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Sertraline for depression and anxiety - First dose bad reaction

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gemma_73403
gemma_73403

Hi all, 

I have been suffering from depression on and off for years but have started recently suffering with anxiety alongside this. I often be overcome and completely overwhelmed with self doubt, I often overthink every single small silly thing and knew I had to do something as I am returning to full time study to fulfil my life long dream of obtaining a degree. I went to the doctors who referred me to a counsellor but this didn't suffice. So on a return visit (yesterday morning) she decided to prescribe 50mg Sertraline daily. I took the first dose at 11.30am yesterday morning and the rest of the day I had no appetite - not really complaining about that's let's be honest a few pound down do no harm however, lastnight at 10.30 I went to bed to rest to start my first day at college and I honestly felt like that dose hit me with a bang, my pupils dilated to the size of the colour of my eye, I was wide awake, sweating, shaking - my body buzzing, anxiety through the roof, thinking things were happening that went, I thought it would never end..last time I checked the time was 2am! I woke at 6 again...this was my first tablet!! The doctor said 2-4 weeks, I've tried to ring to see what I do I'm afraid to take another one today as lastnight was frightening! 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • ZEN.
    ZEN. gemma_73403

    Posted

    Hi Gem,

    I have just tapered off Sertraline at 200mg dose.

    The side effects were horrific and miles worse than benefits.

    All meds dont suit all people, if you had such frightening side effects and you have only taken one, you dont have to take any more.

    Make an appt to see your doc asap to discuss.

    I have just gone on to Trazodone which imho is miles better you might want to discuss that med with your doc.

    Above all dont panic and get more anxious, do something nice for yourself as a treat..

  • natd
    natd gemma_73403

    Posted

    I myself had all these for my 1st 2 to 3 weeks of taking sertraline 50mg. It's absolutely awful but stick with it. Easier said than done I know as I felt like giving up but you will get there and feel so much better. Good luck. x

    • jen48700
      jen48700 natd

      Posted

      Natd,  I am on day 9 of zoloft and honestly I don't know how much more I can handle this emotional roller coaster. Did you notice your emotions all over the place (almost bipolar) in the beginning? This morning I woke up perfectly fine and super happy, then an hour later I felt foggy brained and anxious, then a few hours after that I felt depressed and literally just bawled my eyes out over the phone to my mom because I feel like i'm going crazy. Not sure if it's the anxiety or the Zoloft.

    • natd
      natd jen48700

      Posted

      My personal experience in the beginning was slightly different. I would wake up shaking, feeling sick, nervous knotting in my tummy and my thoughts all over the place. I was scared of going to sleep knowing I would wake up to the same side effects. It was like I was even more scared of anything and everything. All the anxiety I felt was ten times worse!! I did get through it and then felt 'normal' for a very long time. Almost 2 years of 50mg were great. I remember how bad the side effects were and am about to increase by 25 to 75mg dose a day. I'm so worried I'm going to have the side effects again. Everyone is different though. If you really feel you can't deal with what you're going through, please call your doctor. I wish you all the best and hope it all works for you to get some normality back xx

    • jen48700
      jen48700 natd

      Posted

      Thank you for your feedback regarding this matter. I too go to sleep and wake up super anxious with thoughts all over the place. Yesterday and today were the first days I actually woke up feeling great but then a couple hours later it went downhill and I became anxious and depressed and started doubting everything. It sucks because during those "Up" moments, I think "today is going to be a great day! I'm not going to let anything effect me today" but then it kind of sneaks up on me.

  • sondar
    sondar gemma_73403

    Posted

    Hi Gemma,

    ?I'd be inclined to take The Globus Kid's advice.

    I was put on 50mg Sertraline because I woke up shaking and buzzing and trembling - my GP thought it was anxiety causing that.

    Ten months later I am on 150mg and trying to wean myself off it as the trembling on waking is still there.

    It can take a couple of months of unpleasant side effects before the drug starts to work (if it is going to work at all!). If you do persist and feel it is working for you, then that's good, but if you don't want to, then I suggest you see your GP soon and taper the dose off slowly and ask them to prescribe some other anti-anxiety drug - there are many others.

    My own experience was weeks of feeling rough followed by no noticeable improvement, and I shall be tapering my dose off very gradually as, like TGK says, the side effects of coming off can be worse than starting on Sertraline.

    ?The last thing you need is to become anxious about feeling anxious! neutral  So go back to your doctor and discuss alternatives - and do treat yourself to something nice. College can be great if you let it!

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