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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:
FeduponFriday · 30/03/2021 08:03

That's so sad ChilliWillies. I hope the family are ok. I'm sure you'll give her lots of love whilst she's still with you. Good to hear you are still able to stay upbeat. X

Ihana · 30/03/2021 16:06

@ChilliWillies so sorry to hear about your dog. It sounds like you're coping well though (or as well as anyone could be expected to). I expect your vet has mentioned it but there is a palliative treatment that can be used for bladder tumours which can be quite effective at giving them a bit more time and improving quality of life if chemo isn't an option. Not expensive like chemo and fewer side effects. It's an anti-inflammatory such as meloxicam/piroxicam or similar.

Hope everyone's enjoying the sun!

LindaEllen · 30/03/2021 17:07

Hey everyone I hope you're all well!
I've been pretty good recently. Visited both of my parents which used to make me anxious. Had a super productive day yesterday. 10am is a lie in now (I would have slept until midday before).
Don't know how much the weather is making me feel better rather than the tablets but I'll take it either way.
I think you can tell how much better I'm feeling because I don't feel the need to come on this thread as much .. so I'm sorry to not be here but for me that's honestly a good thing!

ChilliWillies · 30/03/2021 17:16

@ihana thank you!!! I will ask when I speak to them again tomorrow. Vets have now said they’re going to look at appealing the insurance decision, so that’s good too.

Ihana · 30/03/2021 19:25

@ChilliWillies that's good news, hopefully if it's a separate condition it will be covered. Insurance companies are getting more and more awkward with trying to get out of covering things. Let us know how it goes.

@LindaEllen very pleased to hear you're feeling so good!

ChilliWillies · 31/03/2021 06:35

@LindaEllen glad you’re feeling better too
I’m feeling great - think the 100mg have finally kicked in, plus the sunshine, plus being able to get full days in on my business at last. I’ve been super productive the last few days, I’m getting out of bed WITH ENERGY and I’m smiling a lot. I’m also more patient with my 5 year old, which is amazing.
So, for all of you who’ve only just started your Sertraline journey, hang on in there.

FeduponFriday · 31/03/2021 12:28

Good to hear @ChilliWillies and @LindaEllen. Gives me hope. On day 6. The side effects aren't as bad but still feeling low. Doctor said today it takes 4-6 weeks to kick in (as many have said on here). Hang in everyone!

mrsdiddlydoo · 31/03/2021 13:46

@ChilliWillies I really hope the vets can sort something with the insurance claim. Our dog is on a therapeutic dose of metacam following cancer treatment last year which the specialist recommended as we couldn't afford chemo. Glad you feeling in a better place to deal with it all.

Love it when people start to feel better and post less. It's the progressive nature of this thread and similar ones. Sounds like you are doing really well @LindaEllen Smile I didn't come on mumsnet yesterday at all.

I feel like a bloody rollercoaster, but I can function which does me fine for now. Some of my anxiety at the moment is just linked to the change in lockdown rules and things.

NAdz1984 · 31/03/2021 18:03

@ChilliWillies how long were u on the 100mg before u saw positives. I'm week 4 is this too early? Iv been on sertraline 11 weeks in total, 7 weeks on 50mg and 4 on 100mg.

ChilliWillies · 31/03/2021 18:26

@NAdz1984 I’ve been on 7 weeks in total - 4 on 50mg and 3 on 100mg. 100mg isn’t the answer for everyone, you could need more, or swrtraline might not be the right drug for you.

profilechange · 31/03/2021 23:28

Can I join please?
I've never taken AD before, but have got to the point where I'm just so down all the time and can see no joy in life currently, even though I have no reason to be down.
Dr has prescribed 50mg of Sertraline, to take in the mornings and I'm due to take my first dose tomorrow.
I'm really worried about the side effects, I have a real fear of being sick so concerned about that. I'm also not sleeping well so don't want that to get worse.
Just want to feel happier and less anxious about life so hope I'm doing the right thing by going down this route

FeduponFriday · 01/04/2021 08:45

Welcome profilechange.

I also had / have insomnia and was anxious about the side effects. I started off with 25mg for three days before going to 50mg. I think that helped me. I have been nauseous, but not sick, and found eaten little and often helped. I've still felt space out, but have coped with it. After the first few days it gets better.

