up and down on sertraline

Hi Richard, I was started on the same dose as you and sleep went out the window for about 4 weeks so I moved to taking it in the morning and the GP prescribed me Zoplicone (sleeping tabs) which helped me however after 4 weeks I was fine sleeping. Appetite also went but came back after around 3 weeks. My anxiety went totally when I first took them and I am not getting stressed like I was which is a relief. I was increased to 100mg after 8 week,s two weeks ago and I have noticed the last few days I am managing to get up a bit easier although still very fatigued.

The GP prescribed them to me to rule out ME/chronic fatigue syndrome even though I was not depressed at first, that came with the loss of independence and therefore feel I need them now to come to terms with the end of my career if ME is the case.

You are still very early days yet and if you can tolerate them a bit longer I would. Good luck.

I'm on my seventh week at 50 mg and lost my appetite for three weeks. I had problems sleeping but as soon as I started on sertraline I was sleeping too much. I have had a host of strange side effects which are only now starting to settle down. I have about two days where I can function followed by one where I can't get out of bed!

Hi richard. My other half has been on them for about 2 months now and has been increased to 100 mls now. His days were very much the same as yours I remember him sat on the couch not wanting to move/speek/eat etc. His sleeping was horrific so we got asdas own sleeping tablets and they seemed to work for a few times. O think we have fianally hit a corner and he seems to be up more than down now. He has has a.definate goodrun of 4/5 days. He has been allowed back to work which has helped no end. Been sat at home is he worst thing to do. His sleeping is still.hit and miss. Some nights he comes to bed at 4/5 am but others he is in bed asleep by 9 !! . Please keep going as an outsider I can see it foes.make a difference. Talk to people too. A problem shared is a problem halved. Im sure it will get better.

X

Hi Kerry, i'm encouraged to hear that sertraline is working for you and i hope you're alright.

My doctor prescribed them me because of difficulties i was having coming to terms with the death of my father late last year plus because of periods of depression when i was younger. Since ive been on them ive had some good days where ive been certain ive felt positive effects other days, like today, ive just felt really bad. Like you say though, i do realise it's early days and so, thanks, i will try to persevere.

And Tony, thank you, reassured to hear the side effects do settle. Am experiencing a similar problem in terms of getting out of bed - between waking up and getting up there was abt 3 hours for me today. And last wednesday i had to ring in sick at work as couldnt get out of bed. Feel anxious about this getting worse.

It does get better. My biggest problem is never knowing how I'm going to feel when I wake up! Difficult to make any plans. The doctor said I'd had a severe reaction and normally things level out after a couple of weeks. I always have been awkward! But I think I'm turning a corner with them. And yes. Do find someone you can talk with. I discovered a neighbour has been going through a similar thing to me and talking has helped us both.

Jnx, thanks. Im glad things have started to even out for your partner. And i can definitely relate to what you say. Today for example ive known i would feel better if i left the house it's just for some reason the actual leaving of the house was beyond me. Likewise with food, ive sat today for ages thnkng i should eat but witout actually moving.

Ive been seeing a therapist since last september - which has helped. and i thought i was dealing with thngs as well as could be expected - the beginning of feb though i just had some sort of crash - at one point i felt like i wasgoing to have to lie down in the street and another time i was on the bus and just couldnt stop crying! And so it was those 2 things which promptd me to go the docs. And so how id been feeling plus my history accounts for the prescription.

Yes i do believe in the benefits of talking and though i have no family that i can talk to i do have a good close friend.

Hi Richard,

I was just increased from 25mg to 50mg about 5 days ago, The first day I felt very dizzy, fuzzy, and sleepy. I still have lost of appetite, but I make myself eat breakfast and dinner. These pills are not keeping me up at all in fact I am yawning all the time, I feel as though I get tired after 2pm and I need a nap... Take it I am not old, but taking a nap in the day messes up my routine. Today is the first day that I did not sleep, I am purposely making myself stay up. The doctor told me to give it 4 weeks to get into my system. He told me that my body is just adjusting to the new increase and if it continues after 4 weeks he will re-evaluate the situation. Like you I have my good days and bad, I am not so down but I seem to take everything to heart, making me step back and view the situation at hand. Good luck and talk with your doctor he/she might have a different view than my doctor does.