“Sertraline 50mg” … who noticed?

Also used to treat anxiety. **waves**

There's a big old thread about coming off it

I’m off to the docs on Monday to ask for some, although I don’t know how to ask TBH, talk about my anxiety and lack of enjoyment a lot and hope he jumps to the right conclusion?   Or ask outright which i feel my lead to a refusal….

talk about my anxiety and lack of enjoyment a lot and hope he jumps to the right conclusion?

Worked for me.

Kryton57
Full Member

I’m off to the docs on Monday to ask for some, although I don’t know how to ask TBH, talk about my anxiety and lack of enjoyment a lot and hope he jumps to the right conclusion? Or ask outright which i feel my lead to a refusal….

I started out with the former, if it hadn't worked I'd have gone to the latter but i didn't have to. Nothing wrong with asking for it but I kind of thought, this dude went to med school, let's give him a chance to diagnose my ridiculously obvious symptoms

My 19 yr old daughter was prescribed it for the first time this week. I don't know whether it will help a young adult recently diagnosed with ASD quite honestly but here we are.

I’ve been on it for coming up to 18 months, I can happily say it’s changed my life around after suffering 4 years of crippling anxiety and panic attacks beforehand (and taking other ADs that obviously didn’t work).

My wife is prescribed it and her anxiety is kept well in check. Work is always the trigger but she’s okay atm.

although I don’t know how to ask TBH

I broke down in tears. It was a bad time. GP was amazing. Always be grateful to her for just even listening.

I'm sertraline curious. I've just been putting off having the conversation with the Dr.

Finished my final dose yesterday, 50mg didn’t do anything but a 100mg did. After a few years and now pretty rock bottom I was on 200 with no change. As well as receiving EMDR treatment for a few weeks, I stated a new medication. Just hope it helps as I’m now almost a year in of feeling absolutely flat.

@Kryton57 talk about your issues, meds isn’t always the answer it was years before I resorted to them and really helped me function for a while. Sadly the exposure to my issues couldn’t be removed so in time they’ve stopped being as effect hence the news meds.

@winston I hope it helps your daughter as well as it's helped my son.

I had a short spell with it, I took the direct route, told the doctor I was having a rough patch and needed sertraline. Quick chat and left with a prescription, found it very hard at first but persevered with it and it helped me through.

8.6 million people in the UK are on some form of antidepressants. It's almost like the last few years have sucked, or something.

Big +1 for finding what works. Sertraline for me was fairly effective but as side effects go "Oh you're anxious and depressed? Well this'll make you feel better but your cock'll stop working" is non optimal. Amitryptilene made me feel better but a bit zombied, citalopram was less effective but easy to live with, but, that's just me- basically SSRIs all work by stirring up the bucket of electrified homemade chemicals in your brain and pretty much by definition they were already pretty bloody stirred up if you needed the pills in the first place. So, naturally results vary. It's a pretty cruel kicker that it takes time to go on and off the drugs so handovers from one to another can be absolutely savage, but, for me it was 100% worth it. Like turning down the difficulty level.

I should have said this before but don't worry about the gp's reaction, partly because of those other 8.6m but mostly because nobody wants to be depressed or anxious or whatever, and medicated. It's not like opiates or something. Individual doctors have various amounts of enthusiasm for medication vs other approaches but nobody's going to be surprised. It's really good to try other stuff, but resources are stretched and that too is about finding what works, you might struggle (I cannot do mindfulness or meditation, it blows my brain up, for other people it's key)

And good luck...

Oh you’re anxious and depressed? Well this’ll make you feel better but your cock’ll stop working”

Given one of the other things it’s prescribed for that’s interesting.

Other common side effects include "being unable to sleep" and "being sleepy" 🙂

Recently gone back on it for the second time after the last few years and recent personal events, 2 months in so far so it's just starting to fully take effect. The first time was in 2018 (came off it 3 months before the pandemic hit, perfect timing...) and I initially started on Citalopram plus CBT sessions, switched to Sertraline and made much better progress after some odd side-effects! Both times have been for anxiety, it allows me to take care of things while it smooths out my emotional response.

I’m off to the docs on Monday to ask for some, although I don’t know how to ask TBH, talk about my anxiety and lack of enjoyment a lot and hope he jumps to the right conclusion?

Just talk to them about how you feel and that you think it may help, they'll do the rest.

