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.

Feeling rough this morning, hangover like.

Good you’re feeling a bit more yourself! Nearly into my fifth week and feeling nearly normal- not 100% but so much better.

I’m optimistic in the next week or two you will see more improvement.

Hang in there!!

I took one dose 4 hours late last week and even that gave me the hung over feeling, so not surprised that missing a dose made you feel like that Expanded. I was better the following day.

I’ve been gradually feeling better moodwise but my anxiety is still bad at times - any time I have to go out or meet people. I’m usually ok after a while but the anticipatory anxiety is verging on panic. Much more physical than it was before I started sertraline. Am just into my fifth week as well - really hoping it’s going to get better than this.

I'm a couple of months in now. The depression/low mood etc has lifted almost entirely.

But - I was also still having the physical anxiety thing as bad as ever. Had a bit of a stand off with the gp who says that Sertraline treats the anxiety as well as the depression. I kept saying - it's not working on me! I feel that I've been dealing with acute anxiety for so long - decades - that it's not going to shift easily.

So this week I have now been prescribed Beta Blockers for the anxiety to use ad-hoc when it gets too bad.

I'm only a couple of days in but hopeful that this may finally be the combination and solution to get me back on my feet.

Will report back!

Will be interested to hear how you get on. I’m already on beta blockers for an irregular heartbeat, sadly, and I don’t think the GP will up the dose. It sounds as if we’re having a similar experience with Sertraline.

I'm also finding the anxiety worse now than before the medication. More physical symptoms and more frequent. I worry about bumping into people and having to talk. It puts me off going out.

Hi hope you don’t mind me joining. I started them yesterday for anxiety, I took my second lot today. Im not quite sure how I feel at the moment or whether its linked to the drug. I feel a bit down this morning and a bit nauseous and head achy.

I felt like that for the first few days but then those symptoms subsided. Hopefully it’ll be the same for you.

Im hoping so. I feel really down today and nausea still here, hungry but dont want to eat anything. Feel likeI I have a major hangover, work tomorrow is making me feel sad 😞

It does get better. I have to admit I didn’t go into work for the first fortnight though.

I can't imagine how I would of worked during the first 4 weeks of taking this medication. So grateful for an understanding GP.

How are you feeling now op? My mum is having a similar experience to you. She has upped the dose to 100mg today. She was feeling better after taking 50mg for 6 weeks, but then they seemed to stop working. I’m hoping the new dose helps. She was very depressed today, and keeps having panic attacks. It’s very worrying. Hope you are doing ok.

I'm feeling ok thanks, I had a flush of feelings today, it's hard to explain but for a few seconds I felt like myself, I'd forgotten how I felt before. I'm glad I've been reminded. It's a bit strange. I was in a car park and an old song came on, I think it triggered old feelings. I know this all sounds a bit bonkers. It's given me hope anyway.

No, it’s not bonkers. It would make sense that music could trigger memories and feelings. It’s a positive experience, and that’s good. my mum says she feels like she’s going in and out, and it feels weird. I think the dose she was on was too low. It’s such a horrible thing to cope with, and to watch someone go through. I hope life gets better for you really soon.

How's everyone doing?

I've been feeling better, more relaxed but still having some anxiety symptoms. Side effects have lessened, I actually miss the evening exhaustion because it made me sleep better. The last week has been restless. Not dealt with my work/stress situation yet as I don't quite feel strong enough for that just yet. Home life has been steady but I'm worried how to handle the next fallout with DH. I can tell it's brewing and I'm seriously worried it will knock me back. I just can't handle that stuff right now. I'm coming across as lazy but honestly it's a struggle to do what I can.

I was put on this and was sick on it along with dizziness. I returned to my doctors and told them. They then put me on Citalopram. No vomiting but dizziness. Stopped that too. now on nothing.

And Sybil - now that you're on 'nothing' how are you coping?
Vast majority of these drugs need six weeks to really take effect and for the side effects to settle down.
I've been on 50mg Sertraline for seven months and my only regret is not taking it twenty years ago.
I had about three weeks of really pants side effects... after that?
Brilliant!
I feel joy.
The intrusive thoughts have lessened.
Anxiety is in check.
Recommend. ✅

I’m going back to the GP today as my morning anxiety is still awful and I’ve just started week 7. It has helped in other ways but I can’t cope with this terrible pit of the stomach ‘can’t cope’ feeling as soon as I wake up. It’s something I’ve always suffered from, on and off, but the sertraline seems to have intensified it.

@BarcelonaFreddie thanks for asking. Thinking about returning to meds. But just thinking about it as can't cope with dizziness. However, feel my depression is 'creeping' back. Can't deal with anxiety of docs right now as attention has to be elsewhere.

Hi expanded, I find that a few drops of lavender oil and geranium oil on my pillow helps with sleep and it leaves me feeling a little less headachy. A lot of antidepressants seem to have headaches as a side effect but it could be linked to the quality of your sleep too. I found sertraline didn't help me sleep any better with regards quality of sleep. It did help to lift my mood and quieten my busy mind to the point that it let me drop off a bit quicker at night though. I added in the oils and some valerian to help keep me asleep. I'm about to restart sertraline after about six months off it, mainly due to the busy mind thing as it's really starting to affect my concentration and motivation. Hope your headache lifts soon.

Sorry - just noticed after I posted this that things have moved on and improved a little for you Expanded which is good! Haven't been on mumsnet for years and still getting used to how the posts organise themselves. Durr!

I understand what people mean by it quieting their mind. Things still race around in my head but not all day and night.

I feel I'm taking baby steps in the right direction.

Last night I was anxious and my neck tight from the tension so I took 4mg of diazepam. I normally take 2mg but the box says take 1-2 a day 3 times a day if needed. I've hardly used them. Well I woke around 4am needing the loo and could hardly move, it was extremely difficult to finally get up at 8am, i felt so out of it. I knew I couldn't drive so walked my child to school. When I got home I tried to sleep it off, had a headache and a very dry mouth. Felt better by 4pm. I'm never taking 4mg again!

Been on 2mg diazepam. Twice. They worked for me in calming my anxiety. However, doc don't want to script them long term although have told him they work. Fed up of having to fight to get myself help when I need it. Then when ask for it they don't bloody give it.

Timely posts! My GP gave me 2mg yesterday when I told him about my overwhelming morning anxiety. He seemed to think they wouldn’t affect my driving but everything I’ve read says you need to test this out first as they affect different people in different ways. I can’t risk taking one and then nor being safe to drive my son to school. Thankfully I don’t feel too bad this morning. Maybe just having them in the house is working!

Just wondering how everyone is getting on?

Personally I'm feeling much better, could be the medication or the fact I've been signed off from work for the past 2.5 months. Side effects from the medication are still there, I think this is what I have to deal with now:-
• Acid reflux-gaviscon helps
• tired 1hr after taking so take after tea
• sometimes tablet sticks in my throat and burns for hours
• dry mouth (could be what causes above)
• loss of Libido and dryness
• night sweats head to toe

But mood wise I'm so much better. Anxiety is not controlling me, I can just about cope with it. I'm worried in case something happens and I can't cope and I get worse. Hopefully this won't happen. Still waiting for my therapy appointment, I'm a bit worried about starting that in case it triggers things also I don't know where to start, I'm trying not to think about it until it happens.

So how is everyone else doing?