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Feeling overwhelmed, any advice or general info please about Sertraline?

Posted , 4 users are following.

elena3064
elena3064

I’m 20 and have suffered with depression for 8 years, I’ve tried counselling twice over the past 3 years, but severely struggle to talk about things with family and friends – let alone a complete stranger. While day-to-day I generally feel apathetic, lethargic, etc, I also get recurring instances (each lasting 1-2 weeks) where it completely inhibits my ability to function and I isolate myself from everyone (including via texts and social media) and I can’t leave the house. I’m currently doing my final year of A-Levels, however, these instances mean I have a very low attendance, and I’m seriously worrying I'm going to fail (I dropped out twice before due to depression, so this really is my last chance to pass).

I finally went to my GP today about it all, and have been prescribed 50mg Sertraline, I've read the leaflet in the box, and things online. As I have never had any experience with the medical side of depression, and have never taken antidepressants, it all feels extremely overwhelming - especially the side effects people seem to get within the first 4(?) weeks. I was wondering if anyone might be able to share either personal experiences with Sertraline or just any advice/info as this is all new to me. I’m slightly worried that starting to take them now might affect my exams, which is already a concern for me, in terms of any side effects I might get. Also, for the past 7 years I've self-harmed on and off, so I'm particularly concerned where it says that suicidal/harmful thoughts may be increased when first starting to take antidepressants. Sorry this is all so long-winded!

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • john53632
    john53632 elena3064

    Posted

    Hi Elena,

    Just joined the forum, I have been on prozac for three weeks and now on setraline. I think on these forums you will find more people with negative side effects because thats whats tends to happen. Which is why I am here today cause of the negative side effects. I changed of prozac cause of the tiredness and now I am not sure I can cope with setraline. I am not sure if I should puch through or not it is difficult medicine but it works.

    I am in my early 20's been depressed for years and only just seen a gp about it. I was sceptical about anti depresants but took them reluctantly as the aternative (continuing as I felt was simply no longer an option). I felt more in control of my thoughts, I feel my brain has space to think and reflect. 

    I think the biggest changes is the support of the people around me, because I was making an effort and tacking the medcine people seem to understand more and appreciate what I was going throug which has been really helpfull.

    During the first week i worried a lot about my job my perfomance was reduced and I found it diifcult to perfome well. My job required creaticity and problem solving. After a couple of weeks I felt more or less back to normal and in fact my brain was less distracted because it wasn't full of random thoughts so in a sense if I can get though the phisycal side effects then I feel it will help.

    But its the phisical ones that are limiting I suggest you way up if you can get through your A-Levels without doing much work in the evening. I find it really difficult passed 7pm and go to bed at about 9pm this is a combintation of the depression and the medicine I am tyred because of both.

    I don't know much about A-Levels as I was educated abroad and did the bacalaureat. I would however reconsider the "This is my last chance" feelling. As I say I don't know about A-Levels but I do know there are always other options. I stuggled a lot at school with depression and dyslexia but managed to do well at university despite all the odds staked against me. In my industry a lot of senior leaders did apprentiships and these are really populare at the moment. There are options for foundation years at university to catch up on grades.

    Im sure you will do well, you seem like the type of persone who will just go for it and not let set back dictate your life. Its a really great skill and will do well for you. It takes a lot to get back up and go at it again.

    I think you just need to way up the risks involved, you can always stop or change drugs if it is to much. The must important thing is that you have someone to talk to through the experience even if it is on a forum. I blank out a lot with the medicine at the moment I would probably struggle with an exam at the moment but hoppfully in a few weeks it will start to work properly and I will be back to my normal self. 

    • Digsby
      Digsby john53632

      Posted

      A really thoughtful & helpful post John, as we are all different. I've been on Sertraline for 20 weeks (first 4 weeks on 50mg, then 100mg and now my psychiatrist wants to increase to 150mg). My depression has not lifted at all since first starting on ADs (I had to change medication after suffering awful side effects from 2 months on a previous AD). I'm beginning to think that this one may not the one for me, although I have been very fortunate in not suffering any extreme side effects (headaches & sleep disturbance are the worst). There are many drugs to relieve the symptoms of depression (and anxiety) and some have worked for me in the past and I'll be asking my GP if I can go back to something that worked for me before. However, I realise that I will probably need to be on them longterm as a preventative measure instead of tapering off them when I feel better. The chronic depression doesn't recur immediately but only after about 6-9 months.

      Elena, try to stay positive and don't be too worried about the side effects. If you have been prescribed a 50mg dose, you could maybe take this in two 25mg doses, one in the morning and one at night, to ease yourself in gently. If it does interfere with your revision, then it's easier to taper off it (with your GPs guidance of course).

      Good luck and keep us informed as you will find a lot of support here.

      Big hug,

      Digsby x

  • FDawg
    FDawg elena3064

    Posted

    I've been On Sertraline and Propranolol for 5 weeks now. I started on 25mg Sertraline, this was upped to 50 mg after a week and I am about to go up to 100mg. I have 80 mg Propranolol daily (40 mg in the morning, 40 mg in the evening) to help with the symptoms of the panic attacks I was having.

    As John points out, these forums are full of people asking about the side effects because most people who don't suffer any don't tend to come on and post about it. This isn't a bad thing but helps you keep perspective when looking for answer.

    I did experience side effects for the first 5 or 6 days ( increased depression, anxiety, headaches, dry mouth, nausea). It got to a point where I thought is it worth taking them but I glad I stuck with it. Slowly but surely each day got easier and easier in terms of the side effects. They can last longer in people but if you are really struggling go back to your GP for advice as they may be able to prescribe something alongside the Sertraline to make the initial adjustment easier to handle. Propranolol helped me immensely in this.

    Remeber if you do start taking them that they are not a quick fix and can take anywhere between 3 to 6 weeks to reach therapeutic levels in your system. Eveyrone reacts differently to AD's and you may be lucky and not have any side effetcs. It is key to tell those around you how you are feeling and if you feel a lrage change for the worse. Just talking about it with someone helped me a lot to get through the first few rough days.

    I am about to increase my dose and I know for a few days I will feel grotty but this will clear and Sertraline is already helping me get my life back on track. It is a hard road but one that is worth taking.

    Good luck and stay strong.,

  • donna38091
    donna38091 elena3064

    Posted

    Hi Elena!

    The great thing about medication is that it can ease negative feelings and painful feelings while enabling you to take care of yourself by receiving counselling (if you choose to), and accomplishing things. (like exams :-) . I am very proud of you for your wise decision to ask for help.

  • donna38091
    donna38091 elena3064

    Posted

    Also, keep in close contact with your Doctor about how you are doing. Sometimes a regular doctor or nurse can give you better guidance than a psychologist.
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