Sertraline Buddies #2

[Umbongo1]

For anyone starting out on this drug...

How is everyone doing today? I've got a call with work about my phased return which has upped my anxiety....

I'm in my office today by myself. I decided to ease myself into it before everyone else did.

Full blown panic attack at Tesco - where I'd gone ironically to pick up my prescription!

50mg they've put me on to start with - going to do so after the weekend to give myself time to clear off my old meds.

@DominaShantotto I hear you, supermarkets are a favourite panic attack situation for me too. How are you feeling now?

Hey everyone, think I’m on week 6 now...I was really really tired around week 3-5 then last week it just stopped and I thought great!! Now it’s come back with a vengeance!!

Is this usual?

I’m On 100mg But thinking of asking it to be upped to 150mg. Emotionally I feel fine other than really tired and irritable

Hi all,

How is everyone doing? I've been contending with DD who's not been too well. Just wanted to check in on everyone.

I'm feeling a little bit brighter. Getting out of bed more now.

Strange question, but anyone have tender breasts from taking sertraline?

Hope everyone is doing okay!
Need some advice Ive Been taking sertraline just over 5 weeks! I have seen some improvements for sure. But still not feeling like my self! Anxiety is still very much there! Shall I consider upping dose to 75mg or sticking to 50mg a bit longer? Any advice appreciated

Hi all.

@MariposaPink great that you're feeling better, hopefully it will continue like that for you.

How is everyone else doing? I've had a shoddy old week doing battle with work about sick pay and phased return. It's not helped with the anxiety in the slightest and I've been sleeping badly. Fed up with feeling rotten. May try the old chocolate orange and wine solution tonight, but in the meantime I'm off for a beasting cycle ride with my sister.

My dd is on week 6 of this drug. She hasn't had many side effects but the exhaustion is crippling and she's sleeping loads. Unfortunately the last couple of weeks, it's taking her ages to actually sleep then she can't wake up in the morning.

She probably needs to up her dose to 100mg. She's worried the tiredness will get worse, or could it just stay as it is or even get better over time?

Hi, I started 2 weeks ago and feel a lot better. I've had a couple of bad days but not as bad as before I was taking them. The tiredness does hit quite a lot and there have been some rather urgent bowel situations but generally I wish I'd started taking it ages ago.

@umbongo1 - aagghhhh that's all you need with work. But remember, you're a pro at negotiations... Enjoy the choc orange and wine, it's Saturday night after all. Speaking of cycling, DH is trying to convince me to hire a bike and go riding tomorrow but I've not cycled for about 25 bloody years!

@Lottie124 - have you consulted with your GP about increasing the dose? I just went from 25mg to 50mg so still small amounts.

@Jeremyironsnothing - personally I've found the fatigue has eased but I'm on week 5 now. But if I were her, I would just listen to her body and sleep/rest whenever she needs/can. I pretty much spent 4 weeks in bed and now I'm feeling brighter AND I look younger (I'm not even joking). But I know not everybody has the luxury of staying in bed. My first round of my anxiety, I couldn't just focus on myself because DD was 6 but she's now 13 and I've got a DH too so I've taken the time that I need.

@MsYamada - I feel you with the bowel situation. It does get better though.

DH has brought me to Bournemouth for an overnight stay and it's a glorious day on the south coast today! We found a quiet spot on the beach and I did my hypnotherapy which worked like magic. I also threw myself into the freezing cold sea and walked out of it like Jesus Christ himself had just been baptised by John the Baptist. Then I had a GnT, first one in weeks. Feeling good. Long may it last.

Thanks mariposa

Have a great break.

@Jeremyironsnothing - thank you! We are staying an extra night because it's been so relaxing. Well, apart from the 10 mile bike ride DH insisted upon. I haven't cycled in 25 years and I held on to the handle bars for dear life so much so my shoulders and neck hurt!

Hi all

Hoping I can join you for a bit of a hand hold

I was one sertraline for 6 months after having my daughter and battled on and off since then. Mostly managed by CBT but I found out I was expecting in jan. We've been on lock down since I was 10 weeks, I'm now nearly 31 weeks.

Had a particularly rough couple of weeks and the prenatal mental health team have recommended starting tablets again. This time for anxiety and depression .
I'm very nervous about the side effects for me and the baby.
Has anyone else started the tablets during pregnancy?
The team are speaking to my GP at some point today, so hopefully I can pick up my prescription tomorrow

I'm starting my talking therapy in the next few weeks. Is anyone else doing this?

How is everyone getting on?

