things? I find that helps for a stiff neck!

R1nderCella - Yes day 3, I think you're a couple of days ahead of me? You read my mind... I'm all about the afternoon naps!! I seem to sleep better on the sofa/in the daytime anyway, but I think that's because of the depression rather than the medication!

Xxx

Day 4 for me and I woke up feeling pretty good. Popped tablet before I had time to think about it, pushed down with a big bowl of porridge. Feel sick and dizzy but certain not less so. Have pushed through it by doing housework.

I agree with PP who said that it is a brave thing to go on antidepressants, not a sign of weakness at all.

Well done fellow warriors 😊

And loving the positive stories too.

Day 4 here too with 50mg now. Took it last night and saw every hour of the clock. Probably more the fact my on off boyfriend said he would stay with me last night and today, because I was so nervous about the dose increase, then didn't turn up.

Mood is low today, took all the kids into town as I had glasses to pick up and an appointment to attend. Should be proud of myself but I've just had a cry. I feel very very lonely today and want a big safe hug more than anything.

OnlyGod - sending you a big virtual hug, oh and a lovely and ooh why not have a big piece of too! Everything feels so much harder to deal with when you've not had any sleep either doesn't it? Hoping your day gets better xx

@OnlyGodKnowsWhy big massive hug to you. You're so brave taking the children into town, I know when you're ridden with anxiety it's a massive step and you really have to push yourself internally. Hope you have a peaceful afternoon.

Thank you ladies, my day isn't over yet, about to go to the hospital for an ultrasound, to locate my missing Mirena coil. Yawning my head off but no sleep until tonight. Hope you are all doing okay xx

Day 8 here. Feel dreadful. Nausea, achiness, diarrhoea. Ugh. Keep plugging on I suppose

Good luck GodKnows, only 4 hours until the children can be in bed and then you can too!!

I wonder if downloading a sleep hypnosis app might help some of us struggling with sleep?

My dh has decided that he's going to camp in his mates garden tonight after his usual Wed night mountain bike ride. I'm totally dreading doing bedtime by myself. Lame isn't it!

Today (day 16) and I almost feel normal again. I've really enjoyed being with the children although we've not done anything (I'm in awe of you getting out the house GodKnows!!) and I've planned their dinner which makes me feel more normal than the past months where I just didn't have the headspace to cope with thinking about such things.

Missycat day 7/8 were the worst for me and it drastically improved after that. Fingers crossed tomorrow will be much brighter for you too!!

Gplan addict, I'm glad you had a good day, well done on planning the dinners.

Missy - I'm sorry you have had a rough day, hang on in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Hugs to everyone else on the sertraline wagon, I promise all of you and me myself that it's worth it, I had a fantastic year or so on it and a good couple of years after.

Mood is still low, usually I pick up in the evening, but I'm feeling useless. My great aunt died this afternoon, we weren't close but my mum and my grandad are heartbroken and I promised myself I would support her as much as I could when we knew this was coming two months ago. Instead I'm sick and I rely on her for support and I'm scared I don't have anyone to rely on now. Because it wouldn't be right to phone her having a meltdown when she is grieving and trying to support her dad.

Also my brother has split up with his girlfriend, we are very close and he is also heartbroken, but I can't help him, as he lives the other side of the country and all I can do is listen.

I hate depression and anxiety. I am usually so strong, and I hate that I am struggling to be there for my family.

I've been having the neck ache on 25mg so expecting that to continue when I go up a dose on Friday. As long as I can sleep at night I think I'll be fine. I'm glad this thread is here!!

Worst day yet for me, day 5 and 2 days into taking 50mg. I've been crying all morning, can't seem to calm myself down. Just feeling hopeless and like all my self esteem has been taken away. I am scared the tablets won't work and I won't get better. I know that's silly, they worked last time and I'm only five days in, I just miss my old life.

Group hug people ❤️

My jaw is aching today. I had not realised I was clenching my teeth. Put my fingers in my mouth between my teeth and I was biting them - unintentionally obviously.

I feel like there is a little chink of light. It is a very good medication and will work. It will take a while to get to the right dose for optimum effect, but we are all doing well to stick at it.

And we are strong. Depression and anxiety is a sign we have been so strong for too long.

This thread could not have come at a better time. After having anxiety and panic attacks for over a year I finally decided to try sertraline. I have had cbt but still feel low and anxious. Going to take the first one tomorrow after putting it off until I have a few days off work. Nice to know I am not alone.