Not sure if I should take Sertraline I've been prescribed. Advice please

Treatment and medication
1

I've been prescribed 50mg Sertraline by my doctor for recurring depression and anxiety/stress. I've been offered anti-depressants on a few occasions before, but have chosen not to go down the route of taking drugs to help as feel very apprehensive about taking them. I've accepted the prescription on this occasion as it's clear my symptoms are worsening over time, and the effect my mood swings are having on my family is troubling me (and adding to the problem). 

However, I've read a bit about the side-effects of this drug, through forums such as this and in the drug information leaflets, and have to say I'm terrified of taking them. The side-effects almost sound worse than the depression itself. It seems that this drug can actually make things seem worse in the short term, before things improve, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the idea of that. I'm also sceptical that my depression is severe enough to be taking anti-depressants at all. Each time I've spoken with a doctor about my depression/stress/anxiety they seem very quick to offer anti-depressants. Yet it appears these drugs can have quite severe side-effects. I almost feel like I've been prescribed them on a bit of a whim, iykwim?

But that said, it is true that I've spoken with GPs on numerous occasions about depressive/anxious behaviour, I've taken two courses of counselling and had time away from work for stress/anxiety. So there is a history here, and I do feel that depression, whether mild or more pronounced as it seems to be on this occasion, does punctuate my life. It also seems to be getting worse with each subsequent 'lapse'. But I'm still unsure if these drugs are the right course of action for me.

For the record, the GP didn't take any blood tests and on this occasion didn't ask me to complete the depression/anxiety test (although I did one myself last night and scored quite highly this time). I'm just wondering if there are other avenues that should be explored before committing to a course of anti-depressant drugs? We did, for example, discuss how there might be a hormonal link to my mood spirals - if it turns out this is a factor, are anti-depressants likely to work? 

Sorry for the longer post and ramblings, but I'm confused and worried about starting on this drug. Just hoping someone might be able to share some advice/experience to help me decide on the best course of action.

Thank you.

 

2

Hi

I was also terrified of taking 50mg of sertraline but I didnt have really bad side effects to be honest. I wouldnt say I had a pleasant time on them for the first few weeks as I was always worrying about potential side effects and looking for new sensations/changes in sleep/mood/feelings/anxiety/perceptions and wondering 'is this the medication?' etc. I was on edge and on high alert but side effects were minimal - upset stomach and some increased anxiety... Anyway 50mg is a very low dose and I didnt find it very helpful so I have been moved up onto 100mg (which is a more common dose) and am going to see how that goes!

Good luck! smile

3

Thanks Jane97070. It's reassuring to hear that the side-effects aren't always as severe as I've read they can be. I suppose 50mg is a low dose, so might not be too bad. But then I'm worried I might go through side-effects with no real benefit and then be faced with a bigger dose, which is a bit of a scary thought right now.

I really hope the increased dose works for you though. Good luck and thanks for replying.

4

Your post could have been written by me. I felt utterly terrified of taking them and refused point blank several times. I read about it and that confirmed my fears. Anyway, I was'forced' into taking 50mg then upped to 100mg, against my better judgement and lo and behold, no side effects whatsoever apart from my anxiety and nervousness waiting for all these horrendous side effects.

i have a bit of a jippy tummy this week, four weeks after going up to 100mg but nothing that I can't handle. I am also undergoing a course of CBT. I'm told I am a lot better, I feel just a bit more in control, not as likely to go off the deep end as I did. The tablets just take the edge of it for me and I have no intention of upping the dose any more.

Please just try them, try to calm down and have faith that they will help.i found it comforting to be told there was nothing t worry about, after all, it's only seratonin which occurs naturally in the body anyway. You can get help with any side effects like not sleeping well. I've been given Nytol just for the odd night I can't get off which is rare. Hope you are ok.

