Hi everyone, just a bit of encouragement really. I've been on Sertraline now for just about 4 months and it's working but it hasn't been a straightforward ride and also a bit inconsistent at times. I started at 50mg, after 6 or 7 weeks went up to 75mg for about 3 weeks and since then have been on 100mg (about 6 weeks now). I had to live with the initial side effects for quite a while and even now am struggling a bit with tiredness, but also not sleeping through some of the night at times; so a bit of a mixed bag with sleep but I'm getting better with it.
I have been lucky - although I've had occasional bouts of the runs they have been short-lived and infrequent. But the year before last I tried 50mg for a couple of months and had to come off it in the end because my stomach was permanently all over the place. Not sure why that hasn't happened this time around, but I'm glad that I took another chance with it.
Some days I still get some anxiety breakthrough, but most of the time my anxiety levels are quite a bit lower and it's easier for me to bat away intrusive thoughts and images. When the anxiety does break through I really notice the difference but it doesn't last the whole day and I'm managing it ok so far. Got a massive sign of how well the medication is working a few days ago. Went to see Disney on Ice at the O2 (first time at that venue) and hadn't thought before I got there how high up the seating was likely to be. When I realised where we were sitting I thought I would have to leave within minutes because I get awful vertigo and usually cannot cope in such environments. But I sat it out for the first twenty minutes, doing some CBT in my head to distract myself until something just clicked and I felt absolutely fine - safe and not overwhelmed and actually really enjoyed the view and the experience of being high up looking down on the whole spectacle. Couldn't believe how chilled I was in the end! And I thought, well, if I can do this and enjoy it so much (I could've stayed up there all day lol) what else could I do now that I'm usually terrified of doing? A big confidence boost.
Still having down days, and I hate them, but the good days really make up for them. Starting to finally feel a bit more energised and like I can actually begin to move forward with my life, although I'm aware that I need to keep pacing myself for a while still. But the signs are very encouraging. I've had two horrid viruses in the last 2 months and coped better with them than I usually do. Often my critical voice is quieter and when it isn't I'm learning not to react to it so defeatedly. If I need a duvet day I don't argue, I have it, but I'm gradually needing fewer. This is the first time in my life I've stuck an AD out properly for this long and started to feel a proper benefit. I've tried quite a few over the years and always given up on them, but although this experience has been anything but smooth at times I've hung in there and I'm so glad I did because now I feel like I've finally found something that takes the edge off my mental health struggles and feels like I can build on a steadier foundation than I'm used to.
I hope my post encourages and reassures some of you 