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.

I’m on Day 3. Awful side effects of nausea, fatigue and insomnia coupled with sickly headaches.

I know it gets better so I’m not worried and will persist but just want to say bleeeeeurgh I feel like shit right now.

my kiddies what dose are you on? Great news it's working so well for you!

Handhold ganeshow hang on in there. I take mine last thing at night which seems to help minimise the nausea.

Thanks mrsdiddlydoo. I used to be on fluoxetine a few years ago and switched to taking it of a night because of the side effects.

Hi all, how are we doing today? Feeling slightly better this afternoon but it's also my first afternoon home (yes thanks mrsdiddly! Def nothing like your own bed!!) with no kids so that helps. Had a checkup at docs yesterday and they prescribed diazepam to use if the anxiety got really bad, took a half yesterday and seemed to help the panic a bit but didn't feel like a zombie like I have in the past on xanax... I'm concerned about how addictive it's meant to be but will only allow myself to take as absolute last resort.

Mykiddies great to have that positive feedback. That feeling of being capable of handling things and taking decisions is so important. I have started getting hints of that although it went again with the increased dose, I'm hopeful that's where I'm headed.

Gameshow really hope the nausea eases soon...

Beerbaby how are you doing? Are you in your new job already?

Viv Westwood, Marshmallow, Greybird, how is it going?

I’m currently tapering off...have been on 100mg for approx 5 months after increasing from 50mg. Have been taking one every other day for the last 3 weeks and will go down to 50 every other day until my current supply runs out. It has worked wonders for me and I’m hopeful that I’m now out of this blip and can manage without medication

Not had too many effects of withdrawal so far - some lightheadedness but nothing significant

It gets better! I had terrible nausea. Took the tablets at night then gradually moved them to morning after the first few weeks.

It's great to hear positive stories. I've come off them before and slowly is the best way. I believe it took me months but wasn't as uncomfortable as I'd feared.

I'm about 6 weeks in I think. I'm finding I'm much more level. I had a tough few days last week. I'm very nervous today but it more normal nerves than terrified anxiety.

Start new job next week. Current workplace is quiet this week. Today I leave which is why I feel uncomfortable.

Sertraline is definitely helping me more than not. I'm able to go through these changes in a normal way. I would have been very ill by now had I not started taking them.

I'm on two weeks today.

Has anyone noticed them working gradually? In that they start to make you feel normal but it almost fades later in the day?

For the past two days I've had no side effects (after a few days of awful intense anxiety and gagging) and actually felt the most myself I have since the PND started. So close to being normal it was a huge relief and I've actually enjoyed these days and had hours of feeling normal. But at about 3 (which has been my worst point throughout all of this) I feel a little bit of a mood dip. In comparison to how I was just four days ago this is a million times better, but I know there's still a way to go and I have to constantly work to keep busy and distracted.

I've been getting through it by walking for miles when I feel that feeling coming on and that's meant I've had relatively nice evenings too. As it does pass, which again is new.

But just interested if this sounds familiar to anyone? I know it takes a while to kick in fully so hopefully it'll keep getting better but I have felt down about the fact I have had such good days but still get that dip in mood. I'm counting down the days to not feeling that way at all.

So interested to hear if anyone else found it worked gradually in this way

Day 6 today. The waves of nausea aren’t as intense as they were thank goodness.
I tend to feel rough in the morning/afternoon then around 6pm start to feel better.
Some dizziness/fuzziness and also some racing heart symptoms.
I’ve also had really sore and swollen boobs! (Not pregnant)
Main symptom I have had is insomnia which has been HORRENDOUS. I’m off work this week thank goodness. But last night I managed to get some sleep which was amazing.

Can I join? I took sertraline (50mg) a couple of years ago as a last resort to help with crippling anxiety, it worked well but I got fed up of feeling foggy and put on a lot of weight while taking it and stopped taking it after about 8 months.

The old feelings are returning though and so I'm debating starting again, it would be nice to share the experience with others going through similar.

Welcome lemonade! I'm on sertraline for the 2nf time and hopefully I don't put weight on. Over Christmas isn't the best time to test this out as I've obviously put weight on.

Gameshow sounds like your getting through it well.

Hallo I'm on day 4 of sertaline I'm on 50mg and feeling crap. I know the side effects can make you feel worse in the beginning I feel sick and I'm so tired. At least I'm not crying all the time now I haven't the energy. Finding it hard to get off the sofa feel a bit jittery. I keep telling myself it will get better but not having a good day.

Welcome peacon Hang on in there it will get better. Don't beat yourself up for feeling low. One day at a time and break it down more if you need too. One hour. One minute... It took me about 3 weeks for the side effects to settle.

Hi lemonade too.

gameshow I used a sleep meditation last night to help me relax and go to sleep and it seemed to help me drop off sooner than I usually do. First time trying one. My mind is so busy at bed time at the moment. Figured I had nothing to lose.

