Sertraline my experience

[Jessicawarriner]

Hi my name is Jess I don’t normally write on this kinda page because I sky. Here goes.. I had been suffering anxiety since April and I was in denial saying I didn’t have it and I was just sick with tummy pain and heart problems and I lost weight because I was feeling sick and couldn’t eat half the time and had tests etc and they rules everything out and put it down to stress I had some nasty things happen to me at my front door won’t go into details but calling me f this f that and c**t that and I was at no fault for it but they blamed me for it and it changed my life I became worried to be in my own home on my own and was worried about going to work as it was related to work it went on for months April till about a week ago been on and off working as found going to work stressful and couldn’t cope so was off sick for 2 weeks and then back in for a week and now just had another off . Phoned my gp and we spoke and he decided to give me sertraline I didn’t want to take medication for my anxiety as I didn’t want to believe it was that but I did take it as i was so stressed I had melt downs all the time. I took it and only had it for 5 days as the medication gave me bad head zaps I felt hot to touch and sweating and felt awful my eyes where as dry as a bone and I felt dizzy and unwell And couldn’t sleep on it gave me insomnia so bad 🤒 I felt like I wasn’t me spoke to the gp on day 5 and they said I could come off or stay on it and ride the side effects through as the first 2 weeks are the worse till your body gets used to it I felt horrible and didn’t want to be on meds for the anxiety as I have always been a confident person and had held down a job and worked hard but felt like I was failing myself and my family. I came off it as was feeling melo for the first couple of days off it but still feel anxiety is there I just don’t want to be feeling this way I am having the gp call me back on Monday morning ( tomorrow) and going to see what they say as he wanted to check up on me I was wondering what everyone thought I should be doing should I be going back on sertraline and riding the side effects out or will it mess with my head now I have been off it or is there something else I can take That’s worth asking my doctor about guys help I am at the end of my tether

I also wanted to add to my stress due to lock down I also had to cancel my wedding on 2 x occasions I had it been planning through wedding of my dreams for well over a year and cancelling made me so sad and depressed about life because there was nothing to look folward to and I like to look folward to things in my life I am someone who likes to be busy all the time

Advice welcome please xxxxx

[anon00]

have you only had setraline for 5 days?

[Jessicawarriner in reply to anon00]

Yes

[Spikeelmo]

I’ve been taking sertraline for 2 weeks. The side effects have gone apart from the nausea. I’m beginning to feel a bit better so I’ll ride it out. The nausea is awful though. Just awful. Hope your side effects ease soon. X

[blackcat64013]

Hi Jess,

You are in quite good company when you say that you were in denial at first. Accepting that you are not OK is a big thing reported by nearly everyone.

Starting medication does mean you are weak, just needing some help.

A new medication usually takes 2-4 weeks to make a difference. There is no one size fits all approach. If side effects become unbearable, it would be wise to discuss trying something else. Your doctor has quite a few different drugs available to chose from.

Medication alone may not be the answer. A referral to a psychologist might be helpful. Telehealth is offered over the phone if you cannot meet in person.

If you have an employee assistance program (EAP), you might arrange it there.

Covid -19 mental health help lines have been established if you prefer to be anonymous.

Be honest and upfront with your doctor to find a treatment plan for you together.

[Welshchick30]

I’m on sertraline have been it about 2 years and I still have chest pain with it