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
PopWop
Posted
Day 19
End of the Easter holidays.
My personal anxiety trigger is my youngest who doesn't enjoy school and suffers from stress. He, hubby and I had a heart to heart chat and we understand the problem a bit better now, just have to try and deal with it. Ironically this seemed to help lift my mood slightly as perhaps I feel more in control? Let's see if that lasts.
alexandra57394 PopWop
Posted
Yes, feeling more in control definitely helps. For me it's important that it's me who decides, chooses and follows my decisions rather than going with the flow. Hope you had a good day! I ordered a book about anxiety, my friend recommended it to me, it helped his partner a lot.
PopWop
Posted
Day 20
First day for kids back to school, except it wasn't for my youngest. He had a panic attack and refused to go so I now have that to deal with too.
Needless to say, it's been a really awful day and I cannot see how I'm going to get better at the moment.
claire43316 PopWop
Posted
PopWop claire43316
Posted
Thanks for asking Claire, please see today's post. Xx
PopWop
Posted
Days 21 to 24
Hit a massive low with everything going on at home but had amazing support from different quarters and I'm in a better place now.
On day 21 I saw my doctor for my scheduled progress appointment and she's upped my dosage to 100mg. I mentioned I was concerned about more possible side effects and that I'd prefer to go up to 75mg first.
When we discussed my side effects in detail she said that they sounded more like symptoms of my extreme anxiety rather than side effects since she wouldn't be expecting the sertraline to necessarily be working yet. Upon consideration and thinking about what I'm dealing with at the moment, this sounds entirely plausible and something I hadn't allowed for previously. I am convinced that I have had side effects though (reading this diary back from Day 1 they were immediate), but maybe not as bad or long lasting as I initially thought.
When I mentioned how fatigued I feel constantly, again the doctor said extreme anxiety has that effect. An overload of adrenaline etc is constantly swimming around and I am always on high alert. My body is going to become twice as tired as normal even though I haven't been doing much physically, again this makes sense to me.
So, I have another appointment in 23 days. I will take 75mg for 11 days and 100mg for 12 days which the doctor thought was a sensible plan. In the three days so far I haven't noticed any more side effects from 75mg.
As a family we have been very proactive in sorting out my " trigger" situation (mentioned in previous posts) and I think that's been helpful although it is difficult for me not to hide my head in the sand and try to pretend it's not happening. It's taken an enormous effort on my part leaving me absolutely drained but was essential for my mental well-being. Things seem to be improving but there is no quick fix.
Lastly, the gorgeous weather we have in Sussex at the moment is lifting my spirits too. Warmer than Cyprus currently, let's hope it lasts.
caron11455 PopWop
Posted
Hi PopWop, how has today been?
I saw some progress at the end of last week and had my 2 week check up with my doctor - like yours she is upping it to 100mg, she said 50mg is a very low dose and is used more of a maintenance dose. She also told me to stop my mirtazapine altogether!
Whilst I'm desperate for the Sertraline to work I'm now getting anxious about cutting the mirtazapine- but it can't have been doing anything anyway or I wouldn't have gone to the doc in the first place and started Sertraline!
I started the 100mg yesterday and stupidly had a drink too but this evening I have had the runs 😳. Haven't experienced that with Sertraline to date, although I often have upset tummy due to anxiety in the mornings.
My OCD is all around germs etc so have diarrhoea is horrid for me. Has anyone else has it on 100mg Sertraline?
Xx
PopWop caron11455
Posted
Hi Caron
Yes, I was told that 50mg is the maintenance dose that you also start on to get used to the medicine. It would be unusual not to have it increased.
If you're only 2 weeks in you're still early days. I had upset tummy for the first 3 weeks but although I still have my "trigger" issues to deal with, my anxiety seems to be starting to be more controllable now. I'm on 75mg for a few more days before I raise it to 100mg which I'm hoping will be it for me. The only side effect I'm noticing now is fatigue and slight difficulty sleeping. I'm also taking propranolol beta blocker to take the edge off any potential panic attacks.
