Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Sertraline 2- A second handholding thread

661 replies

freckles20 · 19/03/2021 08:18

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.

OP posts:
troppibambini6 · 26/04/2021 09:53

That's so good to hear fedup I'm having one of those days today where I'm just fed up with it all!
I think a bad nights sleep probably hasn't helped. Debated getting back in bed after the school run but that probably won't help with sleeping tonight.
Going to tackle the laundry mountain instead. Rock and roll! Grin

FeduponFriday · 26/04/2021 10:27

Ps I take mine just after breakfast

SpanishDanceTroupe · 26/04/2021 22:23

Wow, I wish I'd found this thread 2 weeks ago when I started Sertraline (50mg). I'm 12 days in and my appetite is only just starting to come back (my bowels are still having some - er - interesting times), but I am doing a lot better mentally, though how much of that is placebo this early on I'm not sure.

One side effect I've only been able to find mentioned by one other person online was that about 3 days in, I started to yawn more, and my teeth would chatter slightly after every yawn. I think that's subsiding now but it was very odd — has anyone else had that?

FeduponFriday · 26/04/2021 22:39

@SpanishDanceTroupe

Wow, I wish I'd found this thread 2 weeks ago when I started Sertraline (50mg). I'm 12 days in and my appetite is only just starting to come back (my bowels are still having some - er - interesting times), but I am doing a lot better mentally, though how much of that is placebo this early on I'm not sure.

One side effect I've only been able to find mentioned by one other person online was that about 3 days in, I started to yawn more, and my teeth would chatter slightly after every yawn. I think that's subsiding now but it was very odd — has anyone else had that?

Yawning, yes! See my post below. Common side effect of AD'S.
LambHamb · 27/04/2021 14:00

Hi everyone. Hope you're all having a good day so far. I've been on 25mg for 5 days and took 50mg at 9 today. Felt fine up until an hour ago and now feel really sick, shakey, spaced out. I feel like I cant really see properly. I can but my eyes are a bit slow. Can't really explain what I mean. My head feels heavy.

mrsdiddlydoo · 27/04/2021 20:31

Hi everyone. Hope everyone has had a good day. Lots of new names since I lasted posted.

To anyone wondering whether they are doing the right thing, hang on in there, it is worth giving sertraline or other medications a go because it has the potential to change your life. It's my second time on it, and even though I knew it helped me get back on top of things previously, by weeks 4/5 this time I was still wondering if I had done the right thing. Feeling as mad as a hatter at times. For me once it starts working it gives me the space I need from overthinking and anxiety to be able to help myself in other ways. I have never experienced a light bulb 'I feel better now' moment. It's not an overnight fix for me. It just creeps up on me, being able to deal with difficult situations, put things into perspective, be more patient, kinder to myself, etc.

If you don't know whether you should take it, the fact you have found yourself is a pretty good sign that it might be worth giving it a chance. Give yourself a chance.

mrsdiddlydoo · 27/04/2021 20:34

@LambHamb hope you are feeling a bit more settled now. Are you able to just take it easy for the next few days? If you become worried about any of the side effects, do contact your gp. For me the worse of them reduced after a couple of weeks. Some stuck around longer like poor sleep, metallic taste and dry mouth, etc but they have all gone now.

mrsdiddlydoo · 27/04/2021 20:38

@LoopyLouLawson I can relate to the guilty feelings you've described about missing work. But you haven't anything to feel guilty about. You will feel better soon and will be back at work before you know it.

LambHamb · 27/04/2021 21:29

@mrsdiddlydoo I do feel a bit better now. I'm going to bed soon as I feel absolutely drained. Unfortunately I've got a 15 month old plus 2 older children so definitely no taking it easy. If this is as bad as it gets, I will be okay. I just don't like the spaced out feeling. Thanks for your words of encouragement. Reading through this thread helped me decide to to take that first tablet. I'm glad sertraline has worked for you.

LambHamb · 28/04/2021 04:18

Sorry me again. I've struggled to sleep tonight. I've just woken up shaking really badly to the point my teeth are slightly chattering. I know it's normal but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't freaked out.

