I wake up VERY anxious, restless, and nervous! Help!

Hey Shelby. I am on day 7 today of 25mg and will be increasing to 50mg today. Started taking the med last Saturday so a week ago. First day was good. Third through fifth day sounded like what you were going through. I could barely get out of bed. The 6th day I woke up feeling fine. Everyone is different so just try and stick it out but also stay in contact with your doctor and let them know how you're feeling. Good luck!

Thank you for replying, Jack! It's just frustrating to feel so restless. I'm doing my best to ignore it, but it's very difficult. Do you take sertraline in the morning or at night?

I take mine first thing in the morning. I increased my dose from 25mg to 50mg yesterday and woke up with anxiety and feel different. I would anticipate this every time I increase my dose. For me personally it's looking like my body will need a few days to adjust and then will be ok. Hang in there.

Andrea, thank you so much for replying! It's hard talking to ppl who don't really understand what you're going through. What you wrote really, really helps! Do you take it in the morning or at night? I'm just wondering if I could benefit taking it at night.

Also how's your appetite?

Hi Shelby, you're most welcome. I tried taking it at night so I could sleep through side effects but it ended up keeping me awake all night. So I take it at 7 am. The side effects are slowly decreasing so its not affecting my day so much .

Andrea

Oh and about my appetite. Was nauseous first couple of days but that's gone. I would say my appetite has not changed. This med is known for causing weight gain also. I was very concerned about this so I'm watching out for unusual carb cravings.

Andrea

My stomach is too nervous to eat. And today is just a very irritable day. I'm trying to relax but it's hard. I also take mine at 7am.

I found distracting myself would help with the nervousness, I.e. walking the dog, I also have therapy colouring books, deep breathing, exercise might help with the excess nervousness if you are inclined. I feel for you. I've been there and am still there. You will get through😊

Have you ever felt irritable all day?

Not irritable but zombie like, its a very strange feeling that I find hard to describe. I would also have to sleep a bit through the day.

My experience on 50mg taking it in a.m. Same time everyday is important. After eating something. I had no appetite on this med. Lost ton of wt in 6wks. Was down to 119lbs an Im 5'4. Female. It took a good 4-5 wks for improvement. I also was on Klonapin for anxiety. These drugs take time an have side effects. Diaherra is one. Anti-diaherral meds helped. Exercise helps to. Goodluck.

Zio, thanks for replying. Today is day 7 and I just have constant anxiety. I don't think this is normal. Is it?

Yes, for some it's normal. It's not fun! Be active. Exercise really helped me. Also I would download a lot of music I liked an played it in earphones. Driving, I had earphones in listening, at grocery store had earphones in, etc. Or I would drive to "my secret place" an bawl my head off. Kinda a release I guess. I can't stress enough on doing some kind of exercise. Swimming, walking, biking anything. I went to the movie theater bymyself one time! Keep at it. If it gets to much talk to your Dr (im in US) about an anti-anxiety med. But remember on anti-anxiety meds you can become dependent on them after taking them everyday for as little as 2-3 wks. But if taken every now in then an very low dose I dont see why that's a prob. You need something to combat the increased anxiety so you can at least function an get sleep. I take Klonapin or Clonazapam(generic name) as needed. I have GAD an depression but I think its situational an fr menopause an stopping a med called Tramadol that I took for 8 yrs. Tramadol increases Seratonin an Norepinephrine so when I stopped I went into a bad depression. Its used for pain. I also have fibromyalgia an lower back issues. I couldn't take Sertraline. Made me very sick physically. Cant take Prozac (Fluoxetin) same thing happened but worse. Tried Lexapro but nothing. Tried Cymbalta. It did help with my pain but blood pressure went up but I was under an continue to be under, alot of stress (car wreck totaled car, was Rear-ended, an broke foot at Walmart an caregiver to my 80 yr old parent's that neither drive.) 2 teen sons an married. Im not on anything rt now. Just getting Prozac out of my system. Keep at it. It was like a lightbulb switched inside my head after 4 wks an I was happy all sudden!! Wierd. Goodluck!