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Heartburn!

Posted , 6 users are following.

victoria51526
victoria51526

I've been on sertraline for 2 days now and I already feel really nauseous and have really bad heartburn as i'm typing this. I don't know if I feel any less anxious yet but i've been told it takes a while to kick in. 

I originally was put on these because I kept having panic attacks everytime I was in a social situation. Basically a year ago I fainted during a lecture and even though it was probably a one time thing, ever since that day i'd have anxiety and extreme panic attacks and feel like i'd faint again which occurred mainly at uni and work, etc. It had been happening for a year and I'd tried self help books, blood tests to see if it was something else and counselling sessions. These things have helped slightly but not enough which is why I was prescribed these. 

Has anyone has a similar situation or problem? 

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • anonymousgirl21
    anonymousgirl21 victoria51526

    Posted

    I started Sertraline 5 days ago and get a lot of heart burn, but my anxiety doesn't seem as out of control as it was so im just gonna buy over the counter stuff to sooth it x
    • victoria51526
      victoria51526 anonymousgirl21

      Posted

      Ah thank you! Glad it's benefitting you. I've just taken some gaviscon but not helped as of yet haha x
  • vikki2303
    vikki2303 victoria51526

    Posted

    Yes that's the side effect from sertraline. Like justine said get something from chemist for it but make sure u ask pharmacist if that brand is ok to take alongside sertraline as many have interactions. It's still early days but the side effects will wear off soon. Hope u start to feel better soon x
    • vikki2303
      vikki2303 victoria51526

      Posted

      Yes very much, I've been on them 5 weeks 4 days now. I started feeling better around day 16 but then I got the flu and fell back to the start but now I'm getting over the flu I feel I'm starting to get where I want to be. I have had  3 days with little or no anxiety at all. It takes 6-12 weeks for it to settle so it's still early days, but carry on through the crappy days as u will have a few but it's just while the sertraline is getting into your system. X
    • victoria51526
      victoria51526 vikki2303

      Posted

      Ah I see, so it's early days yet then. Thank you so much for explaining, glad it's working for you! smile x
  • DaveWOwen
    DaveWOwen victoria51526

    Posted

    I had a terrible night when i first started taking them - churning tummy and awake for ages -so i always have them with breakfast now. Not had any heartburn. The nausea should stop after a few days. Just restarted at half a tablet a day yesterday and nearly vomited after about 30 mins and again later. Had todays half with breakfast and had no trouble. Some people swear by these medications and I felt fine taking them it was coming off them that was my problem. Head zaps have gone today which seems like a miracle cosiderung that this time yesterday it was like being in hell. Definately ramp down very gently when you come off them.
    • victoria51526
      victoria51526 DaveWOwen

      Posted

      That sounds awful. Would you say they had more of a positive or negative experience from them though? Hope you feel better soon!
    • DaveWOwen
      DaveWOwen victoria51526

      Posted

      Very difficult to weigh up positive and negative. When they got working I just felt my ok normal self which was great. The head zaps do appear to be because my doc told me just to stop taking them (after 10 months). There are the other sexual side effects but i knew to expect that. I would say mostly possitive.👍
    • vikki2303
      vikki2303 DaveWOwen

      Posted

      Didn't just quit them on wean off? I've only been on them 5 weeks so far but they r starting to take effect slowly but surely. Also what mg was u on before? And did I ever have to up the dose? X
    • DaveWOwen
      DaveWOwen vikki2303

      Posted

      I was on 50mg and that did the trick for me. I did not have any change of dose. I said that I felt it was time to come off them after 9 months or so and Dr said ok stop 10 days before your next appointment. The head zaps started after a few weeks! and got progressively worse. I was fine at the Drs appointment.
  • natalie06867
    natalie06867 victoria51526

    Posted

    hi Victoria I am on day 29 and had side effects to start with and still not 100% but soo much better than I was before. yes I do get some heart burn but would prefer that over anxiety. like the other person says I take with breakfast to limit tummy probs. I also take propranolol which is a beta blocker which gp gave to help with the physical side effects like shakes and heart palps These work well for me and seem to keep me calmer. stick with it I did and I am glad I have . Thanks to all that have supported on this site
  • Daddee777
    Daddee777 victoria51526

    Posted

    Hi Victoria. A few things from an old hand.

    1) You will feel better, so keep the faith. I realised I was getting better when I woke up without worrying about how I was feeling everyday!

    2) Take tablets regularly just AFTER food (breakfast for me). The effect of the tablets is cumulative - so missing one isn't a big deal and will not really affect how you feel (apart from the worry that you missed one!)

    3) Don't eat grapefruit if taking Sertraline - apparently they don't agree.

    4) Don't stay at home on your own every day dwelling on things. Get out and about and stay busy.

    5) Eat healthily and be active.

    6) Try meditation and keep trying it. The simple focusing on your breathing is a good one. Mindfulness techniques are very good. Do NOT beat yourself up if you find it hard at first - everyone does, just keep doing it and it gets easier and more beneficial.

    Best Wishes.

    • natalie06867
      natalie06867 Daddee777

      Posted

      agree with all and using some on this myself as early days for me too. With heartburn if worried about more meds a simple glass of cold milk helps my heart burn.
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