Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

Positive experiences of sertraline?

150 replies

Laurap25 · 12/01/2019 12:15

Ive been suffering from depression & anxiety for most of my life, it's been particularly bad these past 5 years, I've been so reluctant to go on antidepressants I've been trying everything, like herbal remedies, hormone balancing vitamins, nothing is working. My doctor prescribed me sertraline 50mg a few months ago, I tried them for around a week but the side effects were terrible, I couldn't stick them. I'm at a point now where i need to do something, I can't live my life like this anymore, I've started the sertraline agian but I've cut the tablet in half to make it 25mg, hoping that the side effects won't be as bad. I'm on it 2 days now and I feel awful, my anxiety is through the roof. How long will this last? I'm reading reviews on line and they are quite mixed so i was looking for some people's positive experiences to give me hope! I'm determined to stick it out this time because I need something to change

OP posts:

Skyejuly · 25/01/2019 18:58

I take 200mg daily for ptsd. I take it at night. No side affects now unless I miss a day and then I feel sick

FamilyReferee · 25/01/2019 19:05

While Sertraline is great for many people, it won't work for all.

I was put on it a year ago, and I persevered for six weeks - and it was terrible. I have IBS, and it kicked it into overdrive - I was up every night with it, and during the day. It didn't get any better after six weeks. Some stomach problems are common side effects of the drug, but not the this extent, for this long.

I went back to the gp, and got put on Citalopram, and have had no side effects with that. Thankfully! It took six months before my IBS settled down from the Sertraline.

Original poster

Laurap25 · 26/01/2019 11:25

Just thought I'd let you all know, I feel great today! That tired feeling isn't there. Mood is better. Haven't felt this good in years. I feel motivated, ready to get things done. I really hope this continues

OP posts:

JingleJangleBell · 27/01/2019 00:04

I'm due to start mine tomorrow after trying citrilopram. I'm not at work for next two weeks so hope the side effects have worn off by then.
So glad your feeling better and hope it works for me

Original poster

Laurap25 · 27/01/2019 01:08

Jinglejanglebell
Good luck let me know how u get on x

OP posts:

JingleJangleBell · 27/01/2019 09:20

Thank you just taken my first one...

HaveAWeeNap · 27/01/2019 20:42

I've been on 50mg since August. First couple of weeks the side effects were horrendous. After that, life changing! I wouldn't be without them. I'm 'ME' again for the first time in over twenty years.
My only regret is not taking them sooner.

Stick with them.

JingleJangleBell · 27/01/2019 22:38

So good to hear that they work so well for some people. No side effects yet but it might be too early as I only took my first tablet of 50mg this morning

Sienna04 · 28/01/2019 19:41

Does any body know if you can take cold and flu tablets whilst on sertraline?

Luckingfovely · 28/01/2019 19:54

I'm on week 7 of Sertraline, and was posting the same concerns about 6 weeks ago.

Major anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depression. I reckon it had been 20 years since I was first offered ADs and I've refused for all of that time.

I had about 3 weeks of feeling worse and not sure I'd be able to cope with it. But I stuck with it. After 3 weeks I started to feel a bit better - clearer, more hopeful, more able to to cope with things, more like me again.

After 4 weeks went up to 75m (doc advised me cut a tablet in half every day so I guess it's okay).

Still seeing improvement. A few people have said I seem more like me again, so it's different enough to show to other people.

I'm still not sure that it's 100% settled. Or that I'm on a high enough dose.

But I have hope for the future and for happiness in a way that I haven't for a very long time.

I know the first couple of weeks are awful, but in my experience (and lots of threads on the subject on here) it does work for most people if you can just stick with it.

I truly didn't believe anything could help me... but I think Sertraline has. Good luck to everyone starting out on it.

HaveAWeeNap · 28/01/2019 19:56

You would have had something by now in way of side effects. Hope you're one of lucky ones who doesn't experience much of them.

Don't know about mixing with other things but can't see would be too much of an issue if just over counter cold remedies.

choccybiscuit · 28/01/2019 20:26

That's really great news!

