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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 · 04/04/2021 19:45

Sorry, ASugarr. One more question: after how long should I see improvements or look to increase the dose?

astraea · 04/04/2021 20:14

Hi,

So, my journey so far is that I was firstly given citalopram by my google after suffering severe Heath anxiety/ general anxiety for about a year. I suffered really bad side effects so eventually doctor decided to change me onto sertraline.

I have been on 50mg for about 6 weeks now. Had very few side effects compared to the citalopram. The anxiety is definitely improving, but the main issue I have is that I am clenching my jaw all the time. It's worse through the night but I am also doing it during the day.

Has anyone else had this with sertraline? Did it get better? Would speaking to the doctor about going up to 100mg maybe help or would that make it worse? It's really taking over everything but I don't want to have to come off them.

astraea · 04/04/2021 20:14

By my doctor not google!!

FeduponFriday · 04/04/2021 20:53

Hi Astraea yes, jaw clenching is a common side effect of many anti depressants (one of the 'like coming up on ecstasy' side effects!). I thought it settled down after a while, however. I have it too, but mildly (I've had it on other anti depressants before also). I have a mouth guard for teeth grinding in the night anyway, so I use that.

I would have thought this would increase with an increased dose, but hopefully someone who has been on these for longer will be along to help (I'm only on day 10).

FeduponFriday · 04/04/2021 21:01

@FeduponFriday

Sorry, ASugarr. One more question: after how long should I see improvements or look to increase the dose?
Hi again, I meant how long until I see the benefits to my anxiety overall?
LindaEllen · 04/04/2021 21:29

@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!
Hey,

I found that it disrupts sleep initially but now 3 months in my sleep is better than it has been in a long time. I'm not waking up as much during the night and I wake up earlier wide awake. Hopefully it'll be the same for you :).

FeduponFriday · 04/04/2021 21:41

Thanks LindaEllen

Mixedupmuddle · 04/04/2021 21:54

I have been on 25mg for a few weeks. Last I went up to 50mg within a few days and had to come off it. I want to up it again (gp said I could whenever I felt ready). Should I do every other day at 50mg to start off?

HoxtonBonnet · 04/04/2021 22:45

I have been on 50mg for three weeks now (that's the dose I started at). I feel consistently very low - more so than I normally would. I had an awful day today. I am determined to stick it out for a full two months, but am feeling so discouraged.

mrsdiddlydoo · 04/04/2021 22:57

@Mixedupmuddle you can alternate days to get use to 50mg, but a lot of people just move up to 50mg. Maybe try it again and judge it depending on how you feel. Fingers crossed you get on better this time but if you don't, do go back to your gp. It might be that there is something else that would work better for you.

Woodpecker22 · 05/04/2021 13:38

@Mixedupmuddle

I have been on 25mg for a few weeks. Last I went up to 50mg within a few days and had to come off it. I want to up it again (gp said I could whenever I felt ready). Should I do every other day at 50mg to start off?
I have been trying to increase from 25mg to 50mg for a few weeks. Everytime I increase I get really dizzy and sleepy. As I have to drive this feels really unsafe so I come down again. I am wondering about just staying on 25mg for now as it seems to have helped a bit with depression. Does anyone know whether 25mg long term actually does anything or is it just a placebo effect?
ohnonotthat · 05/04/2021 19:15

Hi again,
So I'm on day 10 of sertraline. The really strong anxiety side effects have calmed down but I'm still feeling heightened anxiety in the evening. I was supposed to go back to work today (I'm a carer) but I had a massive panic this morning and I just couldn't do it. I feel like such a let down. I'm so fed up with feeling this way. I know it's 4-6 weeks that you start feeling the full effects but I wondered if I might start turning a corner soon? I'm feeling so miserable.

