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.

@PishFood welcome . Sorry to hear you've been having a tough time. I hope the increase helps you. Sounds like you have a lot to juggle and cope with- hard at the best of times never mind during a pandemic.

@Ihana thank you for the links, that's really kind of you. I'll have a read.

It is all rather confusing, and seems to be a bit of a trial and error type thing, plus a big dose of patience!

Thanks @freckles20 and also thanks for the thread, these things help a lot.

freckles20 thanks for your kind support.

Depression is a particular sort of hell, isn't it? I hope I was sympathetic before my daughter's experience but I don't think anyone who hasn't witnessed first hand how hideous it's effects can really grasp what a horrible, debilitating illness it is. And how hard it is to get support or empathy.

I've decided not to up my dose. I had to go to see my grandparents today and it usually made me really anxious and I can't wait to get out of there. Today I was chatting on the doorstep for over an hour and I didn't even notice so much time has passed. I'm getting up earlier in the morning and being more productive in the day. I'm eating better and exercising more but there's room for improvement with both of those things. I haven't cried for over 2 months and nor have I fallen out with DP because of things winding me up. I'm sleeping well and not getting headaches. IBS symptoms have improved. I'm currently getting no side effects from the meds at all.

I feel that I'm okay on the dose I am on, and any room for improvement will probably be achieved through positive lifestyle changes :). I spoke to DP about it and we both decided that I am much better than I was. I think I was perhaps expecting too much, and it's just not going to happen at the moment as things are rubbish for everyone!

So for now at least I'm going to stick to 50mg :). I feel that rocking the boat when I'm actually quite stable and completely side effect free is a silly thing to do!

Hi all, I started taking 50mg sertraline 4 weeks ago, had horrible side effects, nausea, mind racing at night, fuzziness etc.
Then settled down after about 10 days and had some really positive days, when I was motivated to actually do something, managed housework and felt brighter. Then last week I slumped again and been really struggling, feelings of doom and gloom and when will life ever be normal again. Dr called me this morning and has suggested upping my dose, so going to try 75mg for a few days before upping to 100mg not wanting horrible side effects back. I’m so scared I’ll get dependant in meds and don’t want to feel like I’m a crazy person. Just want to feel some level in my life with some optimism and motivation

@LindaEllen great to hear you sounding so positive and being able to make a confident decision about what is best for you right now.

@Hope2dance sorry things have dipped for you. FWIW I had awful side effects including severe anxiety when I first started on 50mg, but almost nothing at all side effect wise when I increased to 75mg and then 100mg. I hope you have a similar experience.

I don't think taking medication makes you crazy. I think it's sensible and brave.

I hope everyone is doing ok. I've spent the day arguing with Camhs to get support for DS. It's made me angry and frustrated- I don't usually feel angry, but it does feel appropriate in this case so I'm going with it. I don't think that I'm going to get anywhere but I have to try.

@Hope2dance I found I felt naff around 4/5 weeks in. It passed and I increased anyway. You will get there. I found moving up to 75mg and 100mg a lot easier than starting. Still was a bit off at times, but the bits inbetween where I feel a bit better just kept increasing. Keep going. You will get there and are not a crazy person for helping yourself get well.

@LindaEllen so pleased you're feeling more positive and able to kind of take things from here yourself as opposed to upping the dose at the moment ... If that makes sense. It really is amazing to just lighten the anxiety enough to be able to think a little more clearly and make different choices which have a knock effect on how we feel. I feel like a new person at the moment. Well more like myself.

@mrsdiddlydoo and @freckles20 thank you, How long did you take 75mg before upping to 100mg?

@Hope2dance I took 50mg for 4 weeks, 75mg for one week and then 100mg which I've now been on a little over a week.

I had very slightly disturbed sleep when going up a dose but nothing else side effect wise. I must admit I was a bit surprised after feeling so rough when I first started.

[quote mrsdiddlydoo]@Hope2dance I found I felt naff around 4/5 weeks in. It passed and I increased anyway. You will get there. I found moving up to 75mg and 100mg a lot easier than starting. Still was a bit off at times, but the bits inbetween where I feel a bit better just kept increasing. Keep going. You will get there and are not a crazy person for helping yourself get well.

