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New to sertraline need help

Posted , 6 users are following.

W3STY
W3STY

Hi I've recently switched from 40mg citalopram to 50mg sertraline I'm Prescribed it for anxiety I have real bad panic attacks ie heart beat tingling fingers lips chest pain sweating and I'm always worried about health it's to the point where I won't even go out I was like this when I started citalopram 5 years ago but that has worn off now I'm back to square 1 can't go out bad anxiety I'm on day 12 of 50mg sertraline my doc said go up to 100 on day 10 but I'm going to wait till day 14 I feel ok but if I go out I start to panic so I'm guessing I just have to wait until the tablets work but since I've been taking them my sleep is terrible I can't sleep till 4-5 in the morning but I'm not getting up til 4 in the afternoon will this get better ? Also bad stomach and pains in my sides ? Sorry for the long post I'm new to the forum first post ever I don't normally talk about it anyway thanks in advance for any help

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • lattifa7777
    lattifa7777 W3STY

    Posted

    Hi, yes sertraline does have these side affects, increased anxiety , not being able to sleep or eat, and I have a friend who also on these meds and gets pain in his sides and lower back. You can get the shakes and also headaches . I had all these and more, but please stick with it I started to feel normal at 4 1/2 weeks.and all side affects will go away I promise you. Any questions just get on this forum and talk. This forum was and is a life line to me.
    • W3STY
      W3STY lattifa7777

      Posted

      Thank u ever so much much makes me feel much better
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 W3STY

      Posted

      Your very welcome , you can do this.

      But you will need reassurance everyday untill you feel ok. So keep on here and talk smile

    • W3STY
      W3STY lattifa7777

      Posted

      I will do managed a good nights sleep last night so happy lol gonna take tablets in the day now smile
  • Tezes
    Tezes W3STY

    Posted

    If you take them before bed try taking them in the mornings and visa versa that may help with the sleep disruption.

    dont be too hasty to increase the dose as once they kick in you may not need too. Doctors are so quick to give these drugs out and increase the dosages without waiting for the full affects to work, they are even worse at getting you off them.

    also if you haven't already ask for CBT to help you manage you're anxiety, some GP's now try this before resorting to drugs,

    all the best x

    • W3STY
      W3STY Tezes

      Posted

      Yeh I do want to do cbt but I'm not able to go out at the moment also Yeh I'm going to try taking it in the day I haven't took it tonight so hopefully some sleep tonight will take it when I wake up thanks for your help x
  • JJ0604
    JJ0604 W3STY

    Posted

    Hi there I'm in the same boat as you, on 40mg of citalopram for years but it stopped working so dr changed me to Sertraline. I can honestly say I have never felt so ill in all my life. The side effects have worn off I think. I still have nausea and upset tummy but as they are also symptoms of my anxiety they may not be the meds. I'm in week 5 and upped to 75mg on Friday. The trembling has come back a bit and I think my appetite is going again. I'm hoping it won't go on so long and the upped dose makes a difference soon. It looks like I'm going to have to give up work altogether (I've not worked since Christmas) and the financial implications are scaring me witless. I just hope and pray that I see improvement soon and this forum has helped me see that others have gone through the same and come out the other side. I hope it's the same for you too xx
    • Lauf262
      Lauf262 JJ0604

      Posted

      I am in the same boat from Zoloft poop out. Tried increasing to 75mg and had side effects, went to 87.5 and on day 4 was about to call rescue. I've been on Zoloft for 9 years. It was a wonder drug for me. How did they switch you from Citalopram to Zoloft. Cold switch or titrate? Would love to know as I think this will be in my near future. UGH
    • JJ0604
      JJ0604 Lauf262

      Posted

      Hi there I tapered pretty quickly, down from 40 to 20 for a couple of days then took both citalopram and Sertraline for 5 days. Suffered awful side effects/withdrawal but got the job done I guess. Just wish I could get level on the Sertraline but it's early days I guess. I only had slight dizziness when I started the citalopram so hope you do well on it. It saved my life xx
    • W3STY
      W3STY JJ0604

      Posted

      Yeh this forum has deffo helped I wish I could fast forward time lol I'm struggling with money to makes me more anxious sad Yeh I hope there is light at the other end thank u x
  • yanna07372
    yanna07372 W3STY

    Posted

    Good morning, W3STY!  Just a note to chime in to wish you speedy relief from the side effects you're experiencing.  On somewhat rare occassions, diarreah occurs when the dosage is increased.  My father experienced diarreah when his doctor increased his dosage to 100 mg.  Should that happen, please call your doctor immediately.  Hopefully you will experience only the benefits of the meds, as so many others have.  Wishing you a beautiful day!
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