Sertraline 2- A second handholding thread

[freckles20]

This thread is a follow on to the original handhold thread- for those beginning or continuing their journey on sertraline. All are welcome.

This is a supportive thread, where all situations are unique and there is no judgement.

Place marking

Woke up feeling happy and positive. 3 weeks 4 days on 100mg and I feel like I'm coming out of the other side. I've just ordered some dresses for spring.

@freckles20 check out ujjayi breath, it's a great one. I was listening to an anxiety podcast yesterday and they were saying you really have to practise deep breathing as you get better and better at it and it becomes easier to turn to when you need it.

Hi and thanks for the welcome @freckles20 and @mrsdiddlydoo

Yes I have an GP appointment next week.
I am feeling overwhelmed, I realised it is probably because DH went back to work this week and while he was busy when WFH he was still able to help out e.g. do the school run in the morning. I’ve felt like I’ve been extra busy this week. Partly I need to manage my time better. I did some CBT earlier this year so will go over notes from that. Has anyone else found CBT useful?

Link to previous thread as it might be useful to someone

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

@freckles20 thank you for the new thread

@OnePotato2Potato I found some bits of cbt useful. I think I'm lucky in that the first time I had it it was face to face and one to one so it was tailored to my circumstances. I've done a refresher course recently which has reminded me of some of what I learnt. First time round some of the practices which stuck out were things like when I am worrying or anxious about bad things happening, considering the evidence of whether it's really going to happen so e.g being sick in public - remembering that it hasn't ever happened before so why would it in that moment. Addressing unhelpful thoughts I guess. I'm going on a bit now. Sorry! This time round one of the things that stood out the most was breaking tasks into essential, routine and fun and recognising that the things I felt had to be done... Needed to be done... Were actually routine tasks with no serious negative consequences and I needed to actually make sure my days include a balance of all three types of activities. Sort of letting things go.

Hopefully as you get use to the new routine you will feel a bit better. Let us know how it goes at the GPs next week.

@Imagineit Spring dresses! Awesome

Sun's out here. Going to try to make the most of it. Hope everyone has a nice day x

@OnePotato2Potato it sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I'm sure DH returning to work will have had an impact- even if he was too busy to be any practical help just having another adult in general house I think can make things feel less overwhelming. Please be kind to yourself at such a busy time. Great that you've made GP appointment.

@Imagineit so pleased to hear you're having another good day. Ordering some lovely things for spring sounds so hopeful. I'll look up the breathing and try it thanks for the advice.

@mrsdiddlydoo enjoy the sunshine. It's raining here atm!

Thanks for the comments about CBT. You weren't 'going on' at all, it sounds really interesting. I've not found my sessions helpful as I said yesterday, but I really like the sound of such a proactive approach and I think for whatever reason my (expensive) therapist just isn't helping me identify any changes I could make or strategies to implement. It's all disjointed and strange. I think I need to be brave and stop the sessions and look for someone else. It's so hard to know where to start- this person sounded so good on paper, I guess though that as it's all via zoom I don't necessarily need to stick to local searches only?

@freckles20 You definitely aren't limited geographically at the moment. My sessions were all via our local IAPT (improving access to psychological therapies). I had to wait 6 months for my face to face sessions, but I was able to self refer and sign up to the refresher sessions online which were done on zoom. I know services vary area to area, but it might be worth having a Google or asking your gp if they can refer you for CBT. My search for a therapist to help me with the root causes of my anxiety has proved unsuccessful over the years. I haven't found anyone that I 'gel' with yet. I know lots of people do find the therapist for them, and I haven't given up looking, but I understand how frustrating it can be when you don't feel they are listening or helping you, or get you even.

Hey everyone! Happy new thread :).

Supposed to be increasing to 100 on Monday but not actually sure whether to.

This will sound mad, but I don't know what level of calm/contentment im aiming for - as I've been anxious and depressed for such a long time. I have no idea what normal feels like.

I do definitely feel better but I don't know if I could feel 'more' better iyswim.

