Sertraline

[Stygimoloch]

My doctor has prescribed 50mg of sertraline for anxiety and possible depression. I’m really struggling right now to cope with day to day life and have a churning feeling of dread most of the time. I’ve been a teacher for 19 years and am
now feeling like I just cannot cope with the pressures and it has spilled over into my home life with me crying a lot of being really snappy with my children (9&12) and my husband. I’m desperate to feel better and be a better mom and wife so I finally went to the doctors.

I took one of the sertraline on Thursday night and it made me so poorly. I was sick and felt like I’d been hit by a bus. I couldn’t function at all. Friday I still felt really unwell so I haven’t taken another tablet. I realise this was probably stupid because I know there are side effects and that I need to ride through them but I just can’t imagine functioning feeling the way I did.

Does anyone have any advice? I’ve never taken antidepressants before and am feeling really desperate. Is 50mg too high a dose? Should I half the tablets to start with? I just want to feel better but I don’t know how to manage the side effects and still carry on with my life in the meantime.

Thanks

I started taking in the eve and couldn’t sleep and felt awful so then I took 1/2 in the morning for about a week before upping to a whole 50mg in the morning and now I’m fine.

@DragonMovie thank you. Did you get side effects with taking half?

I’ve just started the same drug, but given by a psychiatrist rather than the GP. They are much better informed being specialists rather than generalists. I’m to take 25mg (half a tablet) 15 minutes before bed, we’ll review in a few weeks and (probably) up the dosage. Am doing just fine so far (day 4). Slightly vague at times but absolutely doable.

I’ve previously had some very hefty side effects staring antidepressants, all were from the GP and all given with a starting dose of the lowest working dosage. With sertraline that’d be 50mg. Maybe have a chat with your pharmacist about starting with 25mg and upping it later? Time of day you take the medication can make a huge difference too.

it really is worth finding a way to persevere.

I’m on 50mg and have been for just over 2 years. The side effects were quite bad to start with. Waking up drenched in sweat several times a night, every single night for I think a week or maybe even 2. But it was worth it. I feel so much better. I think splitting the tablets to get your body to adjust more slowly is a good idea, def worth trying.

if you do carry on with it, word of warning - do not miss doses! I’ve done that twice where I’ve missed 3 or 4 days on the trot (e.g. I forgot to bring tablets on a weekend trip) and got severe flu-like symptoms both times. I always keep in my purse now.
the problem is they seem to affect everyone differently.

Hi there. We have a bit in common! Two young children and teachers. This is my second time on sertraline. It worked so well last time that I thought it'd be fine to taper off without any GP advice. Don't do this. Anyway, I started on 25mg for the first two days and then went up to 100mg, under supervision. This time around, I'm currently at 75mg and am waiting to get over a bad cold before I increase to 100mg. I'm making that decision myself- it just seems wise, given that these meds can make you feel pretty tired, for me it was in the evenings. You will see a difference as the weeks pass. It is a slow process for a lot of people, as it was for me but you will be so relieved and grateful to yourself for sticking with it. As Tom Hanks says 'Time is your ally' xx ps. I take it in the mornings as I could handle it if it stopped me from sleeping xx

Thank you all. It’s sounds stupid but I’m so scared of some the side effects, particularly the disturbed sleep. My sleep patterns are precarious at times and I don’t function without sleep at all. I took it mid afternoon on Thursday as I thought it would be early enough to not influence my sleep but last enough for me to be home from school. I think I really underestimated the severity of the side effects. I did sleep ok though.

@OwlBasket that’s interesting about the psychiatrist prescribing. I’ve cut a tablet in half and taken it now. So 25mg. I’ll see how I go from there.

@MomsRus Thank you. I really think I need to stick with it and give it time. It’s hard to admit you need help but I’ve reached the point where not only am I unhappy but I’m making those around me unhappy too.

You really need to give it time. I’m currently on 100mg and have been for a couple of years. It absolutely saved me and I wish I’d started taking them earlier. Hopefully the 25mg won’t hit you so hard - taking them earlier in the day is definitely better when it comes to sleep - recommended by my dr

stuck with it OP it’ll be worth it

The side effects can be brutal. I took a couple weeks off work they made me so ill. Was worth sticking with it, they really changed my life. Take them first thing in the morning rather than later, and give it time op.

My side effects were a clenched jaw especially at night, sweating during the night, tinnitus increased and sensitivity to car headlights even during the day. The rest subsided but the sensitivity to lights continued. I stayed on them for 3 months then weaned myself off them.

