Sertraline initial side effects

Posted , 4 users are following.

I'm on day 3 of sertraline 50mg, having tapered down to 10mg escitalopram before changing over....feeling really nauseous today. Aside from that, ive been a little drowsy and had difficulty getting to sleep. Anxiety is still through the roof but stubborn me won't take the 2mg diazepam as i hate feeling drowsy! Can someone  tell me when these side effects will pass and when I will start feeling less anxious?

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7 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi

    I came off 25mg of Citalopran and started on 50mg of Sertraline that was just over two weeks ago when I went up to 100mg , yes the nausea is still there , tired , shaky but the anxiety has definitely come down which is such a relief, take the Diazipan if you need to I was advised to during the med change as anxiety tends to highton during the process, I take 5mg of it but over the last few days haven’t used it at all unless I’ve had any manic crying spells.

    Give the Sertraline time to settle in it will help , if it helped my anxiety which was through the roof it will work for you too.

    Matt

  • Posted

    Aww thank you Matt fo taking the time to reply. Doesn't it suck that we know these feeling are derived from anxiety, that they aren't real and the thoughts that cause the reaction are just thoughts....yet we fall into its clutches every damn time. I was on escitalopram for a long time and it was great, until all of a sudden my body developed a tolerance to it. I spent 2 months convincing my doctor that that was what had happened. Finally saw a psychiatrist, who agreed with me and switched me to sertraline. Fingers crossed it does the trick because my life is at a stand still at th mo.

    • Posted

      Yep mental health nurses suggested to me that the Cit wasn’t helping me anymore so suggested Sertraline.

      I see the psychiatrist next week, first time , it’s took 7 months and many meltdowns but finally have the appointment, he will assess me and maybe change or up my meds and set out a plan for me. I was supposed to start CBT last Friday but the women said I wasn’t ready for it due to the manic crying! Hopefully the Sert will calm the emotional stuff down too then I can try the CBT and action the info I have in a really good book I was recommended, I read it a few weeks ago and it really spurred me on I was going out walking joined a yoga class shopping and driving but the meltdown 4 weeks ago has set me back but this Sertraline May be my answer 👍

      Keep going

      Matt 

  • Posted

    Hi gabrielle

    I was on 50mg for eight weeks, now ninth week of sertraline, one week at 75mg.

    For the first two weeks I felt nauseous, reduced appetite, diarrhea, foggy headed, headachey and sleepy. Difficult but during the third week these symptoms eased but there were days when my anxiety increased and I had a strange form of tinnitus (music in my ears) and some jaw clenching.  Sounds awful! But, these are all normal side effects and will go. 

    I was worried about them returning when I increased to 75mg last week but the only side effects at present are return of diarrhea and a bit of jaw clenching, an occasional headache and tiredness.

    My GP increased my dose by only 25mg as she said it reduced the risk of side effects if you go up gradually.

    I also have diazepam - I take sparingly for the anxiety, I don't like feeling sleepy either, but it is a help when the anxiety is bad.

    Overall, I feel better. My depression is reduced by about 50%, improvement in anxiety is slower. Despite tiredness I have more energy. Many sources say it's a slow acting drug but worth the effort of getting through the side effects.

    Good luck and I hope this helps!

    • Posted

      It’s helped me joss just hearing that your depression is better, that’s another goal for me !

      Thanks 

  • Posted

    Hello gabrielle

    You could maybe ask your doctor for some phenergan to help you sleep. It is working for me ..it doesnt knock you out and im getting about 7 hours after taking it. Its only mild and seems to work. Good luck ..we are all in this together..please keep posting especially when you are feeling better...🦄🦄🦄🦄

  • Posted

    My appetite is completely gone at the mo but I know I absolutely have to eat so am eating a side plate of food every few hours....really need to not lose anymore weight. Still have healthy bmi of 20.6 and very conscious that I need to keep fit and healthy. Hasn't helped that I've been struck down with Maudie flu these past 10 days. I'll get there though. Just gotta keep fighting. 

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