Sertraline buddy required!!!

[Vml12345]

I’m in day 2 of taking sertraline and could really do with some support as feel horrible 😕

Just want to ask if people are also seeing a counsellor or having any other form of therapy along with their medication? I have a meeting with a psychiatric nurse on Monday (honestly never thought I would be saying such a thing) and have self referred for counselling. I get some therapy sessions via my PMI as well though which I haven’t looked at yet because the balls are rolling at the mo, if they stall though I think I will give that a try... anyway, just interested to hear if anyone is receiving therapy/counselling x

@gothefcktosleep yes, I have also self referred for counselling and I have a telephone appointment next month. I hope it’s beneficial for us both.

@gothefcktosleep yeah I see a counsellor privately.

Firsttimemum so have you seen no improvement at all in 7 weeks? X

I would say only a very slightly improvement . I don’t think 50 did anything so I’m holding hope 8-12 weeks on 100.

@firsttimemum032020

Yes I'd noticed a bit of a difference some days, but nothing major other than feeling quite chilled out at times and occasionally a bit giggly. But at both 50 and 75mg I eventually could feel the effect of the medication wearing off some days, and my GP had wanted me to go up to 100mg weeks ago but I wanted to see if 75 helped. So I think I've been on 100 for 8 or 9 days now and today particularly I've felt flat and very tired again, a bit zombified at times. Saying that, I've managed to get 3 square meals in me already today, and do washing up and keep the kitchen tidy, but anything else I've thought about doing I just can't summon the werewithal! I've been much more functional than this for quite a lot of the last 3 months, so I'm a bit worried that maybe 75 isn't enough and 100 is too much. Guess I have to keep going for a few weeks to really give it a chance to settle in.

How have you been feeling the last few weeks at 100mg? Sounds like you're not seeing a huge benefit so far. Has it impacted on your energy levels and motivation at all? I don't have a family so I can only imagine what this must be like if you've got kids and a partner to think of. Also, my depression is long-standing and mostly unmedicated in that time, so it might well be that any SSRI is going to struggle to help me improve my mindset and feelings without a fairly long starting period. I had counselling and psychotherapy for years until last year and I do miss it sometimes but I can't afford it at the moment anyway, plus I try to apply what I learned and it does help some days.

@PeninsulaPanici think the last two weeks have been slightly better but most people say 8-12 weeks in each dose increase and I’m only 4 into 100. Could you try CBT online through NHS?

I had CBT before the sertraline and it was totally useless! I was too anxious to actually put myself through more anxiety of the CBT if that makes sense! I can understand the rationale behind CBT but couldn’t put it into practice. I’m hoping sertraline will give me the headspace to try again xx

@Vml12345 I totally understand what you mean! I prefer talking therapy. Are you on 4 weeks Of 50? I’m 7 weeks in now x

I have had CBT in the past and it did help temporarily but I would always stop as it was expensive and then my anxiety would get bad again. At the moment I have just talking therapy but haven't found that as helpful really. I have quite a good understanding of the way my mind works and how I'm supposed to think and what techniques to use so I'm not sure whether more would help or not at this point. I saw an occ health nurse thru work who said my problems were too severe for them to refer me for free CBT as the 5 sessions wouldn't be enough! I just bought an anxiety workbook which I might try.

@firsttimemum032020 I was assessed for counselling (IAPT) a few weeks ago but similar to @Hairydogmummy I was told my case is too complex for the very short-term CBT they offer and I've been referred to a psychiatrist instead. But haven't had a follow up letter from IAPT yet, or heard anything from community mental health about when I'll get to see the psychiatrist.

I'm not working at the moment so I've got time and space to adjust to the medication, but on the other hand I'm not sure I'll feel the full effect if I'm not doing much with myself. Problem is, I don't have much of a social life at the moment and did a lot of studying in the last few years but that's all finished now and so I don't even see people through that route. I'm not completely isolated or anything but people are busy with their own work and families and so I'm on my own a fair bit. I'm used to it, most days I'm grateful for it but it is starting to feel like the medication might work better if I'm more interactive some days. I'm edging towards working for myself next year but can't throw myself into preparing for that until I feel more of a lift, if that makes sense.

