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sertraline side effects

Posted , 4 users are following.

tammy39856
tammy39856

Hi everyone.  I recently started having panic attacks again after being off Paxil for over 2 years.  Dr suggested trying the Sertraline, and put me on 50mg.  While the panic attacks and the breakdown in tears for no reason stopped in a couple days, the side effects have been awful.  Night sweats, rapid heart beat, naseau, diarrea, if I had a fever I would think it was the flu.  Dr suggested I drop down to 25mg., now the saddness, panick feeling is back in full force, but the side effects are gone...

I'm not sure which is better, any suggestions?  I see alot of you say that the side effects go away after awhile, but I was supposed to up my dose to 100mg after a month, and I have been reading that the side effects increase with dosage changes... this is all quite confusing.

 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • LotsoDotso
    LotsoDotso tammy39856

    Posted

    Hey,

    I've recently started taking Sertraline and was started on 25mg for the first week which I think really helps it to settle in your system. I also had nausea and diarrhoea but this has since faded. I've now gone up to 50mg and the physical symptoms are no where near as bad, although I do feel more panicky at times on the higher dose, especially at night. GP encouraged me that all these things should settle over time. In the meantime I've been given propranolol to help calm the racing heart and panics, have you tried this? For me, it takes the edge off, as often it's the panic that makes the physical synptoms worse. I would say stick with it. I have only been on them about 2 weeks but I'm hoping things will get better in time. Unless the side effects become intolerable (I was on citalopram before this and was literally clutching a bucket) then I would persevere and see what happens.

    Unfortunately, with these drugs things seem to get a bit worse before they get better, which seems counter productive but hopefully the long term benefit will be worth it for you.

    If you ever need anyone to talk to feel free to message me, I can definitely relate.

    Best wishes,

    Charlotte

    • tammy39856
      tammy39856 LotsoDotso

      Posted

      Thanks Charlotte!  I have xanax to help calm me...I think I'm just going to go back to the 50 as the side effects are better than the anxiety!

  • lorraine82455
    lorraine82455 tammy39856

    Posted

    How long have you been taking it? The side effects from 25 will get better. The anxiety may level off after a bit. Good luck, hang in with the 25 for a week and see how you are maybe. Each time the dose changes, the side effects arrive🙄

  • mike33466
    mike33466 tammy39856

    Posted

    Hello there!

    I recently started taking Zoloft , switching from Lexapro which was just not for me anymore after 2 years.

    My doctor said that I should take 25mg for a week and then go up to 50mg.

    I too have some bad side effects like nausea, diarrhea and dizziness but I guess it will be better.

    She also gave me Benzos but I never took them, I am so afraid of them that I have them only in case I know I can't handle it but thank god I can.

    Hang in there, better days will come.

    Just give it time to help you smile

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