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.

Good, make sure you listen to your work mate - we’re always kinder to other people than to ourselves for some reason! Try treating yourself like your own best friend (I’m rubbish at this but I’m trying to be kinder to myself!).

I’m mostly taking these for health anxiety at the moment, keep leaping from one imagined terminal illness to the next and I’ve basically driven myself mad with worry. I’ve had General Anxiety Disorder and depression on and off since I was 19, so 20yr now. I can’t really remember what it was like to be totally anxiety-free! X

Day six on 25mg, had a better sleep but a very vivid dream about my ex so woke up with my heart thumping, which wasn’t great. Had some work planned this morning which got cancelled, so at a loose end which has made my anxiety increase a bit. Keep fixating on my flank, which isn’t actually painful anymore but I can feel the odd twinge and it’s ramping up my health anxiety 😣

I find my anxiety is worse when I have less to do as well.

My sleep seems to be improving again after going up to 100mg two weeks ago.

Sucks doesn’t it @wendz86. Ive had a very busy month and could do with relaxing today but my anxiety keeps spiking ☹️ still I’ve managed to be up and about and doing things, I’ve definitely been worse over the past few months.

Feeling good this evening! Feel like I’m spamming this thread but I want to refer back at a later stage.

Hope everyone else is ok x

@DasAlteLeid glad you're feeling good tonight, like you have suffered with MH from 19 got GAD, health anxiety and have agoraphobic tendencies, had a great day myself yesterday and had decided I wasn't going to work (been on sick leave 6 weeks) anyway my son got me up said come on get to work , I dithered for an hour and a half deliberating if I could do it and thought either go to work or sit thinking all day! I was quite anxious most of the day but managed to last out, just wish I could overcome the bloody food issue I mean I wanted to lose weight just not this way lol x

@FreddyP that’s brilliant, I’m so pleased for you! Such a big hurdle for us anxious ones and you overcame it. I hope you’re really proud of yourself and it gives you the confidence to keep going.

Have you considered protein shakes or malt drinks like Horlicks etc to keep your calories up? I’ve found over the decades (!) that if I don’t keep my calories up I feel so much worse mentally and physically x

Also so sorry you’ve been struggling for so many years too. I’ve had so many happy and positive times in my life which is great, but the effort it’s taken to fight off these feelings at times feels Herculean.

@DasAlteLeid you sound like me I've had some great times over the years along with the many hurdles, yes I'm drinking protein shakes to try and keep my strength up but then the health anxiety starts with the negative thoughts like you'll pass out or something worse! Yes I'm glad I did it then came home took a tablet and again convinced my it was stuck in my throat bringing on a panic attack as when I take them I feel a flaming lump in my throat and the mind starts again just wish I could break the cycle as this is hindering my progress and thanks for your encouraging words x

The mind is so powerful @FreddyP. It can convince us of so many physical symptoms unfortunately.

Are there any online videos or guides that can help you?

I found these tips:

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-relax-throat-muscles-anxiety

Sorry if it’s stuff you’ve already tried… it seems a very common problem though so don’t beat yourself up x

@DasAlteLeid aww brilliant thanks I'll have a look! Doesn't make me feel so bad knowing it's a common problem as feel a bit of a freak with this one lol as normally eat everything in sight! People keep saying just eat bit like you said the mind is so strong and can play nasty tricks x

Woke up like I’d been shot again but slept all the way from 11pm-6.30am which was great! Feeling tired but a lot more ‘normal’ these past couple of days. I’m only on 25mg but I feel like it’s taken the edge off the anxiety a bit for me and allowed me to function again. I’ll go for another run tomorrow as I think boosting my serotonin that way alongside the meds really works for me.

I hope it is ok to post here

I started on 50mg on Tuesday morning, and feel as high as a kite since! I am really struggling staying upright without feeling dizzy, although my guided meditation app helps - especially so I know it doesnt have a physical cause.

How long can these side effects be expected to last? I know the general rule is 4-6 weeks before I start to feel 'better', but I am not sure I can cope with another 4 weeks of feeling like this.

