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Mental health

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Original poster

Sertraline stories

92 replies

Smiles12345 · 04/09/2019 21:09

Hi I have just started taking sertraline for low mood and just wondered if there are any success stories out there? I know the first couple of weeks can be rough, but any encouragement that things will go back to normal will help... I am also booked for counselling thanks

OP posts:

bananajelly · 04/09/2019 21:23

Sertraline is the third lot of anti depressants I tried (citolopram then fluoxetine we're first)
No problems for me, but obviously symptoms differ from person to person x

Babyroobs · 05/09/2019 00:16

I have been on Sertraline since mid July so about six weeks. the first two weeks were bad, I felt more anxious, couldn't sleep, headaches, felt really spaced out etc but now feel a lot better generally. I am also meant to be handing in a form for counselling but have put off doing that. I still have periods of time of feeling really anxious and wake up with a headache each morning but it does generally go after an hour or so.

Original poster

Smiles12345 · 05/09/2019 08:10

Thanks for your replies.... this first week has been bad... dr has signed me off for 2 weeks to see how I get on... hubby says I struggle with taking meds so makes me worse.....hoping it gets better as anxiety is bad and had a full blown panic attack this morning feel spaced out and not wanting to be on my own

OP posts:

TheVeryHungryTortoise · 05/09/2019 08:17

I'm on Sertraline 50mg and it has been life changing for me! I have very few low days and the ones I do just seem like a "normal" amount of feeling down instead of my previous depression. I'm also no longer anxious at all! I haven't had any bad side effects other than increased migraines - although my Psychiatrist is adamant that the medication isn't causing this. My brain fog has lifted and I've lost weight too! Probably because I'm no longer emotional eating all day. 😊

Slinkyreptile · 05/09/2019 08:23

After the birth of DD last year I had PND and was started on a different tablet (can’t remember which one) and it didn’t do anything for me then GP changed me onto Sertraline and it worked a treat! As you have sensibly said, please give it a chance to adapt, it took me about 3 weeks of turmoil before I finally started to feel myself. Also, for me a massive part of it was not just relying on the tablet itself but making a conscious effort to do things that make you feel good aswell

ToddlerTwinsAndUnhinged · 05/09/2019 08:36

I've been on sertraline since 2012. Before then was citalopram and fluoxetine. I hated fluoxetine. Made me out of control.

It took a long time to get my dose right, but it made me feel "level". Once you get the dose right, you should balance out. But take into account other things you might be taking - like the pill - because that shit makes you crazier in the first place.

Original poster

Smiles12345 · 05/09/2019 10:52

Thank you for your stories... I am normally an happy go lucky person who potters so try and push myself everyday....
think I have read a few horror stories which has scared me and how people struggle to come off it... but not going to try and worry about that too much.

OP posts:

mineralmist · 05/09/2019 19:23

I've been on sertraline twice in recent years. The first time it really helped me briefly, the second time I had a really bad, prolonged stomach thing going on at the same time and couldn't tolerate the sertraline because of that. Today I've been prescribed 50mg for depression and am giving it another go. Fingers crossed it makes a difference, time will tell I guess. My stomach has been mostly OK for quite a while now so hopefully that won't be a problem this time around.

How are you feeling OP after your first couple of doses?

Madasahattersteaparty1749 · 05/09/2019 19:35

I’ve been on it for a couple of months, the first 2 weeks I felt pretty out of it, blurry vision and my anxiety increased. After the 2 weeks it felt like a fog had been lifted.

I feel clearer to make changes to improve my mental health and it takes the edge off feeling so depressed. I agree with a previous poster that it seems to lift the brain fog of anxiety and depression. Mine is still there but manageable.

Original poster

Smiles12345 · 06/09/2019 23:22

Well just taken no 7! I had a really good late afternoon evening and felt half normal(what ever that is)... mornings are still filled with anxiety but will be interesting to see what tomorrow morning brings as no school run and we can have a lay in! Still do t have a great appetite but not worried at the moment (needed to loose some
Weight anyway)
Madasahattee, glad you are through the brain fog... mine comes and goes.....
Does anyone get a random wave of like a rush? Through head to toes? That and a metallic mouth which does taste nice?
Thanks minerist... good luck on your journey fingers crossed your stomach can tolerate the meds x

OP posts:

mineralmist · 07/09/2019 06:18

Thanks Smile. Wow, you're at a week already! Great you can have a bit of a lie in this morning, hope you get a nice undisturbed one and it helps with your anxiety. I don't get a rush yet as such, but have had that before on ADs and it passes after the first week or two in my experience. I get the taste but it doesn't bother me much, hopefully you'll just get used to it.

I took my second one yesterday teatime and although my stomach was fine after the first tablet, it hasn't been great since yesterday evening. But I've just had an early breakfast and it has settled down again, so fingers crossed. Am taking a strong probiotic at the moment so hopefully that'll take the edge off in the tummy department. I remember finding out last time that Sertraline is quite acidic and can cause problems for people with GERD. I've had episodes of that on and off but a lot of the time I don't suffer with it, so with any luck my tummy will get used to the daily tablet after a few days/weeks.

