Sertraline Diary
Posted , 17 users are following.
31st March 2018.
Having read the huge number of posts about this drug, and the side effects associated with it, I thought it might be helpful to start a diary of my own experience as I am new to it and wonder whether others can relate to what I'm going through.
If this diary can be of mutual benefit to us then it's worth it! Any positive comments would obviously be greatly appreciated.
I've suffered from what I would consider to be mild to moderate depression for a few years, enough to take the edge off life, but controllable without drugs. Then, at the beginning of March an episode in my personal life set me off on a full-blown panic attack: going cold, violent shaking, severe nausea, cold sweats, worse case scenario thoughts, complete lack of appetite, insomnia etc, the attack lasted about 36 hours. Another attack later and my very supportive husband took me off to the doctor.
I have been prescribed 50mg sertraline, with 80mg propranolol beta blocker (to take the edge off the panic attacks).
The course started 28th March, I'm taking the tablets at about 9am. Having read the leaflets that come with the medicines, I understood that side effects were possible and that the benefits can take a while to kick in. But..... Oh My Goodness!!!! Hardly slept that night.
29th March, spent most of the day in bed, could just about get out to use the loo, had to rely on husband to cook dinner for the kids (16 and taking gcse's- arghh, and 11 and stressed from moving to secondary school- arghh). Felt very nauseous but actually had a half-decent night's sleep.
30th March, day started okay although there is a constant feeling of nausea and treading on egg shells so as not to elevate the kids in case it sets off another panic attack. I bought a book from Amazon called "the mindful teen" to help my youngest deal with his stress and therefore with my own. We started reading it together. Also I'm doing a mindfulness course for anxiety on "Headspace" although can't help thinking that I'm well beyond help from that point of view, however I will persist. Was able to eat a slice of toast for breakfast and spaghetti on toast for lunch but by the time dinner time came, couldn't face anything. Again I had to rely on hubby. I'm also finding it difficult to drink a whole drink, eg only some tea or coffee and only sips of water. Cannot bear the thought of alcohol, which I guess is a good thing! Had a terrible night's sleep, worse case scenarios going through the head again.
I will see how I go with my diary, if it becomes too much for me to continue I'm sure you'll understand. I'd love to hear from anyone out there going through the same thing, we can help each other.
3 likes, 91 replies
kerry83144 PopWop
Posted
Hi, it sounds like things are going in the right direction, 2 weeks is only early days for the drug to work, I would say that you should start to feel some benefit at about 5 to 6 weeks. I know that it seems ages away but you have already done the hardest part, now it's a matter of taking the medication and taking each day as it comes. I the k that it's too soon to increase after 3 weeks as the side effects would start again before you give the drug chance to work. Also my appetite went and I lost loads of weight but I am now on a diet as I have put too much back on haha. I started mid January and things are improving all the time xx
PopWop kerry83144
Posted
Thanks for your post Kerry, it's great to hear a success story. You may be right about 3 weeks being too soon to increase, it's just I don't feel any different now the side effects are wearing off and I'd really like to feel how I felt years ago again, ie happy! But I shall certainly listen to my doctor's advice and go with my gut feel. Xx
PopWop
Posted
Day 15
Not such a good day, heightened anxiety due to the Easter holidays coming to an end soon and having to deal with my youngest who doesn't enjoy school. I just can't see an end to that problem and it's my personal trigger for my panic attacks.
alexandra57394 PopWop
Posted
Hi! I have good news for all of us. The doctor told me that physical side-effects mean that our body is very reactive to a drug, and it would be worse not to have them. The stronger we suffer in the first weeks, the better we will be feeling later. First, the drug binds to "anxiety receptors"which are all over in our body, increasing the effect -
hence the side effects. When these receptors get saturated, the drug will bind to other receptors which might make us feel better. After 4 weeks of 50mg I am increasing the dose to 75mg. I was told that after the increase the side effects will return but not as much as before.
PopWop alexandra57394
Posted
I really hope so Alexandra, I was starting to feel better but now seem to have gone backwards a little. Time is dragging at the moment and I feel like I'm wishing my life away waiting for each milestone, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks.......
alexandra57394 PopWop
Posted
I totally understand you and feel your pain. For me it also seems to have gone backwards. But it's because I got back to work today after almost 3 weeks at home (my stressor). It is important to stay positive and believe that it will work.
PopWop
Posted
Day 16
Like yesterday really, no better, still anxious. Youngest's 12th birthday party tomorrow, must try to find the energy to get organised.
claire43316 PopWop
Posted
Keep getting up, keeping busy, and doing your usual things it will get easier. X
merridah PopWop
Posted
Is it possible to feel the positive effects of Sertraline already? I am only on day 4 but I feel less irritable, less overwhelmed and more rational if that makes sense? I'll be going food shopping with the children shortly so I'll see if anything changes there as that is a massive stress trigger.
I feel really positive today and I feel like a heavy weight has been lifted- what I am wondering is if this is a placebo because I know I am on medication or whether they are in fact working?
PopWop merridah
Posted
This sounds really good Merridah, remember not everyone gets side effects from Sertraline, those who post on this forum mostly do otherwise they wouldn't need to be part of a forum!
You may be getting a placebo effect but who cares if it's working?! Positive thinking plays a massive part in getting better.
Day 4 is very early days. Do not beat yourself up if you have bad days. Don't overdo it but try to keep active and I find being with friends and family helps me not to dwell on things.
merridah PopWop
Posted
Thank you. The side effects I am getting at the moment is the dry mouth, jitters and dizzyness.
I understand that I have a long way to go - I remember having quite a good week on the first week of Citalopram and then it all went downhill so fully expecting that!
I am grateful to have not had a stressful day so far. Odds have been in my favour as the children have all been good and the 'guy who goes slow' was on the checkouts today thank goodness!
Hope you've had a good day today
PopWop
Posted
Day 17
A tough day.
Youngest's 12th birthday party. We went out and then had pizza back at home. By the end of the day everyone was getting tired and I was so tired by 5pm that I had to go to bed, fortunately most of the party goers had gone by then. I got up later but still have this constant anxiety hanging over me.
PopWop
Posted
Day 18
Youngest's 12th birthday, parents came round with my brother and we all went out for an evening meal.
Felt guilty for feeling so awful on such a nice family occasion!
So tired and anxious all the time, people keep reassuring me that it's still early days but I feel like I'm going to be like this forever and that everyone will get fed up with me being a constant wet blanket even though I'm trying to be smiley and sociable.
claire43316 PopWop
Posted
But it does get better and the anxiety does get better just trust in the meds and they will work x
PopWop claire43316
Posted
Thank you Claire, your encouragement is just what I need at the moment. I am at that stage of wondering what is the point of existence if I'm going to feel like this all the time. I am having weird circular dreams at the moment, not particularly horrible, just annoying round and round. And then as soon as I open my eyes I am plunged back into my real world of anxiety and jitters and funny tummy etc.
Again, thanks for your support, I hope things are going well with you?
claire43316 PopWop
Posted
It’s strange how our brains work and how it can easily “break” when we least expect it.
I am totally for this drug as I’ve had good experience and a happy life before, no it doesn’t work for everyone but I believe there is something out there for everyone.
I am feeling better in my self, still have anxious feelings on and off but I feel more equipped to deal with it. I’ve also started cbt sessions, I’ll let you no how that goes.
It’s just a waiting game and hanging on in there keep looking for positive outcomes and chatting on here x