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.

Summersolstice43. What time of day are you taking the tablets?

@summersolstice43 have you tried nytol or kalms one a night? Find they help

@Hope2dance I haven't as I wasn't sure they would work, I've just looked at the herbal nytol one so I'll give that a go if its recommended. Thank you

@FeduponFriday I'm taking my sertraline first thing on a morning as I'd read they could interfer with sleep

@Dollsandfoo how are you doing? I started at 25mg for 3 days then went up to 50mg. I did find the side effects were slightly more spread out so easier to manage. I was going to do it for a week but I get so impatient to feel 'normal' again I just thought sod it and upped to 50mg.
I've had a better day today. It's been an effort to try not to think panicked thoughts but I've managed to take the kids to the park and for a little walk. Last week I could barely move from my nest on the sofa. I still feel anxious but I'm starting to be able to do stuff so that must be good.
I've got the need to wee thing. It's another ecstacy side effect too. I've had it before on citalopram and it did stop, but only once I was about 3 months in I think. When things had really settled down.
The GP is calling me tomorrow to see how I'm doing and I've got to go to work for a meeting about starting back. Not sure how ready I am really!

@summersolstice43. I take mine in the morning too. I wake up once in the night but go back to sleep again. A massive improvement on before when I'd wake up and not go back to sleep again. I've taken Sleepeaze (Boots) which have worked for me

@ohnonotthat am going to start tomorrow as I figured am off sat and Sunday so if I feel like cral I don't have to go to work atleast. Glad you have had a better day today. Thats great you got the kids to the park x

I’m beginning to question what’s worse, how I was before or how I’m feeling now with the ups and downs and various side effects of sertraline, the weeing is very problematic and making me not want to venture out..... I upped to 100mg from 50mg two weeks ago, wondering whether to reduced back to 50mg but I’ve scared myself reading withdrawal side effects 🤦‍♀️🥴 does anyone know if I’m likely to get withdrawal halving my dose after two weeks?

@FeduponFriday thanks for the advice, I'm popping to the shops tomorrow so I'll call at Boots. I think the lack of sleep is getting to me more than the low mood prior to sertraline. Hopefully be sorted soon.

So, day 11 at 50mg. Spike with the GP and she said it's really early days and that I just need to give it time. She's going to call me in another 2 weeks.
Anyone else have a side effect of feeling depressed? I'm not normally one to feel that way it's normally just anxiety. The anxiety has calmed a lot but I'm just left with this really sad can't be bothered with anything feeling. Hopefully it'll pass!

@ohnonotthat 11days is a shirt amount of time, sadly not through the side effects stage yet, try and stick with it, you’ll have a better idea by the time you next speak with your GP 😊
I’ve been in sertraline for 6 weeks, first 4 on 50mg and last 17 days in 100mg, my mood has lifted a bit which is a definite improvement, but the last few days I’ve have really bad anxiety thoughts all over the place, I’m feeling less so today, so hoping it was a side effect that will now pass, anyone else experienced heightened anxiety 2 weeks in on 100mg?
It’s so hard knowing what’s side effects and what’s not 🙄

Can anyone tell me how long the heightened anxiety lasts? I’m into week three on 100mg and had really had anxiety off and on this week 😢 it’s making it really difficult to leave the house, that abs the frequent peeing, scared of wetting myself if I go out

@Hope2dance sorry you're feeling heightened anxiety. My understanding is that you can feel side effects until the medication settles after 4-6 weeks. Not sure if this is the same for increases. But I would imagine it takes a while. Could you speak with your GP on Monday and see what they say? They might be able to reassure you.
I've not had a great day. Feeling pretty anxious again and like I should be better by now.

@Hope2dance my anxiety seems to have significantly reduced over the last 10 days or so. I've been on 100mg for 6 weeks now. I had improvements before 10 days ago but was still feeling up and down a lot. I think in a week or so you will start to feel more settled.