I’m on sertraline for anxiety, if you met me you wouldn’t think I suffered with anxiety but i did.
Sertraline has certainly worked for me.
Don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor, or friends.

If someone comes to see me and wants to try Sertraline or similar and it’s suitable, my stock answer is “yeah we can do that”.

It’s not what I recommend as the first line for depression/anxiety, and antidepressants aren’t the answer for everyone and do have their problems, but generally I’ve found that if someone feels that they still want to try it after knowing all the pros and cons then fair enough.

I broke down in tears. It was a bad time. GP was amazing. Always be grateful to her for just even listening.

First time I got put on Citalopram that was how it played out. Second time I just went back and asked.

Higher dose this time and still not "right". May need to consider Sertraline

Loads of people I know are on something like that now and I'm super happy that they are up front about it but not in an over the top way.  It really helps to know that your friends are on the same things that you are

My wife is prescribed it and her anxiety is kept well in check. Work is always the trigger but she’s okay atm.

I've been hopping jobs for three years now hoping I could address the work issue but to no avail ☹️

Now considering a complete career change or just seeking a demotion to lower rung where perhaps I will actually have a glimmering of control over my week and workload.

“Oh you’re anxious and depressed? Well this’ll make you feel better but your cock’ll stop working”

Which is ironic because if I hadn't listened to my cock ten years ago I wouldn't be so dependent on the horrible job and associated salary 🙄

I went to see my GP, told her I have had anxiety for years which is now affecting my sleep. She recommended I read a book called “Why we sleep” which partly talks about the importance of sleeping. As I was already anxious about sleeping I gave that a miss. I’m lucky enough to have private medical insurance through work, so I spoke to a doctor that way. I’m now 5 sessions into CBT which is helping. No drugs, but I do take ashwaganda which also seems to help - might be a placebo, dunno.

Fair play to Amanda

In terms of getting a GP to prescribe anti-depressants; in my experience they seem very open to doing it whether that's what you want or not. So I wouldn't worry on that count.

I finally cracked and went to see the GP after a few months of not sleeping properly. She was quick to suggest that I try Mirtazapine even though I explained that I was pretty resistant to taking drugs and am not depressed.

Can't tell you anything about them as I haven't taken them, although I did get the prescription filled any may give them a go if nothing else works. Thought I'd stick them into the mix as nobody seems to have mentioned them yet.

It is odd that people are quite happy to talk about ailments that affect any other organ of the body (well the non-sexual ones at least 🙂 ) but not the brain for some reason.

@tenfoot

She recommended I read a book called “Why we sleep” which partly talks about the importance of sleeping.

Yeah, that book is terrible.

"Set it and forget it" by Daniel Erichson is much better.

Cheers. I’ll look it up.

Well that was easy albeit with a Locum, walked in expressed a weary concern and listed several symptoms, mentioned that I have a “friend” on Sertaline and got prescribed Sertraline 50g in minutes.

Have a 1 month supply and a follow up with my regular GP in 2 weeks.

@Kryton57

Just be aware that there's a good chance you'll feel rubbish for the next two weeks as you get used to the drugs in your system.

I ended up on 150mg sertraline, but it wasn't working for me as it caused me some problems in the bedroom and left my brain feeling a bit numb.

Under doctors guidance I withdrew (which sucked balls) and I'm now on 50mg mirtazipine.  I feel like I'm 'normal' now is the best way I can describe it. If I'm on this dose the rest of my life I'll be fine with that

I hope the sertraline works for you, if it doesn't make sure you speak to your doctors about it and they have the other options to try

Cheers.  I’m feeling slightly dizzy already 2hrs after ingestion which apparently is a common thing when you start.

ill see how it goes…..

8.6 million people in the UK are on some form of antidepressants

If true, then that's very shocking. I find it very disturbing just how readily many GPs will prescribe medication to those with mental health issues, and how talking therapy services have become almost non-existent. Even if there are, waiting lists are now so long that many people don't ever get the help they need. Much easier to simply prescribe drugs, and without getting all 'conspiracy theorist', I'm sure the various pharmaceutical companies and their shareholders are quite pleased. I totally understand that certain forms of medication are essential for many people, but dosing people up isn't the answer in the long term. I would urge anyone seeking help to ask about options to medication (I suspect for many the answer will sadly be 'there isn't any') but if there's a possibility that you can avoid having to rely on medication, then this can create a much better outcome in the long term. And I speak as someone who has had a long history of mental health care, including using drugs and/or talking therapies. For me, it was the latter that really worked, and didn't leave me reliant on drugs. I never felt as good on meds as I do now following the therapies I actually needed.