I have had a couple of evenings where I've had alcohol and it didn't go down well with this medicine! Only one glass and I feel quite light-headed and peculiar, fortunately I don't really feel like drinking so it's not a big issue at the moment. I used to have one or two units a night so that's quite a change for me.
Give it a few more weeks and hopefully your side effects will calm down, as the effectiveness of the meds kick in and you start to feel better.
claire43316 PopWop
Posted
Your at the 5 week mark?
PopWop claire43316
Posted
Good luck with returning to work Claire, you seem to have a good attitude about life at the moment so I'm sure it will be fine. You'll be tired so be easy on yourself.
Debbieusa PopWop
Posted
Hello everyone, just started sertraline 50 mg yesterday and could feel a change within hours. I feel better already, just one day in... maybe because I am doing something about the depression/anxiety I’ve been struggling to overcome since triggered by a personal experience last fall. This blog has been helpful. I can hear your accents through your word choices. I’m guessing you’re all in the U.K.? I’m in CA. ??
PopWop Debbieusa
Posted
I'm based in the UK, I think quite a few on here live in Australia.....
PopWop
Posted
4.5 weeks
Stayed on 75mg for 5 days and didn't suffer any significant side effects so raised to 100mg. Still no effects so I think my body has got used to the drug.
Still waiting for benefits to kick in, yesterday was a particularly good day because I had company and something to do to take my mind off my anxieties. However upon waking this morning everything came crashing down again and I am very fatigued.
Went to see a therapist yesterday. Going to try ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). It's CBT specific to dealing with problems which can't be solved, learning to live with them if you like. My trigger factor cannot be resolved so I'm going to have to learn how to accept it otherwise I think the Sertraline will have an impossible task!
merridah PopWop
Posted
Hi PopWop glad you are getting used to the Sertaline increase. I've got my app on Tues to increase. I can feel the drug is working however the anxiety etc is still there so interested to see what will happen when/if mine gets increased.
My CBT is starting in May so hoping that will help too - I am a bit like you in that my main trigger at the moment cannot be solved and I think is only going to get worse so I need to learn to accept it/manage the worry. I will look into ACT as well. I also have quite a stressful environment at home so I just need help managing the stress and the uncontrollable!
Have you tried listening to meditation music? I was recommended a website called calm.com and it constantly plays ambient noise from outside with running water etc. I listen to that during the day and I've found it really helpful as it seems to keep my mind busy and calm.
Hope you have a lovely weekend.
alexandra57394 PopWop
Posted
Hi PopWop,
It's my 6th week on Sertraline overall, and 2nd week on 75mg. Going up to 75mg was quite OK, I had to suffer a bit the first week I do feel better, kind of more determined, more sure of myself, but still anxious. I am able to work, except that before important meetings I have to take Xanax and then I'm fine.
merridah
Posted
PopWop merridah
Posted
claire43316 PopWop
Posted
I really thought I was ready to deal with work life but I don’t think I am after this morning, I’m very anxious now but trying to remain positive that one day soon I will be.
I have been making good progress so I’m not going to let this set me back.
I hope your feeling well PopWop x
PopWop claire43316
Posted
Oh dear!
However, you went to work - that's progress!
Obviously too soon, next time can you go back for 1 hour so you have a manageable target to hit?
claire43316 PopWop
Posted
I thought I was going to be fine with having 9 weeks off, obviously not!
How are you anyway x
PopWop claire43316
Posted
It is difficult isn't it!
I'm very fortunate that I am bank staff for a mailing company, I only get called in when they're busy and they haven't been recently. However, I'm now thinking I want to leave the house, work is pretty much a stress free environment unlike my home at the moment. I need to earn some money to pay for my therapy as hubby is paying for everything else - lol!
claire43316 PopWop
Posted
I no the sertraline took about 4-5 months to work properly last time so I’m trying to remain positive.
How are you PopWop xx