@ohnonotthat and @mrsdiddlydoo thank you so much, it’s so hard when you’re struggling to struggle even more before feeling better.

@mrsdiddlydoo were you in 50mg before upping? If so fir how long? I was in 50mg for almost 4 weeks felt good after two weeks but crashed around 3 weeks and felt very down and numb again so GP advised 100mg, I’m having more positive days but anxiety abs overthinking has been really bad this week and that makes my bladder problem worse, having to make myself go out but it keeps happening, I just need some trips out without anxiety and bladder playing me up 😩 x hope you continue to feel good now

Hi everyone, sorry I've been awol for a while. I am feeling a lot better than I was.

I think I've been on sertraline for about 9 weeks altogether now, and four weeks at 100mg.

In my case it's hard to know how much 'better' it is reasonable to expect to feel. I've been mildly depressed and quite anxious for a long while, but problems with my son's MH pushed me into a very frightened state where I was struggling to function.

The anxiety is much better. I do still struggle at times, especially if I'm worried about DS- but it feels more proportional and manageable.

I've noticed small improvements like buying a new top, wanting to meet friends, being able to concentrate on a TV programme, noticing nature coming to life on my walks.

Still a fair way to go, but I don't think I can expect sertraline to get me all the way there. It's definitely helped so far- and I feel very lucky.

I hope I don't sound like I'm boasting.

I'm sending positive thoughts and strength to everyone on this thread. You are not alone.

@Hope2dance how you feeling? I'm like a bloody yo-yo today. I managed work again got home and felt really low. Whilst cooking dinner I caught myself randomly thinking I actually feel ok. Honestly it's so different from moment to moment.
One thing I've realised is I need to really make time for myself. This latest nose dive has been on its way for a while but I missed the signs. Is anyone good at noticing when they need time for themself?! Any tips on self care?
@freckles20 I find it so encouraging that you're feeling more positive, hopefully we'll all get there too :)

@ohnonotthat I’ve had a pretty good day today, I totally get what you mean how moment to moment it can change though as I’ve found the same. I hope it levels out for us both soon.

@freckles20 so pleased you are feeling a lot better, when was your turning point? I’m now in my 3rd week on 100mg after 4 weeks on 50mg, still rollercoastering with anxiety and up and down feelings, but having some positive times too.
Sadly in my case my over active bladder has set me back just recently, but just started a new medication to hopefully help

@ohnonotthat I'm really bad at making time for myself and routinely carrying out self care. It's difficult sometimes with all the pressures of working or being mum. I find when I feel a bit better, it all goes out of the window. Then I slip back. I reckon for me with time it could become more routine, but a busy week throws it all out of the window. So no words of wisdom!

@Hope2dance I was on 50mg first for about 7 weeks. I did 75mg for a few days to get me to 100mg. I found round about weeks 4/ 5 on 50mg I felt awful. Low. Rubbish. I remember consulting Dr Google a lot trying to find out if it was just me or what. I just started to feel more settled before I moved up in dose. I definitely struggled with the increase, less side effects like nausea and lethargy, but more my anxiety being up and down. I worry after a few better days that I'll tempt fate by acknowledging I feel better, and whilst I've had a couple of lower days this weekend, overall everything is much easier. Have you ruled out any other cause for the over active bladder? Like cystitis? I do find sertraline makes me wee more during the night, but that has been the only thing. I'm still hopeful for you that it will keep getting better. Overthinking makes everything so much more difficult. Stay strong.

@freckles20 Glad things are going well for you. I can totally relate to how you describe feeling. Just that slight improvement in mood and behaviour makes such a big difference in day to day life.

@mrsdiddlydoo thank you that’s sounds exactly like me! Bladder issue is all part of menopause for me sadly, it’s been a problem for years but been worse since my anxiety and depression have come to the fore, lockdown, not being able work, too much time in my own have all taken their toll on my mental health

@ohnonotthat I hope today is less of a rollercoaster for you. It's great that you noticed that you were feeling better at some points- hopefully those 'ups' will begin to outnumber the 'downs'.

