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Even a small amount of alcohol didn’t mix well with Sertraline, have you had a similar experience?

Posted , 4 users are following.

tammy1234
tammy1234

Job stress fueled the anxiety and it got so impairing that I finally agreed to treatment.  Started Sertraline at 25mg’s, mild side effects -GI distress, headache, dry mouth.  After 10 days increased it to 50mg, this increase threw me for a loop- worsened insomnia,  extreme anxiety with chest tightness and then low mood which I didn’t experience off the drug.  The side effects leveled out and by 5 weeks, the anxiety was minimal and sleep improved with amitriptyline 10mg added.  At 5 weeks increased to 75mg (4 days ago), GP expects anxiety to lessen more and sleep to restore.

Here’s the kicker- the first night I slept great right through the night for the first time and had minimal anxiety the next day.  That night I felt well enough and went to a pub with friends (hadn’t socialized in 2 months)- had 2 beer over 4 hours.  Fell asleep fine but then woke with terrible nausea that lasted the next day.  I felt incredibly hung over and spent yesterday in bed.  Flushing with fluids as much as I could.  Today I feel a little better no headache slept better but have that Adrenalin feeling in my chest.  Hoping it all levels out! 

Will not touch alcohol again until I’m well regulated.   Anyone have a similar experience to share?  Man this is frustrating.  I can’t imagine what some of you live through every day with GAD, Depression etc...  I find this forum very supportive and helpful realizing we’re not alone smile

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • ella02879
    ella02879 tammy1234

    Posted

    Hi Tammy,

    I have had bad experiences with drinking on this SSri. 

    I have been assured after a few more months this settles.

    For me it reverts me back to the low mood and anxiety that led me to treatment initially. 

    No fun!

    Ella x

    • kerry83144
      kerry83144 ella02879

      Posted

      I made the mistake of having a gin cocktail on holiday in Spain, it made me feel quite drunk and felt a but sick after. I then had horrible nausea the following and lasted a few days. I have been in 25mg for 2 and a half weeks and 50 mg for 3 weeks.
    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 ella02879

      Posted

      Thanks Ella, well let’s just hope that this is temporary and once we’re on a stable dose we can have the odd social drink!!
  • jenna324
    jenna324 tammy1234

    Posted

    I drank last week and woke up with the worst anxiety ever!! I literally felt like I was crawling out of my skin. It latest for 2 days and I was also depressed. I will not be drinking till I am adjusted to the meds. 
    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 jenna324

      Posted

      Hi Jenna, it’s crazy how sensitive our chemistry is.  Guess it makes sense that alcohol suppresses the serotonin while the SSRI is trying to increase it.  It doesn’t seem to effect everyone this way,  and for those that it does I’m sure it’s more common early in treatment.  How far are you into the treatment and what dosage are you on?

       I sure hope that once we are on the right dose that we can enjoy the odd drink!!!

    • jenna324
      jenna324 tammy1234

      Posted

      I’ve been on it for 3 months and I’ve increased within those months from 50 to 75 and now a week on 100.  ( I drank while on 75). I just started to finally feel my anxiety decreasing and I think 100 will be my dose! 
  • kerry83144
    kerry83144 tammy1234

    Posted

    How are you feeling today?
    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 kerry83144

      Posted

      Sleep is still interrupted, I fall asleep fine but wake between 2-3 am and struggle to get back to sleep.   Hard to get moving in the morning, hope the tiredness lifts soon.  Yesterday I had more anxiety, today it seems less.  Taking one day at a time smile

      How are you doing Kerry?

    • kerry83144
      kerry83144 tammy1234

      Posted

      Hope things start to get better soon. I'm not too bad, things are getting a bit easier I think x

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