@LindaEllen so pleased you're feeling more positive and able to kind of take things from here yourself as opposed to upping the dose at the moment ... If that makes sense. It really is amazing to just lighten the anxiety enough to be able to think a little more clearly and make different choices which have a knock effect on how we feel. I feel like a new person at the moment. Well more like myself.[/quote]
Thank you! I mean, I know I don't feel great, but things aren't great are they! So that has to count for something. I'm so glad you're feeling better to :). It's good when we can do things we couldn't previously, or even just being more productive and less stressed!

Evening All. Glad to hear people are having better days. Assignment got done and in. I met a friend for a walk earlier and am catching up on line of duty now. Nice to not have it hanging over me.

Haven't noticed any side effects since going up to 100mg so far. Hoping it stays that way as I had a very upset stomach a few weeks after starting on the 50mg.

@NowYouListenToMeFella well done for getting your assignment done, must be such a load off and will help you feel better 😊 sounds like you had a really good and positive day.

I’m due to up my dose to 100mg from 50mg think I’ll do a few days on 75 first, how long have you been on 100? Did you do 75 for a bit or straight to 100? Sorry for questions I’m just anxious to up it as struggled with side effects when starting 50 mg 4 weeks ago

I took 75mg for about a week. I then struggled a bit going up to 100mg so did it by alternating doses for a few days before the full 100mg consistently.

Side effects were no way as bad as when I started. Some haziness and slightly disturbed sleep. Little bit of increased anxiety but it didn't bother me as much and I know from lots of posters on here many increase with no problems at all.

Hey everyone. I had 5 good days but now I'm back into two bad days. I hate these bad days and was convinced I wouldn't be having them by now (4 weeks into increase to 100mg)

I'm just so fed up as days like this I just wallow and can't get myself up to do anything

@Imagineit I can totally empathise with you, even the smallest of tasks seems enormous and trying to focus on anything feels impossible, I guess all we can do is keep taking the tablets and hope in time things level out as many say it does.
I’m just on the increase now, from 50-75, then up to 100mg, I have heard each time we change dose its like reset, and based on what I’ve read that it can take 6-8 weeks for full effects, I suppose we just have to persevered, not easy when life is so hard. Sometimes I feel trapped in my own head with no way to escape.
Sending hugs x

@Imagineit I could have written your post. Today is unbearable. I know won't last but it's almost more unsettling because other days have gone so well. Just got to be kind to ourselves which I'm kind of fed of... And we know it will pass. Arrggghhh

I have a question. When people who know you have been unwell or struggling ask you how you are, what is your reply? I'm really bad at just saying things are fine, OK, bit of a none response of somekind. I want to be more honest, but the words escape me and I know I'm going to be asked this by a number of different people this week.

@mrsdiddlydoo you're on 100 too aren't you? How many weeks for you now?

I made myself go out shopping then have a shower and feel a bit lifted.

@mrsdiddlydoo I always say good days and bad days

[quote mrsdiddlydoo]@Imagineit I could have written your post. Today is unbearable. I know won't last but it's almost more unsettling because other days have gone so well. Just got to be kind to ourselves which I'm kind of fed of... And we know it will pass. Arrggghhh

I have a question. When people who know you have been unwell or struggling ask you how you are, what is your reply? I'm really bad at just saying things are fine, OK, bit of a none response of somekind. I want to be more honest, but the words escape me and I know I'm going to be asked this by a number of different people this week.[/quote]
I usually just say I'm fine, because I find it hard to explain how I'm feeling. I'm much better at telling people how I felt in hindsight than in the moment. Talking openly face to face with people is something I really need to work on :(.

@LindaEllen I'm really really pleased to hear you're seeing such positive changes. It's great when you feel able to do all the things that you know help but haven't felt up to doing for a while. Long may it continue!

@Hope2dance I had awful side effects when I started 50mg so went up to 75mg before increasing to 100mg. I was meant to do a week on 75 but actually had hardly any side effects so moved up after 4 days and it hasn't been bad at all. Fingers crossed it will be the same for you.

@Imagineit and @mrsdiddlydoo sorry to hear you're struggling today. Selfishly, I'm reassured because I've been feeling very similar. I have days where I feel so positive and then others where I feel on the brink of tears all day. Almost worse than before I started. Hoping things get better for us all.

@Connellschain just wondering if you're around how you're feeling and whether you've managed to talk to your GP?

I've been on sertraline for 3 1/2 months, considered upping my dose from 50 to 100 just after Christmas, but I've stuck with 50, still suffer from some obsessive thoughts relating to health anxiety, but not too bad at the moment!