5

this is exactly how i felt i got prescribed it yesterday and had been putting anti depressants off for years as the thought of taking them terrifies me.I've been offered them many times but since i have been finding it more difficult to cope lately i have decided to try them,i'm still terrified but i have taken my first tablet today,after looking at the website and talking to a few people and hearing positive reviews i'm hoping they are going to work for me and i i hope they work for you if you decide to try them!

6

Thank you all for your support. It's good to know it's not all necessarily bad. I'm just so confused about this decision I need to make, but the more knowledge I have about these drugs the better. I've been through all sorts of emotions about this today. When I went to see my GP this morning I was certain I wanted to try them, but the moment I left the surgery I just felt kind of sick and hollow about it, almost like it was some sort of failure or something. It also just felt weird to think I might be taking something chemical to alter my mental state. I'm so anti-drugs, I don't even drink much and I'm a big believer in alternative remedies. After I had my son 3 years ago, I even made the decision not to go back on the contraceptive pill, as I hated the idea of using anything synthetic and chemical, especially after 9 months of living so well and taking such good care of myself (and baby). These drugs just feels so incongruous to all that. A few hours ago I'd more or less decided not to go ahead and take the drugs, but then now, reading these reassuring comments I feel a bit more positive about the idea. I think I'm just going to have to give myself a few days and see where I end up. I guess I just need to keep sight of the fact that I just want to feel better and get back to my normal self, and for my son and husband as much as for myself.

thank you all again.

7

Hello

I can understand your apprehension.

The side effects for me were tireness, felt a bit shaky and nausea, strange dreams and sleep disturbances, but after 2 months on 50 this has settled down., also probS reaching climax, this is yet to settle.

Howver my moods are levelled out and I'm less sensitive so its helping me and my relationship. I feel better in myself generally.

Ive also changed my contraceptive pill as I too thought my hormones could be a factor.

I am thinking of going up to 100 but I am more concerned about it being harder to come off.

8

Im on day 5 of 50mg not been to bad but couldnt sleep last night, what i would ask for is not benzos to help you through the first week but ask for propanalol i take 40mg a day and it stops the rapid heart beat or shaking. 

9

I'm in the exact same situation as you... I put off taking anti depressants for a long time but after feeling a new low I went to the doctor and wanted to try them. Last night  after collecting my prescription I felt optimistic about starting today, even though I read many peoples negative experiences whilst using Sertraline.

Anyway I took my first one this morning and stayed at home not really thinking about the possible effects. About 2 hours later I had diarrhea and suddenly felt cold and tired. I laid on the sofa for about 3 hours listening to the football on TV with my eyes shut (it was a struggle to focus when watching), my teeth were also grinding slightly. Even though I had diarrhea, I couldnt watch the football and my teeth were grinding together I felt very relaxed with no negative thoughts! My mood this evening has been average and I feel very spaced out. So to conclude, it hasnt been a bad first day at all. Will let you know how I get on tomorrow. Just hoping the next dose wont bring back the diarrhea tomorrow! 

Now in bed hoping for a peaceful night.

10

The runs only lasted 2 days with me from day 1, that cold feeling like its burning your blood is still with me and its a week tomorrow. Slept like a log last night best night sleep in ages, i take my 50mg tablet at 2oclock in the afternoon everyday so by nighttime im tired. Try it. Like i said last post ask for a beta blocker its really helped me even before these ADs

11

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice. It's appreciated and I wish you all well and hope you're all on your way to being better soon.

I'm still undecided, but erring towards not taking this medication. I sort of feel I'd like to explore some other options before making such a long term commitment to taking this drug, and especially when it's quite likely I'm going to suffer some degree of side-effects. I think I'm going to ask my GP to run some blood tests on me to rule out thyroid problems and hormonal issues first. I sort of feel the doctors haven't asked or considered enough about my condition yet and that the drugs may not be the answer. It might well turn out that they are, and if that time comes then fine, but I think I need to be sure nothing else might work first. But then need to feel better soon too. It's so hard finding a way through this (and especially when this damn condition clouds your ability to make decisions too :-( ). Good luck everyone.

