Experiences with setraline

[Slaybutter]

I already had mild ibs so I’m quite familiar with my bowels I’ve never had an issue before as it’s usually only triggered by stress. I now almost shit myself when I drink orange juice and eat gluten

So I used to have ulcerative colitis and one would think it put me more in tune with my stomach but it did not Thankfully that has also gone with changes to my diet. I first developed it in 2016 when I moved out of my family’s home and began cooking for myself. I was avoiding preparing animal protein like the plague. Not anymore though - now I get excited to cook new types of meat. I’ve done a complete 180!

 

[RoseRazor]

I’ve given up with AD permanently. I’ve tried several and my body violently rejects them. I go on the worse trips you can imagine plus other symptoms, i find them horrendous. I took Hydroxyzine Hydroxhloride for a while though. It’s an antihistamine that’s used to treat anxiety and I found that extremely effective even on low doses. It sedates you slightly and takes the edge of and is also non-habit forming. Might be worth a look? Personally I’m looking at HRT now. Think all my problems have actually been hormonal and no amount of AD, sedative or therapy is going to help me!

Good luck everyone.

 

[planetzanussi]

I'm currently going without, just with doctors/pharmacies hours over christmas/new year...not intentional just me not getting them picked up on time. So unwell with flu like symptoms, feel dreadful!!!!!! Honestly stick with it give it a chance people. And if its not right for you it's not the only anti depressant out there.

sounds horrible! Can you call 111 and explain and see if an out of hours doctor can prescribe you some? I’ve always been told never to stop taking them abruptly

Hey. I've been on citalopram before and it didn't help.

Sadly I'm having to wean off Sertraline because after my last dose increase I've experienced horrendous tremors and akathisia. Doc is keen to try me on something else. I've been on a dozen meds in the last 20 years - escitalopram worked for 7 years to a reasonable degree.

I wish you all the best with this medicine. Here's hoping I can find "the one" and get some peace at last

Oh yes that’s what I meant escitalopram (I always thought it was spelt ‘S citalopram’ but now I’ve seen you write it down I realise they’re different)

sounds like your doctor is on it though, hope you find something

 

[gossiplovexx]

I go to therapy, and receive EMDR sessions through the NHS, my therapist is funded by the NHS and she happened to just have trained in EMDR so asked if I would be willing to do the sessions. I do find them brutal compared to normal sessions, and linger for days after. I went for peri menopause symptom aid funnily enough, and she advised that sertraline is a helpful aid to the symptoms of it. I was against it because I’ve always tried to do without any mood enhancements. Spoke to a lot of people in the same health situation as I am, who were all placed on sertraline and said they have never looked back. Because I have chronic fatigue from pretty much fighting for my life health wise she said that my anxiety around my health etc will all be contributing factors to my fatigue, so to try the sertraline for all the collective issues I am having.
So I actually never went looking for anything to help with my moods etc at first, it was a by product of going about menopause symptoms.

I took the first one this morning, I never read not to have caffeine and also had 3 coffees I’ve felt tuned to the moon, redecorated the bathroom. I hope to god I sleep tonight

Well done for taking the first one! The first few weeks are tough but nothing you won’t have got through already - keep talking, give yourself grace and the light is at the end of the tunnel! Again sounds like a cliche but that’s the advice I wish someone had given me.

As others have said about weight gain, I’ve put on maybe half a stone in 5 years, that’s down to getting my appetite back and my body not being in fight or flight. It’s been hard (I’m aware it’s a small amount) but my skin and hair look so much better and of course I’m mentally stronger. Try think of the positives if this is something that’s worrying you too.

You’re doing great! Hope tonight’s okay for you xx

 

[theghosttown]

Had any one ever experienced excessive sweating on it? Kinda like hot flashes

Yes. Mine are terrible, especially during the night. I’ve been on 100mg since Feb and it’s not improved.

 

[elloelloello]

Honestly the sweating thing is terrible right now so I hope it stops soon!!!

 

[notdollybutmolly]

I’m so so sorry for your loss 🩵
Doctor said the same to me, that’s it’s not the sertraline that causes weight gain. I also don’t believe him x

 

[theghosttown]

God I’m praying someone here has some sort of solution for these sertraline side effects.

I’m on 100mg after 50 had no effect on me. I am CONSTANTLY sweating, and boiling hot. The sweating is mainly my face. Forehead and top lip.

Ive got an active 2 year old and any sort of activity from me, even sometimes just walking or getting on/off the floor I’m as red as a beetroot and sweating.

the social embarrassment is huge and I’m starting to become a recluse because I know people are staring at me when I’m standing there sweating buckets.

bit of a moan …. I feel so stuck because 100% the sertraline is working for me and my mental health has improved. So I am happy to stay on it for that reason, but I am fed up of feeling like a sweaty unhygienic Furness.

100% feel you. It is absolutely horrific for me during the night, I am pouring with sweat. I’ve noticed that as soon as I exert myself even slightly it starts. I feel like I am a lot hotter than I ever used to be. It’s awful.

 

[theghosttown]

I’m wondering if the calf aches could potentially be dehydration? Are you keeping up with your water in take? I’ve found since upping to 100mg I am extreeeeeeeemely thirsty all the time so it could be that?

