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.

I took my first tablet again last night well half off one. So woke about 4.30 and feeling a bit off tummy upset and feeling sick. Jaw has been clenching. Got to drag myself work now hopefully I can get through the day OK. I know having been on these before it will pass but I hope it passes soon . Hope your all doing OK x

Hi all

Hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread. I was prescribed this yesterday after I attempted suicide last week.

Long short cut short...I've had a pretty shit time of it over the last 18yrs which I've buried deep and not dealt with at all. Then I did something at work that's going to result in criminal charges (can't really talk about that bit). But the dam broke last weekend and I tried to end it all.

I'm hoping these meds and counselling are going to help me just deal with life. I feel dead inside and still seem to see ending it all as an option (I'm not going to though)

That's about all I can manage for today...fingers crossed these get into my system asap.

@mrsdiddlydoo

Hi *@LoopyLouLawson* Call the doctors tomorrow and definitely explain you don't feel well enough to work yet and can you have another sick note. If your gp is on leave ask to speak to another one or you will just be extra anxious until its all sorted. Is your work keeping in touch with you? Mine are terrible at doing that. It really does help to check in with someone at work every so often even if it's by text or email to help the return feel less overwhelming. We're here for you so do keep posting x

I rang GP this morning and had a telephone consultation.

She has advised to continue on the 50mg of Sertraline for another 2 weeks and with a plan to increase to 100 at that point if needed.

She was lovely - she actually is really reassuring and understanding. She said not to worry about work - and that I should not be going back until I feel well enough and she has signed me off for another month.

I am so relieved tbh, in 2019 I went to the GP and saw a different GP and I remember sobbing in his office, but he was quite dismissive and although he gave me a prescription for Sertraline then, I never actually got it, as his reaction made me feel like a time waster and that I was just making a mountain out of a molehill. I have seen him before with one of the kids and he was the same then - he just makes me uncomfortable and like a naughty schoolgirl called into the headteachers office!

Work is being good, I am having monthly wellbeing meetings with my line manager and she has given me the details to contact the staff support and get counselling through them, the GP had referred me to somewhere and I had an initial assessment with them, and they said waiting list was weeks as opposed to months so I thought it would come through quickish, but I am still waiting - so emailed the staff support.

@Patters4779

Hi all

Hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread. I was prescribed this yesterday after I attempted suicide last week.

Long short cut short...I've had a pretty shit time of it over the last 18yrs which I've buried deep and not dealt with at all. Then I did something at work that's going to result in criminal charges (can't really talk about that bit). But the dam broke last weekend and I tried to end it all.

I'm hoping these meds and counselling are going to help me just deal with life. I feel dead inside and still seem to see ending it all as an option (I'm not going to though)

That's about all I can manage for today...fingers crossed these get into my system asap.

Sorry to hear you are struggling.

I understand what you mean - the just wanting something to help you deal with stuff.

Have you support in RL?

Hope someone can help please. I’ve been on 50mg since August, which has worked well for me (after the first 2 horrendous weeks). I’ve missed the odd day with no effects but have just managed to miss a whole week worth through being busy and forgetting to ask for a prescription and remembering at the wrong time to go to the pharmacy.

I’ve just realised that I’ve probably had a few withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating and sleeplessness, which I hadn’t thought about. I’ve picked up my repeat prescription and taken a tablet at lunch time and now have a headache on the right side of my head.

Has anyone else experienced this and can reassure me I’m not going to go through the next few days experiencing symptoms like the first couple of weeks please?

First time post on this thread. I wanted to ask if anyone has actually been sick on sertraline? Starting this week and I have a phobia of being sick, it's the only thing holding me back

I do have support IRL. My family and friends have rallied around me. Ive just been on a call to talking therapy and I'm not sure that's going to work out I dont actually know what I need..maybe when the meds are working ill have a better idea?

Hi @Patters4779 I'm sorry you have been having such a tough time and glad you've found us on here. I'd just try to get through each day and with time hopefully it will feel easier. Sertraline takes a few weeks to start working and some people experience side effects but it's worth keeping going to reap the benefits. I definitely find that once they are working for me I feel a lot clearer and able to figure stuff out. Keep posting! And take care of yourself as best you can.

