Sertraline - experiences

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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.

I’ve been prescribed this, 25mg daily to take in morning but I am too scared to take them
because the side effects sound so dire. I have bipolar, been stuck in deep depression for about 8 months, have to take epilim and olanzapine at night. Am so fed up with side effects (weight gain, itchy skin, bleeding gums) just feel unable to face any more. My psychiatrist is very dismissive about the side effects I experience and says hardly anyone gets any from sertraline but that’s just not true.

Day 15 - the worst day ever, woke feeling sick which has lasted all day, huge headache, couldn't think straight at all. Been assessed today for therapy.

Sorry to hear this Expanded. Just a thought - are you taking the sertraline at exactly the same each day? The day before yesterday I took mine 4 hours late and spent yesterday feeling as you describe - sick, headache, exhausted etc. Quick internet search revealed that even delaying a dose can bring on symptoms similar to withdrawal. Just a thought.

Didn’t need to type ‘just a thought’ twice 😳

I tend to take it whilst cooking dinner so somewhere between 6-7.

Yes that’s my aim too - but the couple of times I’ve forgotten and taken it later I’ve definitely felt the return of side effects. Hope you’re feeling better now.

My 16 yr old Ds Is due to start these tomorrow .... will give it him at night

Hated them. I managed to get to 60mg and reduced after a week. I even contemplated throwing myself off a bridge (yes, seriously, absolutely) because I spent 4 days crying. Best thing I ever did was stop taking them.

Sweating so much these last few days, maybe a new side effect.

Waiting for the GP to call to see how I'm getting on. I hope I can get it across clearly that I'm struggling. It's so hard to get out of bed in the morning, I can barely cope with the day to day stuff at the moment.

Hi expanded, I’ve been on Sertraline for 4 weeks as of tomorrow. Developed terrible anxiety after a weird panic attack that came out of nowhere.

First two weeks were awful, felt sick, really irrational thoughts, my anxiety peaked and I felt suicidal. Suicidal feeling only lasted about two days.

The last two weeks have been soo much better. I can actually have a conversation/ laugh/ go out on my own/ go to the gym. I still feel a bit wobbly every now and again but I think that’s because I was having panic attacks every day before the tablets and my body is adjusting to not having them as much. Anxiety creeps in a bit but not as bad as it was.
Only negative at the minute is I am soo tired come midday, I feel dizzy, a bit drunk sometimes but it passes and I’m praying it will soon fizzle out.

Keep going with them, it’s still early days!! They take a while and there is still hope x

I'm almost 3 weeks in now, maybe my dosage needs raising. I've not been thinking straight, have made some silly mistakes recently because I'm not focused.

My attention span is at zero too, I zone out and go into zombie mode most afternoons, feel like I’m going thick, but it’s better than the feeling that I was going crazy that I had from the anxiety!
It works differently for everyone so stay positive- it can still turn around!

Have you been to therapy? I’ve been going to counselling for a couple of months and it really helped, CBT is supposed to be amazing also. If you can afford it it could be worth looking for private sessions as you can find some that aren’t too expensive and you can do it fortnightly if you can’t afford weekly.

But definitely get a doc appnt if it will reassure your mind. My sister in law is a doctor and I had a terrible day on Monday and asked her if I should up my dose and she said it’s still early days so give it more time and that was week 3 for me also x

I’m nearly two weeks in, I posted upthread on my old username. I have to say I am very surprised at how well I have responded to it. I took citalopram for a while years back and it did not agree with me at all. All my side effects have worn off and I feel just like a normal person now. I hope things improve for you op.

I spoke to my GP today and he said it’s very common for anxiety to spike in weeks 2 and 3. Which has reassured me a bit. He wants me to do another month on 50mg and then review to see if I need to increase.

I'm so tense at the moment. GP has upped my dose to 100mg. Taken a diazepam tonight to try to relax things a little. The Dr was very understanding and I'm relieved that I've been signed off for another month.

I've been taking them for three weeks. Wasnt sure it was good for my stomach at first. I also felt like I was on low level ecstasy for the first week. I had a day when I was literally the most enthusiastic I have ever been. It levelled off after that. The only thing is I have to be mindful of is not tensing my jaw. Also I don't feel tired at night. It is helping and I look on it as giving me a breather to sort things out and make changes.

Do you put on weight on them ?

Hi expanded Im pleased for you the side effects are wearing off now. However If you feel you need more time to adjust then there is nothing wrong in asking the doctor to sign you off for another couple of weeks. It will take time to get fully better but as far as work is concerned I would explain to your doctor how you are feeling about returning to work and that you don't feel ready yet to do so.

Good luck keep taking the tablets and let me know how you get on.

Have you started taking the 100mg now? How are you feeling today?

Can't seem to shift this headache, day 4 of this now. Had to take diazepam last night to calm the anxiety and get some sleep. Woke feeling nauseous. Now taking 75mg for 4 days before taking 100mg. Very tired today.

Hey expanded, that’s rubbish :( I’ve had a headache since Christmas if that gives you any reassurance lol. It was unbearable pressure/ burning at one point but it’s just a headache now which is good.
Have you tried meditation? The headspace or calm apps are good. They teach you to do body scans so you don’t focus on the feelings in your head.
Do you get other physical symptoms? I take propanolol as well as I developed a tremor/ headache/ adrenaline feeling and it really helped (its a beta blocker). You could talk to your go about that or just take paracetamol and drink lots of water.
Has your mood lifted at all? It’s hard work but try cbt techniques if you’re having negative thoughts, it does work after a while to continuously think positively.
I know exactly how you are feeling, but it will get better, just keep going back to your gp if you really see no change in a week or so x

Headache day 5.

How are you feeling now Expanded?

Tired and headachy but better in myself. I accidentally missed a dose yesterday and wondered if that would be an issue. Upset tummy after this evenings dose so maybe that was the reason.

How is everyone else getting on ?

Glad to hear you're feeling wee bit better. Stick with it.