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Sertraline!

Posted , 4 users are following.

ShannonT070113
ShannonT070113

Hi guys, just looking for stories & eperiences with people who have taken or are taking sertraline. After 3 long years of anxiety disorder which has now lead to a mild case of agoraphobia I finally plucked up the courage to go to the doctors and speak about it. My doctor put me on 50mg of sertraline but advised me to take 25mg for the first week. So today was the first day I upped my dose. I've not been sleeping well at all & my moods have been up and down this past week. I feel okay today feeling a bit more positive rather than negative would love to hear other people's stories with how the AD has effected them positive or negative welcome smile xx 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Hoopz
    Hoopz ShannonT070113

    Posted

    Hi...

    I am into week 5 on 50mg of sertraline and am begining to feel a bit better. My panic attacks were flooring me even at home and I was in a mess to be honest. I am still not brave enough to go shopping but i managed to drive to a small shop this morning to buy some throat sweets ( woke up with a cold today) Sertraline takes its time and sometimes the side effects are pretty nasty. But they go. Always take your meds at the same time ..try to drink plenty of water and try to eat. If you can't sleep ask your doctor for a mild sedative to help. Practice deep breathing if you are anxious or have a panic attack . I have found that if i sit on the edge of the bed or on a chair with my elbows on my knees and then breath in through my nose for a count of 3 and then out through my mouth for a count of 5 for 3 minutes it really helps . I put a timer on my phone and 3 minutes feels like ages! After a minute start shouting STOP in your head ...sounds mad I know but it really works . Keep posting on here as this forum is a godsend.

    Keep going with the meds ..you may not suffer too many side effects but if you do they will go. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress 🦄🦄🦄🦄

    • ShannonT070113
      ShannonT070113 Hoopz

      Posted

      I'm so happy for you that your managing to take little steps like going to small shops. Yeah I will try that technique as I've tried so many others that haven't really worked for me. Feeling rather sick now I'm guessing it's another wonderful side effect having a cold isn't helping much though either.  I was taking my tablets at 12 but took today's at 9.30 and going to stick to that time as I've heard taking them on a morning can help sleeping at night. Will keep you posted thank you for the advice xx 

  • craig64791
    craig64791 ShannonT070113

    Posted

    After a life time of anxiety, self medicating & being in recovery 13 years I starting taking sertaline about 4 (50mg up to 100mg) months ago after my anxiety heightened; unable to sit still, crying, unable to leave the house. I have found the side affects challenging. I experienced mouth ulcers, loss of appetite, drowsiness, loss interest in general.  However, these symptoms have lessoned and I am less concerned with nonsense thinking. I defiantly feel better although I have not developed a gregarious approach to life, I am ok with that. I realise that my thoughts create feeling which all need for survival, but overthinking creates a state of constant flight mode. The dreams are very interesting - I’ve met everyone I’ve ever none while asleep 🙄. 

    • ShannonT070113
      ShannonT070113 craig64791

      Posted

      Hi I am pleased your getting there slowly, yeah it does take time. The side effects I was told do calm down it's just s matter of powering through them at their worst I hope I've got enough strength in me to do so. Trying to remember it's only the 1st week of a long recovery xx

  • Kmom
    Kmom ShannonT070113

    Posted

    I waited 6 long years. I also became agoraphobic and stop driving a year-and-a-half ago. It's been about 4 months on this and I AM FINALLY FEELING ALMOST NORMAL!!!!! HANG IN THERE, THERE'S HOPE!

    • ShannonT070113
      ShannonT070113 Kmom

      Posted

      Kmom 6 years! Yikes! These 3 years have already felt like a life sentence I can't imagine another 3! That's so great to hear I'm so glad your finally feeling back to your normal self . Makes me feel a whole load better about powering through the side effects for as long as they may take x

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