Starting sertraline again

[Beggingforsleep]

I came off 50mg of sertraline before Christmas but my situation has changed and I’m not coping well at the moment. I was going to start private therapy but now it feels like a lot of money with all the cost of living increases.

I will call the doctor tomorrow but it might take a few days to get an appointment. When I discussed coming off it she said I could go back on anytime but I can’t remember if she said to start off with half tablets like the first time or if I should just start on full tablets. I’ve got about a months worth left over. Does anyone have any experience of starting straight on 50mg? I didn’t have any side effects starting last time, or coming off. I’d like to get started asap. Even calling the doctor for an appointment feels like a huge effort at the moment.

I will contact them though and also ask them to put me on a waiting list for nhs cbt/therapy. I’d just like to address the current low quickly.

I started straight on 50mg, felt a bit weird for a couple of days but then fine. Would recommend taking them in the am until you are used to them again or you'll be up all night.

Fab, thanks. I’m struggling enough with work at the moment so maybe I’ll wait till the weekend. I would rather start straight on 50mg and get some momentum going.

Hope it’s working out well for you.

Sorry I missed your reply. How did it go taking them?xxx

Hope you're ok. I had the same last year - tapered off then had some hard things to cope with and a went back on but I just did half a tablet for the first few weeks then upped it. I've actually upped mine again this week to 75mg as really struggling again and hoping it helps. Sending hugs!

I didn't end up starting at the weekend, it was my DH's 40th and we were all still recovering from covid so couldn't face it, but I did speak to the GP yesterday and started straight on 50mg today. I feel quite odd, took me a while to attribute it to the tablets, I feel hungover. But I'm really pleased with myself taking control of the situation.

He also told me about the NHS funded counselling service so I registered for that yesterday and have my assessment this afternoon.

A bit fed up that 2022 hasn't started the way I'd hoped but hey ho. The GP did say that I should make a plan to get me off them again in 4-6 months but really at the moment I'd rather stay on them forever.

Hi. Didn’t want to start a new thread but will do if this doesn’t pop up for anyone…

I’ve been on 50mg for 6 weeks or so now and while I’m coping with things better, I’m still not great. The doctor said to just increase my dose if I felt I needed to and to let them know but will going to 100mg make that much of a difference? Last year on 50mg I felt like I had some motivation. That hasn’t happened this time. I’m not dwelling anymore but I’m really struggling to get anything but the basics done and I’m worried work are going to notice, I just need to find some oomph and I can’t.

I also don’t know whether to tell work that I’m struggling. I don’t doubt they’d be good about it, I work for a charity and they’re generally very good at pastoral things, but I don’t know what it would achieve. If I give an excuse I feel like it will give me even more reason to not try.

Any advice would be appreciated. @littleflybuzz did going to 75 make a difference for you?

Hello

Sorry to hear yo'ure struggling. So I've been on the 75mg for about 5/6 weeks now and I have noticed a big difference now - it did take several weeks though. I think it's made it slightly easier for me to step back from my thoughts/feelings and find space to breathe cope better with life admin which had really slipped. Even replying to emails, messages etc was like I was stuck in treacle if that makes sense - like I'd stare at the screen and just turn it off and ignore deadlines/people/things I'd normaly enjoy. Slowly I've managed to organise a few social outings and catch up a bit on emails.

I also started having acupuncture focusing on anxiety which I have to be honest I was very cynical about but feeling desperate and a friend recommended a local practitioner - had two sessions and my nervous system is SO much calmer. Combined that with as many regular walks as I can manage.

With work - I had similar issue. Eventually I told my Manager because I had a very low week with panic attacks, IBS and my therapist only had an appointment left during the day so I told my Manager I'd take a longer lunch break to go and I'd make up the hours, as my mental health was suffering and I needed some support. She was fine about it and didn't ask too many questions.

I guess if you tell work you need to think about what you need from them. Do you need some time off (could a doctor sign you off)? Do they offer any mental health support? Do you need more flexible working hours or something? I guess what I needed was my Manager to know I was struggling (in case I had a freak out and couldn't do the job) and just her knowing actually really helped. I also needed some time to do go to a therapy session and I've done that one more time and been able to make up the hours.

Anyway - here to talk if you need support - I know how hard it is. Just this week I started feeling panicky in mornings again so worried I was about to relapse- but I was able to step back, and write a plan to help myself again (I'd gotten out of a routine and had wine at some events which didn't help!)

x