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.

Hi everyone. Another newbie. Gp has been offering me these for about 5 months and have finally broken and know I need to start taking them. When do you all take them? I must have read a zillion posts about different times of day causing different symptoms. I hate feeling nauseous, can handle being a bit spaced out and sleep... Well we have kids that don't sleep through so... What are your preferences to the best time to take them?

Hi everyone well I took the first one this morning not sure what to expect now! Feeling a little weird but nothing too bad yet. Just feel like I want to get into bed and not have to deal with anything. As asked above have people found when they take them to make much difference?

i take mine at night, i started doing that the avoid any side effects and hopefully just sleep through them. also if they made me sleepy then i hoped actually sleeping through the night might help

*to avoid

tallula well done taking your first one!

Hello newbies. Good luck! I've been on them nearly 7 weeks now and feeling ok ish. Having a bad day today, anxiety through the roof as I've got a lot on my mind. I take mine 1st thing, although I'm thinking of changing it to the evening. I get to 11am and I need a nap. I'm full of energy for a few hours before that though and then hit a lull. I have had trouble sleeping the past 2 nights too. Probably with stuff on my mind. I do feel they've helped me a bit as I'm having more good days than bad but if I'm honest the bad days seem worse. I never thought my mental health was really bad to be on a high dose. I though 50mg would be enough for me. I've gone up to 100mg and I don't want to go any higher but I don't feel right at the minute. The side effects can be bad at 1st for some people, some are lucky too. Just ride the 1st couple of weeks out and you'll feel loads better side effect wise. I don't know whether i need a new type of drug or longer on this one. I honestly don't know if I'm faking most of the good days, trying to convince myself I feel great. It's a struggle at the moment. We will get there at some point. No one said it would be easy.

Thanks mrsdiddlydoo really means a lot!
Felt really wiped out today but I'm not sure if that's more due to actually admitting I can't cope any more. I don't want to deal with life in general anymore but right now I can't see how a tablet is going to help.

TuttyToffee keep hanging in there! I bet your doing better than you think, I know what you mean about faking the good days I think the hardest thing is to say hey actually I'm not okay

tallula I've collected my prescription and am umming and ahhing about when to take one. Or half even. I think I'm going to start just before bed tonight. It's taken me months to admit I need help and have really felt myself deteriorate over the last few weeks. I'm petrified of the potential side effects but feel so nauseous and sick to my stomach anyway, I figure I have nothing to lose. Hopefully we'll both feel a bit stronger in a couple of weeks or so.

tutty for the tough day. Hope you are able to take it a bit easy over the weekend

3 weeks in and side effects seem to have gone, even had a couple of great days but last few and anxiety, paranoia sky high and I feel really sad too. Bumpy road, for sure. Not sure if this is a stumbling block whilst they get fully in system or whether just not the right dose etc .

Well took 25mg just before bed. Managed to sleep until about 5 and have been on off dozing since them and kids up. Feel sick in waves with more manageable bits in between. And my stomach is unhappy. Feeling proud I took it, but still scared of what's in store for the next week or so. Dh is helping with the kids, but admitted he wasn't keen that I was taken medication last night. I explained I don't see what other options I have. I feel so broken. Hope everyone's ok

I’m on day 3 today.
I woke at 6am for a wee,and couldn’t get back to sleep after.wasnt that tired.
So strange as I’ve been so tired since my son was born 7 years ago.to the extent that I’ve been back and forth to the doctors for blood tests as I didn’t think my sleepiness was normal.

mrsdiddlydoo well done! Suppose it's the first step of getting better, I've put off taking them for 3 years I can't help but thinking if struggled for that long that a few rough weeks is going to be nothing. Don't worry about DH he will be much more on board when he can see progress.

snotato strange I was up early too which is not me at all, I felt really wide awake. I haven't woke up like that since before the day that has left me with all these issues. How are you feeling today?

I have felt really low today I feel like it's the first time I have admited to my self that I'm not the same person and I don't really know who I am anymore. I just want to hibernate and not see any one.

Tallula69 I know what you mean about wanting to hibernate. I'm hiding in bed at the moment. It's so hard waiting to feel better. I'm trying to do little things for myself like a bath or but of chocolate but don't have much appetite and feel so listless.

