1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

Sertraline journey with me? Beginners out there?

Posted , 4 users are following.

christinekay
christinekay

I started 25mg on Monday. Making today day 4 only. Doctor suggesting I go 50mg this coming Monday.

First few days panic and sore chest most of day. Like symptoms were tripled. I know all things take time but woo I wasn't prepared for that one.

I find myself waking in middle of night just a few hours after going to sleep. I was taking melatonin and over the counter sleeping pills prior to mobday but course those only knocked me flat and not a good sleep as needed. Trying to ween myself.

Just looking for people starting their journey for support. Also those who know this drug works and can give hope.

Thx muchly.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Theworldisalie
    Theworldisalie christinekay

    Posted

    Wow, So glad to read your post.  I started with 50 mg Zoloft and 4 days into it I began to feel increased anxiety.  I called my doctor and had her prescribe .5mg xanax for the anxiety i was having so i could continue with the Zoloft.  I began splitting the zoloft taking 25mg daily in the morning.  Scripted to take 1-2 tabs of the xanax daily.  My doctor went on vacation.  Ran out of 30 xanax after 15 days.  Had the first and most horrific panic attack in my life.  Split the 25mg Zoloft to 12.5mg daily.  Have not taken any zoloft for 2 days now.The suicidal thoughts and mind running like mad over nonsense crazy stuff every night.  Waking up at 2am after bad dreams, rolling around in bed beating myself up about things i had done 20 years ago.  Deep self loathing.   Some more suicidal ideology.  Began thinking what happens when my parents die, how will i ever handle that... Feeling heavyness in my chest during the day from the lack of sleep, and the mental beating i had given myself at night.  I was also taking over the counter sleep meds (diphenhydramine) and a 10mg ambien for sleep.  Apparently that diphen and Zoloft can be a bad mixture!  For me, it's no more Xanax ever!  No more zoloft until i get my balance back from this bout.  I was able to get a bit better rest last night with 5mg melatonin and 50mg diphenhydramine.  A nice hot bath before bed to help ease my nerves prior.  No longer having suicide thoughts.  I'm a 41 year old male.  Hope this helped.  I am sorry for your symptoms/problems that you had but I was indeed uplifted by reading your words, thanks.  John.

    • christinekay
      christinekay Theworldisalie

      Posted

      I'm so very thankful to have stumbled on this forum. It's not really something that gets chatted about at work or over family dinners. I'm a 38 year old female who everyone thinks has her sh*t together...but whose mind is full of dread...panic...and anxiety. When someone says "it's ok...just take a deep breathe" or "relax...just get some sleep" I wanna slap them with a wet noodle. I'm being polite yes.

      I plan to stick with the med. I owe it to myself to try. I will increase to 50mg on the 1 week mark and have a doctor appt at the 3 week mark. I do believe she plans to up the dose again at some point.

      I hope I'm replying to this forum the right way..it's all new to me as of today. I appreciate repossession very much!

    • Theworldisalie
      Theworldisalie christinekay

      Posted

      I'm brand new to this forum myself.  I totally hear ya with the slapping people with the wet noodle.  They just don't KNOW!!  You do owe it to yourself to try, and congrats for doing so!  It shows insight.  I began talking with a counselor this past week.  It's good to have a third party / objective person you can just dump all the crazy feelings and thoughts off onto.  John.

    • christinekay
      christinekay Theworldisalie

      Posted

      My doctor did suggest a counsel session. I'm holding onto alot of things I have no control over. Wish there was a magic switch that a person could switch on and off...instead of a pill with such intense side effects. This forum will be my counsel for the beginning of his journey wink thanks for jumping in.

  • Toodle
    Toodle christinekay

    Posted

    Hi i take my tablets first thing in the morning about 7am .I sleep fine now. Unfortunately on these tablets I found it gets worse before it gets better but 3 months on I'm happy and enjoying life more than I ever have and sometimes forget to take my tablets I feel that ok . I know these tablets are not for everyone but please give them a chance to see if they are for you . I would say a good 6- 8 weeks to get back to 80-90% of your self . All this 2-4 weeks I feel it takes that bit longer . It took time but it's worth it for me . Hope this helps

    • christinekay
      christinekay Toodle

      Posted

      I'm so very thankful to have stumbled on this forum. It's not really something that gets chatted about at work or over family dinners. I'm a 38 year old female who everyone thinks has her sh*t together...but whose mind is full of dread...panic...and anxiety. When someone says "it's ok...just take a deep breathe" or "relax...just get some sleep" I wanna slap them with a wet noodle. I'm being polite yes.

      I plan to stick with the med. I owe it to myself to try. I will increase to 50mg on the 1 week mark and have a doctor appt at the 3 week mark. I do believe she plans to up the dose again at some point.

      I hope I'm replying to this forum the right way..it's all new to me as of today. I appreciate repossession very much!

      Ps. Doctor suggested I take my dose in the eve. I wonder why she would do this? Your dose at 7am sounds like something I'd like to ask my doctor about.

    • Toodle
      Toodle christinekay

      Posted

      I was told to take in the eveing too, but after a friend suggested who had been on this tablet taking it in the morning , I tried it  and it worked .   

      Keep going and if sertralina is for you, you will see some sort of difference by the 8 week mark 

       

    • christinekay
      christinekay Toodle

      Posted

      8 weeks seems like forever. But when I check in with my doctor i want to ask about the morning dosing if my sleep routine doesn't change. I appreciate your comment.

  • mari17833
    mari17833 christinekay

    Posted

    Stop it asap..you will never be able to get off it..I tried it was an horrible experience. .I have been on it 10 yrs.. 200mg..it stopped working years ago..yet I have to be on it forever...I am very depressed always..Maybe Prozac...it works quick..keep up your research.
    • christinekay
      christinekay mari17833

      Posted

      I have a doctor appt at the three week mark. Will decide then if it's the med for me. I truly wish I didn't have to resort to any type of med...but I have to try. There's got to be some good stories out there? (Crosses fingers)

    • mari17833
      mari17833 christinekay

      Posted

      I wish for you the very best..on your antidepressant journey..life can suck ! Certain individuals can destroy us mentally..Then we try the quick fix....I chose to stay with the individual. .and use antidepressants..never no downers..I am 60 yrs old..and have not slept normal since I was 18..Be aware of the pills..The more you take the more the mind and body needs.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.