Anyway I hope it's not too long before you feel a real improvement from your 100mg dose

Actually feeling brighter this morning. Think I've been coming down with something and it's moving a bit so my energy levels and outlook are a bit better. Came out shopping early and really noticing the sunlight

Hi anybody feeling positive today? Also has anyone's anxiety decreased and how long and what dose are you on?

Hey @irrationalrainbow I honestly don’t know what is going on. I’m only on day 4 (50mg) and I feel so good. I feel like so much weight has been lifted. I’m calm, I feel genuinely quite happy. I feel so different... must be placebo effect as I know they can work this quickly... how are you feeling?

Hi gothefuckasleep that's great to hear. I'm still very edgy and anxious I've had times today we're I could relax and get a bit done but totally nothing like my normal self. I constantly worry about the next day and how I will feel too so that does not help. I've work this evening I'm hoping I feel ok there as I'm very bad at holding things in. I'm 3 weeks back on sertraline today but only 3 days on 150mg. X

@gothefcktosleep I had a day, well most of a day, like that before is been on them a week. It was quite bizarre.

I'm having a good day today, 3 weeks and 5 days in on 50mg. Spoke to GP yesterday and agreed I'd give it another two weeks at 50 and then go up to 100 if I'm still not feeling consistently better. I'm still very much up and down and my anxiety was/is very severe, possibly OCD as well so think he is thinking I'll need to go up.

Hi everyone, since my post on Thursday I've had 2 really good days, today even better than yesterday. This is my 11th day on 100mg but bear in mind I was on 50/75mg for at least 2 months prior to that, and I feel it has had to build up in my system over time to get to a certain level of effectiveness. The contrast to how I was feeling by Thursday and how I've felt yesterday and today is quite profound. Hope it lasts! 😃

My anxiety threshold is higher and intrusive thoughts easier to let go of. I feel pretty positive and happy in myself - very different to how I've felt for a long long time. I'm a bit giggly and smiley and not scared of stuff like tall buildings (which usually freak me out). Sleeping better at night, not comfort eating, and feeling like more possibilities are open to me. Haven't felt this good about myself for ages. Even noticed in the bath this morning that I was much less unhappy and less 'ashamed' of my body and any uncomfortable feelings were acceptable to me, wasn't judging myself so much, which is very significant for me.

Sorry to ramble on, just wanted to try to describe some big differences. Hope it gives you hope. I'm wondering if it doesn't really matter that you're on a 'high dose' as much as it just needs time to set up in our systems before a real difference happens. I've read that some people can feel a difference from day 1, but it's rare.

When is this panic and anxiety going to end feel back to square one again today 🙃

You're still quite early days @irrationalrainbow try not to lose hope I know it's easy for me to say. I have felt the same sometimes. You're not even at the minimum time to start feeling improvement yet. Try to roll with it another week and tell yourself you'll speak to GP if no improvement by then xx
I'm feeling okay mentally today as in thoughts but was late taking tablet and feel quite shaky and panicked a bit while giving address and phone number to a call centre cos they said it wasn't quite right but it was only cos I didn't say name of village as well as town and it was landline there wanted not mobile!
How's everyone else?

@PeninsulaPanic that's amazing btw! Really pleased for you!!xx

Has anyone lost weight with anxiety?

Yes I have loads of times throughout my life. I don't have much appetite when I'm very anxious and in any case the way it affects your body means you use more energy anyway. And I get IBS with my anxiety which causes weight loss too. I normally put it all back on during good periods though. Of course when I'm losing weight I assume it must be cancer, HIV or some other terrible illness that's making me lose it! When people ask me how I stay so slim I say 'anxiety'! Their faces are a picture! The only times in my life I can remember I've been even a little overweight have been happy anxiety free times!

Me too. I think the weight loss is mainly because I don't have any appetite when stressed. I had days that could only manage one very light meal.

I’ve lost half a stone without even trying and I’m only 9 stone 5lbs! I’m assuming it’s the stress prior to and during taking the sertraline but the little man in my head is making me think I’ve got leukaemia or some other cancer. I’ve been doing ok but had a bad day today! Wondering whether 100 may be needed when I go for my review on Friday! Xxxx

I can't eat either although I can afford to lose weight I can't afford to lose my mind anymore today was bad I missed a whole day due to worrying about North Korea and there nukes googled all day couldn't manage much food as usual and smoked my brains out I don't know how much more I can take. I hope some people are seeing improvements