I don't want to increase for no reason but I don't think I've had that lightbulb of feeling better yet.

@LindaEllen how long have you been on it?

I managed to do a workout today and although I've had background anxiety it's been a good day all round. It's such a slow process but I feel like I move a fraction in the right direction each day.

I started mine on Monday on 50mg after finally working up the nerve to call the doctor after realising I couldn't face any more days feeling like this.

I've been a bit worried about the side effects but so far it's just lack of sleep. I already have issues sleeping and take 5htp before bed to help but from what I've read I can't take that with setraline so not sure if the lack of sleep is caused by the setraline or by not taking my usual tablets.

Got my lavender spray and weighted blanket out for tonight, hoping they help.

I haven’t picked mine up yet
First time every having anything like this..
Doc prescribed 50ml but ive read on here others taking 25 to start so now im worrying that 50ml is a lot.

Thanks for starting the new thread @freckles20 how are you doing?

I feel a bit of a fraud on here atm as Sertraline is really working well for me and my side effects are minimal compared to others. I hope that this will reassure anyone at the start of their Sertraline journey though.

@Mummywith2 I was also terrified before starting on ADs. I now know that 50mg is considered a low dose. I started on 3 days at 25mg before going up to 50mg. I then did a few days at 75mg before going up to 100mg a few weeks later.

@MistressWeatherwax1 I take magnesium for sleep. I went through around a month of sleeplessness but I've now come out the other side.

I'm glad to hear that some of the others who started at a similar time to me are now seeing the benefits too.
Thanking of you all

[quote Imagineit]@LindaEllen how long have you been on it?

I managed to do a workout today and although I've had background anxiety it's been a good day all round. It's such a slow process but I feel like I move a fraction in the right direction each day. [/quote]
Almost 3 months now, so definitely long enough for it to kick it. It's helped for sure but I just don't know if there's still more improvement to be made!

@LindaEllen I think I understand how you're feeling about increasing. I took the plunge as I felt I wanted to try at what seems to be considered an 'average' dose of 100mg. I guess it means I won't know how level 50mg could have made me. I had no side effects increasing to 75 and then 100mg, which really surprised me considering how hard I found it to start with.

It's really hard to know how level you can expect to feel. I know sertraline isn't a magic wand so how you can tell when it's working at it's best is tricky I guess!

[quote freckles20]@LindaEllen I think I understand how you're feeling about increasing. I took the plunge as I felt I wanted to try at what seems to be considered an 'average' dose of 100mg. I guess it means I won't know how level 50mg could have made me. I had no side effects increasing to 75 and then 100mg, which really surprised me considering how hard I found it to start with.

It's really hard to know how level you can expect to feel. I know sertraline isn't a magic wand so how you can tell when it's working at it's best is tricky I guess! [/quote]
Particularly when things are so rubbish for everyone! All I know is that I do still feel anxious about certain things that I shouldn't, and like you said I know that 50mg is a starter dose with loads of people moving to 100 as a more typical dose! I'm hoping for no side effects! I could do without being effectively no use for two weeks!

Hello, just found this thread. I’m really struggling with my mental health this week despite been on 50mg sertraline for a while.

I can’t seem to get steady and my highs / lows are far greater than I’ve ever experienced.

Definitely suicidal but won’t do anything due to having kids.

Not sure what to do if I’m honest.

Welcome to all the new people! Have been reading but not had time to post recently as been very busy.

Anyone thinking about starting soon, 50mg is a relatively low dose but some people (including me!) can have quite bad side effects when starting so might be worth doing a week of 25mg. If you don't feel too bad a few days in can always go up to 50mg. Not sure if the side effects would actually have been worse if I'd started on 50mg straight away as it seems to be such an individual thing but it's worth doing I think.

@LindaEllen I feel similar but would definitely say it's worth trying 100mg if you think there's a chance it could help. I also don't really know what I'm expecting to feel but I'm hoping I'll just kind of know! Especially as you know you're still feeling a bit anxious, sounds like it's worth a try. You could always drop back to 50mg if you try 100mg and don't feel any benefit after a month or so. I only had very mild side effects when I increased, nothing like when I first started.