12

Yeah i think blood tests and other things should be ruled out before your diagnosis of anxiety or depression. Ive had alot of tests brain mri sinus mri all blood tests upper endoscopy. Non of which i asked for but just as i tell them the symptoms they act on it and rule it out. Ive had anxiety for coming up 4 years now but looking back on my younger days i see the bigger picture. Anxiety has been and is very powerfull so any new symptom i get i get it checked out first as i pay my tax i want to be well so never stop pushing your doctors to find other routes before hand. 

P.s if you do find out its anxiety related then dont be affraid of sertraline its not as bad as others with side effects. 

I hope you well 

13

morning cedmc,

if it makes you feel any better to know, i was exactly the same as you before my experience with sertraline, sometimes it's better not to reasearch things, but us being women we have to know!!

before i started on sertraline, depression, anxiety, everyday worries and horrendous mood swings were my troubles.  every day felt like an uphill battle and i was getting lower and lower as the weeks/months went by.  i have had this all my adult life, tried natural remedies, and other anti depressants, but none have done anything for me until i found sertraline, it's literally saved me and my relationship with my boyfriend, who by the way, has had the patience of a saint with me, how he's not left me by now i do not know.  he was literally walking on egg shells round me and this made day to day life very difficult.  i had to take the bull by the horns and deal with this, as i knew if it continued i would lose him and our lovely life together and  i would struggle with this forever. There was no way that was going to happen. i had to do something. so i went to the doctors, told her the full history, both my parents suffer severe depression and my poor dad had to have ECT therapy in his younger years to help him.  after i'd explained all of this to her she advised i try sertraline, it's been a long road with it, as i needed to find the right dose for me, i was on 50mg for the first few weeks, then i went on 100mg as 50mg wasn't doing anything for me, the 100mg was okay for a few weeks and then i dipped again, i've been on 150mg for the past 9 or 10 weeks and i feel much better and able to cope with things so much better and i'm back to the person i was before all my depression and anxiety.

the side effects vary from person to person, i got off very lightly with mine, i experienced quite a few migranes within the first few weeks, loss of apetite therefore losing over a stone in weight, upset tummy a couple of times but nothing to put me off, the very beginning my anxiety did get a little worse but settled after the 1st week, and alot more yawning!! i don't know why but i yawn alot more these days.  just be aware that it does take 6-8 weeks for your meds to get into your system and settle down. some people have reported insomnia when they are taken before bed, i take mine as soon as i get up in the morning so have escaped that side effect. 

don't be afraid of taking the medication, regardless of how low it takes to settle in your system and it could take a few months to get the right dosage for you, but i've been on this 11months now and i wouldn't change it for the anything.  in comparison to how i was feeling, i am more or less back to my normal self and now thinking of starting a family.  they will help you, it will just take time. good luck and keep in touch :-)

 

14

Thank you Gingemac1977 for sharing and being so open about your struggle with all this. It sounds like you're doing great! Good luck with everything - especially starting a family :-)

You mentioned natural remedies, and it's something I want to explore some more. But bizarrely I think Angus Castus might actually be helping me. I've been taking it for about 3-4 months, but stopped for a week a fortnight ago whilst away on holiday with my family. I really wasn't sure if it was having an effect or not (although have had a couple of months of being relatively stable). But at the beginning of last week, I just hit a total wall again. Only this time it felt very different, like I really couldn't cope this time, with terrible anxiety too, and hence why I went back to speak to my GP and asked for the drugs. I've never felt a low like this time. However, I've felt a lot better in the past few days and it dawned on me that I've been taking the Angus Castus again for 7 days and looking back over the past week, I have felt slightly better with each day that's passed. I returned to work today, something a week or so ago I was having panic attacks about and managed to do so with only a mild sense of anxiousness. I'm hopeful that the Angus Castus has been helping all along and that the few months of relative stability I mentioned become more the norm (and I'm not just clutching at straws). It's another reason why I'm thinking there might be a hormonal element to my mood spirals too (I'm almost certain I have premenstrual dystrophic disorder) as Angus Castus is used to treat hormonal imbalance.  Anyway, some exploring to do I think, especially asking my GP about hormonal links, but thought I'd share that anyway in case it might be of help to anyone at all. 

