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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

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KatzP · 09/09/2019 21:09

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

Smiles12345 · 10/09/2019 11:22

Hi mineralmist and everyone else... I really appreciate everyone’s comments as it gives me hope that things will get easier...
yesterday morning still a struggle but by the afternoon and evening things felt a lot more normal no way to 100% but better than I was and I was a bit more confident.
Slept well and woke up not too bad... but feel tired and numb today, meeting a friend for a cuppa so hoping that will lift my mood abit as I seem better when I’m others company..
Welcome on board all who wish to join me on my journey and hope everyone succeeds 😊

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Youresocool87 · 10/09/2019 20:52

Hi! Hope today’s been ok for you? I’m starting to feel a bit disheartened if I’m really honest... just over two weeks on it now and I feel slightly less anxious but still very down. Although went to gp this morning for check up and he said it can take 4-6 weeks.

Smiles12345 · 11/09/2019 11:25

I wrote out a whole paragraph last night and my iPad refreshed screen so lost it!
Yesterday ended on about 7... most of the day was a flat 5 but evening was better....
Woke up at like 5am this morning anxiety high.... and at 7am I just got a rush to get up and start doing stuff... even did the school run on my own and popped to work to see my boss, which went ok.
Yoursocool, hang in there it will get better for both of us

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Smiles12345 · 12/09/2019 08:10

Thursday morning and I’ve woken up really flat and meh! Disappointed as yesterday was a good day all in all... anxiety is still there but was more in the back ground... today it’s like wow I am going to have to push through this morning.
I still sweat loads in the night and have jaw clenching most of the day, which when I talk I sound odd I think sometimes.
Maybe I’m
Tired as went to bed late so going to try and get to bed earlier today....

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mineralmist · 12/09/2019 21:02

Hi Smiles, hang in there coz the first few weeks are often about gradually adjusting to the medication as it builds up enough to really kick in and level out. Sorry today has been tough to push through. I've had a weird few days. Lost my phone in Tesco on Tuesday and although a customer found it in her trolley she took it home and rang the store, saying she would drop it in yesterday sometime. I went in this morning and she still hadn't handed it in. Then had to come home and wait in for a delivery of two heavy duty book cases which were flat pack, so it has taken me hours to put them together and not long had dinner. Will take my sertraline now and watch some telly or read in bed. Going to try for an early night like you, got to be up before 7 tomorrow. Saw the GP today too. He has referred me for psychotherapy so I'm feeling very lucky and grateful :)

Hope tomorrow is easier for you Flowers

mineralmist · 12/09/2019 21:04

PS. Meant to say, sounds like you've been functioning pretty well despite the oddness of living with the start up effects Smile

Parkmama · 12/09/2019 22:30

I've been on sertraline 50mg for 12 weeks now for anxiety and depression. I can't believe how much better I feel but I literally only turned the corner at around week 10. It has been SO up and down, there have been some headaches, nausea, a lot of tiredness, some insomnia and at times I have felt more anxious and low than I did before but I hung on and finally started to feel so much better and I feel like I have my life back. I joined Zoloft (Sertraline) Support Group on Facebook which has been a lifeline in the darkest moments when I felt it wasn't working and when I have felt like giving up. It's a very gentle, slow medication that takes a long time to level but when it does, I think it's been so worth the wait. Good luck and hang in there!! I intend to stay on it now for the next year whilst I now have the motivation and energy to look after myself and well-being and then I'm planning a very slow (6 months) taper to withdraw off itThanks

Youresocool87 · 13/09/2019 15:34

Thank you @Parkmama for the reassuring words!

How are you today @Smiles12345 ?

Yesterday and today have been quite positive for me (dare I say it). Definitely felt certain feelings returning. Not sure if you’re the same but mornings are usually the hardest part of the day.