It's so hard to make time for ourselves when there's so much to juggle. I seem to put myself last by default, and often the only self care I allow myself is to hide in bed which sometimes doesn't help as I'm then annoyed at my growing to do list and feel lazy and useless. I think it might be helpful to try to actually 'timetable' some self care and commit to doing it. Plus, to identify what self care is to you. It doesn't have to be anything major, just enjoying a cup of tea in peace watching the birds is something I enjoy when I let myself.

@Hope2dance it's hard TBH to identify the turning point, sorry if that's unhelpful. I guess I managed to stop the beta blockers around week 5 as the anxiety was improved. The 'up' moments have gradually replaced the 'down' moments since about week 6.

This did coincide with DS returning to school, and a quiet few weeks for me work wise. I think both of these things helped too. I allowed myself to take it easy, and for the first time in a long time enjoyed watching TV.

Sorry to hear about your bladder issues. I hope the medication helps. I've noticed an issue over the last year, I think it's perimenopause related. I work as a dog Walker, and so this can be a problem, but at least if all else fails I am generally in the middle of nowhere with plenty of trees .

Would you consider using a tena lady type product? It might help you know that you have back up if you need it. It must be hard to have that nagging worry when you go out.

@mrsdiddlydoo I so glad things are moving in the right direction for you- long may it continue.

Wishing everyone a positive day

@freckles20 thank you 😊 I’m feeling really good the last 2 days hoping it continues
‘
Would you consider using a tena lady type product? It might help you know that you have back up if you need it. It must be hard to have that nagging worry when you go out. ’
Sadly I do have done fir the past 5 years at least 🙄

Hello - I am new to the thread.

I finally went to the GP in mid feb about my Anxiety and checking behaviours - a lot of it centred around work. - although I have always been a "worrier"

I have been signed off work since then and originally was on Fluoxetine but after 4 weeks GP changed it to Sertraline.

I stopped Fluoxetine, and started Sertraline 1 week later at 25mg for a week then 50 mg - I have been on 50mg for about 2 weeks now.

I am waiting for CBT - I had an assessment a few weeks ago and was told the waiting list was weeks as opposed to months but not heard anything yet.

I have some days now where I don't have an awful pit of nervousness in my stomach - maybe as I have been away from work for a few weeks now - but i still find myself checking things a lot, at night, checking all plugs etc, sometimes having to come down at night and double check switches are off, doors locked - I seem to be hyper alert every night for every little sound worrying about being broken into. It takes awhile to get to sleep. Like my brain wont switch off.

My sick note currently ends this Sunday and I have started having nightmares about going back to work - but at the same time feel so guilty I am off. I was at the point I was praying for a bus crash on the way to work - and had a thought once when I was making tea if I poured the water on my arm that would mean I could have time off - I sort of snapped out of that, as I had started to move the kettle and that is what made me speak to GP.

Some days I stay in bed till the afternoon as I don't see the point in actually getting up. I feel quite down and teary at times.

I have realised I tend to scratch myself a lot, the side of my neck and shoulder on that side when I am particularly anxious - that has been quite bad when I was at work, and had settled but I have started again and have terrible scratches on the side of my neck. I had not actually told the GP this last time I spoke to them.

I need to ring the GP this week again, to see how I am getting on with the Sertraline and I am panicking in case she is on annual leave (as it is the easter hols) and I don't want to speak to another GP - also should I ask for another sick note - but then I worry she might think I am just trying to get out of work.

Hi @LoopyLouLawson Call the doctors tomorrow and definitely explain you don't feel well enough to work yet and can you have another sick note. If your gp is on leave ask to speak to another one or you will just be extra anxious until its all sorted. Is your work keeping in touch with you? Mine are terrible at doing that. It really does help to check in with someone at work every so often even if it's by text or email to help the return feel less overwhelming. We're here for you so do keep posting x