Dollsandfoo · 06/04/2021 07:10

Hi hope its ok to post. Has anyone started sertraline for a 2nd time and were the starting side effects as bad. I was on it about 2 years ago and it was great really helped my crippling anxiety. I was doing so well the past 2 years being off it but I have been over come with anxiety again so doctors have given me this again but am so scared to start it because the side effects were so bad last time. Am wondering if maybe they wouldn't be as bad as I have been on them before. Has anyone started them for a second time and not been as bad xxx

ASugarr · 06/04/2021 07:19

Hi, I think it's usually around the three months mark. Sertraline does take a while to fully work through your body and all. I'd say I first felt the effects around three to four months in. If you don't around that time, ask to possibly up your dosage. I'm on 200mg which is as high as you can go.

ASugarr · 06/04/2021 07:22

@ohnonotthat

Hi again, So I'm on day 10 of sertraline. The really strong anxiety side effects have calmed down but I'm still feeling heightened anxiety in the evening. I was supposed to go back to work today (I'm a carer) but I had a massive panic this morning and I just couldn't do it. I feel like such a let down. I'm so fed up with feeling this way. I know it's 4-6 weeks that you start feeling the full effects but I wondered if I might start turning a corner soon? I'm feeling so miserable.
@Ohnonotthat I'm so sorry to hear that. You are doing really well so don't beat yourself up. The effects should hopefully start kicking in shortly. One thing I've found that helps me a lot in the morning is to have a morning schedule. Something I can stick to where I've not got time to overthink. I know it might not work for everyone but if you can try it even on your days off so you aren't sleeping in and all, it might help be a good motivation technique. All the best 🤍
mrsdiddlydoo · 06/04/2021 17:35

@Dollsandfoo I was on it for about 20 months and came off it because I felt well. Went back on it after a 18 month gap. I did still experience side effects but I think knowing what to expect helped me this time. I think they were a little easier... Possibly because I was less anxious about taking medication. I have heard of some people bit having side effects second time round too. Sorry to hear your anxiety has returned. I'm a good 3 months back on it and finally things feel like they are getting back to being ok.

ohnonotthat · 06/04/2021 18:01

Thanks @ASugarr. I had quite a calm evening in the end which was amazing as I've spent the last 2 weeks so anxious and panicked it's been awful. Today has been a bit weird I was expecting to feel better but I'm still feeling pretty shaky from the meds. They feel really strong even though the 50mg is the lowest dose.
@Dollsandfoo I've been on and off medication a few times and I agree I still get the side effects but it helps knowing that's what it is. You can prepare yourself. I wrote a diary every day last time and it helped this time round reading where I was. But it stopped day 7. Surely I couldn't have felt better by then?!
Thanks again. It's good to know there's people out there who understand.

Dollsandfoo · 07/04/2021 08:18

Thanks you. I guess I just need to bite the bullet and start . Stupid really as I know they helped me so much last time so I know they can make me feel a million times better than I do now. Just the thought of the first few weeks. I can take any time off work so I know I will have to try and get on with things . Last time I jumped straight in to taking the full 50 am wondering if I start with half a tablet this time might make side effects less x

Hope2dance · 07/04/2021 10:12

Does anyone find Sertraline increases they’re need to pee? I suffer over active bladder and horrendous urge issues at the best of times, but it’s been worse just recently, I’ve been on sertraline for 6 weeks now, 4 weeks on 50mg and last two weeks on 100mg.
If you have found the same, does it settle down?

FeduponFriday · 07/04/2021 13:02

Hope2Dance. I've definitely had an increase in urgency and frequency since starting. I'm on 50mg and day 12.

FeduponFriday · 07/04/2021 13:08

Dollsandfoo. Read my posts below on starting with 25mg. Best of luck

Hope2dance · 07/04/2021 14:16

@FeduponFriday, I hope it settles down, I have bladder problems at the best of times, but this is making agoraphobic and anxious

Thedarksideofthemoon30 · 08/04/2021 13:12

Hi, new here. I’m on day one of 200mg. Feeling exhausted! 😔

Newusertothis · 08/04/2021 14:00

Hi
Anyone k ow when best to up from 50 - 100
Im into my 3rd week of 50mg
Thanks

summersolstice43 · 08/04/2021 14:07

Ive been taking Sertraline for 3 months now and have noticed a real improvement in my mood. However, I'm struggling to sleep and waking up numerous times during the night. Any advice as I've tried lavender, warm drinks, warm baths, no caffeine etc and nothing works.