I am on 100mg. When I started I was on 50mg but for the first week I halved the tablets to build up slowly and monitor side effects. I was also advised to take them in the morning to minimise sleep disruption. I found it took me a full 8 weeks at 50mg before I felt improvements and then another 6 weeks on 100mg before I felt the improvement from that increase. The improvement in my anxiety and mood has been significant and has enabled me to engage in therapy and just cope better with life. I still have anxious moments and bad days but I now have a massively improved baseline to start from. Hope things improve for you x

My sleep was affected when I first took it but I switched to taking in the morning and it was fine after that.
I also had loss of appetite and feeling sick but that wore off - altho loss of appetite did take quite a long time to go.
Definitely start with 25mg though and work up to 50 say after a week.
I have found sertraline to be life changing for anxiety but it did take quite a while to kick
In (6 weeks?) and I had to keep increasing it and am now up to 150mg. (All side effects have worn off)

Thank you all so much. I’ll start taking it in the morning. Very much seems like something to stick with in order to see the benefits. The doctor did say that. It’s reassuring that others have found 50mg to be too much at first. I honestly couldn’t function and I have to be able to go to work and look after my children.

Hello, I’m just starting too, I’m on day 6 already. Of 25mg.
so far I’ve felt sick, very anxious, can’t eat. It’s reading this that is helping me persevere. Tho it doesn’t sit well to be taking pills, I’ve tried managing my mind myself for two years and have finally succumbed.
thank you op and everyone on this thread. It’s really helpful.

OP I find sertraline really powerful too. I was initially prescribed 50mg but now only take 25mg. I only take it 2 weeks out of 4 because my extreme anxiety is hormonal and it is sooooo amazing the difference it makes, just half a tablet 14 days a month. Hope you can get it balanced right for you!

Thank you @MassiveSalad22 and @Pinkypong. It really does help to be sharing experiences and reading that it’s not just me being a wimp.

I’m not going into school today because I feel so awful. I’m hoping a day to get it into my system and get used to feeling like this will make it easier. I feel so very guilty about not going in though.

There are teachers out in September just like the way other workers are out sick too. Is there any way that you can send in work to them online? They can work away and you can give yourself time to adjust. On the tough mornings, I do breathwork on my way to work. When my meds fully kick in, like they did last time, and how they will for you, I didn't need to do the breathwork. Having said that, I think we all need to do it at least once a day- it's like a yawn for your brain. You'll get there. My psychiatrist (who I went to the first time around) said that this is totally treatable, and she was right. Take comfort in that. X The students will be fine too ;))

I avoided anti depressants for years because I was worried about the side affects. Earlier this year I decided to see the doctor again because life was unbearable and I couldn't shake the black thoughts. I went on Sertraline 25mg and it is honestly life saving. The first week was awful, felt like I'd been punched in the head and couldn't think straight. I was really panicking about how I'd do my job. But after that it settled down and I feel normal. Not elated or high, just calm, rational. Like a 'normal' human being without all the brain clutter and anxiety. I've been able to start exercising again and have even had the strength to look for a better job. At times pre meds I could barely do my job and wondered how I'd get through the day. Best thing I ever did was get medication.

The first two weeks were awful for me in terms of side effects, but they’ve gone now. I can’t drink as much alcohol as I used to before them though. I drank a lot while on them once and was so sick I genuinely thought I was going to die.

Don’t take them on an empty stomach and always take with a drink, never take them dry as they can get stuck in your throat and cause internal damage because they’re so acidic. I take mine after lunch with a full glass of water.

If you get acid reflux with them, eat an apple.

@Stygimoloch

How are you feeling now op x

Hi @hsamantha thanks for asking. I spent 2 weeks taking 25mg and I felt a bit sick and headachey but that cleared. On Friday I started the full tablets so 50mg. I have had side effects; I feel very tired and sick. I’m ok half term so hoping they improve for Monday. I’ve started getting uncontrollable yawning for half hour at a time!

I’m sticking with it though. Hoping to feel some benefits soon. Hasn’t happened yet though.

Oh gosh. I hope you’re okay op and side effects settle down.
I have been prescribed these but am terrified of side effects and to start taking them. 25mg in the morning but am so scared I’ve not taken one.
I am petrified of all medication but do take diazepam.

I have GAD which is pretty severe and OCD as well. I am so scared to try them even though I can’t even work and am very debilitated by my poor mental health.

Unmumsnetty hugs to all 🧡

Sorry to resurrect this but I’ve been taking the full dose for around a month now and I do actually feel better! However, for the last couple of weeks I’ve had diarrhoea and over the last couple of days it’s got worse.

Has anyone experienced this with this medication? I’ve read it’s side effect but it didn’t start straight away. And if it is the medication, will it settle down?

Thanks.

Make sure you take the tablets with food, it was the only thing that worked for me.

I had these prescribed for me at a time when I just couldn't cope, and they honestly helped so much. I liked the way i felt when I was taking them, apart from the tiredness! I took them at 8 or9am and by 3pm I had to have a nap.
I stopped taking them after an operation and luckily, was completely fine.
I'm thinking about re-starting them though as I felt so good about life and they made things that bit easier. I think winter and the short days aren't helping...

I'm glad you stuck with it and are feeling better. Medication can be life changing