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Mental health

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Original poster

Starting Sertraline - help

69 replies

Charlock · 16/03/2023 17:18

Hi,

I'm meant to start Sertraline today. I'm feeling horrific and terrified, terrible intrusive thoughts, anxiety and low. I've been on Citalopram and Fluoxetine before and the early bits were hell. I've got 25mg tablets but wondering about even cutting them in half. I can't cope with extra on top of how I'm feeling. Any advice? X

OP posts:

Original poster

Charlock · 19/03/2023 15:07

Thank you @TheFormidableMrsC that's really positive. @EstherHazy I hope I have as good an experience as you. Just took my 4th tablet. X

OP posts:

girlie1 · 13/04/2023 17:39

I started Sertereline last week for chronic anxiety triggered by a mild TBI in February giving rise to post concussive symptoms which convinced me I had a degenerative neerological disorder and couldn't walk properly. To add to fun the gp - who didn't think the head injury was relevant - picked upsome odd potentially worrying blood results (need re testing next month so that's still at the back of my mind)
Even though I've now had clear head ct/mri (and clear cervical spine mri) I still feel incredibly anxious. Neurologist is now saying I've got FND ie it's all in my mind. This may be true..I can walk and am walking..it just feels very strange and my right foot feels weaker.
Started on 25mg half the prescribed dose, faltered and stopped on 2 individual days as felt ill/dizzy and panicky. Now back on 25mg and going to up by 12.5 tomorrow.
Please god this helps as my normally happy/active life has vanished.

Foolish33 · 19/04/2023 15:55

Hi,
I started last night. Took 50mg at about 6pm. Could not sleep at all last night with my brain whirring (although not necessarily negative). Today have felt exhausted and much more depressed. Scared to take it again tonight.

PickleOfAConundrum · 19/04/2023 16:10

Hi OP, I think you'd be best sticking to the strength the Dr supplied to you and see how it goes tbh. I was on 50mg for a year or so but for the last year I'm on 100mg. My mate is on 200mg and couldn't cope without sertaline. I would recommend taking them with or after food as I've made the mistake taking them and feeling nauseous. They do make me feel sleepy too so I take mine early morning so I'm on the go otherwise if I sit down I literally would fall asleep. I'd honestly be lost in life if I didn't take them for my anxiety and have found the girl I once was and loving life to the max achieving my goals rather than just existing if that makes sense! Good luck OP!

Original poster

Charlock · 19/04/2023 19:53

@Foolish33 I started on 25mg for first 2 weeks, then went up to 50mg. I didn't sleep the first night either and felt bad next day (though I'd been feeling like hell anyway). You could just take half of your 50mg instead tonight. I found the side effects not too bad. I'm 2 weeks on 50mg tomorrow.

OP posts:

anyoneanyoneanyone · 21/04/2023 09:13

I always take mine when I wake up in the Morning

Foolish33 · 21/04/2023 15:50

Thank you. I'm going to try snapping the tablet in half and taking 25 tomorrow morning. I'm worried about making my anxiety worse though. I just feel horrific at the moment.

Lollipop20 · 22/04/2023 05:59

It really helped me, I found taking them at night was the best as if I took them in the morning and didn’t eat i felt literally sea sick- I had severe PND and even by the end of week 1 I started to notice a slight difference- it felt like all my anxieties would be quietened down in my mind whereas before it was taking over my life. Good luck

Original poster

Charlock · 22/04/2023 09:06

That's great @Lollipop20. I am feeling this too, mind is quieter. I'm 4 weeks in, 2 on 25mg and 2 on 50mg. @Foolish33 how are you today?

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Cocolapew · 22/04/2023 09:21

Can I ask is it best to take in the morning? I've been taking mine at night.

iamme21 · 22/04/2023 09:49

I was advised by my GP to take in the morning- less impact on sleep apparently

Cocolapew · 22/04/2023 11:16

Thanks, I sleep ok on them but have very vivid dreams!

Pseudonamed · 22/04/2023 12:07

I was prescribed and started sertraline yesterday. So far I have taken 25mg yesterday and this morning as I take other meds in the morning. I have to go up to 50mg after 4 days of this and have been given a months worth.

Just wondering when they kick in? The thoughts I have been having recently have me exhausted and the anxiety attacks have been back to back. I bought rescue remedy yesterday and barely made it out of the carpark of the shop without needing it.

Foolish33 · 23/04/2023 06:59

Took 25mg yesterday morning. Felt fine during the day but really disturbed and panicky while trying to sleep throughout the night. Burning feeling in palms too. Maybe it's not for me?

Original poster

Charlock · 23/04/2023 11:39

@Cocolapew I take mine in the morning. I started early evening because I was too anxious to take it in the morning but gradually brought it forward.

@Pseudonamed I've been on it for 4.5 weeks now. I started feeling better about a week and a half ago. This was really unexpected as I'd been told 4 to 6 or even 8 weeks ... and I've taken ADs in the past which didn't act as quickly. I'm perimenopausal and on HRT too so it's possible adjustments to that have kicked in. I don't know. Try to hang on in there, the first couple of weeks you might feel bit worse.

@Foolish33 sorry you had a rough night. What age are you if you don't mind me asking? The first couple of weeks can be hard but if you can try to stick them out things usually improve.

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girlie1 · 08/05/2023 17:54

For me 4 weeks on even a low dose was hell and now weaning off. Given I've got chronic health anxiety following a head injury the side effects I've had have been intolerable. I'm now on a quarter of a 50mg tab..Dr's blithly tell you to stop but know nothing of the horrors this drug can cause for some. Don't get me wrong, I know it works for some - my own precious 20 yr old daughter is on 50mg doses for OCD and is a different girl. But I fear for when she wants to stop it. ..If she does.
For me 7 circles of hell ..I've had a breakdown and this has added to it. Massively worse anxiety, swaying sensations/limb/muscle weakness/stiffness/nausea/night sweats/pins and needles. You name it.
Never again. But I get it can be a life changer for some.

Pseudonamed · 09/05/2023 12:37

I tell you I am a different person than the one I was three weeks ago. I felt that they kicked in for me almost immediately although that could be just the placebo effect. My partner has noticed a difference in me too, says I am back to the person he first met which is the person I want to be. Im eating better and sleeping better too which is beneficial. So glad I went to the doctor now and allowed her to give me these pills. Game changer for me.

NDerbys32 · 09/05/2023 13:59

I started on Sertraline 50mg about two years ago. The first 4 weeks were a little unusual with mild headaches, sleep issues and the occasional stomach upset, and after 6 weeks there was such a huge positive change, and that's lasted.
Now in the position where I'm considering trying life without them.
I know several others on them too, all reporting huge positive changes.
Good luck with it all folks.

Original poster

Charlock · 09/05/2023 15:42

@girlie1 could you be peri/menopausal?

@Pseudonamed that's fantastic, onwards and upwards.

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