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.

@Ihana I don’t have much support IRL, not sure people know how bad I am.

I feel so isolated. Just can’t manage to think straight - almost manic in my mood swings. Wish someone could put me to sleep for a week and I’d wake up all better

@Connellschain is there anyone IRL who you could talk to? I understand if not, but it can be hugely helpful to offload onto someone who will listen without judgement.

I know that feeling of wanting to go to sleep and wake up with everything better. It's a really natural way to think when things feel unmanageable.

Please consider calling the Samaritans. It can't do any harm, and despite being sceptical I've felt much better after calling them.

I know it's probably the last thing you feel like doing but can you distract yourself from these low thoughts just temporary- maybe a walk, or a shower, playing a silly game on your phone.

@freckles20 thanks 
You vent away all you like! That sounds so frustrating for you and ds. Does his school offer any support or counselling? Keep fighting and telling CAMHS what your son needs. You're the one who knows him best.

@Connellschain it's so hard to open up to people when you're feeling down. I know I kept how bad I was feeling a secret until I just could cope anymore. That's why this place is so great. Do you think you can phone your doctor on Monday? You can also use the NHS website to get advice and support: www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

Welcome @Woodpecker22 sorry no advice for you as I'm long past my child bearing days! I hope your lo settles down soon.

@Connellschain hello lovely. I had to increase from 50mg to 100mg three weeks ago as 50 wasn't helping me. I really suggest going back to the GP to discuss your options.

@20DigitCombination yes he has been very lucky to have six sessions through school. They can get offer more though and his counsellor said that the cahms referral would help. It's so confusing and frustrating. Cahms are saying it's unethical to begin again with a new counsellor so soon. I accept it's not ideal, but I also feel strongly that he needs support.

That should say 'They can not offer more though' sorry!

@freckles20 and @20DigitCombination thanks - seems like how I'm feeling is pretty normal then so I'll persevere! And no need to apologise for venting @freckles20! Really feel for teenagers at the moment. Is there any chance your DS could sit just the music GCSE elsewhere as an external candidate? Would be extra work in the evenings/at weekends but might be worth it if he's keen.

@Connellschain I know how it feels when you don't have any RL support as I'm in a similar position. You might be surprised at how supportive people can be if you did feel able to confide in someone, even if you're not that close to them. Completely understand not feeling able to though and this place is great to be able to chat to people who have been or are in the same boat.

I think it's the hardest thing to admit we're struggling and need some help, but there's support out there and lots of options of meds and therapy to find what works for you. It can feel overwhelming when you're in the middle of things but it might be as simple as increasing your dose. I expect several of us on this thread have felt similar at some point.

Day 12 on 50mg and supposed to increase
On Monday to 100mg but feel a bit anxious about doing it.

Been on 50mg for about 7 weeks, feel alot more calmer and reasonable, not so quick to lose my temper and shout.
The first few weeks my sleep was a bit weird but that has settled.

[quote freckles20]@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. [/quote]
If he's that keen, do you think there's a chance they would consider teaching him after school as an extra? When I was doing A Levels I'd chosen music and was the only one who'd chosen it. I was told the course would be cancelled but my mum phoned up and complained - and I ended up getting 3 teachers to myself for 2 years!! So it may not be out of the question, particularly if he's good at music already as he may not need huge amounts of teacher guidance.

@freckles20 sorry to hear you've had a couple of tough days. What rubbish news about the gcse. Have you considered exploring other options like @LindaEllen and @lhana suggested. Would ds agree to doing it a different way?

@LindaEllen I say you've nothing to lose increasing. I had a few side effects as I increased but not as bad as at the beginning. Couple of slightly fuzzy days, bit extra anxious, but it was easier knowing what to expect and also being more sure what was causing it. Could you start to increase over a weekend or when you have a few quieter days? Just so you can take it easy if you need to.

@KAP232 Maybe try 75mg for a few days? I hope the increase goes smoothly.

@Connellschain how are you feeling now?

Welcome @Woodpecker22 Hope you are doing okay

I can't go back to page 1 without losing my post so hi to everyone else. 👋

Thank you all for your kind words and suggestions for DS. I don't think taking it out of school is an option- I think he needs a teacher with experience to take him through the syllabus. I've written to school though, so we can explore all options. I want to be able to reassure DS that we've tried everything.

@Connellschain I hope you are doing ok.

Wishing everyone a peaceful night.

@Mummywith2 Lots of people do start on 50mg and don't experience bad side effects. I think the thought of starting medication can increase any existing anxiety because it feels unknown. If you feel worried maybe take 25mg for a couple of days.

@MistressWeatherwax1 How was your sleep last night? The sertraline definitely messes my sleep up when I start taking it or go up in dose but it does pass after a couple of weeks. It effects me falling asleep but I don't wake at 4am unable to get back to sleep like some do. Really interested in how you find the weighted blanket? Does it help?

Thanks for your messages. I managed to get through to The Samaritans and had a good chat.

I’ll call my GP on Monday, it normally takes around 30 calls & 40 mins on hold No idea how to start resolving some of the issues but just ate a mahooosive M&S brioche bread pudding and that’s about as good as it gets for now.

@Connellschain the whole GP phoning thing is a nightmare, but I know at my practice if you don't manage to get an appointment in the initial mad rush, if you call later and explain it's urgent they make sure you talk to a GP the same day. I think most practices keep some appointments back for this so worth doing as it's definitely important enough. Let us know how you get on.

Hope you and everyone else has a good Sunday.

@Connellschain calling the Samaritans was a really positive step. I'm glad you had a good chat.

I know how frustrating and off putting calling the doctors is. It can make you feel like not bothering. If you can I think it's worth telling the receptionist exactly how much you are struggling, and that you feel you need help urgently.