Busy week to get through this week. Kids back at school. Car troubles. Back to work as well.

Still thinking of increasing to 100mg but but worried about the side effects and increased anxiousness again. Is it a given than increases in dose always result in side effects?

Big wave to everyone and hope you have a good week x

Day 8 I think? Awful day. So low. Haven’t been able to get out of bed. I’ve so much to do and just can’t face doing any of my to do list. Feel awful as it is DD’s last day of Xmas hols but she seems to be happy enough.

Nausea hasn’t been bad today. Bad sleep last night. Have a day to myself tomorrow then back to work on Wednesday. Dreading it.

I am on week 6 for OCD and pre natal depression. Had my baby 3 weeks ago and am feeling so much better. I didn't get hit with baby blues or post natal depression and after struggling for two years I know it's the meds that have improved my mental health. I am not completely there yet but that horrible black cloud that has been hanging over me for such a long time has finally disappeared.

DamnIt your post brought a smile to my face, that's great that you're noticing the difference so quickly. Congratulations on your baby too!

Hope everyone else is getting on well.

I haven't started taking my tablets again, can't decide whether I'm actually in a place where I need them if that makes sense? I feel pretty pants but part of me thinks that's just me, can't quite decide whether it's time to give them a go again.

Anyone who is on this thread and not taking sertraline for the first time, at what point did you feel you needed to take them again? I have mentioned it to my boyfriend but he just says 'you're not feeling that bad are you?' and I end up doubting myself.

Hi * and everyone! I’v been lurking here for months trying to decide whether to start the sertraline. Box is just sat on the windowsill mocking me!

I took citalopram years ago for obvious depression and it probably saved my life (along with therapy).

This time it doesn’t feel so obvious whether I should start on sertraline or not- have had awful pms since having my dc but I wouldn’t say I’m clinically depressed. Just really really struggling with brain fog/rage/anger/mild depression for probably a third of my cycle. Doc said treatment same as depression so give medication a go.....but I feel almost fraudulent taking them so completely understand the doubting yourself.

I think the indecision probably comes from a place of depression though, not being able to see a way out and feeling powerless to change even though I have an option to try.

I’m thinking I’m going to start taking them now and hopefully catch the spiral before it gets worse.

I guess if you know yourself and your condition maybe there’s a part of you wanting to act before you’re back in ‘that place’? And why wait if you know that’s where it’s headed?

Not to pressure you into medication at all though, only you know if you’ve tried all the alternatives before that.

Doh, = lemonaderemedy*

So I've started my job. Last week was tough! I cried every day when I got home because of nerves and feeling uncomfortable. When I'm at work I feel fine. It's when I'm home I feel bad. PMT is hitting this week along with nerves and being tired. I generally feel so much calmer and in control. I'm sleeping better. Feel able to get myself through the bad days instead of being consumed with anxiety. I still get fear flashes so obviously I've still got things to deal with.

Sorry to hear last week was tough beer. I have been finding it difficult to concentrate at work but I'm Muddling through then falling to pieces when I get home. Hope things settle with the new job and pleased to hear things have settled in general.

I'm supposed to be increasing my dose but putting it off. I shouldn't be so scared of the side effects. You'd think it gets easier knowing what to expect. I just think of everything I need to do and how if I feel sick or anxious it will be more difficult.

Hi all. Hope it's ok to join this thread. Just been to the doctor today and been prescribed sertraline 50mg daily. I've been reading up on it all afternoon and I'm scared of the side effects. My understanding is it will get worse before it gets better? Kind of hoping I'll get very mild side effects...
I took my first tablet about 6pm. I
Hope to post on here for support and advice.

Hello to everyone starting out. Keep strong. Take the tablets. Keep going! We can do this!

However, I'm what - 8 weeks in(?) and I've had horrific diarrhoea for the last 3 weeks. As in up to 12 times a day, urgent and very unpleasant. Blood and stool tests are normal. Nothing else has changed.

Doc has suggested I go back down to 50mg, which is a shame as on 100mg I felt like ME again, IYSWIM.

I do have IBS, but this is something else. Anyone had this?

Cant they give you loperamide to try n stop the frequency of ur episodes rather than reduce the sert

Hey badfurday ur in the right place im on day 2 of increase so may experience some side effects u may get. Hopefully u wont have any do u have them for anx or dep?

Thanks Weenett. I'm on them for depression. Have to say, had the worst nights sleep and got up with my daughter a few times and felt really jittery. Spent most of the day with a headache and feeling sick. Just taken tablet number 2. Just hope I can sleep tonight.
How long do the side effects last for?

Hi,

Is it ok for me to join? I’m on day 7 of sertraline. Long history of anxiety/depression but I had a total crash and burn 9 days ago now.
Yesterday I had a good day and even felt like the tablets might be working early? Today I feel like I’m having two days worth of anxiety in one go. I feel awful.
Very anxious about giving in a sickness note from my GP when really I have no need to be so anxious; work are very supportive.