Sertraline buddy required!!!

[Vml12345]

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

Hi all
Day 7 here, the last 2 days I’ve had a new symptom, like a jittery/excited feeling. Bit worried about it, is that normal?

That’s really positive D! When I went back to my GP after 4 weeks she said it was a great sign that I was showing even slight improvement. Yes the anxiety does hang about on and off, but does the propanolol help? Yeah I’m doing great thanks! Can’t wait until you’re at my stage. So calm, anxiety levels very low.. very happy, positive. And I was in the depths of despair a few months ago as you know, and kept thinking the drug wasn’t work. Best advice, persevere xx

Hey, yes very normal! You’ve got lots of extra serotonin floating about waiting on more receptors being installed so they can bind to them. Fascinating. It’ll settle, promise xx

Ah Eilidh - thank you, you’re always so reassuring! Can I ask, did you have health anxiety too? It’s good to hear that it’s worked for you and made such a big difference to your life. Really hope I’ll be at that stage before too long. Hating this stage which is why I put off starting.
Good luck User - we’re a week nearer feeling better!x

That’s lovely to hear D. I desperately needed a buddy for the first good few weeks but didn’t think of this site until much later so just read and reread the positive reviews 😊 I had the worst health anxiety ever! I remember being out for dinner with friends my husband and I snd I was sure something had lodged in my oesophagus 🤨 so made him rush to to A&E.. nothing there. I’ve been to the GP with ridiculous ideas! I have health anxiety written all over my notes. I slammed the boot door down on my finger a few months ago and was convinced it was going to be amputated. My last breast screen I was in such a state I went to my GP crying as I was scared to go because “I just bet I’ve got it” - I didn’t. That’s just a tiny wee taster of my health anxiety. My poor sister’s a GP and had a few hysterical calls from me 🤨 so you will get there - honest xx

Thank you @Eilidh2203. This thread has been a lifesaver so far. Hope you keep improving @Desperate30 x

That’s great. Stay safe both and speak soon xx

Eilidh, yep health anxiety for me too and a few visits to A&E! Especially since heart attack. I seem to be feeling slightly calmer in the evenings so hopefully that’s a good sign.xx

That’s really good! 😊😊 xx

I'm on sertraline. The first 3 days of taking it were horrible. I felt sick & tired but when it had settled into my system I felt fine

Can I join please? I am due to start Sertraline today and am scared stiff. Have tried Diazepam which didn't work and am now on lorazepam. How does the lorazepam fit in around the Sertraline, I have no idea what dose of lorazepam I should be taking alongside, it is all very vague..
My anxiety started with the covid and has gradually become worse and worse. Lost half a stone due to fear and loss of appetite. I am self-isolating, DH died 2 years ago, and I feel so alone. I see very little of my family.I desperately need help.

Oh you poor thing.. this is awful for you. What we said to another girl who joined recently is to read the last maybe three pages of the thread, so we’re not just repeating ourselves? As I said to the girls, I was so scared to take the first dose too! But really don’t be, get yourself on it. Why were you switched from diazepam to lorazepam? The GP should have told you what dose. It’ll really help any side effects of increased anxiety or jitteriness. I was given diazepam 2mgs just for these times when I needed it. Really really helped as did propanolol 10mgs. Why don’t you google the equivalent dose of lorazepam and diazepam 2mgs? I would take sertraline tonight, take it in the morning with breakfast. You probably will feel a little increased anxiety on and off but it’s not 24/7 and gets better. Maybe a little nausea but again that settles. Btw love your username! I said to a could of the girls I love my Prosecco and asked the GP is ok to drink it along with Sertraline, and yes.. there are no interactions. Was still a bit scared to mix them just in case so started after maybe a week on S and it actually really helped the side effects, I guess because it’s a muscle relaxant xx

Whoops that should have said “I wouldn’t take sertraline tonight”

Hi Prosecco
I started sertraline last Saturday. I was scared to take it as well but Eilidh has been a great support to me and so has reading this thread. My anxiety did increase but that’s wearing off now. I didn’t have any other side effects. I take mine in the morning because the pharmacist said it can interfere with sleep. Good luck!
Eilidh, this morning I felt a lot less anxious and managed to get lots done. Anxiety back a bit this evening but I feel like I’ve turned a corner with the side effects although I know there’ll be ups and downs.X

That is such lovely news D! I’m absolutely delighted especially when I think of how anxious you were.. xx

Thank you. I feel so alone. Nothing's ever happened to me like this before, so pleased to find a thread like this. Both my packs of lorazepam have been labelled like this - take half or one tablet of lorazepam three times a day. When I queried it with the doctor just said that's how they prescribed it. I will Google the equivalent dose later.

Thanks Eilidh - I know it won’t be plain sailing but it’s nice to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Prosecco, I have health anxiety although not Covid related but the feelings will be the same. I’m also having CBT and doing mindfulness every day. I use the Headspace app. Maybe you could try that?

Hi P, ok, it just tell you what strength the tablets are that you have? It’ll say on the packet or strip of tabs xx

So I guess you could start with half a tab every 8 hours, then increase to full tab if need be? Xx

@Proseccoagain I was prescribed it over 2 months ago, I’ve been terrified to take it. Fed up feeling like rubbish, it is slowly making a difference and this page has made a real difference. I’ve had 8 sessions of CBT & worked through my various issues that got me here (divorce, death, Covid) I’m now left with them fear of the fear’ which is panic attacks. Really wish I’d started it sooner, nowhere near myself yet but so much better already. Hang in there and don’t be scared. Your worst day is behind you xx

Hey U, yeah two months is early days. I kept being told 4/6 weeks over and over. Definite improvement in that time but for full recovery, be patient and get titrated up if you still don’t feel it’s the best it could be. I started Nov 18th... and probably beginning of May when I really felt massively better and for a sustained period. Before that it’s two steps forward one step back, but so so glad I persevered.. I’m like a different person 😊 tonight I was up in my teenage daughters bedrooms and they are like someone has stirred them with a big spoon! 🤣 usually that would make me really anxious and angry and I’d be shouting at them and everyone would be upset, but I’m like.. ok whatever 🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s only messy rooms 😅 it’s a lovely way to be xx

@Eilidh2203 .
1mg lorazepam = 10mg Diazepam. Each lorazepam tablet is 1mg, and the smallest amount I can take is half a tablet, = 5mg diazepam. Cannot break the tablets any smaller, so will have to go with that if I need it.The doctor said it was ok to take together.
Will ring GP to confirm tomorrow, trouble is I never get to talk to same doctor twice.
Here goes, about to take first Sertraline......

Good. You’ll be absolutely fine, promise! I was exactly the same, petrified to take first dose 😊 ok so yeah take half a tab of lorazepam every 8 hours, benzodiazepines are often prescribed with SSRIs so is no problem at all to take together and it should take the edge off your anxiety. And as the GP said, take a full tab every 8 hours when you feel you want a slightly stronger effect., xx

Day 2 now, feeling awful, sick, panic attack, can't stop the fear, keep having to rush to the loo.. No appetite at all; it is a real struggle to eat anything, but what little I've had I've managed to keep down. Trying my breathing exercises, which seem to have calmed me down a little. Think I will take a lorazepam and go to bed. Just wish I had someone here with me, I feel so alone.

@proseccoagain you are not alone hun. I was having daily panic attacks for months (before sertaline), also no appetite. Day 10 and enjoying food again, haven’t eaten this much for a while. You will get through this. Just think this time next week you might see some improvement. Not feeling fully myself yet but def a bit more me, although the side effects are horrific I’ll take them over the panic. Please message anytime, you are not alone xx