Smiles12345 · 13/09/2019 17:28

Thanks mineralmist I will so be hanging in there..... yesterday as a flat day all day didn’t do much ......just couldn’t get a clear head if you know what I mean.
Parkmama I have also joined that Facebook group.. some of the comments do worry me though as some people just don’t seem to be getting any better???... I am so glad it has worked for you and it gives me hope to hang on in there.....
So today will be day 15... I take mine at night... this morning was a bit of a meh morning... tied and everything an effort but I have been good shopping with hubby and made some scones and family coming for tea...and head cleared a bit. Went to dr for 2 week check up she was nice, asked if I wanted to up my dose to 100 but I declined and said want to give 50 longer as think it needs more time
Fingers crossed yoursocool I am pleased you are having a good spell I hope it lasts for you...

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Smiles12345 · 15/09/2019 10:26

Took no 16 last night..... yesterday was another ok day... I can say I’ve stopped crying after the first week... my anxiety is still there worse than I was before I took them but I still push myself to do everything I used to. But the thought of going to town on my own gives me the shakes, maybe in a week or so I may push myself to do it.
I wonder if other people’s anxiety is like mine?
Going back to work tomorrow hopefully it will bring some normality back as I am not used to being on my own for so many hours... although I have caught up on my tv lol...
Hope everyone is doing ok....

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Rosie219 · 15/09/2019 12:58

Hi Smiles I would keep going with the Sertraline like I said it was 6 weeks for me to notice a significant improvement. I know that seems like such a long time when you’re feeling so bad. After 8 weeks my GP upped me to 100mg. I’ve only just started so I can’t say how much difference it will make. I am feeling so much better but not totally back to normal which is why my GP thought it would be ok to up the dose. He also said it was a very safe drug to take and it might be that I never come off them as I have always had a low mood and anxiety.

I used to manage ok on St. John’s wort. However when it got really bad after my baby the St. John’s wort wasn’t helping. I thought St. John’s wort was ok because it’s ‘natural’ but the GP said I’d be better taking sertraline long term as st john’s Wort can damage your liver! The GP was very reassuring about sertraline saying it’s been tested lots and is meant to be one of the safest anti depressants to take.

Hope you feel back to normal soon! Sorry for the rambling post!

Charlieislovely · 16/09/2019 18:43

It's definitely helping me! On third week now, most of the side effects have gone. Feel much calmer than I did a week ago. I either feel happy, calm or angry at the moment, the low mood is definitely fading away.

Smiles12345 · 18/09/2019 08:24

Hi all thanks for your comments it gives me hope.. I have good hours but last night sweats woke me up then anxiety hit thinking I am never going to feel normal again and I might lose hubby cos of how I am... he is very supportive and calmed me down.. so I’m tired this morning. I have also gone back to work 4 hours a day to start.... hopefully I can get through it this morning. I think anxiety and thoughts can play havoc!!
I am also keeping this blog so I can see my progress and it might help someone else?
I can’t wait to be my happy go lucky self again.
Hope everyone has a good day.

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mineralmist · 19/09/2019 21:57

Hi Smiles, sorry to hear you've been feeling quite anxious at times and having all that self-doubt, worrying about your marriage and stuff. Very tough on you, especially now you've started back at work and are trying to manage that too. Hope you're getting through your days OK and not losing too much sleep. Do you feel any nearer to being able to do something like go into town on your own, like you mentioned a few days ago? Don't push yourself too soon if you're still uncertain and not feeling ready. You'll have plenty of time to resume doing things like that once the Sertraline has kicked in properly and you're feeling more on top of the anxiety. Maybe just focus on home and work for the time being, and go out to other places with your DH like last week, when you can. Think you were right to give the 50mg dose longer, to see how it levels out for you first. No point being on a higher dose if you don't need it. Also, you can take too high a dose even within the permitted range and feel worse for it, so pacing things is the best way.

