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 all. I've been on Sertraline for 5 days now. Had bad anxiety and depression on and off since my son was born 2.5 years ago. Having a hard time with a stressful full time job, dp who only helps when it suits him and a toddler who is also under assessment for suspected autism who doesn't like sleeping. I'm exhausted.

Felt quite good yesterday but today I am so nauseous. Wonder if it's bug... Or the drugs... Or hormones... Or the very small glass of white I had yesterday . Or maybe it's Christmas.

Hope everyone is getting on ok this weekend.

mrsdiddlydoo I am sleeping okay I think, but craving more. Sorry for the late reply - dealing with end of term and a very stressed and on-edge DS1 has left me depleted. Have a telephone consultation with Dr on weds and not sure whether to ask for dose to be increased. I definitely feel better than a month ago, but not better if that makes sense. It's so long since I've felt 'normal' that I'm not sure what I'm aiming for. Interesting to see a few of us with autistic DC - makes me feel less like a failure to know others also need help to manage and that not coping doesn't make me a bad mother.

I've got doctors this week as well. I think I'll stay on the 50mg for a bit longer. I've felt so much better these last few days.

Had a lovely afternoon watching Nativity on TV with cuddles from both dc. It was perfect. If only I could bottle that feeling!

I've felt anxious today but it's dh that's anxious and I'm picking up on it. Once I'd worked that out I settled again.

rosa I could have written your words. What is normal? I have been just carrying on for such a long time I can't remember what it is. Hope the phone consultation goes ok tomorrow.

I've been having some better moments. They don't last very long, but I wasn't having them when I started. A bit of me thinks a higher dose would help me more, but I'm feeling a bit more with it so maybe wait the full 6 weeks before making my indecisive mind up. Have a phone consultation booked tomorrow for an assessment for silvercloud or something. Speak to the doctor this week too. Feel anxious but I aren't a Christmassy person so I think that's playing it's part.

We watched the cbeebies panto on Friday beer all curled up on the floor and it was amazing. Nice to hear you had a similar experience.

Hope everyone is having a good week x

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind me posting. I've been on sertraline since January and am currently on 100mg and it seems to be going quite well provided I don't miss any doses. One thing I have noticed lately is that if I take it later in the day than usual (usually have it in the morning) then my mood starts to dip and I start feeling a bit anxious. It's a bit like when I've forgotten a dose completely but not quite.

Is this a thing? Does not taking it at roughly the same time each day affect anyone else or is it more likely that it's my brain playing tricks on me?

Hi all, sorry for dropping off the radar.

Doc has upped me to 100mg after 3 weeks on 50mg. Although I'm feeling a lot better, he said I had to....! Clinical guidance etc.

He asked about sleep disturbance, and advised that the pills are slightly "enlivening" which could be why I'm waking up so often in the night. So I've started taking them in the morning as of today.

No word from the MH team, so no counselling yet. Have also substituted swimming for a massage. Had a great one last week, so I'm treating myself to another on Friday.

I feel less like I'm falling down a black hole, and more like I have a foot on the bottom of the pit now. Once I've found my feet, I can push back up the way. I hope.

Lots of love to everyone.

Vivienne you sound like your much more in control than you have been. It's such a relief when you feel you can work through it rather than every minute being a battle!

Diddy I'm trying to focus on the good things and warm and cosy is something I'm really seeking.

I've seen my gp and I'm staying on 50 for now. I'm still get anxious but it's much more of a natural anxiety than a overwhelming fear and dread. Lots of changes going on for us as a family and all will naturally cause anxiety but we need to push through it. New jobs, change in routines and potential redundancy are always going to be stressful.

I'm going through PMT days and so far I'm not a quivering aggressive mess which is bliss. I'm even sleeping 6+ hours a night 😱. I've not regularly slept like this in years. Night sweats aren't pleasant but I was getting those before due to panic.

BeerBaby I feel like a weight is off my shoulders. There's still a lot weighing me down, but something has lifted. I can't tell you how much that fortnight of selfish, sleeping, pleasing only myself, lazy, non-decision making, indolent behaviour did me the world of good!! My DH was amazing and let me get away with it. Now I'm beginning to feel like myself a wee bit more. I'm trying to reduce the mental load as well as getting the anxiety under control.

I'm glad you're getting some good sleep - there's nothing quite like it for your health! Natural nervousness is normal, and to be honest it's good you feel a little of the normal, because it means you're not a zombie on the meds. When I had my last episode I was on citalopram, and a total zombie for months - no laughter, no butterflies in my stomach, no nothing. I became joyless.

I've been on citalopram a couple of times. I found I just didn't feel. I had no pain but no joy either and I hated it.

This is only my second time on Sertraline and so far I prefer it for the reasons you say. I feel normal. I've still got emotional. I can still cry.

Can't help delete sorry. Maybe someone else can.

Would be interested to know how you find the increase vivienne. Whether you experience any side effects. Doctor wants me to increase but I'm going to hold off until after Xmas. Pleased to hear you are seeing improvements and feeling somewhat better.

Had a rubbish day. Looking forwards to the new one tomorrow.

Morning everyone. So I'm day 23ish and my anxiety has increased again over the last day. Nightmares last night. It's my period week so this is usual but it feels very strong. I'm wondering if this could still be side effects or if I should consider increasing to 100mg or is this usual as it's still early days/hormones etc.

I'm so tired! It's been such a long run few months.

