Sertraline buddy required!!!

[Vml12345]

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

Didn't sleep again! Feel so incredibly depressed.
Any stories on how long to wait between dose increases.
Today is day 12 (5 at 75mg)

My gp told me to increase after a few days but only if the side effects had settled. I was on 25 mg for one week and have been on 50mg for 5 days. I'm not increasing until I feel my body is used to it.

Ugh why on earth did I look at the GP's make mistakes thread, my health anxiety is now through the roof and I'm thinking the doc is just fobbing me off on saying it's anxiety and maybe I do have MS, I'm trying to rationalize, I've seen a neuro and had a scan when it all started 7 years ago and that's when it was all at its worst - but I'm still worrying now :(

I definitely wouldn't increase @SeaShell33 you already have bad insomnia as a side effect. Increasing now could make it worse. You've not been on it long enough to help your mental health yet. You may not need 100.

@Mumma1984 did you get anything else after coming off Sertraline? That thread is the last thing you should've going on! Have you tried the book I mentioned upthread? And the mindfulness? It's so helpful.

I took my first Escitalopram this morning. 5mg. All fine so far the dizziness went within hours of taking it. I was starting to get irrational again so thought I better get on it and I spoke to the pharmacist who recommended I get started if only to stop feeling dizzy.

@Hairydogmummy ugh I know I'm such an idiot! Sent myself down a rabbit hole! Yes to the book! My gp also recommended me one I need to get. I'm going to the gym in a min to try and focus on this slimming for my wedding dress, my mum told me she wishes I could just enjoy life and stop worrying 😢

@Hairydogmummy oh and my GP said don't try another unless I really want to, she said they just don't work for some ppl x

@Hairydogmummy Good point! I just want to be able to sleep so I can get back on with my life and go back to work. I feel not being at work has made my anxiety worse but I can't work when I don't sleep at all all night for several nights. I could cope with other side effects and would be willing to see it through for several weeks but the insomnia is just too much and I need some relief.
Going Drs on Tuesday to discuss.

Hello all, I've been reading this thread for a while before taking the plunge to sign up, and it's been so helpful reading other people's experiences, so a big thank you to you all. I started taking Sertraline in October for anxiety and depression, which I've had to varying extents for years but really came to a head last year (weirdly just as my life was better than it had been for ages) with panic attacks and constant anxiety. I started on 50mg, then up to 100mg after three weeks, and I've just been put up to 150mg. I think they are helping - it feels like there's a sort of 'buffer' between me and the negative thoughts/ feelings - they still come along but they don't last as long and I can think my way out of them better than I could. It does feel a bit 'two steps forward, one step back' though, and GP suggested this week that a higher does might help.

I felt dreadful for the first week or so when I started them (headaches, increased anxiety, horrible digestion, weird appetite changes - really hungry/ not hungry/ only wanting to eat very particular things) and all those things have peaked again each time I've increased. The insomnia I already had has got worse, but at least it's interspersed with bizarre vivid dreams now...!

I’ve been on Sertraline for over 11 years so if anyone has any questions about longer term use please ask away!

I haven’t seen the doctor yet @Hairydogmummy as had to cancel appointment due to work commitments! I have an appointment next week but feel completely back to normal after stopping the sertraline! I’m trying hard to manage my anxiety with positive thinking and trying to rationalise as my anxiety is mixed with ocd and trying g to control things. I read an interesting article by Izzy Judd who has also written a book... I really related to her. I really don’t know whether to go down the AD route again or try without! See what dr says next week xxxx

Thought I'd turned a corner. Thursday night I actually slept after having massive anxiety in the afternoon. Felt calm all day Friday until evening when anxiety over sleep kicked in.
Still awake and so fed up.
Done all the good sleep routine, bath, camomile tea, lush sleepy cream, pillow spray, magnesium supplements.
Wondering if I need to go up to 100mg to get rid of the last bit of anxiety or just wait on 75mg which I've been on for 6 days.

@martha79 when did your insomnia go away?
@thirdpassport did you get insomnia?

@SeaShell33 I didn’t get insomnia but then I’ve always been a very good sleeper. It’s only been when my anxiety has outweighed my depression (if that makes sense) that I’ve struggled to get to sleep and stay asleep.

