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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:
FreddyP · 28/01/2022 17:30

@Stuckinadream thanks 😊

Forrandomposts · 28/01/2022 18:36

Hi everyone,

I'm about 6 weeks in now and everything is really starting to settle. I still feel the panic when I try and do things that trigger me but it doesn't rise up and overtake me the way it used to. Feels dampened/muted somehow. So am able to do more and more and the sense of freedom is giddying!

Still have hard moments don't get me wrong and the side effects of fatigue and shaking come and go, but overall really pleased!

One think I had was an inability to orgasm for about a month. That was a nightmare! But thank god it receded Wink

fibeee · 28/01/2022 22:01

Almost 3 weeks in for me and side effects have subsided. I’m feeling a lot more balanced than I was pre-sertraline. I even made it through my period without crying and getting emotional about complete nonsense.

Blueblue37 · 29/01/2022 08:00

Hi everyone, I have just started on sertraline yesterday (took my second this morning).

I’ve not had a chance to read full thread yet.

When I called the doctor I was in a mess so cannot 100% remember what she said… but reading the thread I think I was supposed to start with 25mg when I got the tablets they were all 50mg (and in my stupid state I didn’t realise I could have just cut the tablet in two .. just not thinking straight).

So I’ve started straight on 50mg.. hope that’s ok?

cheeseybeans19 · 29/01/2022 08:50

Day 6 on 25mg and I’ve woken up feeling horrendous today. Am also on propranolol so have taken that too this morning. I’m just struggling so much to eat it’s like I’m trying to swallow a cow, but I’m feeling so sick and light headed and shaky. I know some of this is the the sertraline and some of it’s the anxiety. It’s so hard I just want to feel better. The panic this morning is unbearable

wendz86 · 29/01/2022 09:38

@Blueblue37 i went straight onto 50 mg and didn’t find it too bad . You can always go back to 25mg if you have too many side effects .

@cheeseybeans19 hope it subsides soon . It’s horrible but so worth pushing through .

Useranon1 · 29/01/2022 12:31

@cheeseybeans19 by first few weeks were awful - shaking, really increased anxiety, fatigue etc. Now on week 6 I'm so glad I stuck it out! You can do this

FreddyP · 29/01/2022 12:53

@cheeseybeans19 you poor thing it's awful I'm still getting terrible morning panic at 9 weeks in just hoping it's a case of finding the right dose for me. What's making it difficult for you to eat mine seems to stem from terrible dry mouth which started to make me panic when I tried swallowing also my taste buds have gone which I'm hoping will all improve in time.

Anyone else suffering with really dry mouth and does it go away at all? I'm 9 weeks in but have been on different doses

cheeseybeans19 · 29/01/2022 14:28

Thanks all, glad I found this thread. @FreddyP I don’t know why I’m struggling to eat, I feel very nauseous and just too agitated I guess. The propranolol does help but I am just desperate to feel well again and get rid of this awful fear.

fibeee · 31/01/2022 09:16

Think I spoke too soon a few days ago. 3 weeks in and I feel like the worst of the side effects are hitting me now. Feeling so lightheaded, sick and exhausted with an upset stomach. Doesn’t help that I also have health anxiety which is making my mind race.

Did anyone else experience physical side effects a few weeks in? I increased my dose to 50 ago.

Blueblue37 · 31/01/2022 10:04

Hi everyone sorry to hear some of you are not feeling well, it’s annoying that the side effects can get worse :(

I don’t think I would be able to cope with increased anxiety as a side effect, as mine is awful as it is.

I’m on day four of 50mg and don’t have anything major to report . A bit spaced out, some headache, nausea and weird jaw feeling.

But also my head feels calmer? Like there are less thoughts, is that possible already? Another weird thing was on day two I felt like the colours were brighter and some food tasted better? I googled it and it’s a thing... but I was surprised as thought it’s too soon to be working?

Does anyone have experience of resigning while signed off sick? Any advice? My breakdown and anxiety was caused mostly by work so I can’t face going back to serve my notice or even speaking to them on the phone.

FreddyP · 31/01/2022 16:29

Hi everyone I'm feeling very confused myself as I have a couple of manageable days then seem to go back to square one, anyone else had this, I'm on my third day off upping dose to 150mg as still feeling anxious 😟

@fibeee yes this happened to me I was fine the first couple of weeks but it could also merely be a bad day and tomorrow you'll feel good again hopefully

@bluebell37 glad to hear you're feeling the benefits of the medication, I can't advise anything workwise I'm afraid

FreddyP · 31/01/2022 16:30

@bluebell37 also ACAS can help and advise with any work related issues

wendz86 · 31/01/2022 18:39

@fibeee I didn’t have physical effects at 3 weeks but my anxiety got worse again but by 4 weeks was much better again ,

Blueblue37 · 02/02/2022 09:39

I spoke too soon and having worse side effects yesterday and today. Physical anxiety symptoms (I get mine as a horrible feeling in my chest). Bad night sweats and very very low mood. Also a bit panicky about my future as I feel I messed everything up :(

Hope everyone is holding on and taking one step at a time

wendz86 · 02/02/2022 09:59

@Blueblue37 hope it doesn't last long, hang in there.