Sorry I haven't posted for a while but I've been struggling. Tonight was my fifteenth tablet and I'm also on a course of antifungals for another 2 days, so I'm feeling a bit out of sorts with all these strange medicines going into my system in the last fortnight! Throughout August I had a decorator in doing my bedrooms and hallway, and he was a bit crap so I've had various things to put right in the last 3 weeks, plus all sorts of new stuff to buy and put together, and lots of detailed cleaning, and all while I've been really depressed and just not feeling like doing much most days. So it has been a slow process (I live alone) and I've felt quite resentful a lot of the time lol, which hasn't helped. But things are slowly coming together and I know once it's all finished (hopefully within the next few days) I'll feel really glad I did it all, but most days I can only do a bit here and there while much of my energy goes into just getting up and looking after myself, basic functioning. I still don't have much sense that the Sertraline is doing anything other than making me feel tired and lethargic, but I suppose there are little signs it's making a very slow difference. I got through a few tasks today and am fairly optimistic that I'll do more tomorrow, and yesterday I went back to IKEA and actually managed to get a fair few things bought and home and even put one of the flat packs together! So there's progress, but I feel quite low a lot of the time even so.

Smiles12345 · 22/09/2019 08:55

Hi mineralmist sorry you have been struggling I feel for you... but your advice is spot on, just do what you can and don’t push yourself. This medication really does take time!
I’m sorry you feel resentful is it something you can change or something you have to accept? I look at other people and wonder how they have such a happy life and seem so content? I should be like that cos I can’t complain with what I have, but suppose I must not compare myself.
Well done on going to ikea! That’s a big really busy place! That would freak me out going there on my own! But I like it going with others as they have good stuff.
Last night Saturday was no23. Saturday was a brain fog day... I am managing to go out and drive hubby around but didn’t feel the energy to take son out so we had a day in the garden.
But on a positive note Friday as a really good day for me... went to town with a friend, had terrible trapped wind but we had a good shop, then I also went out on my own to shops to buy flowers for friends and then met up with them again later and actually planned a evening together!! Actually felt quite normal... if every day was like that I would be super happy!!!
This morning I don’t feel as blah as yesterday, I do have really hot hands and feet, and anxiety is still there....
Tomorrow I have a full day at work which will be interesting... see how tired I get... they are all supportive though so I don’t have to be something I’m not but I do try to put a smile on all the time.
Sorry for rambling... I hope to look back at this thread in a few months and see how far
I have come... fingers crossed

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Smiles12345 · 24/09/2019 20:22

Tuesday night... so update is work was ok Monday was a long day quite anxious but pushed through it... had to pop to Lidl so that was interesting I am not good under pressure so tea was a strange concoction! Did calm app and slept well. Morning was ok, still anxious but keep busy.. work ok again but anxiety kicked in after lunch just before my counselling session, that was very emotional and then anxiety was really high... still worry medication can make you go crazy, but this is an irrational fear which I have to keep facing and hope it goes away in time....I have not read any where that people have gone mad on it so that is my reassurance lol.
Going to bed early again tonight and hope tomorrow is not to emotionally tiring

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mineralmist · 24/09/2019 23:19

Hope the early night helps, Smiles! I feel for you, having those surges of anxiety to cope with, but you've been really resourceful in the way you've got through them. Fingers crossed that very soon the medication will really quell much if not all of that anxiety and you'll really feel the benefit. Sometimes a counselling session will bring up difficult, anxiety-provoking feelings, and that can be hard work as well as uncomfortable, but again you're doing what you can to stay on top of that to the best of your ability, and you'll get beyond a lot of it as the weeks go by.

I've had an up and downy few days but managed to complete a few tasks along the way, so things are progressing even if it feels at times like the depression is still as intense as it was when I took the first tablet. Saturday I didn't go over the doorstep and was in bed quite a lot, but I needed that and so I tried not to put pressure on myself. Still managed to get a few little bits done around the flat. Sunday I made it out to the supermarket for a few things and again got some stuff done indoors. Yesterday I took my best friend's two little ones to school - on Mondays and Tuesdays and the occasional Wednesday I go round there for about 7.30 when she goes to work, sit and play with the kids and then walk them to school. I love it! Then I met my friend for lunch at a cafe in our local woods and sat out in the fresh air, before going to the garden centre nearby and buying some plants for my (home) office. Cleaned the bathroom last night. Today I've been shopping for groceries again and blitzed the kitchen cupboards and cleaned down the tiles and other bits and pieces and am about to read for a while before I sleep. I actually felt this evening as though the medication is kicking in coz I was cleaning like a demon, very unlike me lol.