My sleep is still bad. I've been taking Sleepeaze and still waking but have been feeling dozy so managed to get to sleep again. One night I woke and felt anxious, but again managed to sleep. I'm hoping the sleep will settle. I woke a bit later last night, albeit still on a sleeping pill. Will try this weekend without when I don't have to get up for school / kids.

If anyone else could let us know when the sleep gets better, that would be great !

Good luck with it. I'm pleased I started taking it. It does take 4-6 weeks to feel better

mrsdiddlydoo · 01/04/2021 09:03

I started at Christmas and did 6 weeks at 50mg and up to 100mg after that. I had problems falling asleep before I started which got worse initially, but my sleep is massively better now. It had improved before I upped the dose, then I had another off week or so and it's steadily improved since then. As with all of it, it is different for everyone so don't be put off by how my sleep has been.

mrsdiddlydoo · 01/04/2021 09:08

Welcome @profilechange Good luck this morning. Some people experience some temporary sideeffects, but the worst of them usually ease in the first couple of weeks. I think worrying about them can make them worse, but that's anxiety isn't it. It's unlikely you'll be actually sick as in vomit. Hope you can take it easy over the next couple of days and we're here for a mn handhold as and when needed. You are doing the right thing.

FeduponFriday · 01/04/2021 09:14

Thanks mrsdiddlydoo. Good to hear your sleep is improving. I fully expect to go up to 100mg after 6 weeks.

Ilovecaravaning · 01/04/2021 09:40

Im on day 10 of 50mg
I don’t really feel any different is this normal?

FeduponFriday · 01/04/2021 10:25

Ilovecaravaning. It takes 4-6 weeks to work ie feel better. Have you not had any side effects? Lucky, if so!

ohnonotthat · 02/04/2021 11:21

Hi, I hope it's ok for me to join in. I'm a repeat offender with SSRIs. I keep having horrible bouts of anxiety take the tablets, feel better and stop then feel bad again. This time feeling 'bad' has coincided with tinnitus. This has sent me totally off the edge. I can't stop researching then reading horror stories of people having it forever. The doctor thinks it's anxiety based and temporary. I feel like it's never going to end, it's so loud. So here I am day 6 on sertraline not feeling much better and kicking myself for coming off the things in the first place.
How's everyone finding the sertraline? I've not had this one and I'm really hoping it will work for me quickly.
Thanks all x

FeduponFriday · 03/04/2021 11:34

How are you doing Loter1618?

Day 8 for me and side effects have mostly gone - just a bit of yawning in the day. Waking in the night still, but I was before (also going through peri menopause). Am managing to go back to sleep, which is progress.

FeduponFriday · 03/04/2021 13:08

@FeduponFriday

How are you doing Loter1618?

Day 8 for me and side effects have mostly gone - just a bit of yawning in the day. Waking in the night still, but I was before (also going through peri menopause). Am managing to go back to sleep, which is progress.

Sorry, meant Loter16178
ASugarr · 04/04/2021 00:21

I've been on 200 mg a day of sertraline for two years so please tag me in any questions you may have 🤍

LindaEllen · 04/04/2021 12:38

Happy Easter everyone :).

The reason why is weird, but I don't like eating breakfast in front of other people, so I usually get up at a different time so I don't have to. Today we sat as a family and ate dippy eggs and soldiers (17yo DSS was a bit bemused but enjoyed them all the same haha) and that is HUGE progress for me. Honestly, huge.

FeduponFriday · 04/04/2021 16:32

ASugarr. Thank you. I'm not whether you were sleeping before, or not, but really hope it will improve my sleep Is that a benefit of Sertraline? Thanks!

ASugarr · 04/04/2021 19:01

@FeduponFriday

ASugarr. Thank you. I'm not whether you were sleeping before, or not, but really hope it will improve my sleep Is that a benefit of Sertraline? Thanks!
Hi FeduponFriday!

Good question, I believe after taking it for around two months or so it did help me relax more enabling me to sleep better. I definitely recommend having an evening routine to help unwind your mind and body more to enable your sleep as I've found sticking to that alongside taking sertraline has helped me lots 🤍

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll do my best to answer them

FeduponFriday · 04/04/2021 19:24

Thank you, ASugarr.

Hopefully I'll see some results in a few weeks in that case. I try and have a bedtime routine but annoying teenagers not wanting to go to bed / sleep seem to scupper any chance of relaxation before bed!