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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:
LindaEllen · 12/05/2021 10:15

Hey all just checking in to see how everyone is doing ❤️

All good here. I haven't cried or got myself in a frustration spiral since I started the sertraline - over 4 months. I used to cry quite regularly and got wound up about a lot of things.

I take things in my stride.

I did my first ever Zoom call last night - definitely late to the party but better late than never. I felt nervous when it was approaching the time, but as soon as it started I was fine and I can say I enjoyed it!

I'm seeing my family more and actually inviting them to my house which is nice.

I'm due to speak to the GP next month and I'm a bit worried in case she wants me to come off them again given that I'm doing so well. I really don't want to. I'm only on 50mg and they've helped me SO much. I get no side effects whatsoever now, and I just feel normal. I'd happily take one of these every morning for the rest of my life if I could just feel like this all the time.

I just never ever want to feel like I used to. Never. Whatever risks there may be from staying on these long term I don't care. Quality of life is everything, and for the first time in 12 years I can honestly say I feel good.

holymoly678 · 12/05/2021 11:56

@FeduponFriday - how long have you been on increased dose for? I'm really hoping to get the balance back to where I was a few weeks ago but my hope is dwindling each day!

FeduponFriday · 12/05/2021 11:58

Holymoly678 it will be 2 weeks this Friday, but first 4 days were at 75mg. Don't feel any increased benefits yet

Ethellsmum · 12/05/2021 12:01

@LindaEllen I’m sure your GP won’t make you come off then. I know mine said that I’d have to be feeling stable for 6 months before we would even consider coming off them.

I’ve been on sertraline since January - just 50mg. I’ve been fine and actually enjoying life for a change. This past week or two though I’m really struggling with my anxiety.
I’m not sure it I need to up the dose or if this is just a little blip.

holymoly678 · 12/05/2021 12:01

@FeduponFriday I'm coming up for 2 weeks on Friday now too. Had 8 weeks on 50mg before that. Felt good at 4/5 weeks then dipped. Not felt the same since.

FeduponFriday · 12/05/2021 12:06

I was the same holymoly678 at 4-5 weeks. Felt good

FeduponFriday · 12/05/2021 12:08

Ethellsmum my gp said to expect the odd blip in mood but any thing over a week means you may need to go up (this what she said in my case, anyway). I had a week when I had no energy or enthusiasm to do my normal routine.

Ihana · 12/05/2021 12:12

Hi to all new people!

@holymoly678 I had similar - felt great a few weeks into 50mg but after about 6 weeks felt like the effect was wearing off so started at 100mg a couple of weeks later and it's been great. I'd say it took at least 3/4 weeks to really feel the effects though, similar to when you start. So hang on in there!

@LindaEllen I'm so so pleased things are going so well for you! Sounds really positive which is lovely. I recently had a call with my GP and she's going to continue my prescription and re-check in 6 months but mainly just to make sure all ok rather than with a view to coming off. Think I've read it's recommended to do at least 6 months of treatment for the first episode of depression, a year for the second and if it recurs then meds likely needed lifelong. So don't feel like you need to come off them if they're working well.

Wondering if people who were on the thread a while ago are doing well so not on the thread much? @freckles20 @mrsdiddlydoo @NowYouListenToMeFella @Hope2dance @Imagineit @FeduponFriday and anyone else I've missed

holymoly678 · 12/05/2021 12:33

thanks @Ihana

NowYouListenToMeFella · 12/05/2021 13:17

Hi Ihana. Saw you tagged me and thought I'd pop back in. I'm doing really well at the moment. Think the 100mg dose is going great for me.

Starting sertraline has been life changing and an eye opener. I've realised that how I felt for so many years wasn't right. Now I'm wondering is this how most people feel on a daily basis and why I put up with feeling how I did for so long.

I'm very relaxed, no overthinking, don't get worked up about small things and I feel much brighter and engaged with life.

mrsdiddlydoo · 12/05/2021 23:07

Hope you're doing okay as well @ihana?

@LindaEllen I think you will know when the time is right to stop, and it's definitely not anytime soon.... If ever. I'm dead pleased things are going well for you. Some anxiety is natural, not sure I'll ever get use to video calls!

I'm pretty well. Definitely a million times better than back in December. I have the occasional bad day but I 'm able to take life in my stride more easily and find myself telling others that things aren't important that I would have been over thinking or worrying about previously. My struggles atm relate to work and its hard to maintain a balance but I m working on it. It takes time to fix new routines and make change permanent. I still recommend that if anyone is worrying about starting sertraline, you give it a try because it is life changing living without constant anxiety.

@NowYouListenToMeFella nice to hear from you too. Glad 100mg is working well for you. Smile

Hang on in there if you are experiencing side effects. They pass... Big wave at everyone!

Ihana · 13/05/2021 14:03

@NowYouListenToMeFella and @mrsdiddlydoo really pleased to read you're both doing so well!