I have been on for nearly 10 weeks in total, I upped to 100mg after 5 weeks and am doing quite well. I had to go into office yesterday for first time on trains which is one of the things that makes me most anxious and i managed fine. I didn't feel panicky like last time i went on one although i still had a bit of anxiety. I have been doing EMDR therapy as well so think that's also helping.

IceandIndigo · 02/02/2022 12:42

Hi, my GP wants me to start sertraline for anxiety. I'm a bit put off reading this thread, with all the side effects people are experiencing. GP did say my anxiety might get worse to begin with and I'm not sure I could handle that. I also have problems with insomnia and it has a huge impact on my mood when I don't sleep so I am quite reluctant to take anything that could make that worse.

Is it necessary to completely avoid alcohol while on sertraline?

I also have this fear that if I start taking it I might never get off it, not sure if that's silly...

GreenFingeredNell15 · 03/02/2022 11:29

Question for anyone who knows. Would it mostly be best to start on 25 mg a day for anxiety?

drybird · 03/02/2022 13:36

Just filled in an online e-consult form for the doctors. I was given sertraline just before Christmas but it really made me feel odd and I'm was so sleepy all the time. I reduced the dose but it didn't get any better so I stopped. I'm aware however I need medication so I've asked for an alternative to Sertraline. Is there one? Anyone moved onto an alternative with successful results?

JoeyLin · 03/02/2022 15:19

Hi - my mum has been on 150mg for over a year now. Consultant finally suggesting it is not helping.
I'm actually feeling now that its not helped her depression (apart from short lived boosts when she increases dose)... but worst, may have increased her anxiety , phobias and delusions.

Consultant is saying a switch to Venlafaxine .

Has anyone switched away from Sertraline and had any success?

aveline161 · 03/02/2022 15:55

Oh my god I literally just came onto mumsnet to ask for advice about this medication and it’s the top thread in Mental Health- fate? I’ve been prescribed 100mg for a couple of years now but I can never maintain it. I seem to have a mental block when it comes to taking it, despite the fact I have to administer regular meds to my child. I just can’t seem to build it in. I don’t know if something subconsciously stops me, or if it just takes so long to work I can’t feel the benefit so don’t do it, or what. There just always seems to be something or someone interrupting me. Also had a couple of nasty experiences with it getting stuck. Is there anything that can be prescribed to give me a numb while it gets to work?

cheeseybeans19 · 05/02/2022 14:18

@GreenFingeredNell15 @IceandIndigo I am on day 13, I did 7 days on 25mg and moved up to 50mg after that so today is day 6 of 50mg. I suffer with terrible anxiety mainly surrounding health which has been flared up due to losing my Dad recently. I have had some really rough days but have noticed that the last couple of days I haven’t felt the panic, nor the nausea. Headaches have gone too and I am getting my appetite back. I feel I still have quite a way to go but I definitely feel better than I did a few weeks ago. I would recommend starting with a lower dose for the first few days as side effects are hard, but personally I am glad that I took the plunge and started them.

GreenFingeredNell15 · 05/02/2022 14:54

Thanks @cheesey .... did you get an increased heart rate?

cheeseybeans19 · 05/02/2022 15:09

@GreenFingeredNell15 I did, the doctor gave me some propranolol to help when I felt really anxious and got the racing heart but I only ever needed 20mg propranolol (2x10mg) at the very most twice a day. I had sertraline a few years ago when my mum died and started straight on 50mg and found that harder, so I would definitely recommend 25 for the first few days.

Turtlerunner · 05/02/2022 16:19

Anyone else successfully tapered off Sertraline? I've been on it years following DA/work stresses, 150mg final dose, tapered v gradually and have now had no AD since mid December. This time around no brain zaps (yay) but I've had daily tears, frequent rage that I try to keep a lid on, just minimal tolerance for anything and the slightest thing makes me emotional. I also went through headaches and fluey symptoms which have now passed. Only plus so far is I have my libido back that had been non existent while on sertraline. No major life stresses now which was why I hoped coming off would be a good move. Am I still suffering SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome or am I just destined to be on AD all my life?