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Original poster

First day of sertraline - can anyone offer advice?

40 replies

bleedingheart123 · 13/11/2018 08:52

Hi -
Just looking for a bit of anecdotal support really, I have pretty bad anxiety and it’s been taking over my life. I’ve tried to take anti depressants before but completely span out reading the side effects leaflet (I have HA). I made the decision to take them again and am trying today. Just about to try and actually do it! Can anyone offer advice on how it was for them? Thank you!

OP posts:
purple8pig · 13/11/2018 09:06

I have very bad health anxiety and like you, got sertraline once before but read the leaflet and freaked out!
I honestly didn't even think I was that bad anxiety /depressed wise but I decided to try it again (took me a long time to decide as I'm breastfeeding and worried about any effects on my son (I know it's deemed safe)
Anyway, I started about 8 months ago on 50mg and didn't feel any different for a while but actually, about 2 months in, I looked back and realised I was definitely less irritable with everyone and everything, but still felt very anxious so I asked for a higher dose. I've been on 100mg for about 6 months and it's definitely helped (when going up to 100 I had very bad headaches and felt a bit 'off' for a few days, but it soon stopped.
I still have health anxiety and it does get bad sometimes but not as bad as it did. I still struggle driving and I think I will probably be asking to increase my dose again at some point. But I was so skeptical but now I really do feel like it's made a difference. Just do it, take that first one, you will be OK.
Sending virtual hugs because I know what a bitch HA is xx

Original poster
bleedingheart123 · 13/11/2018 09:09

Thank you, that’s really kind. Yeah - it sounds ridiculous but nothing anyone can say makes me feel better about the side effects. I’m trying to think how much it will benefit me etc but it’s so hard!

OP posts:
Pissedoffdotcom · 13/11/2018 09:10

I've just restarted sertraline 50mg. It hit me hard this time, i felt a bit spinny & exhausted for the first few days. Now i'm 3 weeks in & i can feel the difference. I feel so much better, my emotions aren't all over the place & i'm not so stressed out. This time i don't need a dosage increase (atm) but previously i've been on the max to help steady me.

Honestly, take it. I don't think anyone can fully appreciate just how badly the anxiety affects them until they level out & look back. Once you get that dosage right it will feel so much easier. Sending lots of support x

purple8pig · 13/11/2018 11:12

No it doesn't sound silly, I know that feeling! No one will make you feel better. But if you are anything like me, the longer you're taking it, the less anxious you will be about any potential side effects.
Sertraline is one of the safest ones you can take, only you can do it, but as someone who has gone /is going through the same, it really is worth it x

louderthan · 13/11/2018 11:20

Hi All, can I hijack?

I'm on my first day too. Have had terrible diarrhoea which I know is a fairly common side effect but it started within 3/4 hours of taking the first tablet last night. Has anyone else experienced this?

reenchantmentofeverydaylife · 13/11/2018 11:27

Hi, can I join please? I've started again today after stopping 100mg ten days ago and changing to St Johns Wort because I'd been struggling with side effects from a generic tablet and got quite worried. But I noticed with dismay yesterday that I wasn't getting much (if any) joy from the SJW and this morning I took 50mg of Sertraline instead. I'm using the remains of a box of different generic tablets from a previous prescription (Accord). The ones that I couldn't tolerate were Lustral, Aurobindo and Teva. Teva was the worst and that's why I decided to just stop and move onto SJW. I realise that's not advisable but I panicked.

Anyway, the plan is to keep taking the Accord version for a couple of weeks and meantime get a new prescription from the GP and then ask the pharmacy for Accord each time. Well, that's assuming it doesn't give me the same grim side effects the other brands gave me. Has been quite a struggle for me.

Saying that though, when I did feel something positive in the last 3 months of taking Sertraline, it was good. I'm just keeping everything crossed that this generic tablet is easier on my system.

OP, really hope you're getting on OK today. Do whatever you can to really look after yourself over the next few weeks while your body tries to adjust to the medication. I'll let you know how I get on, if that helps.

Flowers
reenchantmentofeverydaylife · 13/11/2018 11:32

Oh sorry louderthan, didn't see your post. Sorry to hear about the diarrhoea. Yep, in my experience the Sertraline impacts your bowel pretty quickly, although I don't get diarrhoea as such, more loose poos. I've read of lots of people getting the runs from it initially though, it's a common side effect in the first week or more apparently. Hope it's not too grim for you and tails off quite quickly.