I had a good ish day today out walking. Finding my appetite is coming back slowly.

Hope everyone else is doing ok xx

@ShyOwl - sorry I've got absolutely no clue about sertraline and pregnancy. What I do know is that DH and I were ttc and my GP suggested sertraline over Citalopram. On that basis, I'm assuming it's safe(r). Did you get any advice since your post?

@Biancadelrioisback - I started counselling about 5 weeks ago because I could feel the stress mounting and the anxiety coming. I started too late because the anxiety hit anyway. The first 4 sessions with the counsellor (FaceTime) was hard. I was an uncontrollable crying hot mess and spent the whole 50 mins per session blurting everything out like an express train with no brakes! This weeks session was much more structured (by me) because I need to work through stuff. I realised that in order to do that I have to know what I want to address otherwise it's a waste of time; I could just talk to friends when I'm in a frenzy..it's free for a start! Lol!

@Umbongo1 - that's fab news that you are feeling better and beginning to eat more. I am also, or rather I was until my tooth broke on the weekend and I'm finding it difficult to chew. I've got a dentist appointment tomorrow. How was your beast bike ride?

I had a lovely weekend in Bournemouth with DH. We ended up staying an extra night and it was just what I needed. I came back refreshed but slightly anxious to come home. Don't know why, it's my home after all. Anyway, all was great until DD's father called me yesterday to say he was bringing her home early and proceeding to scream and shout at me on the phone. Totally unexpected and slightly shot my nerves to shit. Long story, but he was an absent father for most of her life and now I'm married and my DH and DD have a beautiful relationship, the ex is jealous.
So I ended up having a very large and strong GnT with a friend last night too close to bedtime so I was scared to take my Zopliclone. And that meant I had a shit night's sleep. I ended up having a 2 hour kip this afternoon which means I'll probably have another shit night's sleep tonight.

How is everyone else?

@MariposaPink thanks for the reply, sorry to hear you've had a rough time since you got back, hope you can get some rest

I got passed back and forth a lot, the midwife and prenatal team said it was fine, two separate GPs wouldn't prescribe. But finally today got told told I could go on them so just need to waddle over to the pharmacist this evening

@ShyOwl - that's great news. And the sertraline should kick in in time for baby's arrival. It must be tough suffering from anxiety and depression whilst pregnant. Pregnancy is hard enough without anything else being added into the mix. Do you know if you're having a boy or girl?

@ShyOwl I was on sertraline before and during my entire pregnancy and I breastfed my daughter whilst on it for nearly 2 years
Postpartum. She's absolutely fine and thriving and the doctors and midwives said it was the best antidepressant to take during pregnancy.

@MariposaPink beast cycle was indeed a beast, it comprised 43km and many hills. But it was a beautiful day and lovely to have that time to myself. I could see the sea from some points on my ride which was nice.

Sorry to hear of the sh@tfest with your ex. What a horrid end to your nice weekend. A good GnT sounds necessary. I can also recommend chocolate as an addition - reckon I deserve some too as frankly my legs feel like they might just falll off!

@Umbongo1 thanks, that's really food to hear, my usual gp only works one day a week and when ever I deal with the others I feel like I go around in circles!
@MariposaPink We are having a baby boy this time, I really struggled with sickness and pnd with my daughter so really wanted to be in a good place before this little guy got here.. best laid plans and all that!

Sorry if this has been posted but I have some questions. Did anyone suffer with tiredness, brain fog, appetite increase/weight gain or bloating?

I'm really hesitant to start, I'm 4 months postpartum with two babies, I've struggled with depression and extreme anxiety since covid and now it's just too much to take.

I took seroxat years ago and it ruined my life, this is not an over reation in anyway, it caused so much strain on every relationship I had, and changed me. I don't want to go back there so very hesitant now, more so with kids.

Thank you

I’m on day 4 of 25mg and I’ve been so tired on the morning and I get super tired at 9.30 but as soon as I get into bed I’m wide awake. Right now I have no inclination to sleep! Brain fog appears in the morning but disappears by mid afternoon

Tomorrow I go up to 50mg and I am dreading it

The sickness has thankfully passed for me. I was taking it just before bed and I worked out that lying down straight after taking it makes me throw up so I’ve been sitting up for 10 mins and that works. I’m still not really feeling any benefit but I’m only on week 3. I do have one slightly embarrassing side effect though, it has sent my sex drive into overdrive. I had been reading about how it can depress your sex drive but it’s has the opposite effect and is genuinely causing a problem as I just can’t concentrate! I mean, there are worse problems to have but I really hope it settles down soon!