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My experience with Sertraline.

Posted , 4 users are following.

Ellie82038
Ellie82038

I have been suffering from Depression and Anxiety for about 6 years. I started off with CBT as I was scared to go on medication. In September 2014 I suffered from a huge breakdown attack, my parents didnt know what to do as I wanted to commit. They had phoned nhs24 and i got an urgent appointment with a doctor. I had been diagnosed with severe depression and put on sertraline 50mg at the time and propranalol 40mg and receiving CBT. Over the weeks I wasnt improving so my CBT counsellor had put my medication up to 100mg in November. I kept habing suicidal thoughts, lose of appetite, very low moods, hearing voices in my head. Yesterday I had a counselling session but I had brokendown infront of my worker. The suicidal thoughts got worse, voices in my head got louder, I had very bad hot sweats, bad shakes and sickness, my counsellor had referred me to a psychiatric hospital to get rediagnosed and a re-assessment. I was very very close to bein kept in the hospital. I later found out I have a severe case of Depression and OCD - Intrusive Thoughts. My medication has been upped to 150mg and I have been referred to a psychiatrist for better support than been given just CBT. I haven't been able to work since September due to how severe it is, so I'm aiming to get better so that I can get my work and education back on track. I know it will take time but i honestly hope my new dosage helps me.

Does anyone have any advice? Bearing in mind I have had a lot of side effects with this medication but my doctor doesnt want to change the medication at the moment.

Thank

1 like, 20 replies

20 Replies

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  • john51151
    john51151 Ellie82038

    Posted

    hi ellie sounds like you have been on sertraline for 4 months have you had no good days and how long have you been on 150 mg ?.
    • Ellie82038
      Ellie82038 john51151

      Posted

      Hi John, I have been on Sertraline for 6 months. I was meant to start the 150mg today but my doctor hasn't received the letter from the Psychiatric hospital so it can either be tomorrow or next week. I see no difference at all. I haven't had any good days whatsoever. I only get about 2 hours sleep a day and I have no energy to day daily things. At the moment I feel useless because of the way I am with my health
    • john51151
      john51151 Ellie82038

      Posted

      hi ellie a know sertraline have a lot of horrible side effects but after 6 months thats to much and the lack of sleep wont help it just adds to things as a found out but the time youve been on it is to long how long have you been seeing your doctor because after such a long time in which there has been no difference am no doctor but its clear there not working a would get a second opinion if you see no difference why continue with it have you tried fluoxetine it has no side effects and takes about 5 weeks to work.
    • Ellie82038
      Ellie82038 john51151

      Posted

      Hi John. I see my doctor ever week, he has been doing regular check up but he said I need to stick to the sertraline as some people bodies can take a while to get used to the medicine in they're system. I have been keeping a note of everything but I can talk to my psychiatrist when I get assigned one
    • john51151
      john51151 Ellie82038

      Posted

      hi ellie when a was first put on sretraline a felt worse a wasnt sure what was happening to me but a got good advice from people on this site and it did help me understand you had to wait at the most say 3 months but not the time you have been on them fair enough if you had at least good days but to feel no difference after your length of time but am sure your psychiatrist will be of much more help as this is his field of work a hope it works out for you.
    • Ellie82038
      Ellie82038 john51151

      Posted

      Thanks John. I will keep you all updated. I just need to take things easy. Thank you x
    • john51151
      john51151 Ellie82038

      Posted

      your welcome ellie and yes keep me updated a hope all goes well for you x.
    • Ellie82038
      Ellie82038 john51151

      Posted

      I shall, hope everything goes well for you too. Take care x
  • carol39655
    carol39655 Ellie82038

    Posted

    Hello Ellie,

    like you I was prescribed 50 mg Sertraline in Oct 2014. My depression deepened beginning of Jan this year & I was having strong suicidal thoughts, intrusive thoughts, anxiety. My GP increased the dose then to 100mg and I still had anxiety, sweats, diarrhoea, loss of appetite. After 3 weeks Sertraline got increased again to 150mg as I was extremely anxious, depressed, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks etc. I'm still having weekly bouts Of diarrhoea, no appetite, weight loss, anxiety & panic attacks, but my GP still tells me to stick with the Sertraline a couple more weeks longer to see if it takes effect. 

    Im sticking with the Sertraline as I'd do anything to get rid of the depression & anxiety. 

    Im worse in the mornings and day, but occasionally pick up in the evening. 

    Ive been prescribed 2mg Diazepam to help with anxiety through the day and 3.75mg Zopiclone to help me sleep at night, but she's told me these are only for short term use as they are addictive. 

    For the first time in months I actually felt ok yesterday evening. So I'm hoping the meds are finally working. 

    Keep in touch, hope you feel better soon,

    carol 😊 Xx

    • john51151
      john51151 carol39655

      Posted

      hi carol am on sertraline because of ocd i got increased aanxiety through it i was on 50mg for 4 weeks now into week 3 at 100mg a had a good week last week and some not so good this week i agree that you should give it time but while you have seen improvement during your 5 months ellie has seen none in 6 months am really glad you are seeing improvements but how would you feel if as in this moment in time after having gone through what you went through you felt nothing sorry to disagree but no way would i stay on it after 6 months there was no improvement whatsoever.
    • Ellie82038
      Ellie82038 carol39655

      Posted

      Hi Carol, sadly I haven't improved, I've lost friends because of this, I can't leave my own house, I can't go to new places or meet new people on my own. I have tried so many things to use for distractions when I haven't been myself but nothing is working anymore for me sad xx
    • Ellie82038
      Ellie82038 john51151

      Posted

      Hi John, I understand were you are coming from but my doctor doesn't want to keep switching medications because he has a fear that I'll take the all or mix them with other medication. We both came up with a deal that he would do regular check-ups and write everything down for a senior doctor to look at it. It was the senior doctor who suggested I stayed on Sertraline for a bit longer. I got to follow what my doctor says especially if I'm deaf in my right ear and using a hearing aid and my left ear is going to exact same. Plus having horrible events last year doesn't really help
    • john51151
      john51151 Ellie82038

      Posted

      hi ellie a did not realise you were on other medication am just on sertraline a was on fluoxetine from 2012 till 2015 and it was good when it worked plus no side effects a was on 40mg started on 20mg a could have went up to 60mg but we both decided to give sertraline a try but to be truthful if a knew what i was in for a would have went up to 60mg but a have the doctors next week a will talk things over then wishing you well take care.
    • Ellie82038
      Ellie82038 john51151

      Posted

      Good luck at the doctors, I hope it goes well for you. The patient and doctor does have to come up with the same agreement. But sadly mental health runs in my family so I do have a lot of support if I pluck up the courage to talk about it. Take care
    • john51151
      john51151 Ellie82038

      Posted

      thanks ellie and there is nothing wrong with mental health good to hear you have family support but if you ever feel as if no one is listening leave a message and a will reply it is good to talk x.
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