Whatever happens, I won't be far behind you so keep us posted on how you're getting on with it, and I'll do the same Have you noticed you're giggling more at things? Both evenings I've found myself laughing out loud a few times and feeling quite a lift, which hasn't happened for quite a while. I'm really hoping that lasts! It feels like ages since I've just been able to spontaneously laugh at stuff and really pick up on the humour in things.

Original poster

Smiles12345 · 07/09/2019 22:03

Hi mineralmist
Well a bit of a rough day today probably 5/10, where last night I was about 7/10 and half normal... appetite still not there but hubby being really supportive.
I have laughed a couple of times but not belly laughing yet... hoping tomorrow is a better day out most of the day tomorrow so hopefully I’ll be distracted....
How’s your day been? X

OP posts:

Rosie219 · 08/09/2019 20:15

I've been taking 50g of sertraline for 8 weeks after suffering pnd and anxiety. I think I started feeling better after about 6 weeks. Still not feeling 100% but I'm feeling so much better than I was and more 'myself' again! I didn't really have any side effects, maybe just a bit of sweating in the early weeks!

Toddlerteaplease · 08/09/2019 20:28

I get on well with it., tried and failed to come off it though!

Original poster

Smiles12345 · 08/09/2019 21:02

Just taken no10....
Woke up feeling still feeling a bit spaced out i did some mindfulness app to wake up too.
Went out nearly all day! Head cleared by late afternoon but pleased I was sociable.
Ending today on a 7/10... would score higher but need the mornings to get better and want to love my chocolate again...
Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Thank you to toddler and Rosie for your comments it gives me hope

OP posts:

ourmamageddon · 08/09/2019 21:52

It's a yes from me. I've got from being panicky, non functioning or spiralling into doom to coping and feeling pretty ok 👍🏻

Youresocool87 · 08/09/2019 21:57

Just thought I’d jump in - we can be sertraline buddies together? I’ve just taken no 13...

Was prescribed 50mg a few weeks ago for anxiety and depression. Put off starting them then had an awful afternoon and bit the bullet. First couple of nights were awful. Had the sweats and shaking for a few more days but not really any side effects now.

Obviously still early days but I can feel something happening to me 100%.

TurnOffTheTv · 09/09/2019 16:39

Hi,

I haven’t taken Sertraline for years, but have been prescribed a 50mg dose today. Not sure if it’s best to take at night or in the morning? I suppose it differs for each person but I’m not a great sleeper at the best of times so don’t want to make it any worse. Any advice?

KatzP · 09/09/2019 16:45

I’m on it for crippling pmt. the pill had sorted it but then I had to come off that and basically refused to leave me gp office until I had something else. Took a couple weeks to settle and taking at night meant I couldn’t sleep - but I have a friend who also take it and it makes her sleepy so she had to take at night. I’d try morning first to see how you go @TurnOffTheTv

TurnOffTheTv · 09/09/2019 17:29

Thanks @Katz I’ll start in the morning.

sammylilac · 09/09/2019 17:59

I've been on it for two weeks now and tbh I haven't noticed much difference at all. Today has been really difficult. I saw a thread about others feeling better after two weeks and was hoping for that to be me too...

KatzP · 09/09/2019 19:56

@sammylilac Maybe you need to go back to GP as you could need stronger dose.

sammylilac · 09/09/2019 19:59

Yes @katzP this is what I am thinking, although my guess is that GP will advise me to give it a bit more time as apparently can take up to six weeks? How long have you been taking it for?

mineralmist · 09/09/2019 20:17

Hi @Smiles12345 and everyone else posting on the thread

Smiles, hope you've been having a better day, like you'd wished for. Thought your comment about being sociable yesterday was really postive, like the start of the Sertraline really starting to work for a bit, but you're not yet 'leveled out' on it. I guess that'll come with time, just have to keep taking the tablets and hang in there :)

Looking back, seems the first two days were like a giddy preview of what it might feel like further down the line for me! Yesterday and today I've been struggling again, feeling quiet unmotivated, anxious and overwhelmed a lot of the time. Not giggling at anything and aware of the uncomfortable feelings of shame and being 'dirty' that depression often brings for me when it's intense. Don't know how else to describe it, but a bit like I hate being in my body and get obsessed with how unattractive I feel, unlovable, all 'conditions of worth' gone out the window. Saying that, I did manage to amuse myself at IKEA for a few hours yesterday afternoon and looked after my niece and nephew for an hour this morning before taking them to school. Also took down a pair of curtains and put new ones up in their place, which was a bit of a faff, and managed to eat three meals, so it's not all bad. Noticed I've lost two kilos since early last week when I weighed myself this morning though, which is quick even for Sertraline, in my experience.

Took my fifth 50mg dose about an hour ago and going to force myself to clean the bathroom, interspersed with an episode of soap!

mashedbananamashedbanana · 09/09/2019 20:50

I absolutely love setraline.
I wish I had started taking it 5 years ago when my crippling anxiety and ocd started.
I feel like a different person. Just a nice level feeling. I don’t come crashing down with paranoia when someone doesn’t text me back, my health anxiety is 95% better, I’m not having panic attacks.
My anxiety ruined 5 whole years. It ruined my wedding, relationships with friends, jobs, holidays, days out.
I just can’t believe I wasted 5 years of my life feeling like hell!

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