FeduponFriday · 28/04/2021 07:15

LambHamb. I had a few nights of waking up with heightened anxiety. It will pass. The Setraline needs time to establish. Have you changed the time of day you take it?

LambHamb · 28/04/2021 09:28

I've been taking it in the morning. I'm worried it will keep me awake more if I take it at night.

bettydaviseyes1 · 28/04/2021 09:39

Having a wobble :( 2 weeks in and I feel no different, really thought I'd have a slight improvement by now. I've been really fortunate and had no bad symptoms, I feel like it's not working. Is there anyone further down the road with some hope?

FeduponFriday · 28/04/2021 09:41

I started seeing improvements around 4 weeks. GP says full benefits should be experienced 6-8 weeks

bettydaviseyes1 · 28/04/2021 09:52

Some say they feel better after 1-2 weeks, could be placebo?

2 weeks to go then hopefully some improvement. I've been really calm and anxiety hasnt been too bad, I think its because I had hope I was actually doing something that was going to help and now today I'm very on the edge which is scaring me because I dont feel like I can cope any better than before the medication.

troppibambini6 · 28/04/2021 10:11

Sorry you had a bad night lamb

Betty hopefully not too much longer until you feel some benefits. From what I can remember last time I think I felt much calmer by around two weeks and then gradually I would get the odd day where I felt much lighter (if that makes sense?!) these became more and more frequent until I felt much better.

Day 9 for me and the nausea is much better thank you fedup eating little and often definitely helps. Still feel a bit spacey and I'm much better taking it earlier in the day.

Dollsandfoo · 28/04/2021 10:18

Am about 2 weeks in now and definitely have some days were I feel a little better. Am still only taking half the tablet though haven't made it to the full 50 yet . I need to stop being such a wimp and do it as am sure it will make me feel so much better x

SpanishDanceTroupe · 28/04/2021 10:52

I started straight on 50mg @Dollsandfoo, it's not as scary as you might think! Most people get fewer side effects upping their dose than they did initially starting Sertraline, I think.

LindaEllen · 28/04/2021 11:26

Hey everyone :) I hope you're all doing well and hey to any new people who've joined the thread since I was last here.

All's good with me, I can't complain. I've been enjoying garden visits with my parents and grandparents which is something I'd have really worked myself up about this time last year.

I had a dream last night closely resembling a situation that used to make me feel anxious. I felt very anxious in the dream and actually thought for gods sake the sertraline is supposed to stop me feeling like this .. when I woke up, the anxious feeling from the dream was so fresh, but it melted away as I realised the dream wasn't real. It's then that I truly realised how far I've come, and how different I do actually feel.

Things are not perfect. But I'm even and mostly chilled, and that's all I wanted.

motheroreily · 28/04/2021 17:02

Hello everyone please can I join. I spoke to doctor today and was prescribed sertraline. I last had fluoxetine about 6 years and had been feeling better. But have been overwhelmed with anxiety on and off for about 3 years and it's just got more intense and regular. And I just feel so exhausted and am not really coping with everyday life at the mo.

However I feel lighter for having some medication and am really looking forward to feeling better.

Does anyone have any advice about what to do/how to get through the first couple of weeks while you're waiting for them to work.

FeduponFriday · 29/04/2021 08:10

That's great to hear, LindaEllen. How long have you been taking them?

Dollsandfoo · 29/04/2021 11:52

I have had a bad tummy all night had to get up and few times in the night to run the loo my tummy feels sore and still off now. Am about 2 weeks in is this just a side effect of the sertraline. I think I did get it last time but can't remember and am freaking myself out a little now about it x

FeduponFriday · 29/04/2021 12:01

Sorry to grad that, Dolls. I didn't experience this. Maybe it's a tummy bug?

LambHamb · 29/04/2021 14:39

Dolls, I've had a bit of an off stomach since starting sertraline too. I'm on day 7 today and just feeling a bit fed up of feeling rubbish.

troppibambini6 · 29/04/2021 16:37

@motheroreily I'm only on day 11 and today I've felt much more normal. I would say take it easy and just be kind to yourself. Eat little and often like fedup recommended to me it really helps with any nausea.