Sertraline

Mental health
1

I came off my meds 4 weeks ago as been on them for 32 years and they never helped at all. The last couple of weeks my depression and anxiety has got chronic so went to the docs today and he has given me sertraline, I really don't know what to do as can't go on feeling like this and going on a new AD it will take weeks for it to kick in and have to go through all the side affects then after that they might not even work like all the others I was on all those years so I'm at my wits end. I haven't taken the sertraline yet as I'm to scared I just don't want to feel worse than I do now

2

I found sert worked quickly for me the side effects were not nice but I took a week just been at home. I'd start on half the dose for a week as this will lessen the side effects. A lot of people find sert good it works quicker then say fluoxetine. Be brave u need the meds if the depression is bad. I hate been on them but without I'm not functional.

3

Thanks Rachel x

4

Best to start now as to wait will mean longer feeling as you are now. At least you know any side affects will fad away.

To minimise the side effects taper up to the full dose over 1 to 2 weeks. For example if your dose is 50mg start on 12.5 then after a few days take it up to 25mg and so. How fast you taper up depends on how bad you feel (increase quicker if you feel dangerously low) and how quick your body adapts.

Also as another poster said, sertraline kicks in quicker than alot of other drugs.

What med were you on before and why did you stop the?

5

Thanks tony

The last meds I was on were venlafaxine but taken every med under the sun for 32 years and nothing ever worked in fact I just got more ill hence that's why I came off them and that's why I'm scared to go back on them

6

I started sertraline 4 wks ago, & I feel as though it has helped with my depression, probably started to feel some benifit after the second week, however it does'nt seem to have had much effect on my anxiety & obsessive thougths.

It has to be worth a try, they might just do the job..

Good luck,

 

7

Thanks for your kind reply

8

Hello Dr Mike, if it doesn't work, you can try another one. I don't find I have too many side effects on my meds, but it took a while to get to this point. Maybe just do the "baby step" thing...try taking the first day...and see how it goes. You can always stop if you want to. Good luck smile

9

Ok thanks I will give it a go x

10

It is hard for your body to come off Meds after all that time so just hang on in there it will subside and your doc has given you something new and you wont know until you take it how you are goin to react with it so I hope you will be fine but keep us posted you know you have suport on here smile

11

Thanks xx

12

Michael obviously your depression has returned since you stopped the anti depressants.  It happens, and has happened to me.  We have to accept this is the case.  I think you would be wise to start the Sertraline as you know you cannot coninue as you are.

Don't be upset that you have to go back on anti depressants.  You tried really hard to do without medication.  Better to take the anti depressant and feel better, than go on as you are now. 

You say in the past when you took anti depressants they never helped you.  Do you think this time they will?  It is a decision you have to make yourself.  Are you better on or off medication, or just the same? 

When you went to the doctors did you think he would give you a prescription for anti depressants, or were you hoping he would suggest something else?  Obviously you took the prescription, so I suppose in your heart you thought you would give anti depressants another go and hope they help you this time.

What do you think you will do?

13

I'm going to try them what have I got to lose?

14

Nothing to lose and who knows perhaps you will feel a whole lot better.  Worth trying Michael.  Let us know how you get on.

Thinking of you, and I do hope you feel better soon friend.

15

Sorry to hear you have to go back on the Meds its always better to get to the cause what is triggering it but if you cant find that its up to you and your doctor but ther are lots of people who are on here that can advise you on effects as they have taken it and the advantage and disavantage ,personally i havnt taken it so cant advise on that one but good luck we are all here for you smile

16

Thanks anne

17

Thanks xx

18

Well I took one of those sertraline and I really regret it. Within an hour of taking it I started shaking I couldn't stand up my legs were like jelly I felt I was going to pass out and felt do sick, my anxiety has shot through the roof this is the pits. That's it now I'm not taking anymore of them this is ridiculous

19

Its better to try and take them or you will never know if they will make you feel better, Ive come off my anti-depressants and its to early for me to say if i will be ok for the next few months as i was told i might have to take them for the rest of my life which i dont like that idea,im 44 and been on and off them since the age of 19.

20

I'm to scared to take them after that reaction I think I'm done with ADs. I feel a bit better today and not taken anything so I will see how it goes