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.

Does sertraline also help with social anxiety? I spend the majority of my life thinking people are annoyed with me when they aren't.

JorisBonson. I'm the same in terms of anxious thoughts inthe middle of the night and bad insomnia. Sertraline has definitely helped with this. Good luck. X

JorisBonson not sure about helping with social anxiety. The one thing I don't have to worry about! Hope it helps you with that too. X

Holymoly678. I am similar. I had a really good response after 50mg. Thinking about moving up to 150mg from 100mg but not sure as I can't really remember now how I was before taking sertraline!

Best of luck Hapagirl with your DD. She's lucky to have a mum like you looking out for her. Hope she's not suffering too much with the crummy side effects. Xx

Hey all, I'm a newbie here and very grateful for this thread! Have struggled with anxiety for around 4 years now I'd say but only really recognised what it was 18 months ago, I just thought I was a bit overwhelmed and stressed.... came to a head a year ago and Dr prescribed Sertraline starting at 50mg. I took it for just two days and the side effects were so awful (esp the increased anxiety) that I stopped almost immediately. After a year of trying everything else non medical I've come to the conclusion that I don't just want to feel shit all the time and also if I don't make a change nothing will change - so I've started on them again. (The GP is aware). I have broken a tablet in half and gone with 25mg for now, hopefully to move up after a week. Want to do it super gently as, after 4 years, I'm not in any immediate rush!!

My only question really is to do with brands, I've read through the thread and can only see it mentioned once. I've been given Teva - which I didn't react to that well as a brand for my levo. But obviously they're different medications so could be fine! I just wondered if anyone else had Teva and if the brand makes a difference potentially? As with my levo it seems to swap every prescription so I'd like to be clued up!

Thank you and lovely to meet you all!

Hi Bob74. Welcome! Yes, the side effects are crappy but stick with it. It's only for a few weeks. Good idea to start on 25mg. I did the same. I haven't heard of different brand names my packet only says 'Sertraline'?

Thanks FeduponFriday. About a month in and she is so much better. She has clenched jaw which she finds annoying but has recognized herself how much better she is. I think it also has to do with schools being off so I’m pretty sick myself with anxiety at the thought of going back next week (we’re in Scotland). But I’m hoping that her being in such a better place in herself will mean she doesn’t spiral. Hope everyone else is doing well!

That's great to hear, hapagirl.

Yes, the jaw clenching is a common side effect. I liken it to gurning when coming up on ecstasy (in the old days) but you may not want to mention that to her! 😬

Please can I join? I’m day 9 today of 50mg for anxiety. I feel shocking. I was aware my anxiety would increase initially but it’s so much worse than I expected. I can’t sleep at all, feel sick and just rubbish. I know I need to keep fighting though it but it’s hard.

One positive, it’s helped me lose my last few lbs of weight and I’m almost at my target 😂 small wins and all that

HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 My dd was also prescribed melatonin at the same time to help with sleep. She takes both at night after some tweaking. Can you ask your GP? Hope you feel better soon. Day 9 is early days :)

I feel even worse today 😩 but it’s another day closer to hopefully feeling better

Thanks @FeduponFriday - mine says Teva brand. I think I've seen other packets with Accord on them?

Day 2 - an anxious morning and very little motivation but we plough on, right?

Have looked through the previous thread and this one fully now - many seem to aim for 100mg. I don't really suffer much from depression, just anxiety really (but it's horrible!) Does anyone else here take it for anxiety rather than depression and, if so, what dose are you on?

Thank you!

@HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 did you start on 25 or straight on 50? I tried straight on 50 last year and had to give up after a few days, it was awful. I'm trying 25 this year for a week or so then will go up.

Hi everyone. I’m on day 14, 50mg.
The first week I felt quite spaced out and no appetite (which I hated as I’m
already skinny). I also found it quite hard to have conversations with people, like my brain was moving too slowly.
The second week I started feeling a bit better, more ‘with it’ and my mind is so calm and clear, all the anxiety is gone.
I still wake a couple of times a night, but am able to go back to sleep straight away, whereas before I was up for hours with my mind and heart racing, fretting over silly things.

I’m absolutely loving sertraline! Wish I had started taking it years ago.

@Bob74 straight onto 50mg. Doctor never mentioned starting slowly. I guess I’m at the point of no return now so may as well plough on. To add insult to injury, I’m now in isolation with my 3 year old as he’s got a cough and temp. Fingers crossed for a negative test. I don’t want to have to give up when I’m already 9 days in

Hi, can I join this thread? I had stupidly stopped taking sertraline a few weeks ago. Started again this week and the side effects are driving me mad. I’m more anxious than ever and can’t sleep. Had to ask my boss for a day off as I can’t function. Feel so guilty and like my mind is racing. I’ve been off work with MH issues quite a few times, but I really don’t want to be off any longer than one day. This morning I was wondering if there was any point to me being alive: maybe my husband and son would be better off without me. But then I realised I was being selfish and it’s only the anxiety speaking. Anyone got any tips for getting through the first few days side effects ? X

TracyLords I can’t say much because as my pps have mentioned, it’s my DD who’s on Sertraline and not me. But living with a person with anxiety and suicidal thoughts, I can categorically say your DH and DS will not be better off without you 💕. Keep with the thought that it’s only the anxiety talking and don’t let that go. Hang in there.

Thanks @hapagirl. I’m dreading work tomorrow. Feel so sick at the thought of it: worried about making mistakes or not doing things properly

Hi @HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 yikes, keeping fingers crossed for you!!! As if you haven't got enough to deal with! Thanks for responding. I'm hoping to go up to 50 after a week/10 days on 25.... I struggled really badly with the side effects on 50 last year so I'm terrified but I know that's meant to be the therapeutic dose for anxiety so will dig deep!

So I think I feel a bit better today. Still have anxiety but it hasn’t crippled me today and I’ve not needed any propranolol. Managed to do some jobs around the house today too 😊

Back to terrible anxiety again today 😩
Positives, I did sleep much better last night and I’m planning a day of cleaning and relaxing

The positive effects seem to have worn off for me. Back to racing heart, on edge, over-emotional and multiple night wakings.
The GP will be ringing me on Tuesday as she wanted to do a 3-week check in to see how I was getting on. I’ll maybe ask her if I can increase to 100mg.
I felt so good last week, I’d love to get back to that!

Hello, thought I'd join in. I've been taking Sertaline for about 2 and a half months now - it has sorted my life out!! I was prescribed it for bad PMT, but it fairness my mood has always been on the low side and I do have anxiety. And although I always knew it I never realised how much of a dent it made on me until the sertraline kicked in. It's been great for me so far! I also changed the copper coil to a hormonal one. That was done about a month ago - I can't say I'm liking it, my period has never stopped since I got it put in. Anyway, I think it is my actual period now, and the night sweats have gone through the roof!! I wake up drenched, thankfully I don't smell much, but it feels quite yuk if I'm being honest. I'm considering having the coil taken out but worry about the hormonal imbalance on top of low mood/anxiety.

Has anyone come up with a method or treatment to cut down the night sweats? Thanks

I’ve spoken to the GP today and she agreed I can up my dose from 50 to 100, starting from today. I take mine in the evening so not long to go. Really hope it makes a positive difference for me.
How’s everyone else getting on?