Sertraline help!

Hi James, thank you for your reply and I'm sorry to hear you're unwell. Glad to know you're are improving so fast and I hope you continue to and get back to yourself real soon 😊 All the best to you James and am here if you ever need to chat.

Hi James, I started on 50 32 days ago, should have started on 25 as it made me sick and spaced out, dizzy with jelly legs, so i tried 25 for a few days, then 50 split morning / night, then just 50 at night, then 75 split, but on 100 i was getting more palps than normal and short of breath. Doc advised me to reduce to 75 till i have an ECG in case sert is affecting heart rhythm. Personally i think its just side effects of extra anxiety that you get on it till it works. Having said that i have made progress in terms of losing the jelly legs, getting out to shops, job interview and even made it to work this week but it was hell! Way too soon! Also i was having looping panic attacks after xmas, not sleeping, terrible anxiety. I started on betablockets before the sertraline and it was the BBs that stopped the adrenalin dumps, so ive not had a PA in weeks, just anxiety which is worse im the morning and improves afternoon/evening. How are you doing now? Hope the nausea has stopped. I got my appetite back at about 10 days, now i have to be caregul not to overeat! Keep us all posted on how you're doing James x

Hi Julie

Thanks for your message. I have found this forum really helpfull.

I am pleased to report that the nausea appears to have gone and my appetiete is back. I have also noticed a significant reduction in dizzyness over the last couple days. However anxiety, sleeping and feeling disconected are still major issues. I intend to go into work tomorrow for the first time in two weeks, but  as you can imagine I am quite nervous (albeit my collegues are very supportive). I feel extreemly fortunate to have reached this stage after only 11 days on Sert and really feel for the others on this forum who are having a harder time with their medication/s. I hope my experience will give hope to others that the medication does work and sometimes relatively quickly. I will keep you updated with my progress over the comming week.   

Hi James, glad the worst side effects have stopped, the jelly legs n dizziness was horrible but long gone. Now im on 75 i just have anxiety on n off in the mornings and settle down for the afternoon/evening and feel normal, which is lovely! I take the sert at night so i guess thats what makes me anxious in the mornings, thought its not as bad as it was. If i need to go out in the morning, see people or work i take a 2ng diaz, but i cant do that for much longer as theyre addictive. I have booked a course of 12 CBT/hypnotherapy sessions starting today to try to address the morning anxiety and the worrying about health and heart when i get palpitations. All i need to know is theyre not dangerous, and so far my doc hasnt been able to reassure me! Got another ecg on 20th in case sert or hrt are making rhythm disturbances worse. Ive been 5-6 weeks on betablockers which have stopped all panic attacks and 4.5 weeks on sert which i feel is helping me feel normal at least afternoon/evening. Ive been able to get out to shops for longer and got my sleep pattern back so i get a good nights sleep from 10-11pm and wake at 6.30am. So, lots of progress, lots of positives, just got to get this health anxiety sorted which rests on me being told that my palps are harmless and my hearts ok! Hope you are continuing to make good progress, keep us posted James x

Hi Julie,  I am on day 15 (50g Sert). Just to let you know I went into work Mon, Tues and Wed this week and everything went OK although things felt a little strange and it was hard to remain focused on tasks. I have slept well all this week and although I am still feeling a little disconected I believe that I am seeing clear signs of improvement. I have taken the rest of this week off as I dont want to run the risk of a set back. My experience and these forums suggests that individuals   respond to this med in various ways and on different timescales. For me the first few days of side effects were bad but the med now seems to have 'kicked in' and I do feel a lot better than I did at two weeks ago. I  hope my positive experience of this med is helpfull to others.

Thats brilliant James. Are you on 50mg? Im still on 75, about 5 weeks in, waiting for ecg to check im ok to continue or increase on the sert. Normally my mornings are bad for anxiety, but ive just had 3 days where ive managed to not take a diazepam in the mornings and wen negative thoughts have crept in ive used mindfulness, positive affirmations etc to bring me out of it. I had my first cbt session tuesday. I felt really good after. I had a blip last night when i was lying diwn, got palpitations and panicked a bit. I did manage not to have a full on panic attack but i took a diazepam as it tends to stop the worrying thoughts. It was annoying cos im normally good in the afternoon and evenings. Do you experience palps? Really pleased you are doing so well James!

Hi

I am on day 26 (50mg) and continuing to improve with the occasional setback (very down last friday) and significantly reduced side effects. I am sleeping well and the feeling of disconection/de-personalisation is much less. I had an appointment with my GP this morning and he was pleased with how the med is working and anticipates further improvements over the comming month. He has recommended that I continue on the current dose for a minimum of 6 months. This is my third week back at work and I am very pleased to be feeling a little more like myself. I hope my experience of this med helps others. Good luck to all with this horrible illness.

 

Hi James, thanks for the update and its great to hear you are doing well and getting your old self back. I am on day 48 and been on 75 mg for several weeks. I tried 100 but had to drop back due to palps whilst awaiting an ECG, nurse said it looked normal this time and I'm seeing doctor tomorrow so will ask if I should try 100 again. I have felt much better over last couple of weeks and even managed work today without needing a diazepam! Its my 3rd week back at work and has been a struggle until today, when i felt confident and quite relaxed. I have just a little anxiety on waking but can soon shift it and am calm unless anxiety is triggered by work stress, palpitations or being around stressy people! Im having CBT once a week and this is really helping equip me with coping strategies. Like you, I am starting to get a bit of my old self back. Great to hear you're getting there too James!

Hi Isabel

Thank you for taking the time to answer me, but i posted this weeks ago. Have been on sert for 8weeks or so now and doing well. Thank you and i hope you're well also.

Nicola are you better I am still having issues but I am on 6 weeks of the increased dose

Hi Pam. I have been on 150mg for just over a week and i am starting to feel alot better thank you for asking. What dose have you been on for 6 weeks?

I have been on 200mg for 6 weeks