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Sertraline and tiredness

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louise24797
louise24797

Hi there, I've been on 25mg of Sertraline for nearly 3 weeks. I've had a lot of side effects that included increased anxiety, night sweats, waking up a lot at night (I take my pill at 7 am), weakness, shaking.

Some of these have now improved but I still experiencing fatigue quite badly and I'm still waking up nearly every hour at night.

I'm still spending a lot of time in bed. The last two days I've felt more energy in the morning, so walk the dog and do a few chores, but by lunchtime I'm wiped out and go back to bed.

Today I tried to get up and do things but have had to come back to bed due to extreme tiredness. I did manage a 40 minute walk and to change my bed, tidy up a bit and put some washing on. But now back in bed feeling exhausted.

Has anyone else experienced this on just 25mg?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • charles61038
    charles61038 louise24797

    Edited

    I started on 25 mg - and yes, in the beginning I did have some of the night sweats, a little shaky and antsy feeling... and anxiety. I take it in the mornings too. I tried to just go on with my day, and after about an hour or two, those feelings would pass. I still get the occasional sweats at night - not being hot, just wake up wet with sweat. They are not often though. After a few weeks of being on the 25 mg, I didn't have any of the shaky antsy feelings. Since this coronavirus thing has hit us, my anxiety has increased which is no surprise. My doctor told me that 50 mg was the regular adult dose and that I could increase to that. So I am trying it slowly - cutting one in half and taking the one and a half to make 37 mg. So far it is okay. It may take a bit longer for you to adjust... give it a couple of more weeks. Good luck to you.

    • louise24797
      louise24797 charles61038

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, that's really helpful. It's the fatigue and exhaustion that's getting me at the moment. The other symptoms seem to have got better, but waking nearly every hour in the night and awake from around 5.30ish. Last night was the first night I wasn't drenched in sweat. Hopefully it'll continue to improve over the next 2 weeks. I'm also on it due to the corona virus, first time on meds so hope it works.

  • c53732
    c53732 louise24797

    Edited

    I took 25 for 2 weeks and then my doctor increased my dose to 50. Have been taking that for 4 weeks. Gradually having a few better days.......people keep telling me it takes 5/6 weeks on recognised 50 dose to really have an effect. l still have ,the occasional day in bed but it does seem to be getting better. l wasn't good on 25 dose. You could try alternating 25 and 50 to see if that helps , try to keep going.

    • louise24797
      louise24797 c53732

      Posted

      Thank you, I was meant to go up to 50mg after 2 weeks but feel so rough on 25mg I haven't yet increased. I am seeing some improvement in the side affects. I just need more sleep to function! Feeling rough and not having the energy to do stuff doesn't help with the anxiety.

    • c53732
      c53732 louise24797

      Edited

      l take phenergan to help with sleep. Take it alternate nights, you can buy it over the counter. Do ask your pharmacist about it, you can't take it every night or for too long but it is helping me at the moment. l wasn't keen to up the dose but am glad that l did.

    • louise24797
      louise24797 c53732

      Posted

      Thank you, I'll look into it. I think I'll try upping the dose at some point. My anxiety isn't too bad, so if 25mg keeps it manageable I'd rather stick to that. 😃

  • Aimee87
    Aimee87 louise24797

    Edited

    I am on 50mg and had exactly the same side effects - your tiredness won't be to do with the sertraline making you feel tired, it'll be because you're not sleeping as well. I am 7 weeks in now and for the past two weeks I am sleeping really well again, I am sweaty in the morning when I wake up but thats the only lingering side effect. Stick with it, you're on your way to recovery and its so worth it x

    • louise24797
      louise24797 Aimee87

      Posted

      Thanks Amiee, funnily enough I wasn't tired last night after spending most of yesterday in bed and napping for an hour at 4pm! First time I've felt like that at night. Luckily I did fall asleep fairly quickly but still woke up a lot. But feel better to this morning. Slightly shorter dog walk and now sat in the sunshine in the garden. 😃

  • sue74917
    sue74917 louise24797

    Edited

    Hi you will feel like this until the dose settles.

    I wouldn't worry too much about the tiredness, that also will pass, be kind to yourself and if you do manage to do things then look upon it as a achievement, if you don't feel like doing anything then that is fine as well, your body and mind are healing.

    with regards to increasing I would wait till you have been on 25 for 4 weeks and see how you feel, if you feel that you could use an increase then go up to 37.5 for another 2 weeks and see how you go before making the jump to 50, you may need it you may not, everyone is different and what suits you may not suit another but with this kind of medication it is all about low and slow till you reach your optimum dose.

    You are doing well if the side effects are easing already and are on your way to getting back to where you want to be, stay strong, stay calm but above all stay patient

    • louise24797
      louise24797 sue74917

      Posted

      Thank you so much for this, I love your idea of being kind to yourself and giving your mind and body time to heal. I'm usually quite active so find this hard, but you are right, I should see it as an achievement rather than getting frustrated about what I can't do yet. 😃

  • charles61038
    charles61038 louise24797

    Edited

    I agree with Sue. Stay on the 25 for a little while longer. Then when you feel better, try upping to 37 1/2 - that is what I am doing now. I tried jumping up to the 50 and it was not good. After a couple of weeks on 50, I went back down to the 25 for several weeks. Now I am trying the 37 and a half. So far it is okay. It has not quite been 2 weeks on that dose, so I will give it a little longer before upping to the 50. Good idea to just go low and slow and give your body a chance to get used to it. Give it time.

    • louise24797
      louise24797 charles61038

      Posted

      Thanks, I'm going to review after week 4 and increase a bit if I feel ok. Part of the anxiety battle for me is not feeling good when I wake up, so it does make it tough. But, things are changing day by day. Good days and bad days.

    • c53732
      c53732 louise24797

      Edited

      Great reading on your 'blog'. Some great advice and l can relate to all of it. Mornings are always worse for me too.

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