Good luck to all.

15

thanks Cedmc for your reply.  when i first realised that i needed to do something about my depression/anxiety/mood swings/anything else that felt like bringing me down!! i felt helpless, i also tried Agnus Cactus, St Johns Wart, Calms, hormone balancing meds, nothing seemed to work for me.  then i tried a councellor, CBT therapy, hypnosis, believe me, i've paid through the nose for things, remedies, accupuncture and nothing seemed to do anything.  i'm not the kind of person to give up easily with things, but this had me beat, i couldn't do anything to bring me out from under this black cloud i was surrounded by and i nearly lost myself completely.  just wasn't me at all, totally different personality to normal, i've usually got quite a quirky sense of humour, but this had totally gone, i'm normally really bubbly, laughing and smiling, sharing jokes with people, there was nothing, just miserable all the time, i didn't smile for weeks. i started taking sertraline some 11 months ago now, it has made a difference, it didn't at first, took a long time to get into my system and now 150mg a day seems to be doing the trick.  who knows, tomorrow or later today, i might hit a wall again, i hope not but i could, just got to take one day at a time and keep a diary of my thoughts and be aware of things. 

well done with your returning to work, that's great in itself and don't forget one day at a time and keep in touch :-)

 

16

Hi

I felt this is 100% me. Can I ask how you have got on with this? I honestly can't continue living like this but to take this medication would be an absolute last resort. I too have explored all other options. Did sertaline help?

Thanks in advance

17

hi everyone it was really good to read through this forum thread and read about people having the same issues, as you feel a bit less 'on your own' when you read and chat with other people having the same problems.   i know this thread is a year old but maybe if anyone is still around you could give an update on how you are getting on and how u are doing?

for those worried about starting on sertraline, you dont necessarily have to start on 50mg,  you could always start by taking half of the pill, so 25mg, for eg. the first week, and then move up to 50mg when or if you feel ready too (some people actually stay on 25mg, for example people who are sensitive to medication).

doing this should ease those troublesome startup side effects (by the way, upset stomach and diarrhea is extremely common when starting out on many different ssri antidepressants, such as sertraline).   luckily that particular side effect DOES pass (often in a few days), for almost everyone (and for those where it doesnt, you can just switch to an alternative ssri antidepressnt if you wish)

a lot of people are hesitant to give meds for depression and anxiety a try, even though perhaps they just cant seem to have any luck or find a solution with alternatives such as diet changes, exercise, counselling, CBT, natural remedies, self help books, and so on.   if you start with a really low dose,  nothing majorly bad will happen, and of course, you can always change your mind (but as always, keep in touch with your doctor so he or she knows what is happening).

try to remember that if you had a different illness, such as a problem with another part of your body, and there was medication available from your doctor to help you, would you take it?   i think most people would, so try not to pigeonhole depression and anxiety like it is some kind of 'embarrasing', or 'it's just me, it's not really an illness', or a 'not allowed to talk about or treat' type of illness.

in the past, mental health problems were often seen in that way, but we live in different times now, and there are lots of treaments out there including ssri antidepressant medications.   try not to be afraid to give them a go, and because you are starting on a very low dose (such as 25mg), or the other popular starting dose of 50mg, and as i said earlier you can always come back off them if you find that you have changed your mind or you really dont feel well taking them.  keep in touch with your doctor (plus you can also use forums like this one to document your journey and get advice etc)