On the other hand, I'm waking up every night between about 2 and 4am and can't sleep for a good couple of hours, sometimes more. And sleeping a fair bit in the afternoon most days. My body clock is up the wall, so I've gone from fairly solid nights sleeps on amitriptyline in recent months to virtual insomnia on the Sertraline. (Was taking amitriptyline for chronic pain which has improved a lot, so I came off it a few weeks ago.) Anyway, with any luck it's just teething problems and once the medication levels out I'll get fuller nights.

I honestly don't think the Sertraline could send you off your rocker, so try not to worry! There may be initial feelings of oddness but even they should trail off after the first few weeks. If you get that doubt, just do what you've done in your last post - remind yourself that there's no evidence to suggest that can happen to you. Again, that reassurance is you being resourceful and resilient, using your strength Star

Bellajam · 25/09/2019 07:41

Hi all sorry to butt in, I am on day three of sertraline after years of suffering with anxiety which appears to be focussing on my dc health (they are both perfectly healthy)
Due to my profession I have put pressure on myself to ‘sort myself out’ as I help others daily but I have finally admitted that I need help.
It took me over half hour to take my first tablet as I hate taking anything I never take a painkiller!!
I am dreading the anxiety getting worse as a possible side effect

mineralmist · 26/09/2019 20:38

Hi Bellajam you're not butting in, this thread seems to be a good place for posting about starting Sertraline and hearing about how others are getting on with starting it :)

Hope the medication helps your anxious thoughts and feelings about your DC. It's really positive that you've been honest enough and brave enough to ask for some help with how you've been feeling. It can be much harder to be there for others when we're struggling on with our mental health.

Not much to report from my end. Everything I do at the moment feels like climbing a mountain and I'm feeling pretty down. I'm also finding my anxiety levels appear to have increased since starting the tablets, which is disconcerting. Perhaps it's because I'm waiting for a magical feeling of not worrying about anything and expecting to feel happier, but that's really not happening yet and I'm on day 22. My sleep is still all over the place too, which is making me look and feel old! Wish I had something brighter to tell you all but so far I'd say it feels like I might as well not have taken anything for the last 3 weeks and I'm not enjoying the weird feeling of limbo.

Anybody who has been on Sertraline for a while got any words of encouragement?! Confused

Rosie219 · 27/09/2019 11:03

I've been on it for almost 10 weeks, upped from 50mg to 100mg a week ago. Felt very tired first few days of increasing my dose but it's getting better now. My mood is so much better than when I started, I'm definitely feeling myself again!

Rosie219 · 27/09/2019 11:06

I should have added it's a very gradual effect. I didn't wake up one morning feeling back to normal. Just kept having better days, feeling brighter and less down as time went on.

PeninsulaPanic · 27/09/2019 12:36

Thanks Rosie219 I really appreciate the reassurance in your posts! You've clearly noticed a big difference in how you're feeling about things, sounds so positive, well done for taking that step and sticking with it :)

I'm having a much better day so far today, felt absolutely wretched yesterday. Thinking of what you said about gradually noticing better days, which is starting to make sense to me. Your post has given me insight, thank you again.

mineralmist · 27/09/2019 12:37

Oops, name change fail there Grin

Bellajam · 27/09/2019 15:03

I had to stop taking it it really wasn't for me unfortunately. I don't know if I was too sensitive to it but 25mg was making me feel truly awful, painful limbs, vomiting, totally switched off talking was a chore and palpitations. I also haven't been able to eat a single thing since starting.
I'm hoping I'll benefit from talking therapies and I'm going to look into more natural remedies