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3 weeks on Sertraline and still feel bad!

Posted , 8 users are following.

Blu02
Blu02

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

24 Replies

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  • Digsby
    Digsby Blu02

    Posted

    Hi Blu,

    Are u still feeling the benefits? I'm interested cos I'm just about to follow in your footsteps having been changed from a horrible drug with side effects (Venlafaxine) to Sert which I hadn't heard of before but is obviously pretty popular. My head is just clearing from my withdrawal so I'm wary of any new side effects of a new medication. Fingers crossed, eh?

    Looking forward to hearing that things are still positive for you.

    Best wishes,

    Digsby

    P.S. Sorry I hijacked your discussion in replying to Liz's reply to you below - I'm still a rookie ;-)

    • gillian66830
      gillian66830 Digsby

      Posted

      Hello,   am thnkng of tryng ertralne as  am pretty desperate, but all this talk of anxiety and panc attacks has put me off.  I am scared of getting worse before I get better. It looks lke everyone gets increased anxiety initially. Is that true?
    • Lostliz
      Lostliz gillian66830

      Posted

      The worse week for me was the second week, first week was coming off the venlafaxine which was ropey but the second week starting sertraline and having witdrawel from venlafaxine was wicked.  Off to the DR tomorrow as my moods are still very flat and dark

       

    • Digsby
      Digsby gillian66830

      Posted

      Hi Gillian,

      I've only been on 50mg of Sertraline for 9 days (settled into a routine of taking it at night before bed which seems to work well for me). I have had some strange side effects but they are a huge improvement on those I experienced with my previous medication. I'm not being treated for anxiety or panic attacks so I can't say I have suffered from heightened anxiety in the early stages. I must confess to feeling a lot more positive and although I'm probably yet to feel the full benefit, I'm glad for the support of this forum and I'm hopeful this drug might be the right one for me.

      I'm really hoping you have a strong support network of family & friends to get you through the newt days and weeks. I don't think you anything to lose by trying Sert and you may have everything to gain :-)

      Good luck & let us know how you get on. You are not alone!

      Digsby

      x

    • gillian66830
      gillian66830 Digsby

      Posted

      Thanks Digsby. Unfortunately, don't have that strong support. Hence the depression. World fallen apart over last few years. I am hoping that if I can get the depression under control I can start to rebuild.
    • gillian66830
      gillian66830 Digsby

      Posted

      Hello Digsby, I was taking Venlaflaxine 300mg and Mirtazipine 45 until a year ago for a particularly bad episode of chronic depression.  Apart from dampening down my reactions to how I was feeling, I don't honestly believe that the Venlaflaxine helped with my mood, and I had terrible bad dreams and woke in a panic every morning. I know these drugs affect everyone differently, but it's disappointing that a psychiatrist is happy to leave you on something that doesn't make you feel any better, but stops you being vocal about how bad you feel. I think an effective anti- depressant will help for a short time, and I am hoping that will be the case for me as I have just started on 25 of Sertraline to augment my 30 Mirtazipine.  I am hoping that will lift me enough so that I can get to a stage where psychotherapy is effective. Here's hoping. Glad you got off the Venlaflaxine.  Well done
    • Digsby
      Digsby gillian66830

      Posted

      Thanks Gillian. Anything's got to be better than our past experience with medication, right? Although it's contrary to many people's experience, one of the biggest differences is to have my appetite back and be enjoying food again. The Venlafaxine killed my appetite completely and I had to make myself eat, despite the horrible metallic taste the dry mouth gave me. Although still depressed, my quality of life has improved :-)

      Good luck with the 25mg - I hope that you won't suffer from bad side effects with easing yourself in like this. Keep thinking positive and looking ahead to the future. Keep in touch :-)

      All the best, Digsby x

  • vikki2303
    vikki2303 Blu02

    Posted

    Hi Gillian, I have been on 50mg of sertraline for 20 days now for severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts and depression and they have def lifted my mood already, the first 7-10 days were abit weird ie, loss of appetite, feeling tired, heightened anxiety but I was having all this before taking sertraline. I take mine just before I get in bed and I have slept like normal, so I would suggest taking it at night so u sleep through the harsh of the side effects. It's still early days but like I said I have seen a difference already x
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