Day 13 of sertraline now up to 50mg. DH is away for 5 days with work this week and I don't know how I'll cope doing all the nursery and childminder drop offs and pick up some plus extra meetings at work. Just can't face doing anything. This morning DH was decorating DS room and I managed to make muffins with the kids and do some washing, don't feel up to anything else now.

Hibernating sounds good. About to take my 3rd dose. Side effects have been manageable but I wonder how much that is down to dh being home because it's the weekend. Mainly light headedness, nausea which has been OK and loss of appetite. Not looking forward to the school run or work tomorrow.

Well done on making some muffins sortingmyselfoutslowly. It's been a cbeebies sponsored weekend here. Wish you well with the drop offs. I find them so difficult.

Was your sleep any better last night snotato?

Hi everyone new to the thread I’m on my 5th day today already feeling much relief I’m taking 50g and upping dose to 100g after a week it’s my first time on antidepressants. I’m on it for severe depression. Iv never had treatment before was very anti meds but I’m glad I’m finally excepting it’s ok to get help. Side affects have been pretty nasty at times but I haven’t cried once since taking it so I’m really happy about that! I wish you all the best of luck and to stick with it I no this drug has really helped 4 members of my family. I hope it does the same for us all! I was wondering if anyone had there does increase after just one week and how did it go for you, I am a little anxious about it but at the same time I want to do it? Thank in advance

Hi mykiddies, I’ve been on 50mg for 5 months now also my first time the doctor initially wanted me to go up to 100mg after one week as she wasn’t sure on the dose. I thought that was abit quick seeing as it takes a couple weeks to build up in your system and the side effects were pretty rough so I stayed at 50 and the doctor was happy with that luckily 50 works for me however I’m on it for anxiety. Funny you say about not crying since you’ve started them I’m exactly the same even if I feel the need to nothing will come out ha!

Hi everyone

mykiddies I'm going to be doing the same as you and increasing to 100mg from tomorrow.

I feel 50mg has helped me along the way a bit (mainly stopping my from crying all. the. time).
But I also feel I am still lacking some enthusiasm I know I used to have - plus I am still struggling with terrible PMT when I know I am just so angry and everyone and the world. I really hope increasing the dosage helps with that.

Hi everyone hope your all having a good day. I'm day 4 today and have been feeling weird like morning sickness all day, been talking them at a night in a hope to sleep through the worst but it just isn't working.

I have been told to go up to 100mgs too mykiddies not sure what I feel about it if I'm honest. GP keeps saying ill feel great when they kick in fully but I'm not sure what 'better' is anymore. Im taking them for depression and PTSD which is from a serious car crash that nearly killed me and has left me with long term health changes. Who would have thought a total stranger could totally change your life forever. ☹

Marshmallow09er sorry forgot to say good luck with increase hope it gives you a bit more energy and get up and go.

Fairydust glad it’s helped you at that dose I think I’ll have to go up but not sure if I can this week part of me wants to but iv had my first really anxious day today and felt really bad with it before it was just moments that quickly passed today it’s lingered throughout the day.
Yes they crying this is so strange.... but I’m not complaining lol
How long did it take for your anxiety to calm? Thank you

Hi marshmallow I’m glad you have settled on sertraline too. How long have you been on 50? Did you find you got very anxious early days. It’s good not crying all the time isn’t it!! Haha
Good luck with the increase! I hope it settles the pmt for you thank you

Hi talllula I’m taking in the morning feels abit funny today’s been an anxious day I’m on day 6z. I’m not sure with today’s anxiety if I can increase on wednesday. I was thinking of asking the doc for something to mellow the anxiety of it continues as I want to increase as soon as possible.
Really sorry to hear of your bad time with the accident it must have terrible for you. I only hope you can settle in the tables and find support from the grimy open to help you along the way. I’ll be here I think it’s great to have somewhere to go where were all in the same situation

Thanks Tallula - what a horrible experience for you - I really hope the Sertraline works quickly for you.

Mykiddies yes I was much more jittery / anxious than usual to start, plus a bit of nausea / swimming head feeling. I also was really grinding my teeth. But it had pretty much evened out by week 2/3.

Thanks marshmallow it’s just riding it through isnt it, do you think I should increase when anxiety is high or wait till it maybe levels abit?
How long have you been on it?
It sounds like you could do with a increase though

It's my 4th week this week - so I had 3 weeks at 50mg

I think that was ok because it gave me a chance to work through the side effects / feel some of the benefits but long enough to feel like I could still benefit from an increase.