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Scared take second Sertraline

Posted , 3 users are following.

becky101010
becky101010

I've been prescribed 50mg of Sertraline by a GP after some personal trauma over the last few days and I haven't been eating or sleeping and crying a lot. 

I took one last night and the side effects were so intense I couldn't function properly and today feel like I have been hit by a bus. I had headache, vomiting and diorrhea, shaking, paranoia, listlessness, couldn't sleep. I felt horrific and just wanted it out of my system so badly that this morning I had my first proper panic attack. 

I have a nine week old baby so can't function like this. 

I'm wondering if maybe this isn't the option for me or maybe the dosage was too high?! I can't have another night like last night, I felt better before I took them as well so am very disappointment to be feeling so terrible today. I'm still shaking now! 

Any advice would be super. I've rang the GP too but she hasn't called back and might not till tomorrow. 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • eve51406
    eve51406 becky101010

    Posted

    Hi Becky, sorry you are having such awful side effects. Have you only taken one? if so it might be better not to take anymore as the side effects can be vicious initially. Could it be more helpful to have some talking therapy to help with your trauma? Some therapists can offer Skype sessions if it’s hard for you to get out. Do you have a support network to help you and so that you can care for your baby? Hugs Eve
    • becky101010
      becky101010 eve51406

      Posted

      Hi Eve, 

      I've only taken the one and now 24 hours have passed I'm still shaky but feel soooo much better. I'm not going to take another one until I speak to the GP and the mental health team, I don't really want to take anything and I think your suggestion of talking therapy would be much more suited to me. 

      I need to try and keep a clear head while I can as I don't have much of a support network to help me look after my little one. His father isn't on the scene (Hence the trauma 😞wink 

  • eve51406
    eve51406 becky101010

    Posted

    Brave girl. ADs are not always the answer and can cause problems as well as be helpful. 

    Sorry your little one’s Father is not around, but you can get support from others. Get your Health visitor involved, ring him or her for an urgent home visit. Homestart have volunteers who can help you with practical things until you feel better. Google the number, I’m assuming you are in the UK. Don’t be too proud to let others know that you are struggling, that is a strain in itself. 

    Let yourself know that it’s ok not to feel very strong just now. I’m struggling with my own issues and understand how frightening it might be for you. Hugs Eve

  • UK-Rose
    UK-Rose becky101010

    Posted

    Hello Bekki,

    If you are going to continue with these meds possibly speak to your doctor about starting on a lower dosage of 25mg or even break a 25mg tablet in half making it 12.5mg... 

    The usual starting dose is 25mg so 50mg is abit high if its the first time you’ve taken ADs - so can sympathise with such intense side effects.

    Your doctor can also prescribe diazepam to help ease some of the anxious jittery feelings when starting out, they do help in those first few weeks.

    🌹 

    • becky101010
      becky101010 UK-Rose

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice, I've decided to stop taking them for now until I see the GP next week and then see what they say. I did think 50mg was a bit much but was in such a state at the time I didn't ask any questions! X 

  • eve51406
    eve51406 becky101010

    Posted

    Hi Becky

    Hope you are feeling a bit better? Think very carefully about whether you want to go the AD route. Your trauma is new and won’t always be so acute. Have a really good talk with your GP at your next appointment before you decide. Pull in all those resources around you so you don’t feel alone with your responsibilities. Hugs Eve

    • becky101010
      becky101010 eve51406

      Posted

      Hi Eve, 

      I have decided to hold off the AD until I can have a proper chat with the GP and the mental health team tomorrow. I really do feel that is a route I'm not really needing to take. As you said my feelings are very raw and new off the back of what has happened to me and I think that whilst the idea of forgetting it all by taking a tablet is appealing, the effects I felt just after one and also the need to keep a clear head for my newborn outweigh the advantages. Xx 

  • eve51406
    eve51406 becky101010

    Posted

    Hi, wise girl. Reactive depression is different to clinical depression although they can overlap. I’m a fine one to be telling you this! I’m a Counselling Therapist in Devon, although I’m on leave at present. It’s tempting to use meds to try to solve a situation but it often resolves on its own given time. Example - it’s totally appropriate to have strong emotional response to bereavement. Why not? it hurts and is a loss of everything familiar. Maybe try to work through your own pain and loss with your mental health team. Wishing you to feel better. Eve 
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