Sertraline

[dingaling]

Please could anyone give me their experience of the above? My daughter was put on 50mg a day yesterday, for acute anxiety. She has already started with bad side effects and of course is very worried about taking them. Can anyone tell me what kind of results they have had with them and how long before they felt some improvement. She has battled on alone up to now but felt that she must seek some medical help, but now is starting to regret seeking it. She is waiting to see a counsellor, she has been on the list for 3months, but has been told it will be another two months at least before she is seen. Any advice gratefully received.

[NicM123]

Hi, i started on 50mg of sertraline about 18months ago. I had about 2 weeks of dizzyness & feeling abit sick til it settled down. I was lucky to get counselling almost immediately & i believe that paid a big part in getting better. Are there any other counselling services she can try get into quicker? Is it a counsellor through your GP? They do lower doses of sertraline that she will probably be changed to when its time to wean her off. Definitely keep pushing for counselling, the pills aren't the cure :) hope that helps??? x

[wolf63]

I have been on Setraline for about a year and have had no problems, or none that I have noticed. I am on 200mg per day.

Your daughter should try and take them as prescribed by the doctor - it may take some time (weeks) before she notices an improvement in her mental health. Most of the side effects will vanish over the next short period of time.

Don't let anybody talk her out of taking them - there are always 'well intentioned' friends who have heard or read something about anti-depressants. They are not addictive but should not be stopped suddenly (I did this and was very ill for a few weeks).

The tablets won't cure all her problems but will make her feel more able to cope.

Good luck to her.

[rowanwitch]

The side effects mostly go after a couple of weeks there are a couple that can arise with prolonged use but are pretty uncommon Taken it for years with a few short breaks after struggling with some of the others it seems to suit me, dry mouth is one of the irritating ones sherbert lemons help.....or sugar free chewing gum....

[dingaling]

Thank you NicM123, wolf63 and rowanwitch for your kind replies and best wishes. I don't want to worry anyone who might be just starting with these tablets, but thought my daughter's experience should be noted. She had a violent headache the first night, dry mouth, (as you mentioned rowanwitch) 'jelly' legs, and actually fell asleep just sitting. She saw her doctor the next day, to find out what were common reactions, and also what she could take for the headache, if anything. Her doctor persuaded her to continue with the tablets for three or four days, and said she could take asprin, Ibeprofen, paracetemol, anything really for the headache. She reluctantly took her second tablet and ended up in A & E at 3am in a terrible state. Shaking, nauseous, could hardly stand up, and seemed completely 'out of it'. The doctor there threw all the tablets in the bin. He gave her 1/2 a diazapam to calm her down, and said the sertraline would be out of her system in 48hours. We know she has been unlucky in having such a bad reaction to the tablets, and he did say that there are others which would suit, but I think she is going to try to find a counsellor instead. Yes the list she is on is thro' the GP, Nic but she will hopefully see a private one quicker.
I have written the above because I had trawled the internet to see what she could take for the headache and it said not to take asprin or ibeprofen,as did the doctor in the A & E, the pharmacist said just to take paracetemol, so it is so worrying that her own doctor said otherwise. Surely if they are dishing out these things they should find out more about them. Heaven knows what might have happened if she had taken asprin etc.
Thank you all once again for your advice, I am glad they are working for you, and I can just pray that a councellor can help my girl. X

[wolf63]

dingaling - I hope that your daughter finds a medication that helps. It is hard being mentally ill but it must be equally hard watching someone that you care about suffering in such a way.

Susan

[boxtops]

Dingaling, I know that your concern is with your daughter, but someone needs to let the GP know about your daughter's reaction. As she been through A&E they will send a report to the GP, but they need to know about the reaction as adverse effects have to be reported - there is a process the doctor has to go through. If - when you have the strength- you are really dissatisfied, there is a complaints process in every doctor's surgery these days. I know this will be far from your mind while you are so worried for your daughter - but it might be helpful to know that you can complain if yu feel you want to (and if it's necessary). Meanwhile - best wishes to you both - I suffered with anxiety in my younger days and I can remember all too vividly what a lousy time of life it was.

[dingaling]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply, it does help. I will keep your advice in mind boxtops. As you said, the hospital dr. said he would be writing to her GP, he was pretty disgusted really, (without actually saying anything of course) so she will see what the reaction will be next time she sees her!!! Thank you both again for your sympathy and best wishes. Shirl

[NicM123]

what are scary situation for you both to be in. I really hope she finds a medication that suits her soon. best of luck xxx

[dingaling]

Thank you Nic too, for your good wishes, I will pass them on to my daughter, Shirl