“Sertraline 50mg” … who noticed?

So I just read Amanda’s article about bikepacking in the latest issue. And yes being one of those peeps who reads every last word in the mag I read through the packing list too. Initially just out of interest but then I was stunned to see Sertraline listed … assuming* that it is the same Sertraline that I’m on, that’s an anti-depressant. Wow. So brave, open and honest to list this without referring to the need for it and without making a big deal out of it – well done Amanda; and for anyone else in the same boat as us you are not alone ❤️

*and if I’ve got this wrong, apologies!

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.