Just speaking for myself ^^^ I’ve a well documented history on STW of trying a fair few things before I got this far.

Just speaking for myself ^^^ I’ve a well documented history on STW of trying a fair few things before I got this far.

No that's absolutely fine and I wasn't commenting or passing judgment on any individual cases. What works best for you, is the best solution. But I think that prescribing drugs isn't the best solution for a large number of people. It's just that there are no longer effective alternatives. Which of course is a wider, societal issue.

" I totally understand that certain forms of medication are essential for many people, but dosing people up isn’t the answer in the long term."

Horses for courses. A close relative of mine has been on medication for bi-polar disorder for decades. This allowed her to lead a normal life. Working, hobbies etc. When, against medical advice,  she convinced herself they weren't needed it ended up with a wrecked house, and an  overdose which very nearly killed her.

The analogy I have heard is that for some people, depending on their condition,  going drug free is like a diabetic trying to live without insulin.

Other than short term family issues which we all have now and then the biggest source of stress in my life was work related.  I chose to reduce/manage stress by not looking for promotion on the basis that at the coalface I could manage my workload to a great extent and didn't need to worry about everyone else's problems as well as my own. In addition as I wasn't needing to make myself look good to anyone to get promoted I could (within reason) do what I thought was right  not what I was told to do by management. This did on one occasion result in an instant punishment transfer to a different work location after I was blunt at my annual appraisal but no big deal.  In general my immediate bosses seemed happy to have someone they knew had the knowledge and experience  to just get in with the job without needing much supervision.

But obviously everyone has different jobs so what worked for me in one place at one time is not a universal answer.

For anyone reading this thread and thinking they could do with some help, here's a reminder that you can self refer to talking therapies on the NHS:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-NHS-talking-therapies-service/

My experience has been that they're pretty quick to triage you, but there can be quite a wait to begin actual treatment - shorter if you opt for on the phone therapy rather than in person. I'd also note that sometimes you need the medication full stop, and sometimes you need the medication to get you into a space where you can do the therapy. And therapy can often make you feel worse before you feel better - it's a rather unravelling experience.

Also, not all doctors are the same, so if you leave feeling dismissed or not heard, make an appointment with a different GP. You shouldn't feel like you're being told to 'just get on with it'.

” I totally understand that certain forms of medication are essential for many people, but dosing people up isn’t the answer in the long term.”

I'm on 20mg Citalopram for life now.

Initially it was to manage a nervous breakdown 15 years ago and it probably saved my life at that point in time. Then over time I realised that I'm just a much nicer person on it than off and every time I try and wean off it (last time was over an entire year), I just become a grouchy person and my wife normally calls time on the experiment and insists I go back on it, whereupon I just become a much nicer (and content) person.

Wonderful drug IMO.

@brownperson - I've been struggling a bit with depression and a lack of motivation after a head injury and have been keen to avoid medication. I have been through counselling and even they were pretty keen to suggest medication as a short term solution.

If anyone has any tips on whether or not this would be worthwhile or not I'd be interested to hear it. I'm not really struggling with depression as much now but I'm definitely not as happy-go-lucky as I was six months ago and getting myself motivated to do anything is hard.

Just be aware you will feel crap for a few weeks, so stick with it. Been on a fair few meds for mainly pain, and of course mood related symptoms. Long term I've not got on with the side effects, but some certainly worked better for background pain (broke my spine 8 years ago). MrsF is on sertraline and has been fine on them, although some recent work issues has meant she's increased dose.

have been keen to avoid medication.

Best case it works and makes you feel better, worst case it makes you feel a bit odd and you stop taking it. Fair chance it does nothing or you have to try a few different ones (everyone reacts slightly differently).

Does that 8.6 million people take into account the people on them but not taking them for depression? Not that it would probably make a huge difference to that number.

I was on anti-depressants for years as a nerve blocker for an undiagnosed foot issue. I chose to come off them in the end as they weren't doing my health much good.

I’d also note that sometimes you need the medication full stop, and sometimes you need the medication to get you into a space where you can do the therapy.

Very important point. In my experience, therapy is **** all use if you are still looking at every tall building or train track and thinking "What if...?"

