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All of us starting sertraline

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laura36585
laura36585

So I am sitting here thinking how weird I feel.  I have a funny burning and aching in my stomach, my head feels foggy, my heart makes me aware it’s upset at being stimulated by meds and I generally just feel completely out of sorts.   Now I am a very experienced user of sertraline.  I took it for 4 years and had a break of about 6 months or so and now I’m starting back up on it.  I am thinking wow I know exactly how this drug acts when I’m starting, I have done this before, but even for me, it’s quite unsettling so for those of you who are taking it for the first time, it must be even worse.   I really am amazed that GP’s don’t spend more time explaining to you just exactly what to expect, it’s no wonder half of us feel frightened to death by all these overwhelming feelings.  It’s really quite bad if you think about it, you are just handed a box of pills and sent home to cope with whatever side effects decide to plague you.  Anyway, felt the need to share my thoughts and if anyone who’s starting up wants to chat about it or what they are coping with , well, feel free, I guess it has to help to talk.   X

1 like, 39 replies

39 Replies

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  • al-pk9
    al-pk9 laura36585

    Posted

    Heya Laura,

    ?I have a very similar situation, have been on Sertraline for the past 3 years and it was magic in that time. I stopped abruptly (big mistake), but have just started again.

    ?I could swear the side effects were never this bad before, nausea, fogginess, intense anxiety, insomnia (from the anxiety), an I even vomited 3 times this morning. Also the brain chooses to sift through every negative memory you possess to feed your anxiety. It's a very bad place. The only comfort is past knowledge of what sertraline does and how it acts both short and long-term. It's pretty terrifying, but at least you come with knowledge of sertraline and what it does... I'm hoping I'll be able to get some sleep at some point, but right now that doesn't seem likely. If I put it in the context of past experience it's probably going to take a good 2 months to settle rolleyes 

    ?Be well

    ?Alex

    • laura36585
      laura36585 al-pk9

      Posted

      I feel the same, I don’t remember it being this bad first time I started it but prob just forgotten.   It is a constant battle inside just trying to keep myself level and no tensing  muscles or tapping feet or clenching teeth it’s exhausting isn’t it.   It’s hard when it effects sleep, so far I’m able to sleep fine till about 4am and my eyes ping open and it’s a fight to get back over.  
    • al-pk9
      al-pk9 laura36585

      Posted

      I think in a way you have got to give into it and not worry about it, trying to fight against it will only make you feel worse. Sleep is a big thing and very hard to combat when it is a pill impacting your body chemicals, but what is working better for me is remembering sleep hygiene so no phone, no technology in the bedroom. Are you working at the minute?
    • laura36585
      laura36585 al-pk9

      Posted

      I’m have been off work for 2 months.  I take my hat off to anyone who is managing work along with symptoms of medication and the anxiety even just alone.   I am lucky as I can sleep a bit later in the morning if I have had a bad night.  
    • al-pk9
      al-pk9 laura36585

      Posted

      Yes that sounds good then, any way you can get the sleep in. This past day I have been in a twilight zone... I'm considering stopping them to manage it with lifestyle instead... I'm not sure I can do this

    • laura36585
      laura36585 al-pk9

      Posted

      It does get better.  It just takes time.  Are you working? Can you take some time off perhaps.  
    • laura36585
      laura36585

      Posted

      Also, strange but I felt more spaced at 25mg.  Feel far better on 50mg so perhaps upping your dose would help.  How long were you told to stay at 25? 
    • al-pk9
      al-pk9 laura36585

      Posted

      The first Doctor I spoke to was very callous about it... He just put me back on 50mg, with no thought of intro doses or other side-effects. To be honest I haven't had proper medical management until this afternoon. The symptoms we're so intense by the third day I had to lower it to 25mg which I have been on. Day 6 now. from experience I am very sensitive to sertraline, the Dr I spoke to this afternoon (who was excellent) recommended I stop sertraline for the time being and review next week.