Also, is there a best time to take them? I currently take it on a morning as I take pain killers on a night to help with back pain, but I am thinking of stopping the pain killers and taking the sertraline on a night before bed.

Best wishes to all

Hi @MarionForCampLeader of course you can post here! Jump aboard!

My friend said she felt like she was on ecstasy when she tried 50mg so she went down to 25mg and felt much better. I heeded her warning and have stuck to 25mg for a week now, I’m feeling about 50% better than I was last week and I’m happy with that for now I think.

Are you usually very sensitive to medication? I am so I knew I would have trouble with 50… even 25 was awful at first! I take mine first thing and I seem to be sleeping ok. Others say night time is best. Maybe experiment and see what works for you.

Thanks @DasAlteLeid I only have 50 strength tablets, I wonder if I can cut them in half?!

@MarionForCampLeader yes you can snap in half on the line which is what my doctor advised me to do, I started taking morning but had insomnia so tried later I'm the day and slept better but still wonder if I should try morning again, sorry not much help on that one 😅

Thanks @FreddyP that’s a big help. I think I may push tomorrow’s back a couple of hours and just take half. I find when I take them first thing I’m ok till mid afternoon then I’m so shaky and getting that ‘whooshing’ feeling I’ve seen referred to on this thread. Fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow!

@MarionForCampLeader I think it's a bit of trial and error tbh seeing which works best I think, good luck!

@MarionForCampLeader yeah I just cut mine in half with a steak knife 😆 they have a groove down the middle so it’s very easy. I would definitely recommend coming down if the side effects are too bad x

Hi, I hope it's ok to join in here. I started taking Sertraline on the 1st Jan after a desperate call to my lovely doctor. I have been feeling so flat and annoyed and agitated and anxious for around 2 years I'd say. I did take it before for post natal depression but to be honest I think my issues run much deeper than that. I was at a point where there was no joy. Nothing, I felt like I was just existing. So I've been taking 50mg a day. I was scared of the side effects so was taking them in 2 half's, just to see if I was ok and I have been. I'm only two weeks in and I'm feeling a lot brighter....I have been singing at random points in the day which is unheard of!

@MarionForCampLeader

Thanks *@FreddyP* that’s a big help. I think I may push tomorrow’s back a couple of hours and just take half. I find when I take them first thing I’m ok till mid afternoon then I’m so shaky and getting that ‘whooshing’ feeling I’ve seen referred to on this thread. Fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow!

Oh I get the whooshing too but only when I get into bed and put my head on the pillow!

@Choosingtochange I’m seriously considering stopping mine as even with a half dose yesterday I’ve still struggled all night I’m a lone parent and I need to be able to function. I’m so happy it’s working for you though

[quote MarionForCampLeader]@Choosingtochange I’m seriously considering stopping mine as even with a half dose yesterday I’ve still struggled all night I’m a lone parent and I need to be able to function. I’m so happy it’s working for you though [/quote]
Are you taking them at night? I think if you are still really struggling with half a dose then maybe speak to your doctor and look at changing to something else. Like you say you need to be able to function. But I have read that some peoples side effects start to settle down after a week or 2 so maybe try and push through x

Just wanted to come back on here to say how good I’m feeling. I’m coming up to 12 weeks on 50mg and for me the first 8 weeks were quite up and down but from then on it’s settled. 8 weeks felt like a long time when I first started but actually went by quite quickly. I also started straight onto 50mg and for the first few days felt totally drugged up. Even rang a helpline at work as I was unsure if I could function. Very minimal side effects now. I take them after lunch as I decided that was the most reliable meal I have (as I sometime skip breakfast and time of supper can vary wildly). I still have occasional restless legs but sleep really well compared to those first couple of weeks. I feel like a ‘normal’ person and I’m actually enjoying kids/work/life in general... in dull, grey January too! So for anyone else coming on here like I did in those early weeks, I recommend sticking to it (and trying give it a full 8 weeks before deciding if it’s working).

@sulkysukey have you been told to take them with food? Mine says it doesn't matter?