Posted , 2 users are following.
so my doctors have prescribed me with 50mg sertraline, I've been reluctant for weeks to take them because I've been convinced I'm ill and it's not all anxiety.. however I've decided to take the plunge and just start them, I'm still anxious about it.. I know everyone reacts differently but how long did it take for you all to notice a difference and did they actually help reduce physical symptoms?
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GodsServant sophies77
Edited
Sophie, why are you taking it, if you don't mind me asking? Did you you came down with some illness? Convinced that you had this terrible disease or illness only to find out that it's all in your head?
And what physical symptoms do you have?
sophies77 GodsServant
Posted
since I had my son 13 weeks ago I've not been right, I was very scared before hand that something would go wrong and I would die, it ended up being a very traumatic birth and I was so scared. he arrived safely and I was ok, then a couple days later I felt so exhausted I just ended up full of cold and not great at all.. many repeated blood tests over the last 13 weeks, ct scan on the lungs, mri of the head, chest xrays, ecgs and everything keeps coming back normal.... I've had hundreds of symptoms, chest pain is my worst one that keeps lingering so I'm always petrified it's my heart, muscle pain and shooting pains in my arms, shoulder pains, leg niggles, stomach cramps, upset belly at times, feelings like my skin is sunburnt but it's not, nausea, headaches, latest one is a little niggle in the jaw under the chin and then pains in my teeth like my teeth are super sensitive, lightheadedness.. theres probably been more too but that's the main of it.. like I said, many checks and they keep telling me my heart is fine but I can't get it out my head, every day I worry and they said that's why the pains wont go because I'm constantly worrying and probably holding myself so tense. I keep trying to tell myself after 13 weeks if it was something sinister I probably wouldn't be here now.. so basically health anxiety 😦 they really want me to try the sertraline....
GodsServant sophies77
Edited
Hi Sophie, yep, it sure sounds like what I went through with my next to last attack in 2013 when looking back, it was as if I was so severely depressed that I had a severe break with reality. I thought I had colon cancer. I was so convinced that I even convinced my primary care physical to authorize a colonoscopy and I was only in my 30s with no family background of colon cancer, or any cancer for that matter.
It's good that you are on this med because it seems to me that you had what is known as postpartum psychosis as well as severe postpartum depression. You were probably very stressed out before or during your pregnancy. Please google these two conditions - they are actually more common than you think.
It's good that you're on sertraline. What I can tell you is this med works quicker on OCD thoughts and very slow on depression. It should be able to see some slight improvements in 3-4 months for OCD and 5-6 months for depression. At least, that was how long it took me. Hope I answered your question.
And oh, congratulations on your newborn! Try not to worry to much. You both went through it and you're both here! Try to get rest, if you can, try to take a walk, go out and get some sunlight, and eat healthy. Or do something that relaxes you, be it a bath or a book or a movie.
sophies77 GodsServant
Posted
Did you actually have all them symptoms too? its very scary that I'm convinced I've got a heart problem, doesn't matter what doctors tell me because the symptoms just keep coming back. its crazy.. I haven't actually started them yet, but I think I will definitely consider it, I'm fed up with being like this. I will give them a google but thats all, I'm very good at googling symptoms too which doesn't help.
thank you very much 😃
GodsServant sophies77
Edited
Yes, the scariest part was that my mind was so convinced that I had all those symptoms of colon cancer that I actually had bowel issues. Seriously. The mind is so powerful. It can manufacture pain when you don't actually have pain. That is why they always so the mind and body are completely interrelated.
You have to try to let it go - these thoughts of the symptoms. If the docs ran all their tests and say you're clear, then you're clear.
And you are like me - I am BIG into googling symptoms, illnesses, diseases, etc. I profess I am a bit of a hypochondriac although I've tried very hard for decades to rein in my crazy thoughts. So give this med a go. Hopefully it will help you quicker.