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Sertraline for anxiety and side effects

Posted , 4 users are following.

chev85
chev85

Hi, I’m hoping for some help/advice. I’d been prescribed sertraline for bad anxiety which came on when I started a new job 5 weeks ago. My second/third days I had bad anxiety attacks, vomited, shaking etc and didn’t go to work. A few days later I  started 25mg of sertraline but experienced bad side effects a few days later including vomiting, insomnia, panic attacks during the night etc but had to try push through at work, was so hard. My dr told me to increase after a week but i waited as the side effects seemed to ease after two weeks then my anxiety felt like it was creeping back so I upped to 50mg on Friday. Today, day 6 of 50mg I’m  so nauseous, threw up this morning, can’t eat and was so faint and dizzy etc I’m off work and went to hospital. They are now telling me to stop the medication for a couple of days and see how I feel and go back to my gp and that it’s such a low dose I shouldn’t have side effects coming off it. My gp hasn’t been the best help but going back to see him in two days. I’m scared to stop the medication, if my anxiety gets worse. I’m struggling so bad I don’t know what to do! 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • ashleyrocks910
    ashleyrocks910 chev85

    Posted

    I would not stop the meds.  It takes a few weeks for the meds to settle into your system.  This includes every time you increase.  I also get all the side effects every time I increase it,  but it is SO worth it.  I hate when people,  especially doctors, tell people to stop taking their meds because of the start up effects.  Unless they have been in our shoes,  they just don’t know any better.  It’s absolute hell in the beginning,  but very much worth it in the end.  I suggest searching through these forums.  The people on here are very supportive and have some great advice for dealing with the side effects.  They eased up for you the first time, and they will this time as well.  If however,  you do need to come off of them,  don’t stop cold turkey.  You have to slowly taper down even on a low dose.  Try and hang in there.  It does get better. Xx
    • chev85
      chev85 ashleyrocks910

      Posted

      Thank you, I’m really struggling with the side effects though and can’t afford to take more time off work being in a new job and all. Not sure if there is another medication I can take that has less side effects xx 
    • chev85
      chev85

      Posted

      What side effects did you have and how long did they take to subside when increasing? xx 
  • pamela51740
    pamela51740 chev85

    Posted

    Hi chev I would stick with it the side effects will soon pass, they sound like normal side effects that you get when you first start taking sertraline....things do get better, take care x
    • pamela51740
      pamela51740 chev85

      Posted

      I think most of antidepressants have side effects when you first start taking them, if you could just get through the 1st week and it will be worth it. Can you not get a sick note of the doctor? Also ask for some diazepam while you are going through the side effects which will calm you down if they will prescribe them for you, hope all goes well x
    • chev85
      chev85 pamela51740

      Posted

      I’m finding the side effects of the sertraline quite severe. This is my third week on sertraline (2 week’s on 25mg) and almost finished week one of 50mg. I can get a doctors note but as it’s a new job and I’m on probation still I’m worried about having lots of time off work. I wonder if I go back to 25mg if i’ll Be ok and if it will still help my anxiety? x
    • pamela51740
      pamela51740 chev85

      Posted

      You could always try going to 25mg it might be more bearable! I had no side effects cos I cross tapered from citalopram (which stopped working after 7 years) and citalopram is basically from the same family of antidepressants as sertraline. When my citalopram stopped working in was having bad side effects, severe anxiety and panic attacks, no appetite couldn't sleep, I didn't realise it was the citalopram doing this to me till a few weeks ago and I've been suffering since June. I am on week 3 now on sertraline at 100mg and today I am just starting to feel a bit better, I had one side effect it was feeling spaced out! I wouldn't stop your medication just taper down you might feel better x

    • chev85
      chev85 pamela51740

      Posted

      That sounds terrible and sounds like what I’m experiencing right now! Did you have side effects when starting the citalopram? I’m glad you are starting to feel better now x 
    • pamela51740
      pamela51740 chev85

      Posted

      Thanks 😊 it's horrendous suffering like this, but you will see light at the end of a tunnel. I can't remember if I had any side effects when I started citalopram it was 7 years ago and I'd just had my baby and my mam suddenly died. I was trying to think back the other day if I did have any side effects when starting citalopram and I don't think I had many but I can't honestly remember lol. You will pull through this, I had to have family looking after me when I was going through severe anxiety thought I was going crazy! I couldn't even go pick my son up from school! But it's getting better x last night I felt normal for the first time since June so stick with it x

    • chev85
      chev85 pamela51740

      Posted

      I’m so sorry for your loss Pamela. I feel like I’m going crazy too, haven’t been able to stop crying tonight I’m so fed up and want to feel better, and have hardly eaten at all today. I’m struggling to work with all these side effects so thinking i’ll go back to the 25mg and see how I go xx
    • pamela51740
      pamela51740 chev85

      Posted

      Do you take your sertraline at night or morning? I know it's so hard feeling this way, it will get better, I know it doesn't feel like it ever will but it will. Please see if you can get time work to recover, your mental health matters! They can't sack you can they for being on the sick, I know you said it is your new job but you have to think of yourself. I don't work so I'm stuck home alone tI'll 3 pm when I pick my son up then my husband returns from work at 4. I felt like I had a hangover today (haven't been drinking lol) so I had a nap which I avoid and it sent me into a panic so I went for a jog and feel a bit better now. Try and drink loads of water, abit of exercise and healthy eating. I started healthy eating again this week's, I normally eat super healthy but it's been out the window the past few months I could manage a banana and a few biscuits. Keep in touch x

  • UK-Rose
    UK-Rose chev85

    Posted

    Totally agree with Pamela and Ashley... it all sounds like normal start up side effects to Sertraline, and weve all been there... lol. there not plesant and you will feel worse before feeling better... but you will feel better if you remain on a set dose long enough, its the rushing threw doses that re-starts all the side effects and you have to give each increase at least 4-8weeks to start seeing benefits. Im currently on 50mg and didnt see any benefits till I got passed 4weeks. If you look back and read our journeys you’ll see how much we all struggled in the beginning lol. 

    It does get easier, you just have to stick with it till your system settles, and agree... the diazepam / Xanax does help to take the edge off those first few weeks 

    Youll get there 🌹

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