TaintedHeart Posted July 17, 2011 Posted July 17, 2011 I suffer from depression and had a break down following a break up. My doctor prescribed me an anti-depressant called Sertraline, 50mg. I think they're helping, but I think they have numbed my feelings. Does anybody know about this certain anti-depressant?
cerridwen Posted July 17, 2011 Posted July 17, 2011 I've taken Sertraline and did not experience any dulling or blunting. It helped me get over a very rough spot with no side effects. However, everyone is different. 50 mgs. seems like a very lose dosage. How long have you been on it? Perhaps your body needs to acclimate.
Author TaintedHeart Posted July 17, 2011 Author Posted July 17, 2011 I've taken Sertraline and did not experience any dulling or blunting. It helped me get over a very rough spot with no side effects. However, everyone is different. 50 mgs. seems like a very lose dosage. How long have you been on it? Perhaps your body needs to acclimate. It has helped, I'm not a sobbing mess anymore, and I think they've de-cluttered my mind a little. 50 mg is low?
cerridwen Posted July 17, 2011 Posted July 17, 2011 Well, I don't mean TOO low, just that I think it's the lowest therapeutic dose and really, that's a good thing. Too much too soon could result in all the side effects one hopes to avoid. If you're experiencing blunting, talk to your doctor. He or she may advise a switch or more time on it so your body adjusts. Glad you're getting some relief.
Author TaintedHeart Posted July 17, 2011 Author Posted July 17, 2011 Well, I don't mean TOO low, just that I think it's the lowest therapeutic dose and really, that's a good thing. Too much too soon could result in all the side effects one hopes to avoid. If you're experiencing blunting, talk to your doctor. He or she may advise a switch or more time on it so your body adjusts. Glad you're getting some relief. Is that what I'm having? 'Blunting'? I wonder how they work, though I'm sure I wouldn't understand the science!
whichwayisup Posted July 17, 2011 Posted July 17, 2011 Is that what I'm having? 'Blunting'? I wonder how they work, though I'm sure I wouldn't understand the science! I've never heard that expression either. What is "Blunting"? TH, do daily exercises too, either brisk walking and yoga, it'll also help with the low feelings and give you more energy. The yoga will make your body and mind feel more peaceful too.
Ross MwcFan Posted July 18, 2011 Posted July 18, 2011 I've taken Sertraline before too. The side effects are different for different people. I'm not sure what you mean by dulling or blunting.
cerridwen Posted July 18, 2011 Posted July 18, 2011 I suffer from depression and had a break down following a break up. My doctor prescribed me an anti-depressant called Sertraline, 50mg. I think they're helping, but I think they have numbed my feelings. Does anybody know about this certain anti-depressant? Is that what I'm having? 'Blunting'? I wonder how they work, though I'm sure I wouldn't understand the science! You mentioned numbed feelings which I assumed to mean a lessening or loss of their intensity. This is sometimes known as emotional blunting. But perhaps I jumped the gun. Do you care to describe in more detail what you're experiencing along those lines?
Author TaintedHeart Posted July 18, 2011 Author Posted July 18, 2011 You mentioned numbed feelings which I assumed to mean a lessening or loss of their intensity. This is sometimes known as emotional blunting. But perhaps I jumped the gun. Do you care to describe in more detail what you're experiencing along those lines? Pretty hard to explain to be honest. When I see/hear/think ect about something that would normally trigger some sort of emotion, I don't feel anything.. I don't want to laugh nor do I want to cry. Odd feeling, really hard to explain.
cerridwen Posted July 18, 2011 Posted July 18, 2011 (edited) Pretty hard to explain to be honest. When I see/hear/think ect about something that would normally trigger some sort of emotion, I don't feel anything.. I don't want to laugh nor do I want to cry. Odd feeling, really hard to explain. I think you explained it quite well. And yes, that's the kind of emotionally blunting I assumed you meant. Talk to your physician and see if more time on the medicine is advised for adjustment sake. He or she will recognize the symptoms you described. I experienced something similar on a different medication and decreasing it helped that emotionally dull feeling go away. Good luck, TaintedHeart. Things WILL get better. Edited July 19, 2011 by cerridwen
Trishi Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 is 50 mg the lowest dose? Oh s... I'm taking 250 mg/day >_> Might need a talk to my doc about this... As for the "mental numbness", that's supposed to happen. This isn't "get-happy" pills. It's to put your emotions in check, and make you "feel less". Anything that reduces stress helps. The bad thing is, some people are effected in the wrong way. I was told, when I started on the pills, to watch my emotions carefully. If I continued to feel sad over trivial things, but couldn't get myself to smile, even from things I normally could, I should call him immediately. These pills seem to be quite a gamble. So try asking yourself: Is this mainly affecting negative thoughts? If yes, the pills are working as intended. You say you have stopped sobbing, so that's a good sign Just take note of the side-effects. I'm assuming you have a paper slip with the package that describes the side-effects, yes?
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