Things with me are also really good, as NowYouListen said it's been life changing for me which sounds dramatic but is true. The best way I can think to describe it is to say it's like being in a good mood all (or most of) the time. But not in an artificial way and I still feel like myself, and still have some moments of feeling down. It's just not all-encompassing or overwhelming like before and I can rationalise things much better. I also don't feel anxious anymore - didn't even realise I was anxious until I joined this thread but it's made a big difference, not having to think about everything 100 times and going over things in my head so much, or feeling nervous any time I have to do anything new/go anywhere.

Really grateful for this thread and the previous version for such great support and reassurance from people going through a similar thing!

troppibambini6 · 13/05/2021 17:06

It's so nice to hear how much better people are feeling. I'm only three and a half weeks in and already I'm starting to feel better. I've just had my review with my gp who is just so lovely.
He was telling me how important it is to put myself first and to use this time I'm feeling better to take really good care of myself.

NowYouListenToMeFella · 13/05/2021 21:56

Great to hear that you are doing well mrsdiddlydoo and Ihana. This thread has been a great support. It's nice to have others going through the same thing to chat though. Also when I first started posting reading about how it was working for others gave me hope.

FeduponFriday · 13/05/2021 23:00

It's so lovely hearing about everyone's positive experiences. Like others, I too wondered why it took me so long to start setraline. Feel so much better. I can cope more easily with stressful situations and put things into perspective, and feel more relaxed and easy going generally. I used to be obsessive about tidying and cleaning, but now i've relaxed about that too which is a good sign for me (hubby is wondering what's going on - not sure he likes it!). 50mg worked so hoping 100mg will kick in soon. As someone else said, hang in there with the side effects. They only last a few weeks and it's worth it.

Whiffle77 · 15/05/2021 06:56

Hi all, great to read everyone's experiences. I am starting sertraline today after a tough 18 months, I have a young baby so its probably partly pnd. I've been in counselling a couple of months but came to the conclusion I need meds too. Not looking forward to the side effects, and wishing I had started them awhile ago really!

mrsdiddlydoo · 18/05/2021 09:10

Just a gentle bump for those seeking reassurance about side effects.

Hi to everyone as well!

@whiffle77 how are you finding it? It's never easy taking medication first time round, but having starting it when I had a little one and needed a helping hand to get back up again, I'm sure you're doing the right thing. Worst of the side effects.... If you get any, usually pass in the first couple of weeks. Hang on in there x

Dollsandfoo · 18/05/2021 10:53

Hang in there once you get through the first few weeks it definitely is worth it x

HippoNamedBooBooButt · 18/05/2021 12:50

I'm 12 days in and feeling no side effects today at all - woke up feeling great! Haven't worried about or thought about the things that normally consume me... know I will be up and down but starting to see a way out today x

LambHamb · 18/05/2021 14:54

Hope everyone is doing okay. I posted on this thread a few times when I started taking sertraline about 3 and a half weeks ago. I'm starting to feel a bit better. I do still get anxious but the constant low level anxiety and tightness in my chest I had all day long isn't there. The side effects aren't great but I didn't find them too bad and totally worth it.

I'm still absolutely exhausted all the time and have been going to bed at 8pm every night. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it last long?

Heronatemygoldfish · 19/05/2021 15:07

Started Sertraline 50mg last Friday. I didn't think that the feelings of buzzing, heavy arms and legs and thumping heart and constant adrenaline spikes/jitters could get any worse but yesterday and today have been awful. It's all the time. I wake up in the night and go hot and cold and then I'm struggling to get back to sleep. I took the first one at night, was still awake hours later and swapped to morning! Nausea not too bad - comes and goes. But the rest... argh.

Thank you for this thread - my GP said my anxiety would get worse before it got better but it's really helpful reading posts from people who have experienced it and are feeling so much better.

troppibambini6 · 20/05/2021 11:10

@Heronatemygoldfish hang in there it will pass, I'm 5 weeks in now and I'm feeling so so much better. I've had a really bad couple of weeks with family stuff and I've coped and I'm coming out the other side now. I feel like I've coped like a normal person would!

Heronatemygoldfish · 20/05/2021 11:59

Thanks @troppibambini6. Arms still feel sluggish and still buzzing but am sure it's because of the hyperstimulation/adrenaline. I am so looking forward to my internal engine stopping this constant over-revving!

Dollsandfoo · 20/05/2021 16:50

Yer definitely try and hang in there am definitely starting to feel better now just over 5 weeks x

MissPilly · 21/05/2021 08:27

Hi All
I would like some advice pls... I have been on 50mg sertraline since December but haven’t been great at taking it regularly for some reason, either taking it at a later time or missing a day. However I did still feel the benefits of it, being calmer, not being quick to panic.

About 2 months ago I told the GP I had been feeling really snappy and irritable for about a week and she suggested going up to 100mg.

However because I had a busy month coming up I didn’t want to face it with the side effects of an increased dose so just carried on with 50mg. Ultimately for the last 3 weeks or so I haven’t been taking them at all (I know, it’s terrible) and have just started again on Tuesday at 50mg.
However I’m feeling really irritable and emotional again, over minor things.
Is this just the sertraline working again? Or a sign I need a different medicine as I had this before on 50mg. Or is it because I’m not taking it regularly, different times, skipping days etc?

Would really appreciate opinions if someone has experienced similar. Thanks.