Sertraline buddy required!!!

[Vml12345]

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

Do they really want to go? Sounds like more sleep is what you need

@SeaShell33 sorry to hear about the insomnia. It's awful. I get it sometimes but just cos of the anxiety, not cos of the Sertraline. You'd probably be okay to take an over the counter tablet like nytol or something but you'd have to check with pharmacist. It does feel like your brain is your enemy sometimes, like it's trying to defeat your efforts. Keep in mind that the way you're feeling now is because you're getting used to the drug. Have you tried reading 'it's just a feeling' website? I also use Calm and Moodfit apps. I feel guilty as well but remember this is no more out fault than if we had broken a leg. You're not being selfish at all. You're doing your best to deal with it.

I've spoken to GP this morning and am going to have to come off Sertraline cos of diarrhoea. She's giving me some Cipralex (escitalopram) but I have to wait for Sertraline to get out of my system and diarrhoea to go away before I start it so I guess I'm looking at some bumps ahead...

Hi all

I started sertraline yesterday so day 2 today for me

Just going to lurk for a while until I'm feeling a little more 'me' if that's ok? Hope you're all ok if I join in?

Your comments are all so helpful and helps so much knowing I'm not alone

Thank you for listening, this thread has absolutely been a life saver!

@Hairydogmummy I'm going to check out some Nytol. I think I check out Its just a feeling website before. I should try more calming apps too. Sorry to hear you've got to start a new AD journey. Did they say how long it would take for the Sertraline to leave your system? Hope the Escitalopram suits you. Keep us updated!
There are many moments when I absolutely hate my brain and wish I could scratch out the thoughts.

@Mooserp I did go to soft play in the end. I was in a right state this morning crying to DH I was upset that I'd not slept enough and couldn't face soft play and let my mum see me so tired. He gave me a massive dose of tough love (which id usually be really upset over) and told me to get over it, it's no reason to be anxious. He promptly got up to get DD so I had to get up and make the breakfast. This surprisingly was the kick I needed and I paced the bedroom with my brew and told myself I need to do things and take my mind of the poison thoughts.
I felt quite spaced out at soft play, the sound of all the kids ringing in my ears.
I didn't feel much panic though which was so nice!
My mum knows there is something up though as she said I'm not myself and look tired. I just told her I hadn't slept well. Not sure if she noticed my saucer like pupils!

@redandwhite1 how are you feeling? When did you take yours? We can keep each other company as I'm on day 3

@SeaShell33 took the first one at midday yesterday and second one today at about 9am

I'm on Levothyroxine too so need to space them out a bit, don't really want to take them at night as heard they could keep you awake? So my plan is before breakfast every day

Have you had any side effects? Felt slightly sick yesterday, today nothing, I just feel....calm?

I'm at the same stage, took my 2nd one last night.

Felt sick yesterday, like travel sickness. Still feeling it today, but not quite so bad.

@redandwhite1 I take mine at 6am to try and avoid the insomnia. This eventually worked for me whe I took it 2 years ago for PND. Hoping the insomnia will go once the anxiety goes. Other side effects loss of appetite partly due to anxiety and dry mouth. Yawning, jaw clenching fuzzy head. Sometimes hard to tell though what is a side effect and what is from lack of sleep and anxiety. Also bouts of heightened anxiety that comes over like a cold tingling at first.

@Mooserp not had any sickness which is good as there isn't much food in me anyway!

@Hairydogmummy let me know how you go coming off the sertraline! I feel so much better off it! My anxiety seems better too which just goes to show sertraline wasn’t for me! I am due back with GP on 7th to review what to try next so guess it will be Escitalopram for me too! Xx

@Vml12345 will do! I feel quite good today ironically! I went back down to 50 today and I'll take that tomorrow as well and maybe the next day then stop. Can't wait for diarrhoea to go but apprehensive about what will happen with the anxiety. I'm still taking the immodium. Let me know if you go on Escitalopram...we need another thread!

@Hairydogmummy my mental heath (anxiety and ocd) have been so much better this last week compared to when I was taking the sertraline! Let me know how you get on tapering down the dose! Thank you so much for all your support over the last eight weeks! I feel like I know you yet obvs I don’t 😊! Here’s to 2020 🥂👍🏻X

Same @Vml12345 let's stay in touch..so pleased for you that things are going better without. Thank you too...it's been a huge help. Here's to a healthier 2020 xxx

@Hairydogmummy & @Vml12345 good luck with your next steps 

@redandwhite1 & @Mooserp how have your days been?
I thought I was having a good day with 90% calm. Felt like the Sertraline was actually doing something positive.
This evening however increased anxiety and panic, mostly around not being able to sleep later.
I'm already soooo tired but the anxiety is fluttering away at the edges like a chill. Every time my eyes close I get an anxiety jolt.
Freaking out about going back to work on 6th January. If my sleeping isn't sorted I'll have to take time off.

