Page 2 | Day 16 Sertraline...side effects!

MrsOwen90 · 2024-07-21T07:05:32+00:00

Hey. I've recently restarted sertraline again for severe anxiety which triggers my insomnia. I was on 50mg for 2 weeks and am now on my 4th day of 100mg. I've had these constant headaches since upping the dose, feel more anxious too. Is this normal with upping the dose? How long do the side effects go on for after increasing the dose? I feel awful xx

BramleySweet · 13/08/2024 12:17

bryceQ · 13/08/2024 11:15

Yeah I've decided to come off it, I'm only doing 25mg today and for next few days and then I'll stop. I'm at 3 weeks but I jut can't manage with this tiredness and sadness, it's worse than I felt before. I don't think it's for me.

Totally respect that decision... although could you give it one more week just to see if you turn a corner?

It is so bloody hard, isn't it. I really hope you find a medication that suits you - keep in touch as you taper off if that's what you decide to do. I have a 4 year old and she is draining; it must be so hard for you to go through this whilst looking after your little one with his complex needs adding to the pressure and emotions you are experiencing.

Sending hugs x

BramleySweet · 13/08/2024 12:24

Holbic · 13/08/2024 11:20

Thank you all for your replies. I just feel so desperate. I have a 7 week old baby and feeling this low and looking after a baby is so so hard thankfully I’ve got lots of help but just feel like a terrible mum and wife as feel like I can’t even get out of bed, I’m missing out on my baby. I went to the doctors with post natal anxiety I didn’t feel depressed at all, just anxious to be around people or go anywhere. I’ve only felt depressed since taking these tablets.
just feel at an all time low and like it’s never going to get better, it scares the life out of me that I’m going to feel this way forever and never go back to my old self or be able to leave the house.

I’m constantly looking things up online and reading pages of reviews which I am taking some comfort in reading the ones that it gets better but when your in it and waking up every day feeling so awful it’s so hard to carry on with the medication.

I thought 50mg was a strong dose to start with as well which he why I’m very reluctant to go up to 100mg, I think I’ll stick with the 50mg for longer and hope it kicks in, just not sure how long I can feel this bad.

would definitely like to stay intouch on here thank you, it really helps talking to people who are going through it or been through it for some reassurance xx

Bless you - I've walked your path and I promise you, you will get better. PNA/PND is so rubbish and you may well need to get onto a higher dose to treat it because it can be quite stubborn. (I do still think it might be a bit early to increase at the moment, or do it in 25mg increments if you do because you're suffering the side effects.)

Know that they are just side effects though and they will pass and you will feel better. It's just so frustrating though when every day is hard and you want so much to feel better. I've been in bed for most of the morning today (and I didn't just have a baby 7 weeks ago!!) so please go easy on yourself and know that it's partly the meds and partly the fact that you have a newborn and those days are tough! Also, having anxiety is so draining in itself, so that will be playing a part too.

It is such early days (for all of us) starting this medication and the first 2-3 weeks can be really bumpy, but then it should level out. Once level, you can tweak the doses until you feel back to yourself again - it's a slow process, but it will happen xxx

bryceQ · 13/08/2024 12:24

I don't think I can give it any longer, because it's affecting my ability to look after my son, and I can't risk not being able to care for him as his needs are so complex. I already take propranolol to calm heart rate. I do tai chi and yoga and I haven't been able to attend last few weeks from exhaustion so it's affecting that too. i'm coming into the last half of the summer holidays, so it will get easier

BramleySweet · 13/08/2024 12:29

bryceQ · 13/08/2024 12:24

I don't think I can give it any longer, because it's affecting my ability to look after my son, and I can't risk not being able to care for him as his needs are so complex. I already take propranolol to calm heart rate. I do tai chi and yoga and I haven't been able to attend last few weeks from exhaustion so it's affecting that too. i'm coming into the last half of the summer holidays, so it will get easier

Do you think you will try a different med?

Yoga and tai chi sound amazing - I totally get not feeling well enough to go though. I haven't left the house much since starting these meds and it's going to be baby steps to start building things back into my life again that will help me to heal.

Do you have any help/support with your son? The summer holidays are really really tricky for parents of SEND children, I've found. I find them tricky because of all of the unstructured time stretching ahead of me. Xx

Holbic · 13/08/2024 13:23

Thank you for your lovely message and support! It really does help! I feel like I just need constant reassurance at the moment that it will get better.

I definitely think you’re right about the dosage, I’m going to try and continue with the 50mg abit longer and then consider increasing to 75mg I’m probably not giving the medication long enough to work but already feels like a life time.

You see so many new mums out with their baby straight away and it just makes you feel terrible on my baby and that I’m missing out with her, my husband keeps reminding me we have a life time to make memories with her so not to beat myself up about it.

I hope you’re doing ok, sending lots of love xxx

BramleySweet · 13/08/2024 13:40

Holbic · 13/08/2024 13:23

Thank you for your lovely message and support! It really does help! I feel like I just need constant reassurance at the moment that it will get better.