Very important point. In my experience, therapy is **** all use if you are still looking at every tall building or train track and thinking “What if…?”

This is me.  3 rounds of CBT, endless head space sessions and self help books hasn’t changed much.   I need something to put the brakes on so I have “space” to organise.   Also I wonder if I need that space just to realise what life is like minus the what’s ifs and overthinking so I have a tangible experience to aim for, after all I’ve been worrying for 50yrs, being more balanced is probably quite alien to me.

or train track and thinking “What if…?”

Reminds me of this...

Good job Hannah, my name is Joe and I take Citalopram.

Make sure you stick it out through the period as your body adjusts to it, and don't stop taking it because you're feeling better in a few months, I've been on and off AD meds a few times and really should have stuck it out the first time.

and without getting all ‘conspiracy theorist’

Nope, you crossed that line at commenting on GPs prescribing while you clearly know nothing about how these drugs are monitored by both GP practices themselves and the wider local Health bodies on who's responsibility that falls.

By all means be shocked that depression hits so many, like obesity and other 'lifestyle' diseases, but if you're angling to blame GPs about prescribing drugs that work widely, have few side-effects (and more importantly; ill effects if overdosed)  for most, please do (with respect) **** off.

I think it's really important to talk about these things openly, if you're comfortable doing so. I have friends who chat away on a bike ride about their perimenopause symptoms and without them, I'd have no idea what to look out for. Making something seem like less of a big deal makes it easier to talk about.
I probably should have gone on Sertraline or equivalent much sooner, but I gave therapy a really good go and just needed something to pull me out of the other side really. I take it for a severe anxiety disorder, which I've had for years but it became unmanageable after a particularly stressful situation at home.
I didn't go to the doctor and say 'hey, I'm really anxious!' ... I walked in, sat down, realised I needed to find some words and just burst into tears. It took months for me to settle into using it though - grinding my teeth, not sleeping, actually feeling more anxious than I previously did, but then one day I had this realisation that I was experiencing life as it's supposed to be. I could read situations better, I could manage my time better, look after myself, stop stressing about minor issues, and just generally felt a balance I had never (and I really mean NEVER) had in my life.
I'm on a reduction cycle at the moment, so my next Kit List may have 'Sertraline 25mg' listed 🙂
Thanks for picking up on it, and more importantly all having a conversation about it. Anti depressants are not a big deal!

Lottery Winners

Not sure you can say the word Sertraline without singing the song now.

Nope, you crossed that line at commenting on GPs prescribing while you clearly know nothing about how these drugs are monitored by both GP practices themselves and the wider local Health bodies on who’s responsibility that falls.

Assuming things is very stupid and dangerous. I've worked with young people around drug use, both recreational and prescribed. There has been a massive increase in the prescription of certain anti-depressant/SSRI type drugs over the last couple of decades.

https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.l1508

https://www.gponline.com/gps-forced-prescribe-antidepressants-young-people-denied-mental-health-support/article/1794921#:~:text=Stem4%20said%20that%20GPs%20are,long%20NHS%20CAMHS%20waiting%20lists.

And it's no secret that mental health services have been cut to the bone, with huge increasing waiting lists. So it's not hard to draw a correlation between the two factors, is it?

20+ years ago, I found it very hard to have anything prescribed by any GP, as they preferred then to refer people to talking therapy services. Drugs were prescribed mainly as a last resort. Now, as people have event stated on this very thread, you can literally walk in and be prescribed drugs to treat mental health issues within minutes. I find this an extremely worrying trend, and am very concerned about the long-term effects of such policies.

By all means be shocked that depression hits so many, like obesity and other ‘lifestyle’ diseases, but if you’re angling to blame GPs about prescribing drugs that work widely, have few side-effects (and more importantly; ill effects if overdosed)  for most, please do (with respect) **** off.

You really need to work on your bedside manner. I'm not 'blaming' anyone. The system is shit and falling apart, and GPs are doing all they can. So please take a step back and have a think about how your angry response is counter-productive to such a discussion. As I've said; drugs have their place in the treatment of mental health issues, and can be extremely effective. But we desperately need more talking therapy services, not simply more drugs.

There has been a massive increase in the prescription of certain anti-depressant/SSRI type drugs over the last couple of decades.

Because they work

So please take a step back and have a think about how your angry response is counter-productive to such a discussion.