Original poster
bleedingheart123 · 13/11/2018 11:54

I’m sat here struggling to literally take it. I’m fairly independent living away from my family and I’m also T1D (doc knows obviously) but I’m just terrified haha

OP posts:
RhubarbandGin · 13/11/2018 11:55

Hi, I am in week 7 and they have made such a massive difference to my life. I didn't realise how bad I was until I started taking them. I also take beta blockers which have made a real difference to my panic attacks.

reenchantmentofeverydaylife · 13/11/2018 16:59

bleedingheart123 have you done the deed yet?! It won't be anything you can't cope with. Some people barely notice any side effects, you might be one of them. If not, lean on us for support.

Original poster
bleedingheart123 · 13/11/2018 17:12

About three hours ago, took a half dose. Honestly just getting it down was a massive thing.

OP posts:
purple8pig · 13/11/2018 17:43

Well done. That's a huge achievement in itself! When you are OK with that, for a while, you will hopefully find yourself feeling more able to take it and less terrified of it xx

haverhill · 13/11/2018 19:29

I’m on day 7 ( have a thread on here about Sertraline making me very sleepy). Main side effects have been drowsiness and very slight nausea. Both seem to be lifting slightly now. Good luck! I already feel a bit less anxious.

HelloItsMe · 14/11/2018 00:27

My first day too... Glad to see this thread 😊

RhubarbandGin · 14/11/2018 09:21

How is everyone doing today?

I had a bit of a stressful morning, overcrowded train, very hot and noisy, but I didn't have a panic attack and managed to stay calm. Rewarding myself with cup of tea and croissant.

Rhinofeet · 14/11/2018 09:34

Hello all,

I'm around three weeks in. I too resisted taking them for about a fortnight as the side effects sounded awful.

Eventually I did and I had a headache for a few days, slight upset stomach but not much else. I can honestly say I wish I had taken them sooner. I feel so much better and didn't realise how ill I was (PND/A)

The SE passed by about week two. I haven't had anything this week and continue to feel better and able to cope.

Well done for taking them OP it's not easy to with anxiety and because you become used to living with it, it's hard to see how gradually chips away at you. I hope you feel better soon and wishing you minimal SE

Onlyinanemergency · 14/11/2018 11:28

Sorry to hijack, but was just about to start a thread about Sertaline... My anxiety already gives me terrible stomach problems, would starting Sertraline make this worse?

haverhill · 14/11/2018 12:45

I have had a bit of tummy upset (only slightly and manageable) but I get this with anxiety anyway. The Sertraline will decrease your anxiety (this might take 4-6 weeks though) and so actually help your tummy problems.

Onlyinanemergency · 14/11/2018 13:25

Thanks. I'm still breastfeeding and I know this is the most suitable medication in the circumstances but very wary of side effects. I've had a bad reaction to Prozac before in that it made my anxiety much worse so quite worried about that.

Imakitchensink · 14/11/2018 15:42

I’m also on my first day of sertraline for anxiety. So far feeling a bit ‘different’ and a bit of a headache.
Need to go to an appt later and feeling a bit nervous about driving in the dark there. Hoping I can grab a lift.

Original poster
bleedingheart123 · 15/11/2018 10:52

Hi, I’m on day 2 now (taking tablets at 2pmish) just wanted to say taking mid afternoon has helped me as symptoms don’t kick in for four/ five hours - so I am usually busy with work or my commute or making dinner. So far on half dose, a bit headachey and occasionally spaced out but fine aside from that.

OP posts:
Imakitchensink · 15/11/2018 11:43

I’m on day two also, took my half dose this morning and felt a bit out of it for an hour and a bit tearful. Now feeling just a bit headachey.
I’m currently signed off work so I’ve planned my day to do as little as possible and just rest and see how I go. Hope you’re day goes ok bleedingheart123

Original poster
bleedingheart123 · 15/11/2018 12:03

It might sound silly but I’m coping far better being at work than I did when I was at home? I suppose it depends what your job is. I’m having a few issues at night with sleeping - waking up feeling jittery etc - but apart from that feeling ok!

OP posts:
haverhill · 15/11/2018 12:33

Day 8 and this is the first day I haven't felt completely zombie-fied. God knows how I got through the last week, I was literally falling asleep at my desk.

NuttyMacaroon · 15/11/2018 19:06

It's so strange how it affects people in different ways! I have not felt remotely sleepy, probably the opposite, wide awake and super charged. Just wish it would wear off at night! Day 13 here. Really could do with some sleep zzzzzz