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Original poster

Sertraline - experiences

142 replies

expanded · 25/01/2019 22:22

I've just been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. Didn't think I'd ever get to this state but here I am and I've asked for help. GP today gave me Sertraline 50mg, advice was to take half a tablet for a few days to get used to them. I've been warned I could feel worse before feeling better! I'm signed off work but still have things to do, how bad will it get? How good will it get?

Experiences please, Thankyou.

OP posts:
floodypuddle · 25/01/2019 22:24

Fantastic, made me very sleepy at first so try taking it before bed and with plenty of water(trust me you don't want them dry). Effects were actually very quick for me. Instant felt a bit more chilled and then the anxiety slowly dropped off.

AimlesslyPurposeful · 25/01/2019 22:29

They worked for me in about four or five days. I literally hadn’t stopped crying and feeling panicked for about a fortnight.

Dr did say I might feel worse first but I didn’t. She also advised taking it before bed as they can cause headaches for the first couple of weeks.

I now have just months to live (Terminal cancer) and I’m back on them and coping very well emotionally.

Definitely try them for a couple of months or so. If they’re no help then stop and try something else. Good luck!

goose1964 · 25/01/2019 22:31

I'm very happy on them, they silence the critical voices in my head.

HaveAWeeNap · 26/01/2019 00:34

Struggled for first week or two with side effects. Better to take at night, as previous poster said - with lots of water.
I'd just go full tablet and get it over with tbh.
They've changed my life. So much happier and more relaxed.

wombatsears · 26/01/2019 00:41

They are a game changer but you need to stick with them for a good few weeks through the shitty start up side effects

Verytired2019 · 26/01/2019 06:21

Hi expanded, I'm three weeks into taking sertraline and have been posting here which I've found helpful:

Positive experiences of sertraline? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feeling_depressed/3477080-Positive-experiences-of-sertraline

The first 5 days or so we're pretty awful for me with increased anxiety, low mood, unable to eat etc but it got better days after this. As you can see from the comments above mine, not everyone experiences side effects like this.
I took half a tablet for the week and then the 50 but im not sure if it made any difference - can't imagine I would have felt doubly awful!

Original poster
expanded · 26/01/2019 08:13

I'm feeling pretty bad now, not sure I can cope with feeling worse than this!

OP posts:
Original poster
expanded · 26/01/2019 11:25

I have a 3hr drive to do on Monday, will I still be able?

OP posts:
DaftWeeBun · 26/01/2019 11:28

Really changed my life but the first 2 weeks were shit. Please stick with it, when it starts working it is amazing.

Original poster
expanded · 26/01/2019 12:43

Might put off starting it for a few days.

OP posts:
floodypuddle · 26/01/2019 13:38

Please don't put it off. The sooner you start taking it the sooner they can start working. It was the best thing i ever did.

AimlesslyPurposeful · 26/01/2019 17:43

Agree with @floodypuddle - Start them asap.

HaveAWeeNap · 27/01/2019 21:09

What did you decide?

Original poster
expanded · 27/01/2019 21:22

I haven't started them yet. I need to get tomorrow's drive out the way and might start them tomorrow night. Is night a good time to take them?

OP posts:
missxdivine · 27/01/2019 21:23

I was prescribed them and they made me feel so ill I physically couldn't keep taking them :(

Jenda · 27/01/2019 21:33

I felt strange for a couple of weeks, nauseous and somewhere between drunk and hungover but I told myself it wouldn't last longer than 14 days after reading it online and it helped me manage. I felt so much better mentally very quickly and it was absolutely worth it

Original poster
expanded · 27/01/2019 21:54

The stress I'm feeling at the moment is making my stomach upset at the moment, I don't want to feel any worse.

OP posts:
HaveAWeeNap · 27/01/2019 22:14

I take mine at night, with lots of water. Yes, the first couple of weeks ARE bad. For some people, really bad.
But, in the words of the cliche - it's always darkest before dawn.
Honestly, they've changed my life. My only regret is not taking them sooner.

Nousernameforme · 27/01/2019 22:25

They are not for everyone. I was ill advised by the doctor which didn't help. I took one and about 4 hours later was in the grips of a massive anxiety attack fuelled by the horrible over caffeinated feeling it gave me.
I was still feeling the effects 2 days later.and it had horrible knock on effects for me.

So I would take your first one when you have someone with you or that can come to you quite quickly if needed. I would do it when you didn't have anything on that day if possible.
This is based on my experience with it

Original poster
expanded · 28/01/2019 18:01

Just taken my first (half) tablet. They are tiny, hard to believe they will do anything good or bad.

OP posts:
HaveAWeeNap · 28/01/2019 19:53

Fingers crossed for you OP!

Original poster
expanded · 28/01/2019 20:20

Really don't know what to expect to happen. What happened with you? And how soon?

OP posts:
HaveAWeeNap · 29/01/2019 06:20

How's things?

Original poster
expanded · 29/01/2019 07:42

I survived the night! I did go to bed very early because I was exhausted, I think that was because I'd had a busy day and did a lot of driving which is unusual for me. Could go back to sleep now but got to get up for the kids.

OP posts:
floodypuddle · 29/01/2019 09:32

Let us know how you get on DP. I hope they work for you.

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