Any advice from anyone about taking time of work for MH reasons?

Here's to a much calmer NY! Xxxx

So sick of this can feel full blown panic attack coming on about not sleeping. I hate myself and my stupid brain

You'll be okay @SeaShell33 I have been exactly where you are many times and come through the other side. I had time off and work were great. It happens much more often than you think. I didn't want to tell work but I'm glad I did. You're not there yet though. You will sleep before then. Promise.

Thank you @Hairydogmummy

Last night was awful after such a positive day.
Made the decision to go back to the drs and ask for some medication to help me sleep. Just until I get settled on the Sertraline again.
Am also going to ask for a week off work as there is no way I can cope with teaching on such little sleep.

Anyone else tried sleeping medication with Sertraline?

@SeaShell33 sorry to hear you're struggling. Getting signed off while it kicks in sounds like a good idea especially if your work is demanding. My doctor offered to sign me off but going to see how it goes (I work from home a lot anyway so isn't so bad)

I kept falling asleep last night (we stayed in) I made it to midnight but we went to bed not long after, slept much better than the night before which is good

Day 3 today so still hoping I won't see any side effects!

@SeaShell33 meant to say I was signed off about 3 years ago for stress, my work were amazing and it did help having 'me' time but going back was hard as people kept asking how I was and what was wrong!!

@redandwhite1 that's good to hear you're doing well on the medication.

I completely forgot that the Drs aren't open on New Years Day so will have to go tomorrow.
I've got an assessment over the phone with Healthy Minds tomorrow at 8:30am so need to make sure I've phoned the Drs before then.
People at work know I had PND previously so I think I'd be quite honest with other people there about being off work to get used to my medication.
I think I'm just beyond the point of caring what others think I just feel that bad.

Hope you can get to see the doctor tomorrow, sounds like you need something to help you sleep.

I'm wishing I'd been given anti nausea meds with mine. Been feeling like I'm going to vomit this morning 😞 and I'm only on 25mg

Hi @SeaShell33 , just wanted to say I'm in the same boat. I had been on 25mg for 2 weeks and it was bearable, now about to take my 3rd 50mg and I'm seriously considering giving up. The insomnia is killing me I finally fell asleep at 6:15am and dosed for an hour and a half. Add on top the persistent nausea and I'm just not sure I can take another one this morning!
I feel in a constant battle as I know these side effects will hopefully wear off but being 31 weeks pregnant and already contending with a list of other symptoms I just feel like stopping the medication but then the past couple of weeks seems a waste!
Now to entertain a 3 and a half year old all day, perhaps we can play a long game of sleeping bunnies .

@Mooserp hope you're anti nausea meds work for you! Keep us updated and hope you feel better this morning.

@Piratepearl sorry to hear you're in the same crappy boat as me! We need to be each other's paddle!
I took my fourth 50mg this morning at 6:30am and it's only just stared to calm me down at about 9am.
Sleep anxiety is just absolutely crap! We need to support each other to get to a stage where the Sert makes the anxiety go away 24hrs a day so we can get some sleep.
I'm going to go and get some Night Nurse today. I took it once when I had flu and it floored me into the next day. Just hope it will do the same now with my crazy mind.
I have a close friend who took Sertraline while pregnant. She swears by it and has been on it for years!
Can you take anything for the sickness?
Love the game of sleep bunnies! I've got a 2 year old but she's watching Peppa Pig now with her dad while he sleeps on the chair. Not even a little bit jealous of his sleep ability!

@Mumma1984 how are you doing? X

@Vml12345 happy new year! Been a bit quiet, I'm up and down, usually I'm alright but at the back of my head constantly I'm worried about MS still, my heads refusing to let it go, even with no symptoms atm I'm convinced it's relapsing as I've had the symptoms every 3 years 3 times - how are you?

@Mumma1984 I stopped taking the sertraline and felt a bit better! Today I’m feeling really anxious again which is so disappointing! Perhaps it’s the expectations of a new year and the guilt over the past year and how much I’ve lost due to mental health issues. It’s made me feel rubbish xxx

@Mumma1984 sorry to hear you're feeling anxious again. Try not to think about the time lost but it's been time finding yourself again.

@Vml12345
Hope you can get some support for your health anxiety. Have you been back to the drs recently?

Day 4 and don't feel like it's calming me any more. Currently tucked up in bed with 2 year old watching Peppa Pig