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Original poster

Sertraline

27 replies

cantthinkofabetterusername · 28/02/2022 20:02

I spoke to my GP today. I have two teens and a 7 year old. My teens both suffer with MH in different ways, I've had to deal with overdoses, going missing, them feeling suicidal etc and I think it's starting to affect me too.
I spoke to the doctor and told her I feel constantly stressed/worried and on edge because I never know what's coming next with them.
Shes prescribed me sertraline 50mg but I'm scared to take it, I've heard horror stories about it and part of me wonders if I actually need them? I don't have low mood, mines more of a stress thing.
Can I please hear your stories and experiences of taking it

OP posts:
MagicFox · 28/02/2022 20:04

Following as I've just been prescribed it for the same reason!

Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 28/02/2022 20:12

@MagicFox really? It's so bloody hard isn't it

OP posts:
Pob13 · 28/02/2022 20:31

I have been on sertraline for about 20yrs. Tried different ones, but always go back to it.
The key with sertraline is to give it time. It can take a couple of weeks to get over the side affects - nausea, headache, stomach ache. Even now if I miss a few days and then take them I feel a bit rubbish, but I am on a very high dose.
Of course it doesnt work for everyone, but for me, it is life saving. You just have to stick with it and try not to freak out if you feel rubbish for a week or so.

millymoo1202 · 28/02/2022 20:41

I’ve been on it since September for anxiety and slight depression, going through divorce, house move etc and it’s made a huge difference to me. It did take a good 6-8 weeks to see a good improvement and felt awful first couple of weeks. Only thing I’d say is that I cannot cry and sometimes I feel I need it! Good luck to you, you’ve been to the doctors so clearly think there’s something wrong, would you question if it was a medical condition

huffleclaw · 28/02/2022 21:09

I have been on Sertraline for about 5 years now.

My only regret is not taking it sooner! It has honestly been life changing for me and I never realised how much o was struggling until I started to get better.

Agree with pp who said about initial side effects - I had a rough couple of weeks starting it, but after that things just started getting better.

I wasn't sure if it would stop me being 'me' but it hasn't. The best analogy I can give is that it's 'turned down' the crazy - a bit like a radio, it's all still there...but it's not overwhelming and all consuming as it once was.

Finding the right dose is key - I started on 50 and quickly upped to 100. After a rough period a couple of years ago I went up to 150 and have stayed on that and it works really well for me.

Good luck...first tablet is the hardest!

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 28/02/2022 21:14

I'm on it for life. It makes me feel normal with a sense of humour which I completely lost when I was seriously depressed and anxious. All my family are on it too.

autienotnaughty · 28/02/2022 21:23

I freaked out lasted four days but apparently if you can make it through it gets a lot better. No one prepared me.

Sapphireskies · 28/02/2022 21:25

Different things work for different people. I was on sertraline for many years since I was 10. I was switched when I was about 20 to citalopram. I've been on that 10 years this year and it works for me. Sertraline worked for me as well but the doc wouldn't have me on it due to her opinion of it. I know people that take sertraline and are completely fine.

Discwriter · 28/02/2022 21:28

I'm on it since September for anxiety and it has been life changing. The extremely anxious thoughts and feelings are just not there anymore. I am more me again, and not so consumed with worry the whole time. I had very minor side effects, and nothing major enough that I can even remember it now.

sherbetmelon · 28/02/2022 21:31

I'm not on sertraline now (still on SSRI's) but have been in the past. The key is to stick out the first few weeks, you won't feel like it's making any difference then one day everything will seem clearer and brighter and you will be glad you stuck at it. Good luck OP x

rainbowninja · 28/02/2022 21:35

Slightly different perspective but coming off of antidepressants can be hard so I'd factor that into your decision too. Beta blockers might be a better option for anxiety?

LazyMareofEastown · 28/02/2022 21:36

I've just come off it after 7 months. First time taking an SSRI.

While it helped with my anxiety, the side effects (lucid nightmares, complete inability to orgasm/drastically reduced libido and constant jaw tension/pain from clenching) completely outweighed any benefit I felt.

I hope it works for you OP.