I wish I saw this thread when I started. After a year from hell, 3 deaths, one being a friend, one being a friend's child and then my goddaughter. My dd dx with asd, hard time at work, it got to the point where I soent more time crying and thinking stupid thoughts. Christmas day I wanted to end it, I started taking them boxing day (already had prescription from doc the week before, but they advised not to start over Christmas).
I have felt so drained and exhausted. No appetite. Sudden diarrhoea, for no apparent reason. The bad thoughts have calmed, but the job has changed too, so that may have helped.

Hi, woke up in the night feeling very sick and hot. I noticed yesterday when I was driving I was quite dizzy too. Head feeling foggy now.

What dose are you on?

I'm on 50mg. I felt really ill this morn, room spinning, like I was going to pass out and feeling sick. I've been on these 17 days now. I think I'll call the doc tomorrow.

I'm feeling terrible this morning too after switching to Escitalopram. Really dizzy like I'm very drunk and have thrown up. I did have a couple of wines last night though. I didn't have these symptoms with Sertraline and was fine having a drink.

@IamHyouweegobshite sorry to hear what you've been through!
I really hope the Sertraline work for you!

@Hairydogmummy Hope you're feeling a bit better? Does it say to avoid drink with Escitalopram?

I'm going the drs on Tuesday. Ready to give up on the Sertraline. I'm just so sick of not sleeping. Last night I got an hour after no sleep the night before. I'm too scared to go down the route of zopiclone, diazepam or Mirtazapine. Don't want to up my dose to 100mg as I already feel groggy on 75mg or that could be from the lack of sleep.

My anxiety is a lot less but then again I get anxious going to bed because I won't sleep. Didn't get this anxiety before the Sertraline and would at least sleep for a few hours each night.

Just don't know what the answer is anymore.

I keep looking at photos of myself in the days before my mum's cancer diagnosis and desperately wishing I could be that content and happy again.

@Hairydogmummy how you doing? I’ve got gp appointment tomorrow and not sure whether to try another AD. I’m struggling with constant muscle twitches at moment so mi d gone into overdrive that I’ve got motor neurone disease 😕 x

Day 20 for me. Went back down to 50mg on Monday. Felt too spacey on 75mg. Feel much clearer on 50mg but still getting anxiety.
My main anxiety is now all centred around not sleeping and I get myself so worked up at night. I do all the right things, Bath, chamomile tea, horlicks, lavender spray, read until I'm nodding off but can't get to sleep.
I did have one amazing night Wednesday night when DH was away and I slept.
Last night I took my first Zopliclone and slept for about 4 hours.
I've got a weeks worth to try and if that doesn't get me back into sleep pattern the dr said to try Propanol.
I've been signed of work until 9th February. So lucky they've been amazing about it.
I can't help thinking though I've replaced one problem with an even worse one by taking the Sertraline and not sleeping.
Please tell me the sleep will get better!

Hi haven't posted in a while I will soon be on week 11 and I only started to feel better on week 10 so it takes time and patience and I know the symptoms bare awful to start but it's worth it. I was previously on sertraline 200mg for three years and stopped them. Big mistake that's why I went back to square one and was put back on them. I've posted on this thread when I was bad and now I look at it as if it was a different person writing it.

I'm on 14 was given 50mg but told to snap them in half for the first 4 days. I feel ok symptom wise but I've developed pain in my lower jaw when I'm chewing, has anyone ever had this? Not sure if it's linked to the tablets or a new problem I've got

@irrationalrainbow thank you for sharing your positive story! That's exactly what I needed to here!
What dose are you on now?
Everyday I battle with myself over wanting to come off the tablets as I know they've given me the insomnia as a side effect. Praying it will go soon.

notaregularmom - it could be that you're grinding your teeth and not really noticing it. Does this sound familiar www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd/

SeaShell33 - I admire your determination. I'm not sure I could cope with so much sleep disturbance

Hi @Vml12345 I don't think muscle twitches are first sign of MND? My auntie had it. It'll be your anxiety! I'm doing okay now thanks. The Escitalopram seems to suit me after the initial nausea and dizziness. I think the awful vomiting in Sunday was more likely a bug. The Escitalopram is much better for my bowels. In fact maybe slightly constipated if anything. Am only on 5mg though at the moment which is not completely keeping the lid on my anxiety so think I'll need to increase it.