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In need of help

Posted , 11 users are following.

julie57781
julie57781

I am a single mum to a little boy and after my husband walked out on me four years ago have been struggling to keep my head above water for the sake of my little boy. My doctor today prescribed me sertraline 50 mg and am very nervous about taking them as I am all my son has and am worried that the side effects may alter how I am feeling and make it hard for me to care for him properly, can anyone help me please!!!!

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • el84
    el84 julie57781

    Posted

    Hi Julie, as you probably noticed some people don't experience any side effects at all. Mine went after 6 days, read on here that is good to take them before sleeping instead of in the morning. I'm fingers crossing for you and wishing good luck. You have to at least try. I don't have any children myself but started taking same dosage last week, been at work and coped. It was strange but I made it and every day felt better. Good luck Julie and hope this helped a little. Take care.

    • julie57781
      julie57781 el84

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply.....am just very nervous about taking them but I cant carry on with how am feeling any longer

       

  • julie1111
    julie1111 julie57781

    Posted

    hi julie ive been on sertraline for 3 weeks almost 4 weeks,, not had any side effects..hope this helps
    • julie57781
      julie57781 julie1111

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply that helps put me at ease a bit 

       

    • herwig
      herwig julie1111

      Posted

      I suffered from all the side effects listed on the leaflet during the first 2 weeks... You are quite lucky!
  • Guest
    Guest julie57781

    Posted

    Hi Julie I took mine at 6am  and 6pm ,I broke them in half till they got onto me then I took the whole 50 mg.

    I gave up with them after 7 weeks then went on citrapram, feel allot better now. Hope this helps.everyone is diffetent

    • julie57781
      julie57781 Guest

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.....I tried citalopram first and they made me feel quite spaced out which is what is making me nervous about taking these ones.....but I have tried for so long to cope without them that have finally admited to myself that I need help as my son is starting to notice that mummy is always sad 
  • alan0
    alan0 julie57781

    Posted

    Hi Julie,

    I have been on antidepressants for 5 years now and am now in the process of weaning off 50mg of sertealine. I did have a bad time at the start but this all calms down after a week or two. Some people have no problems at all. I was suffering with anxiety and mild depression at the time. Although the meds did help me very much I would always say to people to try the natural approach first. Meditation, yoga, natural herbs etc. Because I had such a bad time getting used to them I have always hated taking them and it has taken me 5 years to be brave enough to come off them. If it is possible I would say to you to let a family member or friend know you are starting to take them and might be a bit off for a couple of weeks.....or not as the case may be. In my case I was given an antidepressant by my doctor without any advice of possible side effects which has annoyed me ever since how doctors can do this. If you feel you need them to get over this difficult time I would say go for it as I am sure they will help. Just give them some time to work. Make sure you have some supports around you and use this forum as a means of support also. I think you will be fine. My case was different as I had no knowledge at the time and did not expect the initial reaction I had to them. Different medication I started on at the time. Again like other people have said some people have no issues at all. Sorry to ramble but I do feel strongly that people should be more informed before taking these medications. I wish you well and keep in touch with others here or in your personal life.

    Best wishes,

    Alan

  • emily63239
    emily63239 julie57781

    Posted

    hi julie,i was very scared about going on sertraline as well. but iv been on them now for 6 days and except for headaches which arent to bad iv had no side effects at all.i have grandchildren who i mind and iv had them to the park and swimming pool and iv no hesitations about my care of them while taking sertraline. please try not to worry to much im sure you will be fine. keep well x

  • Yorkshire
    Yorkshire julie57781

    Posted

    Hiya Julie

    I've been on them for 7 months now. They've helped me so much and I'm looking at starting to wean myself off them soon. 

    I have a son and am a single parent. I'm not gonna lie, the first two weeks were pretty crap with the side effects, but I got through it and managed to care for him. I did tell him I wasn't very well as it was obvious I wasn't myself. He still got everything he needed tho and has never questioned it. 

    It seems so long ago now and that two weeks was really worth it to become so much happier and less anxious - as that was no good for him. 

    I also had counselling which was great. 

    It took me 8 weeks to feel back to me fully but week by week it got easier. 

    As some have said, everyone's different so you may be ok. 

    If you can, try get support from friends or family for the first week. Distraction is amazing!

    Good luck x

  • kim86725
    kim86725 julie57781

    Posted

    Hi Julie, I don't remember having any side effects when I started the drug, that was a few yrs. ago. Good luck.
  • kathy_06966
    kathy_06966 julie57781

    Posted

    Hi again julie   do you have any family or close friends nearby who could possibly help out when yr not feeling yourself?  Its very difficult trying to be all things to all people I know    we are only human but feel we have to be able to workk miracles If you feel like your not coping just come on site and have a chat we are all hear to support each other  Have you started taking them yet
    • julie57781
      julie57781 kathy_06966

      Posted

      I have started taking the pills I am on day 2 now I am taking them at bed time as I thought if I did get any side effects then most would be at night time....The first day had waves of foggy head that came and went through the whole day, today i have dry mouth I dont really feel that I can talk to my family as they have other things going on in there own lives at the moment and I dont want to burden them with my stuff ....I dont really have any close friends that I can talk to either.....
    • itsonlyme
      itsonlyme julie57781

      Posted

      Hi julie, that's a really good idea as I did the same and didn't really have any side effects apart from feeling a bit spaced. I found that for the first few weeks I just put my life on hold a bit and concentrated on getting through the next few days. It was about three weeks for me then I caught myself just feeling a bit better and ready to get back on with things. I didn't have anyone to talk to either as my husband just doesn't understand depression and I have no family support. That's why I just accepted it may take a few weeks in my own little world for a bit and just go through the motions with the family. If I had my time again I think I would ask for counselling too as I think it would help those in our position with no support. Its hard to think when you are in the dark cloud of depression that anyone can help or will want to listen, but they do and they can help just by talking things through with you. Good luck and I hope things start to feel better soon x
    • julie57781
      julie57781 itsonlyme

      Posted

      I am sorry to hear that you are feeling alone with no support either, it is an awful feeling of isolation and I wish that you were not in this position either. I am on a waiting list for someone to contact me with counselling but it has taken a long time for me to admit I need help I just wish that I had spoken up earlier but i felt that i was letting my son down so i just carried on, am hoping that things get better soon 
    • itsonlyme
      itsonlyme julie57781

      Posted

      It is a lonely time but it does get better - loads better. Now I am on the other side of it and able to talk more openly about it, its surprising just how many people have been in similar situation. More help and awareness is needed about this so we don't feel so isolated. Major steps admitting you need help with something like this and that is massive in its self. If you can make that decision to get much needed help, it just stands testament that you have taken the first step to getting better 😀 xx
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