Sertraline for PTSD symptoms

[Sapphire1701]

hi,

I’m new to this forum - usually post on NRAS forum, as I have Rheumatoid arthritis.

but I also have long history of trauma, PTSD/CPTSD.. last year has got particularly worse (albeit my RA meds have also severely impacted me mentally)

I’m going through incredible amounts of stress atm and my ptsd is being triggered several times a week, where I then just shut down and struggle to function.

I’ve attempted Sertraline on several occasions, but struggle to get through the first few days as it makes me feel 10x worse.

could anyone share success stories with Sertraline. I wake every day so anxious and scared (of what I don’t know) and know I need to persist with the meds, but is just so hard.

Thank you for reading.

[Nathalie99 Partner]

Hi Sapphire1701,

Welcome to the community.

I am very sorry to hear that your RA medication is making your ptsd symptoms worse.

I am on treatment for another condition and in a same situation.

Haven't had any experience with Sertraline, but had other antidepressants (eventually stopped due to not being effective in my situation).

One was particularly tough at the beginning so I took a very small portion of a tablet and slowly increased it to the whole tablet.

I know that it isn't always possible so you need to check with your doctor whether that's an option. In any case, I would call them and say it's intolerable and ask about what they suggest.

I am sorry you are going through so much...you are not alone...

[Dolphin14 Moderator]

Sapphire1701

Welcome to the community

I was on sertraline for 17 years. I did have problems with side effects. I chose to take the medication at bed time. That eliminated some of the things I was feeling. When the medication dosage was increased I didn't start it until the weekend. That way I had time to adjust a bit.

I had a problem with Prozac. It increased my anxiety and causes many troubling side effects. I did finally report I could not tolerate it anymore and the Dr switched the med.

Have you discussed this with the Dr? Don't be afraid to bring it up more the once.

We are here to support you. I hope you can get this straightened out soon

🐬

[LivvyCat]

Hi Sapphire,Try to persevere with the sertraline if you can, the meds always take a while to work properly and also keep in close contact with your Dr.

I've tried lots of antidepressants and was on Sertraline for years and I think it helped me a bit. One Dr said to me that parxoetine was good for PTSD but that one really didn't agree with me. The one I found most useful was venlafaxine but it makes me really hot 🥵 Everyone is different and what works for one person might not be right for another....

I also had doxazosin prescribed off label (it's a blood pressure tablet) to help with nightmares which helped me.

Overall the thing that helps me most is trauma therapy. I've had one course of EMDR with the NHS and am waiting for a second course atm. CPTSD can be really had to treat as there is just so much stuff there...

I really hope you find the right thing for you.

Xxx

[Sapphire1701 in reply to LivvyCat]

Thank you livvycat and for other replies..

I did speak with dr yesterday. For now I will cease with Sertraline - it’s just too stimulating for me - I can’t eat, sleep, am almost manic - and with my commencing biologics which are incredibly powerful drugs, with their own side effects. I just can’t take it.

instead the doctor has signed me off work for a month (my job is toxic and hugely impacting my MH) and will review then.

I appreciate the replies, so thank you x

[Mamamichl]

some meds just make things worse. I had issues with Prozac. Also, I had a person I knew request prazosin (hope this is spelled right) for ptsd. I haven’t treated my own yet, since I’m on anxiety, depression and adhd meds already, as well as thyroid and sleep aids. However, they said it gave them a sense of calm they didn’t get before.

[Dolphin14 Moderator in reply to Mamamichl]

Hi Mamamichi

I was on prazosin for years. It helped me with my flashback night mares.

I hope you are doing well

❤️🐬

[Mamamichl in reply to Dolphin14]

I had a rough time for a while. I will be posting soon, but long story short, my meds were off and my supervisor triggered me to the point of inpatient care. I’m in intensive outpatient and going back to work in the next week or so, hopefully not back into toxic environment.

[kenster1 Volunteer]

what works for one might not work for another every medication is trial and error.