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
7 Weeks
I have been on 100mg of Sertraline for 7 weeks now and feel so much better for it, the anxiety is being kept under control most of the time, the depression has mostly lifted.
I can recommend a book suggested to me by my therapist..... "The Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris. It explains how our thought processes evolved over time and goes a long way towards understanding anxiety and depression and introduces coping mechanisms. Great stuff, with great reviews, available on Amazon.
Main problem I now have is day time tiredness. I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat during the day and I can't seem to shake the feeling. I generally sleep fine at night - 11pm through to 6.15am. Does anyone have anything similar? I don't need sleeping pills for night time, conversely I need waking pills for day time!!
Any suggestions most welcome [rolleyes]
merridah PopWop
Posted
Thank you PopWop you've given me so much hope! I am on 5 weeks today and my second week of 100mg. I am being mentally tested through things out of my control and I think I would've handled it much differently had I not been on these tablets.
I am hoping by week 7 that I feel how you feel. I feel absolutely exhausted as well and cannot go through the day at work without a sleep at lunchtime! As soon as I sit down at home I fall asleep. Perhaps the side effects?
Starting my counselling on Monday which under the current circumstances could not have come at a better time!
caron11455 PopWop
Posted
PopWop caron11455
Posted
Hi Caron, I have good days and some not so good days, which is better than bad days and very bad days!
I'm still battling tiredness, I'm wondering whether it's the beta blockers I'm taking to help with the panic attacks rather than the sertraline.
Hoopz PopWop
Posted
I have never been as tired in my life as I have been on sertraline and I'm not on beta blockers so I expect it's the sertraline. I still think that sertraline magnifies your problems before it gets them under control. I started on sert because of panic attacks anxiety and severe fatigue. I still get very tired but things are improving. I'm on 150 mg now and managed Asda today which is a major breakthrough for me.
Good luck
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