3 weeks on Sertraline and still feel bad!
Posted , 8 users are following.
Been on 50mg Sertraline for 3 weeks and still getting bad side effects. I'm taking propanalol (40mg twice a day) to combat the panic attacks but still not sleeping properly and get very shaky at times, also today my teeth hurt and my hands are sort of numb/stiff!
Apart from the side effects I'm not as paranoid or anxious as I was but still don't feel good.
Not sure about coming off and trying something else... thought about decreasing the dose to 25mg to see if that will stop the side effects.
Really don't know which way to go, can anybody help please??
1 like, 24 replies
rstep04 Blu02
Posted
Blu02 rstep04
Posted
rstep04 Blu02
Posted
jen48611 Blu02
Posted
If I were you I'd give in another 2 weeks as you say that you're feeling some positive effects from the meds. If after that you're still having bad side effects then consider changing medications. I imagine if you changed or decreased the dose/med now you'd lose the benefits you'd started to experience and start afresh with a whole bunch of other side effects. 3 weeks is still quite early days. Wishing you well. X
Blu02 jen48611
Posted
Thanks for advice.
jack38240 Blu02
Posted
I've been taking Sertraline for about four weeks now. I work as a permanent employee too.
I have to say, I felt extremely bad during the first stages, I know what you're going through. I was originally on Fluoxetine, But during the first two weeks, this made me unable to work, drowsy, dizzy & tired, pretty much had a bad term with these so I was put straight on to Sertaline.
I started on the small dose of 50mg a day, during the first few weeks it was extremely hard. I had various stages of side effects, heaviness, couldn't move much, couldn't drive anywhere, no motivation, & difficulty with orgasm (which was a big pain....).
I had some very bad turns, I've been suicidal, taken overdoses and hurt myself very bad. I can tell you that these do make you feel worse before they make you feel better. I haven't started feeling any better yet after having my dosage doubled (100mg now) since this. Luckily I've had support from my employer, and family and friends - This makes things a lot easier by the way, if you have someone to talk to about what's going on.
I've spoken to my GP & also psychiatrist, they have advised me to allow up to 6-8 weeks before feeling any better (I was prescribed diazepam before suicidal tendancies appeared, but got off it as soon as I could to stop the withdrawel).
You can have various side effects on these, if there's any serious ones, you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible. I've had to have numerous visits and been thrown back and fourth between crisis teams, my GP, psychiatrist, but in the end you will get there. Just persevere.
If you have any of the below symptons you need to either speak to your GP straight away, or call 111 to speak with a doctor to see whether you need medical attention or not (better to be safe than sorry, they can be helpful and have a doctor speak to you within the hour).
very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;
agitation, hallucinations, fever, overactive reflexes, tremors;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; or
headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.
I hope my experiences and information help you and any others.
P.s. - Over the difficulty with orgasms, it was more of a mind issue, after managing to deal with this I am now fine - no reported signs of impotency either.
Thanks.
jack38240
Posted
Lostliz jack38240
Posted
Digsby Lostliz
Posted
I've just come off 225mg venlafaxine after putting up with the nasty side effects (& no benefits) for 2 months. I was so desperate to get it out of my system that I came off cold turkey (no Christmas pun intended as I'm a vegetarian!).
I've been suicidal for several months now with regular contact with the CMHT & Crisis Response. Have had a particularly low day in which the Samaritans had to "talk me down" twice when I couldn't get through to the Crisis Team by phone.
The psychiatrist has given me a new prescription & I've deciphered his handwriting as 50mg of Sertraline. I must admit to being very apprehensive about a new battery of side effects before I feel the benefit. Must be positive though.
I'm so sorry to hear about your wretched Christmas without your family's support.
Big hug coming your way. I hope we can compare notes.
Digsby
x
Lostliz Digsby
Posted
Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service .
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Digsby Lostliz
Posted
Take care,
Digsby
x
haz2476 Blu02
Posted
I'd suggest going back to your doctor and discussing whether it'd be worth persevering or changing medication. However obviously any SSRI does take time to present benefits, so it might be worth sticking with it. I'm five days in and feel very weird. Tingly face, arms and chest which worries me. Slight heart palpitations, dizzy feeling, detachment etc. Also found that emotionally I'm feeling very short with people, lot of agitation. Did you get this in the early stages?
Hope you're well,
H.
Blu02 haz2476
Posted
Thanks for the reply. To be honest over the last couple of days I've felt a big improvement in myself, still got someway to go but believe after nearly 4 weeks that the meds are starting to kick in.
Certainly my first two weeks were the worst, much worse than I was before starting the meds and would say I experienced some of the side effects on your list - not all but everyone is different.
Stick with it and hopefully you'll feel better soon.
haz2476 Blu02
Posted
That's good to hear! Glad to know your perseverance paid off. In regards to the side effects I was told by my doctor that because I was switching from Citalopram to Sertraline I wouldn't suffer any additional side effects and I'd just see a reduction. However I have to say from my current state of health that I disagree.
Luckily I have seen a reduction in the side effects for which I was taken off Citalopram in the first place. Horrendous vertigo and blurred vision would be two of the major kickers that convinced me to switch.
Yesterday I had a really strange day. I felt full of energy but not in a good way. Like it was excessive. I felt very angry, and was completely unable to calm down. I ended up having an awful attack, I thought it was Serotonin Storm at first. Scary stuff.
I have been prescribed beta blockers but because my anxieties lie mainly in my health and concern for my heart I was reluctant to take them. Like I want my heart to operate naturally if you know what I mean?
I hope the excess energy wears off soon or becomes something that feels beneficial and activating rather than maddening. Can you relate? Funnily enough I also feel as though my sex drive has increased since starting this medication which apparently isn't meant to happen!
Hope you're well,
H.
Blu02 haz2476
Posted
I assume when the doc switched you from Citalopram to Sertraline he did it slowly? I've read on this forum that an immediate switch can cause undesirable side effects!
I was prescribed beta blockers too and found them very helpful controlling the panic attacks caused through side effects, it might be an idea to give them a try.
haz2476 Blu02
Posted
He did an immediate switch. I was on the Citalopram nearly five weeks prior and despite the side effects mentioned I was beginning to settle somewhat.
I will see how I'm doing before my checkup on Wednesday and discuss with my doctor whether starting the Propranolol is necessary.
I'm currently feeling highly anxious as I'm starting new full-time work on Friday. I was meant to be doing work for a popular retailer over Christmas but as soon as I walked through the door I had an episode and had to leave. Trying to believe I can control myself with the new job.
Regards,
H.