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Sertraline made me faint?!

Posted , 3 users are following.

Moldypeach
Moldypeach

I was just prescribed Sertraline 50mg for the first time. I took my second dose on Saturday and around 6 hrs later I fainted! From searching online I can see that the first couple weeks on this med can be rough, but is fainting normal? I had been just sitting in my computer chair when it happened, and from nowhere I was hit with a really strong wave of dizziness, then heard a ringing in my ears before my hearing seemed to decrease by half and all I could see was grey with purple wavey lines! I think I then fainted briefly, as I remember suddenly coming round being slumped in my chair. The hearing and loss of vision continued for about 5 more minutes and I broke out into a horrible cold sweat. I was on my own when it started, though my partner came home in the middle of it and helped me to lay down, after which it slowly subsided but I was left exhausted for the rest of the day/night with a terrible headache. It was so terrifying that I immediately swore off it, and I didn't take any more. I have to work and could not risk this happening in the office! I can handle feeling sick/tired etc but this was extreme.

I'm wondering if it would help 'ease me in' if I were to half the dose? Or even go lower by halfing it again? Or would I just be hit with the side effects every time I step up? At the time I felt so physically ill I said I'd rather be miserable than experience that again, but of course now I don't want to be faced with continuing depression/anxiety and know that 2 doses aren't enough to give something a proper run.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • ADPanicker
    ADPanicker Moldypeach

    Posted

    Hi. Every post I read is different in some way on an individual experience. Mine. I started on 50mg. It probably made me worse in anxieties and depression for a week and even next week or so after I wasn't any where functioning.

    I didn't experience fainting but the panic attacks that come with the anxiety may have hit you? The sertraline may have both temporarily increased your anxiety both from the chemical and from the fear of taking the drug. I hate the idea of having to take these and so I panicked I could never work again etc etc

    I persevered on the 50. I tried hard with the long breath out shortened in

    I am much better 5 weeks on.

    Hope it helps. Good luck. This depression and anxiety is such a terrible thing to go through.

    • ADPanicker
      ADPanicker

      Posted

      Hi. I was wondering how you are 19 days on ?

  • julie89512
    julie89512 Moldypeach

    Posted

    Hi.

    I on 25mg been on them so 2 weeks.

    Iv also been very dizzy, nauseous. Ringing in my ears palputations

    You may have been better starting on 25mg and work up to 50mg with

    You being anxious about taking them. I was on them years ago due to

    sudden death of a family member and I carnt remember the side effects

    like iv had this time.

    Everyone has different reactions to them, and on how long it takes to

    get into your system. I was nervous about taking them, but I want to get

    my life back so if these help I'm giving them ago.

    Maybe try the lower dose, see how you get on.

    Keep us posted on what you decide good luck x

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