Sertraline bl**dy hell..!

[AmusedOpalShaker]

Evening everyone,

I am currently sitting at day 5 of 50mg Sertraline for OCD and horrific, horrific intrusive thoughts.

My lord - the side effects are horrendous?!

The sheer uptake in my anxiety, intrusive thoughts, urges, shaking, sickness and lethargy has been awful to try to navigate. I’m so incredibly fortunate that I have supportive family around to look after my DD during this.

i have been on Sertraline before, but like a complete moronhead I stopped taking it, I don’t remember ever having such severe side effects before, though.

Any experiences? I’m looking for horror turned success stories, or just some reassurance really, anything to stop me from chucking them away.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read, have a wonderful evening all xxx

Thanks for replying - I’m glad you have found some relief if only by stopping the meds. I hope the anxiety remains manageable.

I’m going to persevere for a bit but can’t do this long term. I was awake four times last night and tossing and turning with bizarre dreams when asleep. That with the sweating is no help at all - I’m exhausted!

Sorry to hijack OP! I hope you are continuing to improve x

Don’t apologise..! We’re all just tying to get through ❤️ I hope things improve for you xx

@ssd I forgot to ask, did you have any luck finding out more about the ERP? X

Hi!! Always up for some Kindle recommendations! Chuck some my way ❤️

Give it another week and you’ll feel a bit better

My sister is on Sertraline and it took her a little while to settle down but when she did she was so much better.

You're getting through the worst after 5 days - I always lost weight at this stage so it was an added bonus in the long run IMHO. It have me weird body jerks when I was falling asleep - still does and I'm on a tiny dose now (25mg) - but I've grown to love those jerks! You can take sea sickness tablets to help some of the symptoms - I think I read this on here somewhere, and have no idea why my GP has never suggested this to me, considering I've struggled like you many times on different meds over the years. Sertraline are by far the best that I've taken - stick at it and you all be glad you did. Good luck X

I don’t understand why something designed to take the bad thoughts away causes everything to feel even worse for a bit, it’s dangerous
hope it eases for you soon OP

Because it's literally altering your brain chemistry. Think of it like remedial massage. The force required to break down a tight muscle hurts but after a day or 2, you feel a lot better.

Hello! 👋

Honestly this kid made me pack so much stuff it was like she’s moving out 😂

I’m not entirely sure why it decided to focus on the suitcase, maybe because everything was a rush and the OCD just decided it was an opportune time to be a pain in my backside.

It popped up again later on in the day as well, but I knew that was because I gave into the checking compulsion with the suitcase, it was going to have a field day with me for the rest of the day.

Anyways, new day today - and I took 100mg again, we shall persevere..! X

Not yet.

Ahhhhh the checking compulsion. Actually made me sweat. Once I started checking my moles, boobs, couldn't leave the shower. It's a protector on manic overdrive. The focus on the suitcase is interesting...I do find that if I can understand why my fear fixates on a certain thing, then I get a little more power back. But compulsion is such a strong force..
Thank goodness for sertraline.

Thank goodness indeed, although saying that I’m feeling some of the bad side effects coming back through, however at least I know what to expect this time, just that knowledge helps somewhat!

Its interesting because checking (x 50) was never one of my compulsions, my OCD has been around intrusive thoughts and repeating certain mantras, or revolving around the number / multiples of 4, so the suitcase did throw me. As I said, it’s a bit like scratching an itch isn’t it, once you give into one compulsion then OCD knows it’s got you for the day and it’ll run rings. But hey ho, it’s all a learning curve after all. X

Hi op, how are you today?
Re kindle recommendations, my mental health can only really deal with chick flicks 😂 anything else is likely to set my ocd off.
I love anything by Shari Low.

I’m alright, bit jittery and anxious, but nothing new! Ah, see I’m a thriller, dark reads type, probably why I’m so mad 😂😇

No in all seriousness I am trying to widen my reading arsenal, so I’ll happily check out your recommendation, thank you!

How are you? Good day today? Xx

It took 2 weeks to settle. Good luck!

I did it. Went up to 100. It's been just over a week now and feeling particularly anxious. And the anxiety makes me feel puky. Channelling my this will pass vibes but it's hard sometimes. 😵

Hope everyone is doing OK x

It’s tough but it will pass! Deep breaths!

How’s it going for you OP?

Hello! How are you now? I hope things are settling for you now! Xxx

Hey hey!

So, I’m on week three of 100mg and I’ve had a few hard moments.

My daughter was performing at St Paul’s yesterday, I was feeling very out of control and my OCD was on fire the entire time I was travelling into central. Kept wanting to turn around / cry / crap myself in the corner, but I didn’t want to let my Daughter down. I tried to sit with the discomfort and stay put - I’m happy to report that I did!

I stayed put and my Daughter sang absolutely beautifully!

Today again we’ve been in Central London seeing Stranger Things in the Theatre. Yet again my OCD was on absolute fire and I felt entirely out of control again, impulses to dive in front of trains or cause harm. Sitting through a 3 hour play being flooded with dark thoughts and urges wasn’t a great time, but I coped, enjoyed the show and now we’re back home eating fish and chips!

Also, the show is FANTASTIC; thoroughly recommend..!

Hope you’re all ok xxx

So two big events in London, back to back, and you enjoyed the show which was fantastic. I'd call that a huge victory. Truthfully, I am not calm out and about in London, it requires a lot of my energy and i tread a fine line between excitement and stress. I think you're making huge progress. Believing there will be even less dark thoughts next time and more moments of joy

Bless you @AmusedOpalShaker . I feel this so badly. It’s awful, BUT you did it and enjoyed yourself and that’s what matters. OCD is an absolute shit show. Today I allowed myself to acknowledge that this week was really good regarding the absence of intrusive thoughts but I bet you the moment I think this it’s likely to change.
I really appreciate you’ve been so open about your ocd. It helps others including me.
In the meantime I’m trying to navigate HRT at the grand old age of 39 🙈

Gosh London is stressful isn’t it!

Yeah, it turned out to be a victory, albeit a very shaky one at times..! How are you doing? Xx