@LoopyLouLawson it makes such a difference having an understanding gp. Hopefully you will start to feel better soon. Sounds worth exploring the work provided support too especially if it can happen sooner.

@bettydaviseyes1 it can make you feel sick... Nauseous which is bad enough when you are scared of being sick, but it hasn't actually ever made me sick. The nausea, if you experience it because not everyone does, can feel like it's not go away but I can guarantee it does. Good luck starting.

@HiveQueen haven't been through what you describe. I imagine your body will figure out what's going on pretty quickly. If you think you are feeling side effects and they are too much, maybe alternate 50 with 25 for a couple of days to ease back in.

@Dollsandfoo How was your day in end? I hope was OK.

@mrsdiddlydoo thank you for the suggestion. I feel so silly to have done this. I’ve been doing really well which is probably how I’ve managed to miss so many so easily.

@HiveQueen I was frequently missing doses after being on it for 20 months previously and it was around then I stopped. Its very easily done when things are busy or you feel OK. I guess you could try to set a reminder on your phone or stick a note on a cupboard to help remind you.

@mrsdiddlydoo it wasn't to bad. I felt rotten in the morning but got better as day went on. Managed to take the kids to the park after work and actually cook a decent meal which I haven't been great at doing lately. Feeling ruff again this morning but hopefully it will pass. Definitely not as bad as the first time I went on these about 2 years ago. I couldn't even get out of bed for 2 weeks the first time. Although I was mental in a much worse place first time am hoping to nip it in the bud this time before I get to how I was then. Hope every doing OK xxx

Hi everyone

I’ve just started 50mg sertraline, took my first dose last night. Feel a little dizzy/spaced out but is that a bit soon/just in my head?

I’ve been feeling so low for months and trying to do things for myself but it’s never quite enough and I sink so easily. I have depression and maybe some anxiety too although that element of it doesn’t seem too dominant.

I’m really grateful to everyone sharing their experiences, it’s made getting my prescription and accepting that this is my next step so much easier.

@mrsdiddlydoo @ProfessorInkling Well done for starting. Yes, those. symptoms are definitely the side effects of Sertraline. They kick in very quickly! They will lessen over the next week. I started on 25mg for the first 3 days,

I've been on it for three weeks now. Think I feel a bit better. Keen to go up to 100mg as soon as possible (again, will do this gradually, starting at 75mg). I'm really glad I stuck with it and have got going ... feels good doing something positive. I too suffer from anxiety and depression.

Good luck to you both.
X

Ps. Eating before I take it and also eating little and often through the day definitely helped with the nausea in the first week

Thanks @FeduponFriday
I’ve felt a bit fragile all day, unfortunately I’ve also got a toothache setting in today, cannot face the dentist though so hopefully it will fade, paracetamol seems enough. I have codeine if I need it (I get a lot of joint pain and can’t take ibuprofen etc).

That’s reassuring that it will lessen, I don’t think I’d have felt safe to drive this morning..though I feel a bit better now, just tired, maybe a bit sorry for myself

Can I ask why you are keen to go to 100mg? How do you know where to settle your dose? It feels like a minefield and a bit of pot luck about what dose is right?

@ProfessorInkling tiredness is also a side effect. Lots of yawning. I was in bed by 8pm on day 1!

I just want to get better and get all the help I can, hence wanting to go up. However, I'm sure I haven't settled yet at only 3 weeks at 50mg. I've got a call with the doctor so will ask her then. I believe a lot of people go up at around 4 weeks.

I have had a rotten headache which I think is being corsed fro clenching my jaw. I remember having this last time so hopefully will pass soon x

Yes, I had a headache for a good few days, along with lots of jaw clenching / gurning!

Hi All. Just checking in. Welcome to all the newbies starting their journey. This is a lovely supportive place.

I haven't posted in a while as work has been really busy. I'm a good few weeks on the 100mg now and it has definitely kicked in. Motivation is good. I'm doing course work in good time and not struggling to get out of bed.

No major side effects in going up a dose here. Thank god as my stomach was very bad starting. I take mine in the morning after eating and with a huge glass of water. Definitely helps the stomach.

