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First day on Sertraline and feeling awful!

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marissa492
marissa492

Hello all! I just took my first dose of Sertraline about 12 hrs ago, and I don't feel well at all. I took 100mg (my prescribed dose) around 10 pm and felt a bit woozy an hour or so later, but went to sleep with no issues around 1 am. I woke up at 5:30 am needing to go to the bathroom. After laying back down, I got this nervous/tightening feeling in my head that got steadily stronger, then it suddenly felt like I was burning up all over from the inside out, especially in my arms and legs, and I got extremely nauseous. I put an ice pack on my head and that helped me calm down. I'm no longer feeling the burning, but now I just feel totally spaced out and woozy. I'm on Sertraline for some anxiety and nonstop worry I've been experiencing while my husband is away for work. I'm just a worrier in general,  and my doctor thought Sertraline would help. I'm wondering if anyone else has had these symptoms so soon after starting Sertraline? Also, is 100 mg a high dose to start with? I've never taken anti-anxiety meds until now. I feel so spooked by how I feel right now that I'd rather tough it out and consider counseling rather than meds.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • MikeyB91
    MikeyB91 marissa492

    Posted

    100mg is a high dose to start on yes. I started on 25mg and I'm still only on 50mg 6 months later but I'm feeling much better.

    I think you should speak to your doctor about starting on a lower dosage. You will have bad side effects for the next several weeks but in the long run it's totally worth it.

    I suffer with general anxiety and agraphobia and after around the 6-8 week point after dealing with horrible side effects I started to feel much better. Not 100% but a lot better than I was doing. Speak to your doctor and if not. Cut your tablets in half for the first 2-3 weeks to get used to them.

    • marissa492
      marissa492 MikeyB91

      Posted

      Thanks for your input! I'm glad to know that 100 mg is in fact a high dose. I assumed it was low, so I didn't worry about taking a whole pill. I just feel like I took 2 steps back overnight. I had a fairly good day yesterday with no major anxiety or worry and was feeling things were on the upswing, but I knew I needed to get started on the meds. Now I feel as bad as I did 2 weeks ago when this all started for me. I don't know if it's worth it.

  • michelle71710
    michelle71710 marissa492

    Posted

    Hi Marissa, sorry your feeling bad. 100mg is quite a high dose to start on especially with never having used them before. My doctor wanted me to start on 50mg as that's the lowest dose but I did 6days on 25mg then 19days on 50mg, 6days on 75mg and 2days so far on 100mg. It will get worse before it gets better so you need to try and push through it and take every day as it comes. I had heightened anxiety at the start, see if your dr can give you something to help. I was given a beta blocker but only took 2 when it was bad. Also had nausea so had anti sickness tablets too. When are you due to see the dr again? Xx

    • marissa492
      marissa492 michelle71710

      Posted

      Thank you! To be honest, I'm now completely turned off to taking anything like sertraline ever again. I actually felt decent yesterday before taking the meds but I wanted to get started on them anyway, and now after only one dose I feel terrible and like I've just gone backwards. I'm not feeling the burning and nausea so much now, but I have zero appetite, I feel completely woozy and spaced out (almost like I'm buzzed) and I don't feel like getting up at all.

    • michelle71710
      michelle71710 marissa492

      Posted

      Yes you will, 100mg is a very high dose to start. Why don't you try splitting the tablet and take a lower dose? I lost my appetite for about a week or so and you will feel worse before getting better but you have to just try and push through it, it's hard but after a couple of weeks you'll start to get good days too. My anxiety has improved so much now with taking them but I've been on them a month so far with different doses so it does take time. It's around 6-8weeks to get the full effect xx

  • MJAlps
    MJAlps marissa492

    Posted

    As others have said, 100 is way too high to start? Who prescribed it? A GP or a psychiatrist? I'd find a licensed psychiatrist to work with you because it's not a straighforward drug.

    • marissa492
      marissa492 MJAlps

      Posted

      My GP prescribed it after I tried 5 mg of lorazepam for a few days and had a good experience. But now I feel like I'm starting all over. When you say it's not a straightforward drug, what do you mean? Are you suggesting it's better to speak with a counselor rather than take meds for anxiety?

  • Trish5656
    Trish5656 marissa492

    Posted

    Hello omg ! I feel exactly the same.   Don't want  to take another one if this is how I feel. I'm so shaky. Same as you describe.    My heart pounding , as it s making me panic now ,  Luckily my doctor has given me Diazipan  2mg so I have just had one to calm me down. I'd rather tough it out than feel so awful. 

    How long did the effect of sertraline take to wear off.  . .? I took my one at 12 midday 

     

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