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Sertraline

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clare2729
clare2729

Hi, just looking for some advice really. I was on citalopram on and off for a number of years but been on 10mg continuesly for the last few years and been absolutely fine. So much so that I decided to come off them around August time. I came off them very slowly and was fine for around 6 weeks. When I've suffered with depression in the past it's always been circumstantial, something's happened and it's made my mood dip. This time I woke up in the early hours of 30th November and out of nowhere it hit me! I went to the dr that same day who put me back on 10mg of citalopram. Over 4 weeks I was increased to 20mg, then 30mg and then 40mg. None of this had any effect at all and I've been feeling worse than I've ever felt in my whole life. My mood is unbelievably low and I've been overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts. I saw a physiatrist on Wednesday who has changed my medication to 50mg of sertraline. I know it's only very early days but I'm just feeling totally desperate to know that I will get better! Has anybody had a similar situation who has come out the other side?? Please someone give me some hope.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • HappyKath
    HappyKath clare2729

    Posted

    Good Evening Clare,

    I am sorry to hear that you are feeling so desperate. During the beginning of November I had a nervous breakdown which came on suddenly. I had immediate acute anxiety, insomnia which led to depression. I tried Citlopram to start of with but it didn't work for me. Then I was put on diazepam, propronalol and 50mg Sertraline. 4 weeks ago it was changed to Amitriptyline at night and 100mg Sertraline. During the start of my medication I felt that there was no way out. Currently I feel much better and more positive about life. One good tip was to try and get rid of the adrenaline by getting out of breath. I took up brisk walking and Jogging. Also I challenged myself with small goals as I was becoming agoraphobic such as going to the hairdresser to get your hair done. Do you have family and friends that can support you? I opened up about my condition and it was amazing to find so many other people who have gone through it. I know it's hard to believe but you will get through it. I wish you the best of luck and a happier 2017. X

    • clare2729
      clare2729 HappyKath

      Posted

      Hi Kath, thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. I'm sorry to hear you've been through such a hard time! Really encouraging to hear that you are moving in the right direction though. Had you ever suffered with any sort of mental health problems prior to this? As I said in my previous post I've suffered with low mood in the past but nothing like this. It's all consuming and I'm struggling every single day. It's become so bad that my 2 children who are 12 and 13 have had to go and stay with their dad because I can't bear for them to see me like this. That's completely out of character for me as my children are my whole world and I've always been able to pull myself together for them but this time even my love for them can't make me feel better. Some days I'm consumed with suicidal thoughts. It's not that I want to end my life (I usually like my life) I just want to end feeling like this. I've got an amazing family and some amazing friends who are supporting me all the way but I know they just feel helpless and don't know what to say or do to make it better. I used to do a lot of jogging but then stopped. I started again though when this happened and now I jog 5k every day without fail even though it's the very last thing I want to do it does make me feel slightly better even if it's just for the time that I'm doing it. I'm also trying my absolute best to keep busy and not sit around in my pj's all day! That said I'm still getting into bed every night feeling exhausted but then can't sleep! I think the insomnia has possibly been the worst part of this whole thing because I've always loved my sleep and never struggled at all! My GP prescribed zopliclone when this all started. For 4 weeks I was going to bed every night without taking it and lying in bed for 2-3 hours getting in a state because I couldn't sleep so I gave in every night and took it! When I saw the physiatrist on Wednesday he's told me to take it an hour before bed for the next week to hopefully get myself back into a sleeping pattern. I'm petrified of becoming dependent on them though! Also while they do help me to sleep I'm not waking feeling refreshed at all! Also since starting the Sertraline I've been feeling very groggy all day. The only way I can describe it is you know when you've been crying for a long time and the next day your eyes feel heavy and your face aches?! It's like that only I haven't been crying! Did you have anything like that when you started and if so how long did it last? X

  • lauren_21564
    lauren_21564 clare2729

    Posted

    Hi Clare....I'm sorry you are struggling so badly.  Can I ask if maybe the doctor put you on a different brand of the Citlopram?  My prescription of sertraline was changed in the summer and i felt like I was going to die.  It was the same medication, but a different manufacturer.  Please check and see.

    • clare2729
      clare2729 lauren_21564

      Posted

      Hi Lauren, I'm not sure if it was a different brand of citalopram but I guess if the manufacturer has changed then there's nothing they can do about that? The citalopram didn't work this time for whatever reason so now need to find something that does and I'm just praying that the sertraline is the right one and will start working for me soon. How are you now? Did things settle down? X

  • HappyKath
    HappyKath clare2729

    Posted

    Hi Clare,

    Yes I have had post natal depression 7 years ago. I was on the same sleep medication then on diazepam. However I saw another doctor who prescribed Amitriptyline for sleep which is non addictive. It really helped regulate my sleep. I too had suffered crippling insomnia which I agree was the worst thing. I have a 7 year old daughter who has not seen her Father for 4 years. Being a single parent is a challenge in itself. I hope that the above is helpful and let me know if you have any questions. Blessings K

    • clare2729
      clare2729 HappyKath

      Posted

      Hi Kath, are you still on the amitriptyline or was it only short term until your sleep pattern became regular again? Are you still on sertraline? Has it helped? X
    • HappyKath
      HappyKath clare2729

      Posted

      I was on Amitriptyline for 2 weeks. I am still on Sertraline 100mgs. I feel so much better now. At the time my anxiety was acute and you are lucky to be allocated a psychiatrist. I could not see a positive outcome. Now I feel so positive about life in general. I am grateful for this forum and the support I have received from friends. It will get better. X
    • clare2729
      clare2729 HappyKath

      Posted

      Thanks Kath, I really hope so. How long did it take for the sertraline to start working for you? X
    • HappyKath
      HappyKath clare2729

      Posted

      I was on 50mg Sertraline for 4 weeks and then was increased to 100mg. It took me 7 weeks in total. Currently I have been on it for almost 9 weeks in total.
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