Hi Beerbaby

I've been a bit jittery over the last few days even on my 100mg - but generally I feel a lot better on that amount.
Think it's just Xmas etc for me - it has been really nice not feeling like this for a while though - unspecified general anxiety, ugh.

Beer I'd say 70% of the time I feel better than I did and that 50mg is the right dose for me, but the rest of the time I feel terrible, which makes me wonder whether 100mg would be better.

I had a panic attack at a nativity show on Tuesday, then assessment for CBT on Wednesday which brought up things in my past I would rather not remember but need to address at some point. But have slowly felt a bit stronger again as the week has past. I'm still unable to do certain things without high levels of anxiety. Think dh is starting to appreciate how ill I had become.

Hope everyone is having a relaxed weekend and if it's a bit mad don't forget to take some time out for yourself.

Thanks marshmallow and diddy. I've had a better day today. Still getting spikes but able to distract myself. I know it's my hormones increasing my anxiety. I'm hoping I don't get the after Christmas dip. Thankfully dh and I are off work till after new year. Were shattered and really need to reconnect with each other and strengthen our relationship this holidays. Hope we'll be able to work together well over a busy Christmas. We've got young DC and lots of family coming but we need lots of fun to play and time together.

Feeling a bit hopeless today. Trying to remind myself that low days are normal for everyone and it's been Xmas and I'm possibly a bit hormonal. Away from home with family at the moment which is always a bit stressful.

Hope you are all getting on ok and enjoying Christmas x

Happy Christmas everyone. Mrs diddy it's a hard time of year and being away from home can feel unsettling. Also hormones can be awful 🙄. It's normal and healthy to have good and bad days. Try to think good thoughts and take it easy.

I'm shattered. Christmas was good while exhausting. Dc had fun. Had a very busy time. My nerves are feeling a bit unsteady but I think I might have a virus. Even getting dressed is a huge effort. Feeling weak, shivers, dizzy, sore body, sore stomach and very heavy head/sore neck. Could sleep but doubt I'll get opportunity. My mood and anxiety can be more sensitive if unwell. I change jobs in a few days. I'm feeling apprehensive. I understand this is normal. I find it unnerving after experiencing very high anxiety.

I'm on 200mg.

Is anyone else on the same dose as me?

I've been on this dose for 12 months or so now and it is definitely the right dose for me.
I do get terrible sweats day and night and I constantly have a dry mouth.
No more sickness or headaches.
The only thing I don't like is that when my period is due I feel awful.Tearful.Insomnia.Snappy and Anxious.Then when my period comes i feel ok again.
I never had period mood swings and symptoms like this prior to starting on sertraline.

Hi all, how's everyone feeling today?

I've been on 25mg for two weeks and virtually side-effect free, today upped to 50mg, as instructed by the doc. Feeling a bit rushy, jittery and more anxious and depressed again, feels a bit like back to square one after a couple of weeks of slight lifting of my mood. I'm aware I.had a super-easy ride until now though so going to tough it out. I'm a big lass too (15st) so I did wonder whether I'd need a higher dose to get a significant effect?! But as it's the brain that's affected maybe that's not how it works..!

It's my first time, having struggled with depression for a long time and then worsening PPD and anxiety since having kids, I finally admitted to myself I need more help. Diet and exercise were literally not touching the sides of what I was feeling.

Thanks to all of you for sharing and creating this thread, it's so comforting to be in touch with others going through similar issues. Xx

Not on 200mg adidas. Sorry your pre period symptoms are so tough. I've found the sertraline hasn't affected mine. I'm still a nightmare and dread that time of the month every month.

beer. Sorry to hear you are feeling unwell. Hope you have managed to get some rest. I know how impossible that can be with young children. Good luck when you start the new job. Is that on Tuesday? I keep checking my emotions with dh for reassurance... Like questioning it is normal to feel anxious/nervous about certain stuff.

Looking forward to being able to head back home soon and be surrounded by our own stuff.

And Mrs Diddly, I'm away (stuck) with DH's family at the moment... they're lovely and everything, but arrrgh! So can relate. Xx

Happy new year. Hoping we all have a calm, peaceful, happy year x

So glad I found this thread. Just posted a question as I'm in the first two weeks and really struggling. Am going to go back and read the thread.

Happy new year everyone.

beerbaby how was your first day?

Hi goawaybabyblues Hopefully your read through will help reassure you. I think my anxiety hit its highest around the 3 week mark but has improved since then. It can take up to 6 weeks to feel the full effect of sertraline. 50mg is the lowest therapeutic dose so it might be that you would benefit from a higher dose. I'd see how you feel in a couple of weeks, but if you are struggling or not sure maybe speak to your GP.

Have you made it home yet sofsmum? I am back surrounded by my own stuff. Nothing beats your own bed! I started on 25mg and have been on 50mg for about 7 weeks. I think I could do with a higher dose, but I want to try CBT and making some other changes before increasing.

Hope everyone else is ok. x

Hi everyone haven't posted for a while but I'm nearly 2 months in and sertraline has changed my life I have 2 children going through asd diagnoses and after years of depression in relation to this I started sertraline and I'm now feeling like I can except and move on with my life. Sertraline has help lifted my mood and helped me be more stronger to deal with this situation. I don't feel as negative anymore and that's a great feeling!! I hit rock bottom and now I'm enjoying life and facing everything head on, making them decisions I couldn't before. I hope it helps you all the way it's helped me!

I wish everyone who has started or is on it good luck with there journey. Happy new year to you all. Let's make it our year (as cheesy as it sounds!!! Lol) xx