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.

Mummywith2. I was absolutely fine with my covid jab. No affects at all. Fingers crossed you will be too.

The same couldn't be said for the flu jab a few months before. I was sick and in bed for 48 hours. Thought I had covid from going to the doctors, but it was flu jab!

Hi everyone, I hope it’s ok to post here. My DS (13) started Sertraline a week ago on a very low dose (12.5mg). We were hoping it would help with his anxiety, he gets so stressed about many things, especially school (he is only able to go in part time at the moment). From the day he started taking the Sertraline I noticed a huge difference in his mood. He is positive, interested, engaged, able to spend time with his brothers, come out into the garden with me - this hasn’t happened for a very long time. (He said a while ago he had a sad feeling inside which never goes away and he wouldn’t do anything that he previously enjoyed.) I’ve realised that he has probably been depressed for a very long time and now he actually seems happy which is so amazing. His psychiatrist said that she often has very good results from a very low dose of Sertraline - it’s counter-intuitive for me as I always think a higher dose = better results, but I guess that is not always the case.

HOWEVER his anxiety is still very bad. I feel like the Sertraline is helping with the depression but not the anxiety - has anyone else found this? I’m wondering if it might take a bit longer to help with the anxiety as I know it’s really unusual to have an immediate result (as we have with his mood). He is due to be moving up to a 25mg dose in a week, so I guess we will see if that helps. He actually started on 50mg Sertraline 18 months ago (increased to 75mg) but ended up coming off it because he had terrible panic attacks while on it, came crashing out of school and everything just fell apart. It just wasn’t helping the anxiety. But it clearly does help with his mood, so I guess we have to wait and see. I would be really grateful for any thoughts on the mood/anxiety link.

Thanks for reading

Morning all, back after a few weeks where other things took over. I’m now about 7 weeks in, went up to 100mg about 14 days ago. I’ve stopped feeling so angry at everything and I’m not in tears at the drop of a hat, but I’m also not right still. I spent a whole day on the couch instead of working this week because I got overwhelmed, and today one thing happened (our dog has been diagnosed with cancer) and it triggered me into a downward spiral. When that happens, I lose all energy and motivation. Has anyone else still get like this at this stage, and did it go eventually? Or maybe I need to go up more?

@LOTER16178 hope all goes well today. It's very normal unfortunately to feel a bit rubbish to start with, although not everyone gets this and in most cases it does pass. Keep posting if we can help support you.

@Bluebutterfly36 sorry to hear your DS has been struggling. My own son is a similar age and has been battling very low mood and difficult thoughts so I've some idea of how hard it is to see your DC having to go through this.

From my own experience and what I've read, it is unusual to feel much benefit straight away. It often takes 6-8 weeks for symptoms of depression to ease. Anxiety tends to ease sooner- but can get worse before it gets better. Some people unfortunately feel terribly anxious for the first three weeks so I would say it's very early days for your son.

It's so hard to measure feeling better, and to know how much is due to the medication vs other factors. It may be that by taking the sertraline and therefore doing something proactive your DS feels a little better already. Also certainly in my son's case getting back into the school routine has helped.

@ChilliWillies glad you've been feeling a bit better. It's so hard to know how much to expect from ADs and how to know when you're at your optimal dose. I think though, that they are a tool rather than a magic wand. I'm so sorry to hear about your dog, that type of news would cause most people to struggle so please don't give yourself a hard time about that.

Loter16178 how is it going? I felt a bit rough earlier but felt better once I had something to eat. Feel better this evening than I did last night. Took myself to bed at 8pm!

@ChilliWillies sorry to hear about your dog Is it a type of cancer that can be treated? Unfortunately it's a situation I've been through. I'd say 2 weeks into your new dose probably isn't quite long enough for your body to have adjusted to the new dose. Might be worth seeing how you feel in a couple of weeks and speaking to your gp again.

Hope the next few days are kind to you all and the newbies get OK. The early days can be the worst for some people but not everyone.

Thanks @freckles20 and @mrsdiddlydoo, dogs cancer is incurable and aggressive, chemo/radiotherapy may give her up to 18 months more or may make her very sick..so hard to know what to do. She’s 10, but she’s a Terrier breed that usually live to at least 13-14.
I’ve felt better this afternoon, I had a lay down this morning, then my husband gave me a kick up the area to get up and do something after a while and it really helped. I’ve managed to cook 3 meals, clean the bathroom, do some dusting, turn out, muck out and bring in my horse, and design a new flowerbed without feeling stressed and overwhelmed. I’m getting very shaky a lot but can’t quite work out why - as in my hands actually shake and I feel shaky inside...not sure if that’s a blood sugar thing though.

Sorry to hear that ChilliWillies That's really a tough decision. Hope you and the fam are ok. Xxx

Just checking in. Only catching up now. Feeling a bit low after changing dose but I know I need to give it another few weeks.

How is everyone getting on?

@FeduponFriday I didn’t feel too bad then tired and a bit spacey a bit later on yesterday. Woke up feeling really anxious this morning and about to take day 2 dose.

How are you feeling today?

@LOTER16178 hang in there, the anxiety definitely goes away after a couple of weeks. Mine is SO much better, just the depression side that isn’t quite sorted yet.
However, have woken up feeling great today, despite a largely sleepless night. After getting some energy/enthusiasm yesterday afternoon I started digging into a topic I needed to research for my business, spent the whole evening on it, kept having ideas on it all night and woke up this morning (after finally falling asleep at 4am 🙄) full of enthusiasm to do more, which feels amazing and hasn’t really happened for a long time. Also, check your weather apps people - mini heatwave this week, temps of 19-21 during the day!!!

