Please help - sertraline newbie

[Ginandtonic4all]

I'm feeling so bad. I've been on sertraline 50mg for 5 days now and I just feel awful.

Is it the pills making me worse or has my mental health deteriorated?

I am feeling more anxious, more depressed. My clarity of thought has gone. My skin is burning. I feel incredibly nauseous and haven't eaten since Friday.

I am all alone as DD is with her father.

Do I continue with the pills,
Do I stop? Who on a Sunday can I call for support?

GP surgeries in some areas are open on weekends now. Could you check whether you can see someone? Alternatively call 111 for medical advice??

I wish you well, OP. I know antidepressants can take some time to adjust to so you may be advised to persevere but no harm in asking for some help if you’re struggling right now. Could your GP also arrange some counselling/CBT?

Thanks sipping. I hadnot thought of 111 so will give them a call.

It's pretty awful feeling like this and not being able to tell what feeling is caused by the pills or my brain. It's very weird!

DH started on them 2 weeks ago now-and has upped his dosage (GP told him too after 3days). He is also seeing a psychologist for some talking therapy which is proving helpful. He also does a lot of mindfulness. His anxiety is up and down with no trigger that we can work out. His big problem has always been his inability to talk about his feelings so he is finding it hard.
Wishing you all the luck in the world-it's a hard slog.

Sertraline makes you feel worse before you get better. The doctor should have explained that to you. You need to take them for at least 6 weeks before you can make a judgment on if they work or not.

I think the first 2 weeks can be quite hellish. I would say it's definitely the tablets and not you. I would be tempted to continue taking them seeing as you are nearly a week in, but that is easy to say. Can you get some support today. Is there anyone who can.come and sit with you? I really feel for you.

Thanks for the messages. I will keep on with them.

No one who can sit with me as friends - family are on holiday / busy / far away.

Am single and DD is with ex. Think maybe not having someone to hold my hand during this is making it seem worse.

I had the same symptoms when I took it. They subside after about 2 weeks and then it’s bliss. They make you feel worse before it gets better. Keep at it! X

I changed to sertraline recently and I definitely went down hill while I adjusted to being on them. Are there any friends you could call today to help you through it?

Yesterday I just cried all day and today gone rather frozen and catatonic. Is that normal?

Unfortunately there's no real"normal" side effects (ie feeling catatonic) as all of our brains will react differently! But in terms of feeling worse / out of the ordinary then I think yes, it is...

I started a v long time ago but I am sure I remember a feeling of detachment. It's worth keeping going though.

What about trying to write your feelings down to get them out and on paper? I also found going for a walk or even to the shops helped at least for a wee distraction!

Good luck x

They can make you feel far far worse before you feel better.
When I took them I went through ten days of absolute hell. But once that settled my anxiety was turned off completely and they were really effective.

Does anyone know why they make you feel so bad before you get better?

Just started too OP

My dp started a 50mg dose about three weeks ago. The first week he was really ill with nausea and diaorhea. This stopped after about a week where he seemed to pick up a little then these last few days he has spiralled right back down again.

Apparently it is quite common and advice across google is quite consistent in that side effects should ease within two weeks. A lot of peope get a bit of a high around the two week point and then start to feel worse again and the effectiveness should really kick in about 4 -6 weeks. Dp is going back to the docs tomorrow to talk about increasing his dose.

I have seen some people who get bad symptoms suggest taking them before bed so you sleep through the symptoms. If you dont already that could be an idea?

I hope you are ok anxiety is crippling.

I've been on these just over two weeks (had my two week review on Friday) and tbh I felt rubbish for over a week. I had diarreahea (I cannot spell that word to save my life so apologises), nausea, heart rushes, sweating, insomnia etc.

Now I don't have the majority of these, but I feel indifferent. Not happy or sad just functioning.

My dr said if at any point I felt really down to call as they might not be the best tablet for you. She also said if you ride out the first two weeks they get better and full effects will happen between 6-8 weeks xxx

It can be normal for the side effects of many drugs to be worse for the first couple of weeks, whilst your system gets used to them OP. I personally would try to persevere for a bit longer. FWIW I was like a total zombie on a similar antidepressant for two weeks. I couldn't drive or look after my children. But just as I was about to give up, it got better. Take care

I'm on day 5 of Sertraline too, after coming off Citalopram and going rapidly downhill, but wanted to try something different. I'm anxious, spaced out, zero appetite, bloodshot eyes. Nice. On holiday with the family and just trying to keep it together, one hour at a time. It's really shitty but there must be better times ahead. Be encouraged by people's positive outcomes on here. Good luck gin, you've got this xx

OP you feel worse initially as it blocks the reuptake of serotonin so there's actually an initial drop before levels increase again.

Thanks everyone. It's the emotions one minute crying, next minute panicking then like the worlds going to end. Then space and a glimmer of feeling normal.

Can't seem to get any positive thoughts going and scared being on my own.

How I'm going to go to work tomorrow I have no idea.

Oh op! Maybe you'll be better at work as your mind will be occupied. It can't be much longer now. If you lived near me I'd be round with cake

Thanks what's x I like cake as well x

They really do a number on your brain chemistry but once you adjust they will hopefully help. I'm in a lot of support groups and whatnot for depression and a lot of people there say that the worse you feel starting them, the better chance they will work. I had all physical side effects with Sertraline and eventually had to stop them due to urine retention. I don't seem to tolerate SSRIs in general though. Sertraline are probably the most common and well tolerated antidepressant around so fingers crossed you will soon be feeling much better.

Cake is definitely a good plan. Pull a sicky tomorrow, go to the supermarket, buy a cake and order takeaway for dinner. You deserve a day of snuggly duvets and eating disgracefully.

So woke up at 2am and now can't sleep.

Didyou where did you find the support groups? I would love to be a part of something similar.

I was on sertraline for about a year. The first week was pretty awful. I wasn't on it for anxiety but the first week I felt super nervous and like I was on a roller coaster. Then by the time I went back for my 2 week checkup, I told the dr 'it's funny, but I don't think I need antidepressants any more because I feel fine now' and she laughed and said 'that's because they are working'
After the initial hard period I felt normal on them and it was such a relief. I was then able to slowly wean off them and am now fully recovered from depression. All the best, OP. Keep us updated. We're here for you.

Local facebook group, one through Mind and a psychology forum.