I definitely think you’re right about the dosage, I’m going to try and continue with the 50mg abit longer and then consider increasing to 75mg I’m probably not giving the medication long enough to work but already feels like a life time.

You see so many new mums out with their baby straight away and it just makes you feel terrible on my baby and that I’m missing out with her, my husband keeps reminding me we have a life time to make memories with her so not to beat myself up about it.

I hope you’re doing ok, sending lots of love xxx

I'm exactly the same - seeking constant external reassurance and needing to be told that I will get better. I literally just reread threads all day to see the positive recovery stories, or look over my old journals to see when I started to feel better.

If you need to reach out, I think PANDAS are quite a good charity and you can talk to someone at any time. Feel free to PM me too if you like - I had a hell of a time with PND/A and will happily help anyone going through it. I didn't increase my dose as quickly as I should've and suffered longer because of it, so you're doing really well.

Your husband is so right - you need to focus on getting yourself better and then you have all the time in the world to make memories. Those mums you see out there with their babies - they probably don't have PNA right now. There's that saying - if the only thing I do today is hold my baby, I've done enough. I think that's what you need to focus on; just getting through each day and spotting the glimmers of hope in every day whilst you go through the rocky patch of the medication starting to work.

We will get there x

popandchoc · 14/08/2024 07:23

Hi all , I’m on day 15 of sertraline (my second time on it ). Been fairly lucky with not many side effects but still got the anxiety . Yesterday I had it in the morning and then felt ok most the day and it came back in the evening , Woke up with it again this morning .

@Holbic you are doing a great thing for you and the baby trying to get better . There is so much time to make memories .

@bryceQ are you going to see if there’s another medication that suits more ?

bryceQ · 14/08/2024 19:34

Sorry for not replying sooner. Thanks for all your kind words.

I already take propranolol so I'm not going to try another Anti Depressant - I was hoping it would give me a boost to make the holidays more manageable but I just couldn't wait more than 3 weeks and I can't try another one. I'm just going to keep focusing on rest and meditation type activities. I realise I'm lucky to have this as an option.

I really wish everyone the best and hope it provides the relief you need x

BramleySweet · 14/08/2024 20:29

bryceQ · 14/08/2024 19:34

Sorry for not replying sooner. Thanks for all your kind words.

I already take propranolol so I'm not going to try another Anti Depressant - I was hoping it would give me a boost to make the holidays more manageable but I just couldn't wait more than 3 weeks and I can't try another one. I'm just going to keep focusing on rest and meditation type activities. I realise I'm lucky to have this as an option.

I really wish everyone the best and hope it provides the relief you need x

How have you felt today on the 25mg? Was thinking about you earlier and wondering if maybe you could stick on the 25mg for a couple of weeks until you level out and then increase really gradually? Might make the transition easier and less harsh.
Whatever you decide, I hope you're OK and that you start to feel good soon xxx

bryceQ · 14/08/2024 20:32

I actually didn't take it today. I did 25mg yesterday but I had a lovely thing planned and I couldn't risk it making me feel worse. If I still feel fine tomorrow I'll probably not bother taking anymore. I don't think I was on it enough to have withdrawal type symptoms, I've experienced that coming off a high dose of coedine.

Blueuggboots · 14/08/2024 20:48

Headaches from sertraline are a normal side effect but will ease...
It is normal to feel worse a few weeks after starting sertraline and you need to keep taking it and ride it out. It will get better...
I was on 50mg and upped it to 100mg but didn't like the inability to cry and other issues so went back down to 50mg.

dollyknockers · 16/08/2024 02:15

I’m on day 3 of taking sertraline at 25mg and am feeling spaced out and not able to sleep properly, head doesn’t feel clear if that makes sense. My friend says it’s too early for me to be experiencing side affects but I definitely think it’s the meds making me feel this way. I stopped before as I didn’t like the feeling but feel I need to stick with it as it’s worse before it gets better. Keep reading negative things about the meds want to try to keep positive.

BramleySweet · 16/08/2024 07:41

dollyknockers · 16/08/2024 02:15

I’m on day 3 of taking sertraline at 25mg and am feeling spaced out and not able to sleep properly, head doesn’t feel clear if that makes sense. My friend says it’s too early for me to be experiencing side affects but I definitely think it’s the meds making me feel this way. I stopped before as I didn’t like the feeling but feel I need to stick with it as it’s worse before it gets better. Keep reading negative things about the meds want to try to keep positive.

Totally normal and definitely side effects. I felt the effects from Day 1/Day 2 and I know a lot of people do too. I'm on Day 15 and, from my experience, it did get worse before it got better. I'm starting to feel a bit more human now as the side effects are wearing off. The meds may not kick in properly for another week or so and I need to work my way up to 50mg to really feel the benefit. Well done for starting on 25mg though - I think that's a good thing to do and I'm glad I did that. Xx