Loter16178. I felt anxious last night and having negative thoughts. Took 25g of Sleepeaze as was worried I wouldn't sleep. Just woken up after waking up for a bit in the night. Feel ok. Spoke to my husband as I'm worried about the effects of going up to 50g but I'm going to stick with it. It will get better. We've started now. We can do it!

ChilliWillies good to hear you are feeling better. Your achieved list yesterday makes me feel ashamed!

NowYouListenToMeFella what dose have you gone up to? It's so annoying that going up a dose makes you feel rubbish...

@FeduponFriday

ChilliWillies good to hear you are feeling better. Your achieved list yesterday makes me feel ashamed!

NowYouListenToMeFella what dose have you gone up to? It's so annoying that going up a dose makes you feel rubbish...

I'm gone up to 100mg. In fairness I think current circumstances not helping. No sign of coming out of lockdown where I am and I am just so fed up and bored with life.

Hey guys at what week did u feel like ur back to yr normal self? 4 weeks into increase to 100mg still feel like my mind is going at 100 mph.

@FeduponFriday Ah, I dream of being able to sleep past 09.00! I woke at 5.45, realising technically it was 4.45. Ugh. Did manage to go back to doze back off a couple of times but always wake with anxiety and my thoughts racing immediately.

How long are you doing 25mg? I wasn’t told to do this by the GP, just decided to do it based on reading people’s experiences on here. I’m worried about going to 50mg also. I felt a bit nauseous earlier and now just a bit zoned out/‘dopey’. Meeting my friend for a walk at 2 for some fresh air so hopefully that helps.

Enjoy your Sunday - we got this (that’s what people say right, even if it doesn’t feel like it?!)

Loter16178 it was only because i took a sleeping tablet!

My doctor recommended 3 days on 25mg, then go up to 50g. I think because I was nervous about going on them in the first place. I'm in awe of those on 100mg!

I feel dopey too, but find I'm ok once I get moving / going. It's just that first step/ push off the sofa!

Enjoy your walk. X

I think once you've been on 50mg for a bit any further increase is a little easier than starting initially. Some don't notice side effects associated with increases at all. For most it's usually milder than the beginning.

@ChilliWillies tough decisions ahead for your dog then. Here with a big handhold as and when required. Sounds like you had a very productive day. Well done!

I need a mini heatwave. I'm like a proper yoyo at the moment with my mood. Might help me snap out of it.

Hope everyone else is doing okay xx

How come for some people this medication works within a couple weeks and for some people like me Whose coming up to nearly 12 weeks and stil not feeling happy and myself? Don’t get me wrong I’m so happy for those who have quick response but it makes me feel like it’s Neva going to work for me🥲. Anyone else who it’s taken ages for it to work. I’m week 11 in total started off at 50mg and increased to 100mg 4 weeks ago. Do I need to give it more tym or this med no good for me! Help plz

Hi @NAdz1984 I'm sorry. I don't have the answer for you. Have you spoken to your gp about how you're feeling? Maybe it would be worth trying something else or increasing your dose.

I believe it does take time to feel the full effect of the medication but I would have thought you should be feeling some benefits some of the time. I wouldn't describe the way I feel as being happy all the time. I notice my low mood and anxiety lift at times but I don't feel better all the time. Sometimes I feel like I'm never going to be my old self again and find it very difficult to parent or work which stresses me out. But I wasn't having any moments where my mood lifts at all and I guess I'm trying to use those times to do other things that help me to support and work on improvements I feel. I'm going on now... Sorry. I'm sure someone can word it better. There's never been a light switch moment like taking painkillers for a headache.

Thank u for yr response. I do feel some benefits, I get on with my day, I can get out of bed look after my kids, cook clean etc but that anxious feeling is always there and the racing thoughts Neva seen to stop. I can't remember the last tym my mind was calm and I could concentrate.

Hi,

I started sertraline 3 weeks ago. I had a constant headache, insomnia and was generally quite irritable. I then noticed a rash which spread all over my body and was told to stop taking the medication immediately. Has this happened to anyone on it or with similar anti depressants?

The doctor advised me to get back in touch after the rash has faded and either re introduce sertraline or try another anti depressant altogether. I am not keen on retrying as after a week the rash is still present and showing no signs of fading.

Thanks

NAdz1984. It sounds good that you are getting out of bed and doing all of those things. Is that an improvement starting sertraline?

Gonewiththegin (great name!) Sorry to hear that. I can't help, but hopefully someone will come along who can. The rash doesn't sound good. I've been getting headaches when I started it and also up'd the dose yesterday (headache lasted all day). Also insomnia last night (I take in the morning) despite taking a sleeping pill! Hoping it will settle down...

Better week this week so far, mental health wise any way. Feeling more positive, consciously staying away from negative behaviours (which funnily enough includes being on Mumsnet too much!) and generally feeling more upbeat.
However, this morning I got an email from the dog insurance, they’ve declined the claim for all her treatment so far because she previously had a lesion on her bladder two years ago. So that’s about a £2.5k Bill. And it means we can’t afford the chemo option. Which is really hard, and I feel very sad about it, but I don’t feel like I’m immediately spiralling, which is the only positive.