      ?I'm a training dietitian who is very nearly at the end of the course so really I'm at the start of summer now, no real commitments and what I do have outstanding has been pushed back to the other end of the summer, which is great. How are you today?

    • laura36585
      laura36585 al-pk9

      Posted

      You have a lot on your plate then.   I am also really sensitive to meds that’s why I decided to start at 25.   That’s a shame you are going to stop.  Did your doc suggest an alternative to try instead?   Today has been ok.  Bit of nausea but nothing bad.  
  • daniel_16305
    daniel_16305 laura36585

    Posted

    I’m on day 3 of 25mg sertraline. Today’s the worse I’ve felt. I feel like my body is buzzing and the rushes keep coming. I can’t sit still. Keep having to tense up. Jaw is going mad. Feel like my mind is going. It makes you want to stop. I just wish the horrible speedy feeling would go
    • laura36585
      laura36585 daniel_16305

      Posted

      I upped my sert to 50mg this morning.  I don’t feel too bad today which is a surprise.   I expected to feel really anxious and jittery etc but so far it’s very tolerable and actually calmer than when on 25mg.   Perhaps it will take a couple of days to properly hit me.   Bloody hate meds but they are so necessary and not taking them isn’t an option.   We just need to keep on swimming’s guys.  X 
  • debra34304
    debra34304 laura36585

    Posted

    Hi laura when upping ure dose. How long does it take to kick in properly? Before you start to feel like ureself again 
    • laura36585
      laura36585 debra34304

      Posted

      It really varies, if you need a higher dose then you will up it more gradually so will take longer.    I have upped my dose from 25 to 50 today so perhaps I can answer this better in a few weeks.   X 
  • laura36585
    laura36585

    Posted

    So this is my second day of 50mg sertraline and no mirtazapine for the past 2 nights.   Yesterday was really good, actually one of the calmest days I have had in a loooong time.  Today I definitely feel anxiety back, I have a bit of a headache, a pressure feeling in my head, a bit off balance and my vision is kind of blurred like I need to blink more to clear my eyes.   I have a bit of a nervy tummy today and not much appetite.   I don’t know if I am feeling this foggy way from the increase in sertraline or from withdrawing from mirtazapine, I suppose it doesn’t really matter lol.   I need to go to the shop for milk etc and the thought of it is kind of overwhelming me so perhaps will send hubby later, I’m just trying to be kind to myself and chill so the shop can wait.  Hope you are all doing good today.  X
    • Blondey
      Blondey laura36585

      Posted

      Hi Laura,

      The last two days for me were  horrundus as I said, I know how you feel about going to the shop I’ve been like that for days about taking my dog for a walk Lol lucky my husband took her.

      When you say nervey yes I think it’s the Sertraline, I could be wrong but the symptoms Your describing sounds like what I had.

      I also took 15 mg of Mitazinpine a while go for two weeks it never helped me though.

      Hope you feel better, send God’s blessings🙏

    • laura36585
      laura36585 Blondey

      Posted

      Mirtazapine didn’t help me either.  I took it for almost 8 weeks and I’m hoping having started sertraline st the same time I won’t get the awful withdrawal from it that everyone says is hell.   Trying not to overthink it as I’m sure you already know, us anxious thinkers do ourselves more harm than good.   I agree though I think it’s Morris sertraline side effects I’m getting.   My dogs keep looking at me for a walk too but it’s horrid weather here today so doubt I will be out.   X 
    • Blondey
      Blondey laura36585

      Posted

      Hi Laura,

      Your right about over thinking when you suffer with Axiety or Depression I think we do worry it’s a part of the illness I assume.

      Anyway if your feeling side affects I will be there, hope you Sail through easy. 

      God bless🦋

    • laura36585
      laura36585 Blondey

      Posted

      Thanks blondey.  smile

      Just managed to go to the shop and was absolutely fine so that’s a victory for me today.   X 

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