Sertraline is anyone on it?

[Bellyjellee]

I think I have probably struggled with my mental health for a very long time but our personal circumstances are really difficult at the moment and I'm finding things really hard so I finally went to the gp a few weeks ago. They have been waiting for confirmation from one of my consultants that sertraline is ok for me which they now have and I have an appointment tomorrow to discuss starting it. I'm just curious what other peoples experiences of it are as I've read there can be some nasty side effects to begin with and I'm worried just before Christmas might not be the best time to start taking it. We have 3 children so don't want to be feeling even worse over Christmas but if I might get some benefits at the same time maybe it would be worth it. I'm particularly struggling with anger at the moment. I feel like the smallest thing can set me off and I really want to be able to control it, can sertraline help with this? I've never taken any sort of anti depressant before so am totally clueless. Any advice or experience is appreciated. Thanks

Also meant to ask how long does it take to start working?

I've been on it for three years maybe; I've tried lots of different ones and it's the best by far. No side effects for me at all (other than when I occasionally stop taking them suddenly which is a bad idea) and they make me life a million times better. Wishing you all the best.

I didn’t have an side effects.

However, I immediately felt better, but that might have been psychological in that I felt more positive because I was finally addressing my issues.

Around 10 weeks in, I had a huge crash. I cried for a week. The slightest stress made me physically shake. Apparently when I wasn’t crying, my expression was completely blank. I couldn’t handle the slightest little thing. It was way worse than I’ve felt for a lot of years.

That was 3 weeks ago. I’m feeling much better now, but a major stress in my life has been resolved (ended up having my STBXH move back in in March and due to covid, he was unemployed and couldn’t leave. He finally started a new job in a new country last week), so I’m sure that’s also helping my mood.

I started taking Sertraline 3 months ago. The first week wasn't great, I feel really queasy and emotionless. I was advised to take the tablet with breakfast and a lot of water which helped loads. The next few weeks I felt okay but mental and emotionally off, and the GP recommended increasing the dosage to 100mg and within a few days I felt great, I became gained lots of energy, became productive and had a really positive outlook.
I've found this week my energy levels have dipped again and some morning I wake up with a lot of dread like I used to. Not sure if my body is now used to the dosage and it has become less effective or if it the weather and other stresses, but I am definitely not as depressed as I was prior to taking Sertraline.
I would recommend it. If it works for you then great and if not your GP will try you on something different

I've been on mine about a year ish - best one so far. I took about a week to feel better and no side effects.

I've taken it for years for chronic low level depression. A life saver in every sense. A few side effects at first but after a month, none, as long as you take it every day. I am so grateful to the pharmaceutical industry for developing these drugs. It changes everything, like flying out from Luton on a shitty rainy day and landing in the Maldives in the sun. It allows you to be you. Good luck

Thanks everyone, I feel a bit better about taking if now. I started them today. Had a few waves of dizziness earlier so not sure how it's going to go but will try and stick at it

I was prescribed this today for the first time too. I haven't taken one yet...

@KyraGoose were you advised to take it in the morning? I picked mine up yesterday but my GP said to take it in the morning unless I start to feel drowsy on it and then I should take it at night

I been on sertraline for about ten years off and on. I stoped taking it twice to fall pregnant and the n stayed off it for pregnancy and breastfeeding for a year after birth. I absolutely feel so much better and more like myself when I’m on it!

*I’ve been
Stopped

@PixellatedPixie did you have any side effects when you first started taking them? I'm really worried about it. It's really good to hear so many positive stories about it helping people though.

I've been on it for 12 days. Felt distinctly better on day 5 and 6.

No side effects I think. But for the last couple of days I've had high-ish levels of anxiety which isn't something I've been suffering with

I had mild side effects for the first week - nausea mainly - but otherwise no problems. I started feeling quite a bit better mentally within a couple of weeks.

@BrassicaBabe I've just checked the leaflet and anxiety is listed as one of the many common side effects. Hope this goes away quickly for you

@Bellyjellee I wasnt advised what time of day to take it, but I'm gonna take the first one in the morning as I read it can affect your sleep.

[quote Bellyjellee]@PixellatedPixie did you have any side effects when you first started taking them? I'm really worried about it. It's really good to hear so many positive stories about it helping people though. [/quote]
I did not! But I think by the time I found out about it and how it actually works, I was so desperate to get out of my own head and back to feeling happy that I didn’t care about side effects! However, the side effects of sertraline are not long lasting as far as I know. I do remember feeling sleepy in the afternoon for the first 4-5 weeks off and on and I do drink a lot of coffee whereas before it would trigger anxiety.

Even when I’ve increased my dose I have felt the sleepiness but it doesn’t last all day. I found that once it actually started working I felt so relieved and back to being myself that I didn’t care about being a bit sleepy.

One other thing is that I find when I drink alcohol it makes me exhausted so I hardly drink anymore but I don’t crave it either as my anxiety is so minimal now.

If you had really bad side effects I think they would switch you to something else anyway seeing as it’s a long term drug?

2 years here. I had nausea (though I had that with my anxiety anyway so hard to tell) and a bit of a spaced out feeling at first. All gone by two weeks in.

I take mine at night, I did get some very vivid dreams to start with, but again, settled quickly. I found it easier to cope with the spaced out feeling and the nausea at night than in the day, the weird dreams were worth it. But I know for some people the nausea stops them sleeping.

First day.. very, very sick! Urgh. Hope it improves.

First 10 days were hard going. It made me paranoid. Then it was amazing and made such a difference to me

@KyraGoose how are you doing today? Day 3 here. No dizziness or sickness yesterday or today but I'm not sleeping well.

Has anybody else struggled with sleep? Does it pass? I've had 2 very restless nights now and I'm worried the lack of sleep will make me feel worse.

@Bellyjellee When are you taking the tablets? I was on Sertraline 50mg after the birth of my son 2 years ago, stayed on it for 9 months and slowly came off. Unfortunately, I decided a couple of months ago to restart. Initially the first few days make me feel very on edge in a sort of highly stimulated way, I have found that this goes away quickly though. When I took Sertraline last time I took it in the evening and slept fine (or as fine as possible with a newborn!) This time around I have to take it first thing in the morning, it keeps me awake otherwise.

Overall I love Sertraline! It changes my life when I'm on it and for some reason it helps me lose weight--maybe due to lack of comfort eating due to low mood? How is the anxiety doing today?

Sertraline - hand holding www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feeling_depressed/4088279-sertraline-hand-holding