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Having different experience from the last time I took sertraline, can anybody give advice?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Izzybee10
Izzybee10

I took Sertraline 50mg (brand Tetra) in 2017 for a period of 5 months, the really bad side effects lasted for 2 to 3 weeks but then I started to feel better and more able to cope and came off it by decreasing the dose gradually and didn’t have side effects. 

I’ve experienced the same anxiety and vicious insomnia cycle recently and have started back on sertraline 50mg. At first I had a different brand - ranbaxy. I was taking this for 4 weeks but felt like the side effects were too much even on good days. I’ve still not been sleeping quite right. I went to a different pharmacy and got the brand I took last year. I’ve been taking this for a week and felt I was getting a little better but today has been dreadful as I didn’t really sleep last night. 

Has anyone else taken it twice and had different experiences when starting to take it?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • dylan78236
    dylan78236 Izzybee10

    Posted

    Yea, back in 2015 I started sertraline and had a full time job i really didnt like, with just minor depression. I managed to get up to 100mg without many side effects other than nausea. I took it for 1.5 years then stopped cold turkey under the advice of a very dumb doctor. 3 months later i started having crippling anxiety and panic attacks with more moderate depression. I blame my doctor for this. 

    Now ive been back on it for 23 days. 14 days of 25mg and now 9 days of 50mg. I noticed immediately that the anxiety got a little better but the depression got worse. I occasionally had panic attacks but not as severe as before. Ive had trouble sleeping, bad nausea, increased depression and the odd headache here and there. Also the famed sexual side effects such as difficulty achieving orgasm and general low libido. I am just starting to get used to my dose of 50mg, and this morning the nausea wasnt as bad as yesterday. It gets better. But also make sure you are taking your vitamins and exercising as much as you can. 

    • Izzybee10
      Izzybee10 dylan78236

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, i’m trying to decide whether to carry on taking it as it’s been so up and down this time even after the initial really bad side effects!
    • dylan78236
      dylan78236 Izzybee10

      Posted

      Id keep pushing if i was you. Try to give it 8-10 weeks. I know its rough, im about to start my 4th week and today im feeling okay. 

      As soon as i start looking for jobs online my anxiety sometimes gives me a panic attack so im trying to take things slow. 

      My anxiety before ever taking medication wasnt this bad, so i dont really believe that meds are the cure, im just on them because i couldnt do it by myself. 

    • Izzybee10
      Izzybee10 dylan78236

      Posted

      Yes I am trying other means as well, waiting list for CBT and have looked into natural alternatives but as i’ve got to get back into work this is the answer for me right now too.
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