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sertraline: depression

Posted , 2 users are following.

Laurence
Laurence

On Sertraline for 5 days. It is making me feel awful: anxious, dizzy, restless, slightly nauseous, exhausted and generally unwell with badly disturbed guts. I often feel frightened and desperate, convinced that I am really ill and close to death from heart attack or stroke. Will it get better if I persevere and how big a dose is needed for effective treatment? At present I am only on 50 milligrams and aiming for 150 or even more. Given that a low dose makes me feel terrible, I am terrified of how larger doses are going to affect me.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Laurence
    Laurence

    Posted

    Laurence, Those side-effects are all part of the first days, first week or so, of taking sertraline. Keep at it. Giving up half way through a programme is the worst thing you can do, so if you can just get through it for a few more days, after a fortnight it could well all seem all worthwhile. good luck and dig deep!
  • Sarge
    Sarge

    Posted

    Hi Laurence

    Don't give up, I'm on week 5 of Sertraline, started on 50Mg and it was pretty rough for the first 10 days - exactly the same side effects you're experiencing. Just gone up to 100Mg yesterday and getting a few of the same effects only much less, mainly just a mild headache which paracetamol seems to cure. The important thing is to stick with it for a few more weeks to let your body have a chance to adjust, you should however make sure you tell your GP everything so they can make a proper medical assessment.

    There are plenty of SSRI's like Sertraline on the market, so don't worry if it isn't right for you, your GP can always prescribe you an alternative one to try.

    Good luck mate!

  • Laurence
    Laurence

    Posted

    Hi Sarge, thanks for replying to my inquiry and I'm glad your side-effects are settling down. I am still struggling but I am already on 175mils and hoping to move up to a maximum 200 soon. I sometimes feel desperate but doing something has to be better than doing nothing and I have now been struggling with depression and anxiety for more than two years. I hope your improvement continues.
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