Sertraline side effects- normal?
Posted , 4 users are following.
My doctor started me on 50mg of sertraline on Monday. It's been about a year since I've taken any sort of medication for anxiety/depression and the last thing I was on was Lexapro. I told my doctor it didn't work and so he put me on zoloft (sertraline.) The side effects were immediate. I took them Monday night before bed and woke up Tuesday with awful nausea, diarrhea, weakness and tremors. I went to work and my employer immediately complained that I wasn't "moving fast enough as I usually did" (I'm an office administrator) and that if I didn't get into gear, it would mean my job. I was lethargic beyond my control. The whole reason I'm back on medication now is for anxiety due to phobia of vomiting. With nausea being such a potent side effect, I'm starting to feel like it's kind of defeating the purpose. What can I do?
0 likes, 5 replies
julie89512 julia80504
Posted
Hi.
I'm on 25mg for just over 5weeks.
When I started taking sertraline I read all the side effects that it can cause
So I decided to take my tablet in the evening about 8.30pm so if I was
going to get side effects the worst was going to be when I'm in bed.
I had funny dreams but nothing scary and a week or so of broken sleep.
I'm not complely without side effects, but I'm coping.
Maybe you should have started on 25mg and worked up to 50mg if
needed. I'm taking mine for anxiety and low moods.
Hope all works out for you.
GodsServant julia80504
Posted
Hi Julia, sorry to hear you are doing this. I think almost all of us on this forum have been there. First, go to the Human Resources department of your employer and explain your situation. I know what I am suggesting sounds nuts because we always fear if we reveal our health condition, it could be used against us, but nowadays I don't think that is the case. You do not even have to go into details, but just say, I am currently on a medication and this is one of the major side effects I am experiencing. If you can afford to, get a doctor s note and take some time off from work. Getting on this med is hard enough as it is, but switching to it from another med is even harder, in my opinion.
Regarding your fear of vomitting and sertraline making you feel nauseous, goodness, if this isn't the most intense form of CBT, I don't know what is. Yes, this is indeed an interesting dilemma. Just so you know, I have vomited quite a few times each time after I get back on this med. Hmmm, I don't know what to say to help you.
Go back to your doc and ask him for his advice. Or, you can try to reduce your nausea by taking this med with more food in your stomach.
Or, you can power through the nausea because it doesn't last that long. It's one of those side effects that was quickest to go, for me. Hope this helps. xx
GodsServant
Posted
Or you can start on a lower dosage, like 12.5mg. Starting on 50mg is a rather high dose. Usually you're on 25mg for a week or two, them 50mg for a few weeks.
Dav39 GodsServant
Posted
I also started on 50mg and it's nearly been 5 weeks. Have a feeling my doc will move me up to 100 when I see him next week. Is that a big jump?
GodsServant Dav39
Posted
Hi Dav, if you are a bit apprehensive, then take one 100mg one day and 50mg the next day so it's 75mg daily. You can stay at 75mg for a couple of weeks and then increase to 100mg after a few weeks if you or your doc still feel you need to.