Sorry I haven't name checked I'm on my phone.

Hey everyone :). Just thought I'd drop in and say I hope you're all doing okay. Sorry I've been quiet recently but for me it's a good sign - I always use social media/forums less the better I'm feeling!

I'm still on 50mg even though the GP gave me the go ahead to increase if I wanted to. I decided I was okay at the moment (even, dare I say it, good) so I decided I'd wait until life got more back to normal with covid etc to see how I coped with normal life. It's all very well saying I'm okay now, but that may change when socialising starts demanding more of my time and energy again.

That being said, I've done garden visits with my mum and my grandparents, and my dad has been here and is coming again this afternoon. We went round to the neighbours the other day and had a few drinks (Fanta for me!) before tea. I wouldn't have enjoyed any of those things in the past and now they're at worst fine and at best actually enjoyable! So that's a good sign. I'm also planning a bbq for Father's Day at my house, and to host something like that is nothing short of a miracle for me. Let's hope I'm still as up for it when I'm waist deep in burger buns on the day!

The weather has definitely given me a lift too. It always does. I love sitting outside.

So yeah I am very sorry that I haven't been on here much, but it's all good, I've just been living my life. And that's all I ever wanted the sertraline to allow me to do! :)

Morning everyone. Hope you are all doing well.

Just an update as I said below I was looking to move up to 100mg after 4 weeks (I'm currently almost 4 weeks on 50mg). I spoke to the GP yesterday and she wants me to stay on 50mg for another 3 weeks before thinking about going up to 100mg as she says full effects are 6-8 weeks. She said 50mg can be a full dose and to wait a little while longer as I'm starting to see some improvements. I guess I have to be patient!

@LindaEllen that's great that things are going so well for you - I really hope it continues.

@FeduponFriday today marks my 5 week on 50mg - my gp wants me to give it a full two months before we consider upping the dose.

I felt consistently worse on Sertraline for around 4 weeks - really low. I was ready to give up on it, however I felt a change at the beginning of this week - calmer and more positive generally. I think other things have also contributed, I returned to work after the Easter holidays (work in a school) which has given me much needed structure. Also, I feel like my relationship with ds15 has improved - we had a very constructive discussion on Monday night; it feels like a massive weight has been lifted.

I am still having absolutely crazy dreams and gritting my teeth. There is also still a small ball of anxiety/unease in my stomach - I am finding that deep breathing exercises are helping with this a lot.

After I posted about starting sertraline last week my toothache got much worse and I’ve got a massive infection, so I’m on two different antibiotics and have nausea, metallic taste, dizziness. I don’t feel safe to drive and I feel sick though am fine to eat, and probably eating too much actually as it dulls the sickness feeling for a bit.

I guess I can’t differentiate what’s AB’s and what’s sertraline, maybe that’s not such a bad thing as it’s all v distracting and I’m feeling miserable anyway!

So I’m just waiting to finish the antibiotics and settle back down and hopefully there won’t be too many side effects that are sertraline leftover if that makes sense.

@LindaEllen really pleased you are doing well and living your life. I think it's natural to come on here less the better we feel.

@ProfessorInkling sorry to hear about the tooth problems. Hope it clears up soon and you start to feel lighter soon. Are you managing to get outside for some walks or even just a rest in the sun?

@HoxtonBonnet pleased you are feeling a bit better too. Routine helps me, although when I feel terrible I'd rather hide in a hole than get on. Hopefully you will continue improving. The first time I was on sertraline 50mg was all I needed and it helped change my life around despite the yucky start.

I'm doing well. Have the odd up and down and some terrible moments of anxiety, but I am able to talk myself out of it and it passes reasonably easily. It's not the hole I fell in before Christmas which I couldn't get out of. More like I notice the hole from time to time, but am able to do something about it so I don't fall in.

Hey all - not having a good day today - into my 3rd week of taking 50 mg sertraline.

Had a terrible nights sleep - was up and down at every little noise - heart racing all night and that awful knot of tension in my chest .

Still feeling on edge now - all nervous and tense and i don't even know why! I am just so cross with myself. Feel like I am letting everyone down - I have been off work since Feb and don't feel any further forward sometimes.