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.

I’ve never taken ecstasy but if this is what it feels like then I haven’t missed out . A week in I feel early pregnancy style knackered. Just completely wiped out. Waking early hours too. Other than that nothing awful. It feels good to be doing something productive about the depression though.

@Imagineit good luck with the switch. You've got to do what's right for you.

@freckles20 your post was definitely not boasting. I'm so pleased things are picking up for you and thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

@LOTER16178 the side effects really do vary for everyone. Starting at the weekend is a really good plan so you can see how you feel. Let us know how you get on.

@Vegiereggie hang on in there with the drowsiness. It will pass eventually.

@LindaEllen funny how you mention being able to get up earlier. I feel like I've been struggling so much to get going in the mornings, which got worse starting sertraline, but in the last couple of weeks it has been so much easier.

This week has been busy for me, I've had great moments and some very anxious ones, but I'm sleeping so much better than I was which helps me get through the difficult moments. I've lost count of how long I've been on 100mg. Must be about 5 weeks or so now.

@Imagineit I hope the cilatopram works better for you. Also hoping maybe you'll stay on this thread with us.

Welcome to all the news people. To those struggling with awful initial side effects, I feel for you. Mine were horrendous to start with, it feels so unfair that a medication that can be so helpful also sometimes makes everything worse before it gets better. In my case things have improved so I'm glad that I stuck with it, but I know how hard it can be.

@mrsdiddlydoo glad you're feeling generally better. I've never been a morning person but that feeling of dread each morning has mostly gone in my case and it's really nice.

@ChampooPapi I'm glad you're feeling better. I feel similar about the higher dose. I hope the night sweats improve.

@Hope2dance it sounds like rollercoaster. Hoping things level out for you before too long.

Morning

Starting with half a sertraline 50g this morning.

Hubby making me a bacon and egg sandwich before i take it... wish me luck !

Place marking
I have been on 50mg since October but been feeling rubbish this last week

Good luck @FeduponFriday im on day 5
Ive been ok so far

Thank you Mummywith2!

Reassuring to know. X

Hello to sertraliners old and new

@freckles20 thanks for sharing how positive things have been - it's so lovely to read and I totally agree this thread (and the previous one) has been brilliant.

@Imagineit sorry to hear you've been struggling but sounds like you've got a good plan if you know citalopram worked well before. Fingers crossed the switch goes smoothly and please keep us updated how you're getting on.

@mrsdiddlydoo sleep is good! Hopefully the great moments will slowly start to outweigh the anxious ones. You're sounding positive though which is great.

@orchidsonabudget has anything happened recently to trigger this? Have you discussed a dose increase to see if that helps? I think sometimes 50mg seems to work well for a while but it's a relatively low dose so sometimes a higher one is needed.

Good luck to anyone taking their first dose soon. I put off trying meds for so long (my psychiatrist first suggested it to me about 2 years but it took me until December to decide to try them) but despite some horrible side effects in the early days and some ups and downs since then it's definitely been worth it. I felt pretty rough but was able to push through and carry on working. My sleep is still a bit disrupted but that's something I've always had problems with and it's worth it overall. Plus I have some incredible dreams! So definitely worth persevering with and post here for support/encouragement if you need it.

Hey guys I’m week 10 of sertraline 7 weeks on 50mg and now 3 weeks on 100mg but I’m still getting anxiety and intrusive thoughts. How long should I give the 100? Any ideas

@NAdz1984 my GP said it can take 6 weeks to get full effects, but if you are having more bad days than good it’s worth discussing with your Dr x

I hope it kicks in for me soon feel like it’s just not gonna work.

@NAdz1984 have you noticed any improvements since starting? Like @Hope2dance said even the dose increases take time to work. Hold on in there. Definitely worth catching up with your gp if you feel the same in a week or two. Do you have plans to contact them again soon?

@ihana my dreams have settled down quite a bit. I kind of miss them 🙈

@FeduponFriday how are feeling? What a kind dp you have with that brekkie. Hoping it set you up nicely for the day.

I'm feeling pants and trying not to make it a bigger deal then it is. I'm due on. I know its making me feel rubbish but I can't help but feel I'm just never going to get well again which is daft. Hope everyone has a good weekend. X

Not too bad mrsdiddlydo, thanks for asking.

A bit of yawning and feel spaced, but don't have the sense of doom I had with that first Citalopram tablet, although I've only taken 25g today so maybe that's why.

I think I'll take another half tomorrow and if that's ok, I'll take 50g on Sunday.

I hope everyone is feeling ok this evening.
X

Ps I do feel the bacon and egg sandwich helped!

Mrsdiddlydoo I have seen improvements but defo not where I want to be. My medication does run out on Tuesday so I will be having a review with him den. I'm
Hoping it will settle in the next few weeks

Well, I’ve done it. Half a tablet (25mg) at least to start with. Lets see how this goes...

For all the new setraliners 😊 stick with it, it’s so easy to give up without giving it a fair chance, especially when you feel worse/different before feeling much benefit.
Eating shortly after taking tablet certainly helped me with the nausea.
I’m still struggling with the yawning/extreme tiredness, but only week 5 for me and only day 4 of 100mg so body has to reset again 🙄 on a plus I has a good day yesterday actually felt a hint if optimism and dare I say it... motivation!
Hang in there ladies, keep taking the tablets 😊

Well done, loter16178! It will be fine. Hopefully you had some food before.

I had a strange night, but slept. I didn't take a sleeping tablet last night as I felt so zonked at 9pm so thought I would see how it goes. Woke up in the night (headache) and took some paracetamol but managed to go back to sleep quickly as was zonked. Normally if I had woken up in the night without any medication I would have been wide awake. Strange dreams. It was a bit of an effort to get up this morning, but ok. I think I definitely will take 25g for two more days (as recommended by the doctor), then go up to 50g. Feel a bit weird but doesn't feel scary.

Best of luck. Let us know how it goes. X

Thank you Hopetodance. Glad you are getting good days. Yes, I expect going up by 50g to 100g will mean some resetting.

Yes, I'm definitely feeling tiredness, but found i can manage as soon as I take the first step out of bed / off the sofa!

Maybe if I had started off with 25g of Citro-whatsit then I may have been alright also.

I had 2 bottles of beer last night and ended up with a headache then woke with a migraine! Safe to say i wont be doing that again,
Im on day siz now, felt queezy this morning but had some bacon on toast, will take my tablet soon.
Booked in for my covid jab later so im worried about how il feel after that

Thanks @FeduponFriday - had my usual granola, fruit and yoghurt right beforehand and a cup of tea, plus took the tablet itself with a decent amount of water.

I’m yawning like mad but then I usually feel tired, despite sleeping for enough hours I think recently I’m not getting restful sleep so often wake up knackered and can easily go to bed at 9pm, if not earlier!

@Mummywith2 good luck with your jab, I know a lot of people who have had a day or two of feeling rough, so I went into mine expecting the worst but hoping for the best. I was luckily ok and didn’t experience anything but a sore arm so hopefully it’s the same for you. Relax for the rest of the day and tomorrow, plenty of TV if you feel rubbish and plenty of snacks

Thanks @LOTER16178