Sertraline, just how much hold it has over you

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi Guys 😊

I've been on Sertraline (50mg) for Eleven weeks now, and during this time I've noticed I've become somewhat absent minded. Also my focus seems to be a hit or miss and as or tiredness, well that is 65% (roughly) constant. 0

So me being me, thought I would take half my dose (25mg) and see if these side effects subsided, if not a little. Well, the first day great, I felt more aware and alert, however towarfd the end f the Second day, I became sluggish, and the tops of my legs were aching, I didn't so much as feel light headed but rather I just wanted tlo rest.

Anyway, once I got home and resting fter having something to eat, I became quiet if not a little withdrawn. So I took my Sertraline t its proper dose, bearing in mind I had 25mg that morning, then Ten to Fifteen minutes after, my Heart started racing accompanied by hot flushes. I assume it was a Anxiety attack which I haven't ad since being on this medication, so I read ul on Sertraline and it states not takeore nor less than your prescribed dosage, if you do, it gave you a list of symptoms and one of those symptoms was a racing Heart beat, which calmed dpwn within Five minutes. So my question is have any of you guys x had any similar experience, or was it a Anxiety attack or the Medication. Mny thanks in advance for your time and advice and untiring support ?

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Posted

    Sorry for my abysmal typo.
    • Posted

      Hey I've just started on sertraline perscribed by GP for depression and anxiety... I've never been on meds before and I'm 3 days I'm (50mg)

      I'm a little concerned cos basically a few hours after the first dose I'm not kidding I felt high, well really keyed up/ wired but NO negative feelings, which considering they are usually a constant for me (hating myself, constant suspicion and negative thoughts and ruminating thoughts) it felt so odd. I also am getting heart racing, hot flushes and fidgeting, and real trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep. Is that how you felt? I don't feel tired at all and no appetite. I guess it's either side effects or its not working how it's supposed to? Gp said it may take a few weeks before feel it working, but that I might get worse before I get better. But I don't really feel worse per se cos the negative depressive thoughts have faded so much 😐

      Hopefully the 'feeling like I've drank 5 cans red bull' thing will pass!

    • Posted

      Hi Sofi 😊

      When I first started sertraline I to had hot flushes and sweating bouts, also little if not no appetite. No racing heart (except the one previous) but I did get a tingly sensation all over my body, but they all soon passed within a couple of weeks. Do drink plenty of water though. So far Sertraline has worked for me, and maybe me doing a self experiment with my dosage interrupted the cycle of my Medication, I don't know. Keep a note on your symptoms and they will pass, I promise x

    • Posted

      OK thanks 😊 I plan to stick through with it. I've gone quite a long time feeling craspy but in denial and can't seem to improve with therapy alone

      Glad the sertraline is working ok for you! It's encouraging x

  • Posted

    Hi, well the tiredness there is nothing like it, I could sleep for England my memory seems to get worse but I'm told that's the anxiety, even though my anxiety has decreased somewhat. Hot flushes are horrific especially at night.

    My story is I was started on 50 then up to 100, which was fine but not 100% I was then put on 150mg, which was then a complete sole destroying!! My anxiety was increased with the increase of the Sertraline, I was told it would improve but I couldn't function so I took a week off work. This was only after talking to a friend, and another visit to the docs who prescribed me diazepam to calm me. My friend suggested to gradually increase to 150 in fact her advice was better than the docs. Anyway I slowly decreased the 150 as I actually realised that the dose was far to high for me. I am now on 100 feeling much better. I'm also taking loads of vitamins.

    Will I stay on these pills forever. NO not if I can help it. I personally think they are evil. I'm just gratefully I've found the right disease dose & have my confidence back & can function again. Good luck xx

    • Posted

      Hi Chick x

      Thanks for your reply, I too have read some horror stories about sertraline, I may ask about Dazipan accompanying sertraline. Someone mentioned with Sertraline and sleep are not good bed fellows, your sleep is not deep no mattet how many hours you have. Apparently it introduces REM, I may on my next appointment hange my Medication, and see about fluoxetine. I hope you are much better x and keep me posted ❤

    • Posted

      Hi DaveDee

      I think as on fluoxetine, it suited me & kept me very level, I was taken off of it due to another tab I took with it, & the doc didn't like the mix. Even though it didn't affect me.

      If I have another reaction to Sertraline I will definitely go back on fluoxetine.

      Hope you feel better soon too xx

  • Posted

    How long did it take to start to work with you I was on 50 mg for 5 weeks and been on 100mg for a week did the same as you tried 50 this morning and had racing heart so took another one really thought it would be working by now. How are you in the morning I am always really anxious when I wake up. How are you sleeping? X
    • Posted

      Hi Tricia x

      Sertraline can take up to anything from Five to Six weeks to start doing there job, and to be fair I'm surprised your on 100mg so early into the Medication. I'm fine in the mornings, I take my sertraline n the mornung before work, as if you were take it at night, you will have difficulty sleeping, as for my sleep pattern I do sleep ok, but no matter if I've had Eight hours sleep, it still feels like I've had a couple of hours on the sofa. I'm alot brighter in myself and my sense of humour has finally come back. I would stick to the dosage you were latest prescribed, and though you may feel all sorts of not so wonderful and weird things happening to your body, do ride it out trust me its only a blip and should not last longer than a couple of weeks. If however you've found no change (because sertraline can increase Anxiety as well as suppress it) go and vist your GP. Even at Eleven weeks is quite an early stage into antidepressants so hang in there and take note of your symptoms nd when they finally subside. I wish you well Tricia, and please keep us updated, experience is key to helping and supporting others 😊 x

  • Posted

    I'm reducing my dose from a 100 to 50 and have these symptoms all the time but I'm determined to not give up ,but I do feel ill most days and can't sleep at night.

    • Posted

      Hi Daisy x

      I know how you feel, even though I halved my dosage for only Two days out of the Eleven weeks I have been taking it. I never thought the effect of decreasing my Medication ould happen that quickly. So I'm reverting back to my prescribed 50mg, I've noticed at times my vision can be blurred at times and the absent minded effect (which I can be without the medication) is just twice fold. So wether these symptoms will pass I can only hope. I wish you well Daisy and hope you can eventually et a good nights sleep x

    • Posted

      Hi there yes my vision seems really bad some days ,is that a side effect? X
    • Posted

      Yes daisy, but hopefully it'll clear up, what worried me is whe my Dr asked me if I had any dark thoughts, I asked him to explain and he said any thoughts on self harming or suicide. To which I said no, but, apparently these are more common teens (18+), I mean why prescribe such a drug to youngsters if the potential is deadly.

    • Posted

      Well I do have dark thoughts but not to kill myself but think I'm going to die ,it's horrible

    • Posted

      Be sure to drink plenty of water as antidepressants tend to give a dry mouth, I haven't ad any dark thoughts. But when you visit your GP be sure to mention it Daisy x, as there are alternative antidepressants ?

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