Hi all new member. Just started sertraline 4 days ago and I in hell!
Posted , 13 users are following.
Hi all, This is the first time I have ever posted online about my anxiety and depression. I have had a couple of episodes in my 40 years ( 15 years of them I took prozac with no problems ) but this one which has been on and off for the last year & has hit me hard! I was on mirtazapine for 9 months but found they were not really helping my anxiety , so I went to my doctor and he suggested sertraline. I started taking 100mg on Saturday and all though I slept fine that night and felt ok , The rest of the week I have felt the worst I have ever felt. I can not eat , I have managed to get about 5ish hours of sleep at night but I just can not shut my mind off. I have had the worst anxiety I think I have ever had. It's hard to even cook a dinner for the family! My hands are sweating and I'm grinding my teeth!
I would not consider myself a week man But these pills have put me on the floor. I was not like this on the mirtazapine I was functioning on them!
I'm going to try and stick with them but I hope these symptoms subside.
0 likes, 53 replies
weenett jay21382
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lauren_21564 jay21382
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I agree! I can't belive your doctor would start you that high! The awful side effects are normal unfortunately. This drug will make you feel worse before you feel better. Increased anxiety and depression is one of the first side effects. Get back to your doctor and ask about starting lower. Even if that means starting at 25mg for a period of time then up to 50 then to 100mg. Hang in there. You will get through this. I know it's hard. But we are here for you
clare2729 lauren_21564
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Hi Lauren,
How long have you been on sertraline and at what dose?
I've been on 50mg for 3 weeks and despite a couple of okish days in the first week and my appetite returning I've since got very downhill and feeling worse than ever. No appetite, insomnia, intrusive overwhelming suicidal thoughts. I'm beginning to lose hope.
Clare xx
lauren_21564 clare2729
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clare2729 lauren_21564
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What dose are you on and for how long?
Clare xx
jay21382 clare2729
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Stay strong Clare, I've also had a couple of horrid thoughts that I'm a burden & I would be better of dead And it scared me to be honest! I've never had thoughts like that so I'm pretty sure it's the pills. I told my partner about it and got it into some perspective. Tell someone close to you if you can, it will help.
Kayleigh0910 clare2729
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You at the minuite, day 5 on 50mg feel ok ome minuite then really down Nd depressed the next but was put on it for anxiety, also get bad thoughts like
Its better to not be here etc
How did u get past this and did it go away? Its vile and i have 2 children to
Look aftet
michelle71710 jay21382
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Hi jay, sorry you are feeling so bad. I started sertaline 23days ago. 6days 25mg then 18days on 50mg and my dr has just upped me to 100mg from tomorrow. Usually people start on 50mg, how come your dr started you on 100mg where you on another med at the time? My dr told me I'd feel worse before I got better and that is certainly true! I've had terrible side effects heightened anxiety (worse than before) dry mouth, no appetite, insomnia, nausea, low mood to name a few but this is a slow acting med and takes time to start working but it will and you will get better. Just have to take one day at a time. Some days I've not got dressed, couldn't cook, was forcing food down me just so I had something but my appetite is back and side effects are starting to ease abit now. Has the dr give you anything to help with any side effects you have? I was on sertaline a few years ago for anxiety and panic attacks and it helped me so much. I felt 'normal' and I came off them and felt happy but then anxiety came back bringing depression with it, due to personal circumstances do I know my trigger, do I started back on sertaline and hoping it'll do the same thing and make me feel better again. I have had some 'ok' days so it's got to be going something but your still early on but stick with it, your not alone and if you ever need to chat, me or someone is here. It's very supportive forum and I'd be lost without it. Stay strong x
pam01968 jay21382
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Hello Jay I was started on 100 mg as well back at the beginning of October I am now up to 200mg still waiting on it to fully kick in.i am here if you need to chat🙂
ann55375 pam01968
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pam01968 ann55375
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jay98357 jay21382
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Hi. Sorry to hear this. Sertalime have been my lifever and have been on the same meds as you. 100 is a high dose to start with though. You doc should have done it gradually. 25 then 59 the 75 and 100. Once they start working you will know... took me about 6 weeks all in all. First few weeks were awful but do try stick to the. Maybe see you go about your dose.. I'm upping soon to 100 as im in a good place now but anxiety is still Hanningfield around me and it needs to go
Good luck from another Jay
jay21382
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Hi all , I don't want to be all mushy but all your replys have brought a tear to my eyes. My doctor started me on a high dose as I was on mertazpine at 30mg and he said , if I start you any lower then it would be like going backwards. ( Go figure! ) I have manged today, to get to the shops on my own but good grief that was hard. My stomach is in bits but I am forcing food in But not much. My anixety is at a all time high , worse then when my anixety started . It comes in waves with lots of horrid negitive thoughts! everytime it comes I do my mindfulness breathing which gives me a little breathing space from the thoughts. Yes I live in the uk and I have got some benzos but I try to save them for night to get some sleep
Im sorry I can't reply to all posts I just feel wiped out.
Ill keep posting if thats ok? Thanks you for your replys .
lauren_21564 jay21382
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Good to hear from you Jay. One day at a time. You'll get there
bridget49974 jay21382
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Hi Jay
I'm on day 7 of 50mg with no other medication apart from HRT. Im suffering the same side effects as you. I was told I would feel worse before I felt better but I didn't think it would be this bad.
jay21382 bridget49974
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