Eating the brioche is as good a place to start as any. Be kind to yourself, you are not alone.

@Connellschain with the way you are feeling you should be on a much higher dose. 50 is 'thereputic' not for someone who has feelings of harming themselves, you honestly will feel so much better when your dose is upped. I would imagine for your level of clinical depression you'll find 150-200 will be where you will end up. No one wants to be over medicated so obviously they up your dose slowly, but please be really honest with your doctor because you could go straight up to 125/150 from 50 with the feelings you describe. Hang in there, you really will find that the medication just suddenly starts to work in a totally different way to which the side effects kind of lead you to believe. You won't feel high or jittery or sick or anything like that any more, it just calms your mind and stops you from catastrophising and stressing internally. As well as putting the breaks on an overactive mind that imagines all those ways you could hurt yourself, even if they are just thoughts you'll never act on, those thoughts are harmful and unhealthy for our minds and our souls. You will feel better but you must say how bad you have gone down and how low you are

I am not on Sertraline, my 18 year old daughter is. She is in her final year at school so huge pressure at the moment with exams in June. After 7 months on 50mg she has had her dosage increased to 100mg about 3 weeks ago, she is still very low. Not always but sometimes seems manic, super in the morning or if she has an interaction with a teacher or a friend and then completely deflated and dozy afterwards. Yesterday she was very bad for the afternoon and evening, she says she feels broken.

I don't know what to do, how to help. I am at work during the week. Her school are not supportive. I wrote to her year head to say she is struggling but doing her best, that's it's her illness rather than lack of interest that causes patchy attendance. The YH's response was to address the class as a whole and say if you're not here physically 100%, we know it is because you are not interested.

What are the people around you doing that helps? My daughter is usually very extrovert and would have been a high achiever before being knocked sideways by depression about two years ago. She has had two brilliant series of CBT but then was recommended medication. Her GP is also good and available. Is it normally to feel so lethargic or should I be looking for other reasons such as low iron?

@ChampooPapi thanks for your input. I'm interested in the fact that you feel 150-200mg is a likely dose for someone with clinical depression. I've been taking Sertraline for 6.5 weeks and have been taking 100mg for a week.

I feel more level than I did and am coping with a difficult situation in a more balanced way. I'm still struggling though, and it's hard to know how much better I could feel, so I'm wondering wether to look to
Increase my dose further.

Any thoughts?

Just a note on higher doses, research has shown doses over 100mg aren't actually better at reducing depression, and are more likely to have side effects including stopping medication altogether. Obviously there are individuals who might benefit from higher doses but personally I'd be cautious about doing so. Can post links to research if anyone's interested.

@freckles20 might be worth giving it a little more time as I think it can take up to 12 weeks to see the full effects, including after increasing the dose. I've been on 100mg for 3 weeks (and 50mg for 8 weeks before that), spoke to my GP this week and she said it's still early days on the higher dose and wants to speak to me in a month. I know it's frustrating but I'm hoping giving it plenty of time to feel the full benefits will be worth it in the long run! Just my thoughts, obviously everyone needs to work out what works for them.

@freckles20 yep totally agree with@Ihana I'm 4 weeks tomorrow at 100mg and this last week has been my biggest turning point but I'm expecting further improvement yet as I know that when you increase the dose you 'reset'. Definitely getting better here though. This is my fifth good day. I still have some morning anxiety but it's very mild.

@Straussful I'm sorry to hear of your daughter's difficulties. It must be a really tricky time for her and my heart goes out to you too- I know how hard it is to see your child suffer, and that as they get older it can be really hard to find the best way to support and guide them.

I think it's extra hard for teens who are facing exams to navigate difficulties with their mental health. Ideally I guess we would all want to reduce daily stress, and pressure and give ourselves time to heal- but that's hard when exams are looming and there is that feeling that this is their one shot at getting their qualifications.

So you are kind of between a 'rock and a hard place'.

The attitude of you DD's head of year was appalling. They have a duty of care towards her and not only have they failed to offer adequate support, they have given a very inappropriate and unhelpful message out when addressing the class.

I would go back to school, via the head teacher or the person responsible for pastoral care or safeguarding and push for more support. They really must offer more help and advice under the circumstances.

With regards to the lethargy it is so hard to know the cause. It can definitely be part of the low mood that comes with depression. At the same time there can be a physical cause. Maybe your GP could run a few tests to look at things like thyroid, iron etc. to rule anything 'obvious' out.

@Ihana thank you for the advice re. higher doses. That's really helpful. If you can find links easily Id love to take a look. I have tried google but it's a minefield to me.

I'll definitely give the 100mg time to kick in.

@Imagineit I'm so so pleased to hear you've had five good days in a row. Brilliant news! Also thanks for reminding me that I need to give the 100mg longer to kick in.

Only just found this thread, I am on 50mg but am starting on 100mg next week as I am having really awful thoughts. My ex left me for OW last year, I have never previously had any mental health problems but now my MH is bad. I started on sertraline in Dec and it has stopped me crying all day at work but my dr has agreed to up the dose as I am far from 100% and am finding it hard to function with work, kids and my ‘mind’. I am not bothered about long term effects and addiction because I just feel so awful.

@freckles20 Couple of links below. Not sure how familiar you are with papers but if you don't fancy trawling through the whole thing the Abstracts at the start give a good summary or there's a bit more detail in the Discussion sections near the end.

www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(19)30217-2/fulltext

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4931602/

Anecdotally my psychiatrist said the higher dose range tends to be more useful for OCD than depression. I think it can be difficult with ADs as you don't necessarily get more of/a better effect with higher doses, which is how we're used to thinking of medication generally. It's often just a time thing which can be frustrating!