Because instead of raising the discussion of prescribing anti depressants in a constructive way related to your experience, you decided instead to have a sly dig at GPs. If you want nuanced and constructive discussion I'm happy to engage,  otherwise you'll get the appropriate response.

Enough now you two, all you're going to do is put people off reading the thread, and that's not helping anyone

Because they work

Of course. They are very effective for many people. But so are talking (and occupational) therapies, but those have been cut back so much they are almost non-existent in some areas. Which is extremely worrying. Increasingly, people are being told to seek private counselling rather than being referred to anything on the NHS. Many cannot afford private services. Simply talking to someone can be such an effective means of coping with crises or long term anxieties. Very often, issues can be reduced or even eliminated through such therapies, without the need to resort to prescribing drugs. This should always be an option, but sadly increasingly isn't.

Because instead of raising the discussion of prescribing anti depressants in a constructive way related to your experience, you decided instead to have a sly dig at GPs.

Not at all. I absolutely have not had a 'dig' at GPs at all. So your anger is based on a totally false premise. In my experience, many GPs are not trained adequately in dealing with mental health issues, as this is not focussed on nearly enough imo. This isn't blaming GPs, this is blaming the system, which I think we can all agree is not fit for purpose. We desperately need more resources and support for GPs, and far more mental health services than we have currently. In Tower Hamlets, there was once an entire hospital dedicated towards mental illness, and numerous services around the borough. I accessed some of these myself as a patient. They were far more effective in helping me cope with life than any drugs ever were (I got to a point with Citalopram where the drug was affecting me so much in a negative manner, that it was causing me even more anxiety and depression). I was extremely fortunate in having a GP who had an extensive background in mental health care, and she referred me to a number of excellent services, including the Portman Clinic. This was literally life changing. I haven't had to resort to medication since. But many of those services are now gone, leaving GPs with no option but to prescribe drugs in the hope that they can help patients in the short term. This is applying a sticking plaster to an open wound, and is simply not the overall solution. Many younger people I know have been prescribed drugs after just one short visit to a GP, with no other analysis or assessment. Many are not being told of any alternatives, and if they are, they're being told that talking therapy services can be a year or more to even see someone . So I don't blame GPs at all; they are simply doing whatever they can to help people now, and trying to avoid people going through even more suffering. I commend them for doing what they can, but the resources they have available are appalling and totally inadequate.

If you want nuanced and constructive discussion I’m happy to engage,  otherwise you’ll get the appropriate response.

I really don't need to engage with someone whose idea of an 'appropriate response' to something they've misunderstood, is to tell them to '**** off'.

Doctors are indeed prescribing more, but isn't that realising 'man up'/'pull your socks up' doesn't work as suicide rates (especially young men) are at a high level.

We've got some big wars on the go, massive cost of living crisis, record numbers using food banks.

The medication works and it it stops a few people contemplating jumping off a bridge, then all well and good. If it also stops people being hospitalised - all good. It's prevention of things getting worse.

On a more immediately practical level; my belief is that many mental health issues stem from a lack of effective and appropriate socialisation. This, I feel, is a symptom of our modern society where many people live in increasingly smaller bubbles, and simply do not get to socialise with many others enough. Socialisation can really help with dealing with issues; finding others to talk to, to share problems, can be a massive support for so many. How many of us actually do that in our daily lives, or even on a regular basis? How many people on here work at a desk in front of a screen, with little contact with actual human beings? How many get time for a chat with others, outside of their work environment? How many choose activities that enable socialisation? The more people we speak to, the more likely we are to find others with whom we share similar issues and concerns etc. And talking about things can help enormously; myself and a couple of other friends have recently suffered parental bereavement, and we've been meeting up and chatting a lot more regularly, and sharing our thoughts. This I think has been very beneficial to all of us, as we know we're not alone with our problems, and we have someone to share with. Ok so this is very basic and many need a far more intensive form of therapy, but it's a start. Knowing that a mate is also feeling really shit, angry, resentful and frustrated, 'normalises' such feelings and helps to not feel quite so alone.

Do we talk to each other enough as a society? I come from a culture where people talk to each other a lot, but perhaps not in the right manner at all times but there is at least perhaps more scope for showing emotion.  But when do people just stop for a natter? Do we even have time to? Maybe we all need to just think about making time for that. If we start with the little things, perhaps we can go further towards dealing with the bigger things.