Run out of my meds just in time for Christmas

[Cheburashka86]

Help! Really not sure what to do about this. I take 150mg of sertraline daily for anxiety mainly, and last took it two nights ago as I couldn’t find them yesterday. It’s now dawning on me that I don’t actually have another box to get through as I thought and so I will now be off them over the Christmas period. The doctor’s surgery will open again on 27th so I will make an appointment and get some more then.

I’ve been doing really well recently and no particular worries about Christmas but I’m panicking a bit about being off them for five days so suddenly.

Any advice on how to deal with any withdrawal or resurgence of anxiety? Do you think a gap of this length is likely to be a bit of a disaster?

My plan is to stay off alcohol, get plenty of sleep, and go for walks to keep on an even keel. I’m worried it might not be enough though and I don’t want to have a miserable Christmas or cause any problems!

If you call 111 they might be able to help you.

If your usual local pharmacy is open today they may be able to supply a short emergency supply.

For me that would be a disaster. 150mg is a fairly high dose and it's not really a great idea to go cold turkey.

I would speak to local pharmacies and see if any are willing to give you some to cover you until you can get to the GP. I've had to do this before and they were very understanding.

Failing that call 111 or go to a walk in centre. Or see if you can see a gp privately?

Call the pharmacy you got them from, explain the situation and they should be able to issue you an emergency supply until you get to the drs.

Why don’t you call NHS24 and organise an emergency script. Supermarket pharmacy’s are still open today & tomorrow if you don’t have a duty one near you. Shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

A out of hours doctor at 111 would be able to do you a script which you could take to a pharmacy there is always one in the area open. Do not go without your medication as you could experience withdrawal effects

If your pharmacy is not open, you may be able to take the box with the label on it in to another pharmacy and get an emergency supply.

Go to the walk in Centre and get some. I had to do that with lithium before and they were fine

Wothdrawal from that much sertraline can/will be pretty rough, if you can see if you can get enough to tide you over until you can see GP.

Do you know anyone on sertraline you could borrow a few tablet from?

My GP surgery won't issue urgently unless going without your medication is life threatening, so you might not be able to get emergency though. I don't think sertraline would be considered so. I think lithium would be considered differently, as it's for a different condition.

You might also find that walk in centres won't do repeats, the ones round where I live specify they won't do them.

Thank you all so much for replying so quickly! I rang 111 which said if it’s regarding a repeat prescription call your pharmacy, so I did that and there was some confusion where they thought I was on 50mg and I think may have got the impression I was lying about it so that made me panic a bit.

Thankfully they were able to bring up my full records and they’re giving me enough to tide me over. You’re absolutely right that going cold turkey from 150mg would not have been fun. So glad I called before they closed.

Phew!

Phew indeed! Really glad you don't have to brave the withdrawal!

Brilliant. So glad you got hold of some.

Good to hear your update