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Sertraline Beginner

Posted , 6 users are following.

MurTof
MurTof

Hi,

I've recently been prescribed sertraline as my mood was way down. I am currently in the last few months of my PhD (last bit of data collecting and writing up phase) so it's quite stressful and I overworked myself and needed to be prescribed these becasue I wasn't sleeping and was very anxious. I've been told to have 25mg (half a tablet) for the first week and then bump it up to 50 mg. I've taken a half a tablet for 3 days now and the side effects are awful! I feel queasy and have lost my appetite. I'm that queasy that I am dry wretching. I also feel so so anxious. It has increased so bad over the last three days. I'm also a little dazed and have not been sleeping well. I've never been on ADs before because I'm normally so happy. Please can somebody tell me that it gets better and after how mnay days will the side efffects wear off? I need to work and it's all quite scary!

Thanks in advance      

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • tony_51019
    tony_51019 MurTof

    Posted

    For me it took about 2 weeks before things settled and improved...  The first time my body had anti-depressants the first few days were really bad!  But I have never had that since - just don't play with them like I did (taking them / not taking them - that really messes you up!). Good luck!  
  • sian03
    sian03 MurTof

    Posted

    My dr said about the nausea when he prescribed them, he told me that side effect would last 3 days and it did for me. My anxiety went through the roof for the 1st 10 days though. After those 10 days the side effects seemed to have stopped for me. I'm just going into week 4 (1 week on 50mg and the last 2 on 100mg). I have been having some pretty good days. Mornings are always a bit worse for me. Do stick with it though. I know how you feel, I've never dealt with anything like this before and it is very scary.
  • MurTof
    MurTof

    Posted

    Thank you both for the replies. The doctor did say to me that I may feel more anxious on them for the first week but I was not expecting this at all. My sleep is so disturbed - I can't switch off. I move up to 50mg on Friday and fear I'll go through this all again once I move up the dose. I'm going to stick with them in the hope it starts making me feel better. 
    • sian03
      sian03 MurTof

      Posted

      I was so worried about upping my dose and experiencing more side effects, but I didn't have any side effects from the dose change, hopefully you will be OK.
  • iris46
    iris46 MurTof

    Posted

    You need to remember that you are under massive stress at the moment, and that's probably why you are experiencing the need for an AD. The initial side effects are dreadful, especially the extra anxiety and insomnia
  • iris46
    iris46 MurTof

    Posted

    Good luck with your final piece of work
  • lindajm
    lindajm MurTof

    Posted

    I had side effects for first three weeks and been fine since then
  • MurTof
    MurTof

    Posted

    So day 4 now. I didn't sleep well last night at all. Twitsing and turning every half hour. I woke up extremely anxious and nauseous. Went to the doctor who prescribed me cyclizine to take every 8 hours if I'm feeling sick. After about 1 hour of taking one tablet the sickness had disappeared and I could eat some food smile I'm hoping to stay taking these until the quesiness disappears. I suppose I'll see tomorrow if it comes back. Still quite anxious though so the doctor has also prescribed propranolol in case it gets too overwhelming. Anybody also taken these on the side?  
    • CG1964
      CG1964 MurTof

      Posted

      I have had ongoing problems with lack of sleep since starting on sertraline. I am just starting week 4 @50mg (was on 25mg for 3 weeks before the increase)  

      The mornings have always been the worst for me.  My GP prescribed ATIVAN (lorazepam) to handle the extreme panic/anxiety if necessary.

      particularly through the early days when you are working up to the therapeutic dosage you might need the relief that the additional meds offer- though i am limiting myself to every other day if necessary.  

      From all my investigations i have come to the conclusion that for many people it is a question of time - we need to allow our brains to adjust to the medication, and unfortunately for some (me included) that doesn't happen in the first couple of weeks.  I am determined to wait at least 6 weeks at the current dosage of 50mg, and the ATIVAN should help me do that. Beyond 6 weeks - if I have not acheived a noticable relief I will have to consider an increase - but for now I find living in the moment and not worrying about the future to be all i can manage.

      My advice would be to continue with the meds for as long as you can, giving them time to do their job.  If your GP has prescribed supplemental drugs to help you through this most difficult period then at least try them once to determine their benefits.

      Hang in there, its a moment by moment process and a long road, but you can make it and there are always people in this community to turn to for support, advice and encouragement.  May today be a better day for you than yesterday was.

    • MurTof
      MurTof CG1964

      Posted

      Thank you for your message and sharing your experiences. 

      I do think that the sertraline is lifting my mood slightly. I've had two pretty good days (more so in the afternoon) but today has been a bit wishy washy. I rang my doctor today as I'm supposed to move up to 50 mg on Friday but she suggested I stay on 25 mg for another week. I'm just hoping that the jump to 50 doesn't send me back into the starting side effects again. My appetite is slowly but surely coming back but can't finish a full meal yet. 

      One day at a time, I suppose smile 

       

    • CG1964
      CG1964 MurTof

      Posted

      Glad to hear your appetite is returning and you are feeling some positive effects of the meds.  Have faith that in time they will bring you relief.  

      Hope the day has been good for you.

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