1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

Bad side effects.

Posted , 5 users are following.

jo04474
jo04474

Hi. I hope someone can help. I started taking sertraline for mild anxiouty. 25 mg daily. After just 2 days my anxiouty became unbearable. I quit sertraline on day 6. I have had severe syptoms during the 6 days and now it's 4 days later after my last dose and there still stronge. My anxiouty is so bad I can't leave the house. I have 2 children and a big holiday coming up in 10 days. I am afraid that the sertraline has changed me and these feeling are not going to go. I feel so spaced out and feel like I'm inside a nightmare. As I said my anxiouty before sertraline was mild. So the change is extreme. I didn't think withdrawerel would be so bad. Thanks.

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Tezes
    Tezes jo04474

    Posted

    I'm afraid when you go cold turkey withdrawals can be bad. I know you didn't take them for very long but you still need to wean yourself off.

    Some people try taking a reduced dose to stabilise then taper off them slowly or take something to help reduce the withdrawals. I think you need to get medical advice for this

    i hope you feel better soon

    • jo04474
      jo04474 Tezes

      Posted

      Thankyou for your reply. I thought it would be fine as I was only taking 25 mg. I did actually ask the doctor if I would get side effects and she said no. But reading all these discussions she was obviously wrong.
  • iris46
    iris46 jo04474

    Posted

    You've experienced start up side effects, then withdrawal symptoms I'm afraid. It's a known fact that ADs make you feel worse before better
    • josh94116
      josh94116 iris46

      Posted

      Hello Iris 46.... didn't know if you or anyone else on here can help me out a little bit. Not sure how long you been on the meds but I have been on Sertraline and general for exactly 50 days now and as you probably already know based off the last conversation that we had that over the course of these 50 days I've been prescribed all the way up to 150 milligrams. A few weeks ago when I started taking the 100 milligram dose I felt like I was starting to finally feel ok. Then gradually got worse again so I was up to 150 milligrams. Took the 150 milligrams for probably 2 to 3 weeks and still no gain so my doctor upped the dosage to 200 milligrams probably about a week ago I feel like my anxiety is just as bad probably not worse but definitely just as bad as it was before I started taking the meds didn't know if you or anyone else out there could tell me if it's just that I need to give the medication more time or what I heard I could take all the way up to 8 weeks take full effect but that was something I read online so I just don't know someone please tell me something. Thank you
    • iris46
      iris46 josh94116

      Posted

      Hi Josh, every time you increase your dose you get side effects, one of which is feelings of anxiety...your body is trying to get used to a new dose. Hang on in there!
  • jo04474
    jo04474

    Posted

    I'm panicking. I just need these side effects to go soon. I I hope they do otherwise it may ruin my family holiday and the fact that I panicking cause it's the school run Monday and can't step outside my door without feeling dizzy. This is the worst experience ever. My thoughts are with u all going through similar, and maybe worse. We just need to stay as calm and positive as we can. There is light at the end.
    • iris46
      iris46 jo04474

      Posted

      When is your family holiday? You may feel well enough to jump thru hoops by then! I'm just left with some low mood and very little motivation, but they say they are the last symptoms to lift. Initial side effects really are horrible tho....your body is trying to get used to a new chemical
    • jo04474
      jo04474 iris46

      Posted

      Thanks. We go in 9 days. I been off sertraline for 4 now and because of the short amount of time taking it I am hoping this will go away quickly. The nurse put fear in me today over the phone. She said my anxiouty may of just hightenes. But I can't really see that being the case. I know anxiouty is awful and I had it terrible years ago but it never made my brain feel like this. Before starting sertraline my anxiouty wasn't to bad. How long have u been off it now ? .
    • jo04474
      jo04474

      Posted

      I meant 4 days
    • Mynameisalyss
      Mynameisalyss iris46

      Posted

      I'm on week 2 day 5 of Zoloft @ 25 mg. I feel the anxiety has subsided for the most part. The bad thoughts are in my head but the Zoloft is deff working to control them. I haven't been acting on the thoughts at all. Which is a relief because last week was bad. The restlessness, nausea and dizziness are gone too and my appetite is back! I'm feeling great overall. However. I do have to agree I'm having very low moods, no energy to do anything and sleeping A LOT. It's like my head wants to go out and do things but my body is just like no, sleep. Which has caused me to be a bit frustrated and cry. Just wanting to speed my recovery up. But taking it one day at a time. Hoping to get my energy back soon.
    • iris46
      iris46 Mynameisalyss

      Posted

      Hello, it always feels like a rough ride to me! I feel so near, yet so far away from being well again. It really is frustrating, and there are times when I could smash things out of sheer exasperation! I think we must all feel that
    • jo04474
      jo04474 Mynameisalyss

      Posted

      That's the best way. One day at a time and try and stay positive. I did the school run this morning. I felt more my self again as soon as I woke. I was very nervous but I think hopefully the withdraw is starting to fade. I actually used to take sertraline years ago and found them amazing, so hang in there.
    • iris46
      iris46 jo04474

      Posted

      Well done for doing school run.....you'll do it with more confidence tomorrow, knowing that you managed it ok today. My doc gar me propranolol this morning for anxious feelings.
    • jo04474
      jo04474 iris46

      Posted

      Let me know how that goes. I'm going to maybe try something.
    • iris46
      iris46 jo04474

      Posted

      I took 10mg at 3pm (propranolol), and it really took the edge off that horrible feeling. Ask your doc about it!
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.