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Lethargy, heavy legs and weird sleep pattern

Posted , 3 users are following.

HelpNeeded
HelpNeeded

So, I started out on 50mg of Sertraline on the 18th after Citalopram didn't work for me.

Up until now, I've not noticed any improvement in my mental state at all but have had a few side effects.

My sleep pattern has been horrible. I've not had any less sleep than normal, but the times have changed.

e.g. on Sunday night, I fell asleep around 9pm and woke up at 2am on Monday morning, and that was me up.

Last night, I fell asleep around 10:30pm and woke up at 4am today.

Other than that, and as someone who likes to run a lot, I've felt pretty lethargic and my legs have felt pretty heavy.

Any idea when this should start to improve?

The lack of progress on my mental state and the horrible side effects have meant I'm off work again, and I think I'm likely to get sacked soon due to this. 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • GodsServant
    GodsServant HelpNeeded

    Posted

    Hi,

    You may think these are bad side effects, but really, they're not that bad and I say this sincerely. I started on Zoloft (Sertraline) back 90s (on and off it 20 yrs now) and I've since gotten on and off at least 5 times and each time there are diff side effects, and I've noted them here (not all these side effects at one time but various combos:

    1) restless leg sydrom (couldn't stop shaking, had to go to ER on NY's Day once)

    2) bad headaches

    3) palpitations and nervousness

    4) rash

    5) sweating and lethargy

    6) stiff neck pains (can't crack my neck)

    7) diarrhea/consitipation

    9) sleeplessness - not out of sleep cycle or schedule, but insomnia but you're tired and drowsy

    10) recently, cold (shivers)

    11) dry mouth (very first time I got on it)

    12) sensitive to sunlight

    13) wavering between zombie like feelings (want to cry but can't) to crying fits (suicidal thoughts).

    Nov 2016 (ER on 11/9/16) up till Dec 23 was hell on earth for me, but a few days ago I just woke up ONE DAY and the OCD stopped bothering me as much and since. So please give this drug up to 12 weeks.

    If you have side effects, you sort of can tell that this is affecting you...so that could be taken as a positive sign that the drug is doing something inside you. Another sign to watch for is changes in appetite. I start to eat again and food starts to have taste.

    This is a horrific illness and best of luck. Hang in there. It will get better.

     

  • GodsServant
    GodsServant HelpNeeded

    Posted

    Here is my breakdown:

    11/2/16: 25mg (first sign of OCD returning)

    11/3/16: 50mg

    11/4/16: 50mg

    11/5/16: 50mg

    11/6/16: 0mg (went to church, nauseous  and very sleepy, like serotonin syndrome)

    11/7/16: 0mg

    11/8/16: 0 mg

    11/9/16 25mg and 1.0 Ativan (injected) (went to ER)

    11/10/16: 25mg

    11/11/16: 50mg

    11/13/16: 50mg

    11/14/16: 50mg

    11/15/16: 50mg

    11/16/16: 100mg

    11/17/16: 100mg

    11/18/16: 100mg

    11/19/16: 100mg (first day of unexpired Sertraline)

    11/20/16: 100mg

    11/21/16: 100mg

    11/22/16: 100mg

    11/23/16: 100mg

    11/24/16: 100mg

    11/25/16: 100mg

    11/26/16: 100mg

    11/27/16: 100mg

    11/28/16: 100mg

    11/29/16: 100mg

    11/30/16: 100mg

    12/1/16: 100mg

    12/2/16: 100mg

    12/3/16: 100mg

    12/4/16: 100mg

    12/5/16: 100mg

    12/6/16: 100mg

    12/7/16: 100mg

    12/8/16: 100mg

    12/9/16: 100mg

    12/10/16: 100mg

    12/11/16: 100mg

    12/12/16: 100mg

    12/13/16: 100mg

    12/14/16: 100mg

    12/15/16: 150mg

    12/16/16: 100mg

    12/17/16: 100mg

    12/18/16: 100mg

    12/19/16: 100mg

    12/20/16: 100mg

    12/21/16: 100mg

    12/22/16: 100mg

    12/23/16: 100mg (finally felt better)

    ...And so, you can count the days. I don't know how severe your condition is. Mine is severe.

    Also, go talk to your boss and/or HR at work and explain what you are going thru (You can say, I you get panic attacks) and you'd surprised. This is a medical problem/health issue - people are more understanding than you think.

    • HelpNeeded
      HelpNeeded GodsServant

      Posted

      This is the 3rd time my GP has signed me off now.

      I also received a written warning from my employer last week about my level of absence...

    • thomas96833
      thomas96833 HelpNeeded

      Posted

      I really understand your predicament.

      I am in the same boat. I need to start taking Sertraline for depression and an anxiety however worried about the side effects. I can't make the 4-6 week adjustment period while maintaining work. I feel like crap constantly with anxiety as it is, but at least I can function albeit difficult in work at the moment. I am just constantly exhausted and tense though.

      If I am off one more time, I will surely be sacked - had about 2 months off this year with sickness from anxiety already.

      I really wish I could just leave work and focus on getting better however financial stress would just add a whole new dimension to the problem.

      Have you tried anything other than Sertraline to manage?

    • HelpNeeded
      HelpNeeded thomas96833

      Posted

      I was on Citalopram before this.

      It didn't do anything other than leave me tired.

    • GodsServant
      GodsServant HelpNeeded

      Posted

      That sux. Sorry to hear that. I am in the States and if you get a docs note, you can get a leave of absence. I HATE how this illness affects every part of our life. 
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