 

[friedeggontoast]

Weirdly I found when I went from 50mg to 100mg, my OCD/ anxiety symptoms seemed to start creeping back in?

 

[Badabing101]

I meant 150 mg! @TapToBoreMeRigid . I think they say to give it 6 weeks to properly help and then review. You will get there

 

[gingerteacup]

Took my tablet again last night and felt like I couldn’t breathe. All night my stomach kept heaving

 

[aidil]

The restless legs are the worst for me! I often find myself listening to podcasts and pacing until the early hours so I can finally get some sleep!

 

[catchinguphere21]

I want to come off the sertraline.
I don’t know if it’s making me feel more miserable tbh.
I ache all over everyday, I sweat a lot, I feel cold, my bones ache, I have zero energy to do even the most basic of things, I have a short fuse & get very frustrated over the most silliest of things.
I never used to be like this before. I thought maybe it was the flu but this has gone on a few weeks now.
I just want to feel happy & content

I am the very same !!!

 

[planetzanussi]

The headaches stopped after the first two weeks for me, the sickness took a long time to settle.
I tried taking them in the morning but just felt too alert and by night I couldn’t switch off at all. I then tried at night but found myself feeling very out of it by the morning. My pupils were so large, and I felt very irrational. I don’t know what to do

I’ve taken it at midday, found the tiredness kicked in early evening but least husband was home to help with kids. I found taking them at night gave insomnia (tried as early as 5pm all the way up to 10pm) so then switched to 8am but would crash tiredness wise at midday but less insomnia. So currently doing half at 8am and half at 8pm. It’s been my most balanced approach so far. Doctor said sometimes you have to decide if the benefits outweighs the cons and for me they do. It’s a personal choice. I would say to anyone experiencing initial side effects to give it a good 2-3 weeks as lots of the initial side effects go away. I’ve been on 50mg for five months now.

I was put on sertraline for pmdd (pre menstral disphoric disorder) as well as general low mood after having my second child and it has made a huge difference. Feel like I was living a life in Grey before and now the colour is back. The pmdd is a million times better and now only have small dips which are significantly less, in fact this cycle I’d say I didn’t have any pmdd moments which is a huge huge relief for myself and my family so trying to accept I can’t have it all right now and just need to manage the insomnia

so maybe look at taking half a dose in the morning and half a dose in the evening?

I also find self hypnosis videos on YouTube very helpful for sleep/anxiety/stress before bed. Helps me to switch off. Look up minds in unison (used to be called Thomas hall) he does loads. Look for the 22 minuteones called ‘stop panic and anxiety’ or ‘sleep easy’. They have a blue thumbnail. Oo I may be able to post a link? I’ll see if I can

 

[pimplepopper123]

I’ve taken my first 100mg dosage today. I definitely am feeling the effects. Is it normal to feel the effects >3 hours after taking. Very shakey, quite dazed and slightly euphoric.

Yes I defintely felt like this until they got into my system. I used to take 50mg when I first woke up and then the other 50mg a few hours later to reduce the effects

 

[justheretoread99]

Hi all. Have been prescribed 50mg of sertraline for generalised anxiety.

Took my first one last night at 11:00pm. Woke up about 5:00am for the loo and felt like I was having an out of body experience. I could walk but it felt like I was floating. Had a sudden urge to throw up. Nothing came out but I ended up sat next to the toilet for about 20 mins just in case

Today I feel slightly dizzy and a little nauseous, usually have a decreased appetite due to my anxiety but I’m not hungry at all. Feel really cold too and shaky.

I know it’s expected to feel worse before you start to feel better but is it likely the physical symptoms increase as the first couple of weeks go on?

 

[HoneyBee29]

I forgot to take my tablets over about 2 days and now feel so ill, such a sore head and sore tummy. This happened to anyone else? How long did it last?

 

[HoneyBee29]

I was on sertraline 50mg a few years back for anxiety, they helped a lot although I put on weight. Could’ve been the tablets or lockdown and indulging in bbq food and alcohol.
I’m currently now on day 5 after needing to go back on them as I have so much shit going on, sons health is declining, husbands health isn’t great, need to be able to support my other two children through all of this. I’m just really struggling with the side effects, my appetite is non existent, the thought of food make me gag, trying to eat little bits here and there but nothing substantial. Making sure I’m drinking plenty of water throughout the day as that’s all I can tolerate. The feeling of dread that comes over me throughout the day in waves is awful, Head feels a bit woozy and headachy, also on my period so that helps I know I have to push through these side effects, I need to persevere.
I have requested some anti sickness tablets from my Dr who is going to call me tomorrow to discuss this, I just want to be able to eat and not panic at the thought of food.

My appetite was very off for about 2 weeks when I started on them the 2nd time it went away after that. I’m usually the opposite though on them I was the last time I was on them couldn’t stop eating. Hopefully the side affects will ease off for you soon

 

[TapToBoreMeRigid]

I'm a sweaty beast. Only been on it 3.5w.

Anxiety is worse than ever and I'm terrified I'm a lost cause. I can't imagine feeling well again and I feel like giving in.