Sertraline buddy required!!!

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

No not asthmatic. I’ll ask her and see what she says. I’m wondering if she’ll be reluctant because the ectopics haven’t been fully investigated as it all started as the routine hospital stuff was taking a back seat. I’ve had a couple of ECGs which were normal, and bloods taken to see what the electrolytes (??) were doing (I am so not medical!) and that was fine too but she wanted an ultrasound and holter monitor doing as well. Well we’ll see how it goes tomorrow. Thanks for your help @Eilidh2203

Just spoken to the GP. She's put me on 100mg sertraline and is prescribing propanalol. I feel a bit better having spoken to her. She said I'm having physical symptoms of anxiety so was happy to increase.

Just saw your previous message. That’s great! Sure they’ll help and you’ll improve on 100 mgs. Really don’t worry about the ectopics if all fine. When looking at your electrolytes she’d have been looking to see if your potassium too low or too high. Many many ectopic safe harmless but anxiety can really make them worse. I’ve had them for years, had ECGs ECHOs all sorts but nothing wrong. Keep in touch let us know how you’re doing 😊

Thank you, you been really helpful and definitely eased my mind a little. I’ve had health anxiety for years but it’s always a much more innocuous symptom that I’ll worry about. When it’s your heart you automatically think that’s it. Very scary. You just think how can it be normal?! Hoping that these new meds will help.

I’m on day 8 and feel better than I did. The side effects were horrendous to start!

Exactly the same, I am a real worrier about my health. I was a CCU staff nurse in my younger years so was like trying to diagnose the ectopics! Haha! They’re honestly very common It’s just that most people don’t mention them xx

Hi
Can I join you please? Been prescribed Sertraline for health anxiety and started a thread about it. After yet another visit to hospital I think I’m going to have to start taking it. Worried obviously but I can’t go on like this. Health anxiety is awful - wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

@Desperate30 It really is the worst form of anxiety I’ve ever had. I absolutely hate it.

@Eilidh2203 I thought you must have medical background from your posts. I think it’d make me worse tbh!

I think the pharmacist said to take it in the morning. Should that be before or after food? Please tell me the health anxiety will get better.

Hi, you poor thing, I really feel for you. Yes I wish I’d started it years and years ago. I take it in the morning with food, I think if you don’t it can make you feel sick. So are you just starting it now? What dose?

And yes my health anxiety is a lot better..

Yup - it has! Especially coronary care! 🤨

Eilidh (sorry, not sure how to bold names) - I’m going to take my first one in the morning as pharmacist said it could interfere with sleep. I’m on 50mg. Was tempted to half the dose for a week but I suppose that’s just delaying it working properly?
My health anxiety has peaked this year. Had a heart attack in 2017. Plaque rupture in tiny artery or vessel, not sure which is which. Too small to stent and all major ‘pipes’ clear. Can’t get it out of my head now that it’s only a matter of time until I have another one although cardiologist said he’s more likely to have a heart attack than me and to go and live my life! I get anxiety from time to time and I suppose it’s settled on health at the moment.

Just taken first tablet. Been reading up on side effects so made myself petrified!🙄

Oh that was me exactly! I took the first tablet then like waited to just die or something lol I’m still here.. my GP offered me diazepam which I took when the side effect of increased anxiety was bad, and that worked well, as did small dose propanolol.
And re your heart.. lots of people has these little plaque ruptures and don’t even know. These little vessels don’t matter, as the cardiologist said major pipes clear and he would have more chance than you of having a heart attack. Believe him! It’s true. You would also benefit from counselling to help you get over that? Ask your GP to refer you via the cardiology dept, they should offer this for patients. Stay strong, you’ll be fine xx

Eilidh, thank you - I’m the same, tool the tablet and then waited for the side effects immediately! Did you have side effects and how long did they last? And when did you notice the tablets were ‘working’? Sorry, lots of questions. Thanks for reassurance re heart. Saw counsellor as part of cardiac rehab but maybe I need a ‘top up’.

Hi, no problem at all. I used to rake through review after review and I’ve got a bunch of good ones saved on my phone which I would look at when I needed a boost! Yes I got side effects but they weren’t constant and were manageable. Like a bit of nausea, and this increased anxiety they talk about that I needed diazepam 2mg or propanolol 10mg to help. It’s not the worst thing in the world but I felt a bit trembly and shaky. I think what kept me going was the fact I knew that these would change my life if I persevered. Bizarrely day three I woke up high as a kite happy, jumped out of bed ready to get on with my day and that went on a week then kind of calmed down. I went through peaks and troughs, which is apparently really normal, I’d have a few good days and a few not so good days, the drug takes a while to stabilise. After 4 weeks I went up to 100mgs, I definitely felt I’d really improved but thought I could still be better. 8 weeks on that same thing so up to 150mgs. Been on that 12 weeks now and been feeling way way better since a few weeks on 150mgs. It can take a while although everyone’s different so for you 50 mgs might be enough and you. Don’t be down when you get bad days, they’re only temporary and as time goes on the good days outweigh bad. I have much much less anxiety, I’m much happier, chattier, sociable, active and positive, and you will be too! 😊 xx

There’s the website for reviews. Bit of advice though, only look at reviews of 8,9,10 ignore ones with low scores as they’re usually about side effects: www.drugs.com/comments/sertraline/

Thanks so much Eilidh - you’ve given me hope! It’s good to get detailed info that’s not too scary! I’m glad to hear you’re getting on well and things are looking so much brighter for you. I hope in a few months time I’ll be the same!x

Hi all, new here. I’ve recently started sertraline for anxiety/panic attacks - on day 2. Feel awful, the anxiety is worse. Really hoping this will help me. Already taking propranolol. Looking for a sertraline buddy and some support

I’m sure you will be. Take care xx

Hi, welcome aboard! Probably best thing to start with is look over the last good few messages? We’ve been chatting about the increased anxiety in the early days. It does get better xx

Side effects are pretty shit for a while but persevere with it and increase your dosage slowly.

Hi User
I’m on Day 1! Finding lots of info on this thread and Eilidh has been patiently answering my many questions! Good luck!

Have read over most of this thread, lots of good info and stories that it works so feeling hopeful 🤞🏻