DoucheCanoe · 28/02/2022 21:41

I've been taking 50mg since May for anxiety - similar reasons to you with my teen.

It's honestly changed my life and made me feel like me again! I've been lucky and had very mild side effects for the first 2 weeks - loss of appetite, bit of insomnia and one particularly amusing incident where I kept feeling like my jaw was drooping so I had to keep touching my chin and pushing it up to make sure my mouth was closed... Apparently it was all in my head as no one else noticed it 🤣

I've no intention of coming off of them tbh, they don't solve everything of course but it clears my mind and gives me time to process and rationalise my stress/anxiety instead of freaking out in auto-pilot.

Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 28/02/2022 22:01

Thanks everyone
The last 9 months have been the worst of my life, I went from having happy kids with no issues to 2 with MH issues. My life is a constant stream of work, juggling camhs appointments and trying to keep things normal for my youngest.
Every morning I wake up and check my phone with my heart in my mouth to see if any of them have texted through the night telling me how they want to end it all despite being in the same house,
I'm tired of trying to keep up appearances for my youngest, I'm tired of battling with their MH issues. I just want my happy kids back

OP posts:
Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 28/02/2022 22:42

@millymoo1202

I’ve been on it since September for anxiety and slight depression, going through divorce, house move etc and it’s made a huge difference to me. It did take a good 6-8 weeks to see a good improvement and felt awful first couple of weeks. Only thing I’d say is that I cannot cry and sometimes I feel I need it! Good luck to you, you’ve been to the doctors so clearly think there’s something wrong, would you question if it was a medical condition
Thank you for this, no I wouldn't question it. I think I've always associated anti depressants for very depressed people and although I don't put myself I in that category I'm under an immense amount of pressure and stress, I explained this to the GP and she said to give them a try and is doing a follow up in 2 weeks to see how I'm getting on
OP posts:
Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 01/03/2022 08:48

I took my first one this morning so I'll see how I get on, hopefully I won't have many side effects

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KaliforniaDreamz · 03/03/2022 16:41

Best of luck also maybe join the other thread support for parents of kids with MH issues. I just saw it today myself. It is a very tough road xx

Nowmum43 · 03/03/2022 17:15

I started on it on Sunday, 25mg which I've to up on day 6 to 50mg.
Mine is same reason as you, to help me with my anxiety so I feel I can better support my dd12 (undiagnosed autism) better.
I'll be honest I've felt shocking, first couple of days was mass panic feelings and I've had horrible nausea and still have. I'm finding each day difficult feeling so sick but I'm working towards the end result and focusing on how it will help me rather than how it's making me feel now.
I don't regret starting it.

Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 03/03/2022 18:34

@KaliforniaDreamz I also joined that thread today, I think it helps talking to others who understand

@Nowmum43 I started mine Monday, not really had many side effects so far, the odd wave of nausea but that's it. I hope you start to feel better soon. I'm on 50mg I thought they might have given a smaller dose to start but so far so good

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Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 03/03/2022 18:35

Not Monday, Tuesday I started

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Nowmum43 · 03/03/2022 18:44

@cantthinkofabetterusername
Thanks, I'm nervous about upping the dose incase it makes me feel even worse Sad

Glad you haven't had any side effects from them, I'm sure you would have by now if you were going to Smile

Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 03/03/2022 18:52

@Nowmum43 I'm sure the effects will wear off soon. My dd 17 was prescribed fluoxetine today I'm hoping she doesn't get the side effects

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Nowmum43 · 03/03/2022 18:55

[quote cantthinkofabetterusername]@Nowmum43 I'm sure the effects will wear off soon. My dd 17 was prescribed fluoxetine today I'm hoping she doesn't get the side effects [/quote]
I'm hoping just to wake up one day and feel amazing Grin and 🤞🏼 that day is soon!

Hope your daughters meds work well and she avoids the side effects.

Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 03/03/2022 20:13

She takes her first one tonight. Her moods quite low tonight, I can't wait until they start making a difference

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Original poster
cantthinkofabetterusername · 04/03/2022 06:44

@Nowmum43 how are you feeling today?

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