I'm still on 100mg, not sure if I'm feeling much of a difference compared to 50mg to be honest, except possibly a bit more detached and I've completely lost my sex drive (anyone else?!). I was hoping to get back the amazing positivity I had when I first started but maybe that's unrealistic and I just need to be pleased at feeling better overall.

@Imagineit glad to hear you're feeling better - I think you've been on 100mg a bit longer than me so hoping I feel a bit more level soon too.

@20DigitCombination really pleased it's working so well for you! Did you notice much of a difference moving up from 50mg?

Hope everyone else is well and has a good weekend.

@Connellschain sorry to hear you're struggling so much. 50mg is a fairly low dose, especially for depression so it's worth asking your GP about increasing your dose. Is your GP sympathetic? Please call them on Monday and tell them how you've been feeling to get some support and a plan on increasing your dose and perhaps a referral for CBT or similar. You don't need to feel like this.

In the meantime, please feel free to post here if you want to talk, or consider calling the Samaritans. Do you have support in RL?

Take care

@Connellschain I'm sorry you are feeling so low. Have you been back to your GP and discussed increasing your dose? Do you have any support?

www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool

@Ihana thanks. I didn't really feel that 50mg was doing much for me and was impatient to feel better so I increased to 100 quite quickly after talking to my doctor. I feel much more stable now and can think about the future again. I can't say I feel exactly happy but I certainly don't feel desperately sad anymore.

I started on Tuesday on 50mg but was getting very bad side affects, not sleeping, face feeling numb and very whoozy. I cut down to 25mg and shifted taking them from before bed to mid day and the last couple of days have been feeling great and sleeping really well. My fitbit shows deep sleep has increased from 20 min a night to 90 min in the last couple of nights which I have not managed for years. My body has also stopped aching which I think was to do with poor sleep.
Just hoping it continues.

I am feeling terribly guilty though as I am breastfeeding and since I started taking them LO has been quite unsettled. I am hoping it is just a coincidence. Is anyone else here breastfeeding?

@20DigitCombination you're absolutely not a fraud. It's great to hear from someone feeling a bit better. I am cheering you on.

I'm doing ok. I've had a disappointing few days- first Cahms calling to say all they can offer is a parenting course for me. The issue is DS feeling low to the point of suicidal thoughts. No behavioural issues, so I'm not sure what help a parenting course might be. I managed to push back and am hoping they might offer more counselling. It's so hard to get help for young people that it's shocking.

Then school have said they have cancelled the GCSE music option for next year due to lack of interest. It's DS' only interest atm so he's so disappointed and it's the last thing we needed. It's made me sad and angry and hopeless. He was really excited about it and it's such a shame.

Sorry to vent.

Hi @Connellschain, we hope you don't mind, but as you've posted that you're feeling low, we wanted to add a link to our Mental Health resources - please click on the link as there are lots of organisations we've listed which can give you some help right now. You can also go to the Samaritans website or email them on [email protected]. or call them, free of charge, any time, on 116 123.

If you find texting easier, please take a look at Shout's website. Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK.

Support from other Mumsnetters is great and we really hope you'll be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek real-life help and support as well.

We hope things start getting a bit easier for you and for everyone else posting on this thread.

@Ihana good to hear from you. I'm glad you're doing ok. I feel a bit detached too, but in my case it's quite a relief as opposed to having such strong feelings. It just feels like things are easier to cope with.

My sex drive has gone awol too. It's a shame but in my case I just feel I need to sort everything else out, as it was affecting my libido anyway.

@Connellschain welcome. I'm sorry you're feeling so low. I agree that it may be worth considering upping your dose. Do you have anyone you can talk to IRL. Keep posting here if it helps. The Samaritans are also really helpful, it might seem odd that a stranger on the phone can help but I have felt better after calling them.

Welcome @Woodpecker22 and any other new people. Sorry if I've missed anyone out.