Sertraline buddy required!!!

[Vml12345]

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

That’s great. Any other questions just come back on and ask. Good luck, you’ll get there! Xx

you too. Talking to supportive friends is fantastic but really reassuring to chat to others in same situation, especially the ones further along that ourselves. Hope you’re well, will keep in touch

So true. I will xx

I started this thread a while back as really needed some support with starting sertraline. I had to stop because of bad diarrhoea. I decided to try and cope without medication but it’s not working I am going to go back to GP and try another AD. This lockdown has pushed me to the limit and although I’m ok about the virus my anxiety is through the roof trying to juggle home schooling and work as I work for the NHS. Back here as really need some support again x

I’m not sure if I posted on here originally or not!
I take Sertraline, it made me feel like a zombie for 2 weeks or so and then made my life much better and easier.
Lockdown is stressful and I would absolutely ask for another AD. My friend takes Fluoxetine and it works for her.

Hi Vml
I’m not over worried by the virus - my health anxiety is focused elsewhere but I think the lockdown and change in routine, not being able to see people etc has impacted on my anxiety more than I thought. I think that’s the case for a lot of people. Normally I’d see friends etc during the week so I was busy and now the days stretch out ahead even though I try to fill them with walks, housework etc.
I hope you get an AD that suits you better and you’re soon feeling well again. I’m only Day 2 of sertraline so I’ve got a way to go yet. Good luck.x

@Vml12345 really hope you find a new AD that works. For my own sanity I’ve temporarily given up on homeschooling, was getting nowhere and unhappy mum + kids = anxiety central. Be kind to yourself x

Hello can I join please? I have been very poorly for almost 3 months and developed health anxiety as a result so started on the tablets 5 days ago.

Hopefully the effects will kick in soon and you’ll feel your anxiety lessen.

One thing I found interesting was being able to view my own anxiety from the ‘outside’ when the Sertraline started to work. I could see it as a separate thing from myself, when before my anxiety had ‘been’ me.

I hope so, I have had the virus 11 weeks ago and the symptoms lasted such a long time and every little twinge i worry it is back I get beside myself sometimes. Insomnia seems to be the worst thing I have experienced so far thankfully

That’s awful.. sertraline is so good for anxiety, but did the doc give you anything else to get through the first couple of weeks?

No they didn’t things do seem to be getting better As long as I don’t over do it I am ok. I need to try and keep my self busy which is not easy when I have to be careful how much I do in a day as it makes me ill the next day If I do too much.

That’s good then. Look after yourself and take it easy. You’ve clearly had a rough time xx

Day 3 and feeling really restless and a bit on edge. Making health anxiety a bit worse too. Hoping better days ahead.

That’s so normal. Did you say you got propanolol or diazepam? Days like that I would take one of them.

I didn’t sleep much lastnight I can’t decide If it was existing virus symptoms or the meds. 3 x30-40min naps were all I managed. I am very sore today and my hay fever is acting up so it’s not been much fun but I hope I can settle soon though this virus has certainly picked all my weaknesses and gone for them.

Eilidh, I haven’t got propanolol or diazepam! How long does the restlessness last? Yesterday it seemed to wear off by late evening but back again this morning. When did your anxiety begin to subside? Sorry for all the questions!
Pink, sorry you’re struggling. I take my tablet in the morning - the pharmacist said it might affect sleep taking it in the evening.

I found it came and went but I called the GP one morning I think day 4 because she’d said if increased anxiety was bad she would give me 2mgs diazepam so I would call your doc and ask for it? Tell her/him you’re on a sertraline forum for help and support and a few people have mentioned it. Also propanolol 10mgs, unless you’re asthmatic she should give you that. They both got me through. I kept a diary of symptoms and improvements etc so let me look at that and I’ll get back to you. I just know it wasn’t 24/7 and we’re all so different. Another thing that helped me (and this is not medical advice but personal experience ☺️) Prosecco! Or whatever you normally drink. I asked my GP if alcohol ok and she said yes it doesn’t interact at all. So I have been drinking regularly with no problems.. I know what’s not for everyone but it worked for me xx

I take mine in the afternoon as I take so many other things in the morning. I will move it to morning tomorrow thank you for that

What about taking Nytol before you go to sleep? My daughter’s been taking it as she’ was sleeping well worrying about The virus. Would help your hay fever too? And as D says (I can’t refer to you as Desperate!) take in the morning with food - might help too?

Thanks Eilidh
That’s a good idea to keep a diary to track progress. I’ll ring doctor tomorrow to ask for diazepam. I know they don’t like giving much but hopefully it’ll help me over the worst days. I just want to feel better! I think one of the reasons I was reluctant to take tablets was because I knew I’d have to go through this. Oh well each day is a step closer to feeling ‘normal’ again!

I was exactly the same. They don’t like giving diazepam too much but my GP is a young girl and offered it without me asking. 2mgs is a tiny dose but takes the edge off and helps you sleep at night. Just be quite firm. There is no reason they shouldn’t give you some xx

Ah meant to tell you about my diary feedback. Actually Day 4 onwards I’d a few good days with only a little nausea. Then the rest of the fortnight it was a few days good a few days not so. Things then levelled our but when I got titrated up to 100mgs side effects kicked back in a little. But honestly when I see how happy, calm, relaxed I am, I’d go through it all again.. it’s just finding that way through a few days here and there of increased anxiety. 🤞 GP will give you diazepam. Let me know how you get on xx

I’ll ask tomorrow and hopefully she’ll be sympathetic! Anything to take the edge off would help.x

I've been on 200mg sertraline daily for over a year now, it feels like it's numbing me to be honest, but without I feel suicidal. From a purely chemical point of view it takes at least 7-14 days for any real effect to take hold, but I understand your feelings of fear and doubt, and hope you feel better soon.