Doctor prescribed me sertraline - HELP

[xxxllbxxx]

Hi. So the doctor has prescribed me 50mg sertraline . I've never been on anti depressants in my life and give birth 4 months ago and also left a abusive relationship. I'm wondering shall I start them or shall I start exercising and coming to terms with things .... help

Anti-depressants usually takes a few weeks to kick in, so if you're worried about taking the first dose and want to try half a tablet first, I think that's fine.
I took Sertraline for post-natal depression. It was brilliant - I will never forget waking up on about day 10, feeling completely different. I ended up swapping to a different antidepressant as the Sertraline didn't suit me (disturbed my sleep).
There's a lot to be said for taking the Tablets as a short to medium term fix. Once you start to feel better, you may have more energy to sort out things like exercise /acceptance for the longer term.
Good luck

Go on the positive Zoloft group on Facebook. You will get much more support there x

Is the lymecline prescribed or off the shelf?

The G.P or Pharmacist will be able to advise if they can be taken together.

You could ask for a different medication for your skin that doesn't interact.

I can't see it on this list,

bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction/sertraline-2.html

Maybe E.mail the surgery, someone from prescriptions should be able to look at it for you,

That's what I do occasionaly, they reply within a day or 2.

bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction/sertraline-2.html

I take lymecycline together with citalopram (another
Type of anti depressant) and they are fine. I'm sure your doctor will know your medication and what is and isn't ok to mix.

You went to the doctor about how you are feeling and they have made a suitable prescription to help you.

You should take the medication in the recommended dosage or they might not work properly.

It sounds like you are trying to find a way to back out of taking medication, just take half, what about other medication, should I just try exercise, you obviously went to the doctor in the first place for help so try to think about that reasons that took you there and why you asked for help.

It's fine for PP to say whether sertraline helped them or not, but PPs should not be giving OP medical advice on what dose to take etc!!!

OP should contact her GP surgery if she didn't tell them she was taking OTC meds too. If it was prescribed meds then GP will already know that.

@xxxllbxxx My side effects were nausea, headaches (I have migraines and this was really, really bad. I had to call 111 to see if I could take my usual migraine meds). The first few times I fell asleep instantly for an hour or two.

You’ll find the best time to take it that suits you, for me it’s around 6pm. Any later and I struggle to sleep. The nurse I spoke to on 111 said it can be bad the first couple of weeks but if I could push through then it would make such a difference.

Thanks everyone x

@invisiblereally bizarre thread? About me asking advice. Please leave the thread then

When reading your post I remembered the BBC1 programme "The doctor who gave up drugs"
One patient Sarah managed her depression medically but then reduced her prescription ( under medical supervision) and with the aid of cold water swimming greatly improved her well-being and mood.
It's definitely worth a watch if it's still available.
www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3785796/amp/How-swimming-cold-water-helped-depressed-woman-pills-TV-doctor-reveals-cases-drugs-don-t-work.html

I started sertraline earlier this year and had the same concerns as you about not wanting the stigma (in my head) of being on anti depressants, but it came to a crunch point when the anxiety started manifesting as physical symptoms. It's been a huge help in getting through a challenging time without the constant anxiety and panic.

As to doses of course we can't tell you what the right dose is on the internet but your doctor has prescribed the most common starting dosage and what I am on now too - 50mg. I definitely needed to start with half tablets, so 25mg for a week before going to full 50mg. The side effects can be a little unpleasant/uncomfortable but passed in a fortnight for me and from all the threads I read on here that seems to be common. I have no long term side effects. But when I accidentally missed 2 doses I felt very odd so I know it's making a difference. Definitely double check about any contraindications for your other medicine with the doctor. Good luck. Hope it goes well for you.

I'm just apprehensive. But I suppose your right the doctor has prescribed me them for a reason, I suppose I can just try it won't be forever .

Another one here for whom sertraline has been incredibly helpful. I took 25mg for the first week or so then upped to 50. It's made a huge difference, with minimal side effects that passed quickly. I worked so hard to get over it by myself (counselling, exercise, self care, journalling etc etc) but ultimately I needed the pills.

If you take them and they don't agree with you for whatever reason, they will leave your system very quickly. So it's definitely worth a try.

My main side effect was feeling very tired when I started them but that wore off quickly. Personally I felt better within a week.

I don't know why my last post was deleted. I just suggested it would be a better idea for the OP to ask her GP about her medicines interacting with one another, not the internet.

Give them a go @xxxllbxxx. If they don't suit you or don't help, then you can stop again. But there is no shame or stigma in needing medical support for mental health. Please don't take it as a personal failing or worry that you'll be on them forever.

@Clymene

I don't know why my last post was deleted. I just suggested it would be a better idea for the OP to ask her GP about her medicines interacting with one another, not the internet.

Give them a go @xxxllbxxx. If they don't suit you or don't help, then you can stop again. But there is no shame or stigma in needing medical support for mental health. Please don't take it as a personal failing or worry that you'll be on them forever.

Thanks, i know what u mean. I suppose this is the first step x

I’m on 100mg of Sertraline and I think they are great, I started on 50mg but it wasn’t strong enough, the doctor also suggested exercise to me but I said that I can barely get in the shower, never mind exercise so I took the pills until I felt better and only then did I start exercising, exercise takes a wee while to make you feel better and I don’t know if you got this, but depression made me shattered, I was almost drowsy and SSRIs wake you up.

It really is the first step. You've achieved so much. Imagine what you'll be able to do if you're feeling mentally stronger?

@Clymene

It really is the first step. You've achieved so much. Imagine what you'll be able to do if you're feeling mentally stronger?

So true . It gives me a good feeling. Going to take one tonight and start x

If I were you, I'd take them in the morning not at night. They tend to keep you awake otherwise.

I was up dusting at 2am when I tried them.

I wish more meds had that effect. My house would be spotless.

Take as prescribed. Good luck and I hope you fell better soon if - review how u go And if if it doesn't suit just let ur doc know. And explore self help/therapy alongside if u can. Both needed and complimentary in my view.

@FridayImInLove1

Take as prescribed. Good luck and I hope you fell better soon if - review how u go And if if it doesn't suit just let ur doc know. And explore self help/therapy alongside if u can. Both needed and complimentary in my view.

Your right thanks x

[quote xxxllbxxx]@invisiblereally bizarre thread? About me asking advice. Please leave the thread then [/quote]
You don't get to police people's responses, especially when you ask inappropriate questions on a thread . It is bizarre and ill advised to ask strangers on the internet for dosage on your medications that your GP prescribed and whether they will interact with another medication you are taking.

As I pointed out, PPs sharing their experiences of being on sertraline or other anti depressants is fine but your specific questions about whether you should take half a tablet instead of what GP prescribed and whether sertraline mixes with your other medications was ridiculous thing to ask strangers on internet rather than your own medically qualified GP who has your medical history available.

That's why all the PPs have said take as prescribed by your GP and talk to your GP about medication interactions.

Glad to hear you're going to try what GP prescribed. When starting anti depressants GPS usually prescribe less tablets initially and review quite quickly to see how you are getting on with it.

I started with 50's about 18months ago. 6months In I had to up to 100mg. I can honestly say they have been amazing for me. At first when I upped them I had horrible side affects- spaced out feeling. So I took them at night for a few days then switched back to taken them am with the rest of my meds. Game changer. I still have off days but I can Handel them in my stride now.