Original poster

Laurap25 · 29/01/2019 17:23

I'm on day 15 now, after feeling great at the weekend I seem to be back to square one yesterday & today again. Feeling really low mood wise and that tired feeling again, no energy and generally feeling fatigued. I've started back at my work and I'm sorry now that I did. I have a mountain of orders and I don't know how I'm gonna cope with that. I wish this feeling would go away and o could just be normal

OP posts:

Original poster

Laurap25 · 29/01/2019 20:09

Guys I'm seriously considering stopping with these tablets, I've realised I don't feel sad, but I don't feel happy either. I just feel numb since I started these.i really don't know what to do. I'm on them over 3 weeks now including when I was taking 25mg. I feel like life is passing me by. Before I went on sertraline I was depressed but at least I felt something and I could get on with my life. Help. What should I do. I just feel like I'm never gonna feel better with this medication

OP posts:

Luckingfovely · 29/01/2019 20:16

It took me three full weeks on 50mg before I saw any improvement. But it was worth it.

I've been on loads of threads on Sertraline on here. And for the majority of people it does seem to help if you stick with it.

Only you can decide if you can cope for another week or so, but I think 25mg was probably too low and so you are not seeing the benefits yet.

Did you go back to the doctors?

Original poster

Laurap25 · 29/01/2019 20:23

No I'm due to go back next week. I don't want to start a new AD, if this one doesn't work that's it for me I'm not starting over again with a new one. But yeah I think you're right. I'm not giving it a chance. Maybe I should stick it out for another while. My heads all over the place I really don't know what to do for the best. The strange thing about it is I was on sertraline 8 years ago after I had my son for post natal depression and they worked fine for me then with hardly any side effects so I don't know why they are affecting me like this this time

OP posts:

Sienna04 · 29/01/2019 20:58

Laurap25 I was thinking exactly this earlier. I've had a not so good day but to be no eat I haven't had a 'great day' since taking them. I've forgotten what that feels like. I feel like they are just not going to work for me but then when I think about all the comments I've read so many people say you have to stick it out so that's what I'm trying to do. Mine 3 weeks tomorrow on 50mg. Let's stick it out :)

Furrycushion · 29/01/2019 21:11

My DD felt relief within a couple of days. She had hot flushes & insomnia to start with but they have literally turned her life around. She had a huge energy surge initially & was a bit disappointed that that didn't carry on! Both her anxiety & depression have been helped. Stick with it.

mediawhore · 29/01/2019 21:16

My husband (now on day 17) has had a couple of good days. 2 morning where he can function/feels less crap as he was.

However Saturday morning was awful. He was just broken and it broke my heart. He was sobbing and hating himself. He did pick up later that afternoon and it seems to have been bit better since then.

I know it's still a long way to go, but there's definitely been more 'him' over the past couple of days. He's back at the doctor tomorrow but hoping we're through the worst of the side effects.

Laura - stick with it and good luck.

Original poster

Laurap25 · 29/01/2019 21:21

Sienna
I sometimes take b12 supplements when I need energy. I had 1 left in the packet and I took it on Saturday. That was the day I felt great, i felt good sunday too, maybe it was still in my system. Im thinking maybe that's why I had 2 good days at the weekend. I'm actually going to buy another packet of them tomorrow and see if it makes a difference. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me this thread has really helped. As good as my family and friends are they don't really understand because they aren't going through it

OP posts:

Sienna04 · 29/01/2019 21:50

Laurap25 can I ask what they are? I may get some? My iron levels are always low and I take tablets for it but maybe I could try some b12 ones too?!? The tiredness and no energy is a killer, especially with small children.i definitely have more energy in the evening once they have gone to bed lol

Sienna04 · 29/01/2019 21:52

And yes laurap25 this thread has been a massive help. When ever I've had a bad few hours or day I just read some of the positive comments and it really helps. But like you said friends and family can only be as supportive as they can because what I find is I look no different so no one really understands how much I am struggling:( and to be able to talk on here I know other people do feel the same x

Verytired2019 · 29/01/2019 22:24

Hi Laura, I'm 2.5 weeks on 50mg and have had a rubbish day today and very anxious yesterday. After a good weekend and good days recently I also feel very disappointed so know how you feel.
I don't even know why I feel anxious this evening. I'm going to try and get to six weeks and see where I am. I'm on my period at the moment which I think might have coincided with this weeks low mood as I struggle with my hormones fluctuating.
Keep talking on here. Think of the good days we've had, we don't know that tomorrow might be the next good one.

Verytired2019 · 29/01/2019 22:25

You too Sienna, and everyone else that's added comments here. It really helps me to keep checking back in.

Original poster

Laurap25 · 29/01/2019 22:34

Sienna
They are called kira hormone balancing supplements, from boots chemist. they are basically b vitamins. I always found them helpful around the time of my period and if I need energy.
Very tired
I'm the same I don't know why I'm feeling like this, I have so much to be happy about if only I could get my mood to lift. I'm going to try my best tomorrow to fight through the tiredness and just get on with things

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6