Sertraline side effects - reassurance please
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi, I've been taking Sertraline for about 5 and a half weeks, but today is 4 weeks at 50mg (I started on 25mg). I suffer with depression and anxiety and had switched from Mirtazapine as I found the drowsiness too much to deal with. I've been on Citalopram in the past, but several years ago. I'm male and in my late 30s.
The side effects of Sertraline have been really tough, in particular the major increase in anxiety, racing thoughts and jitteryness (for want of a better word) and a kind of feeling of dread/uneasiness. I also have had real difficulty sleeping, headaches (maybe due to jaw clenching), lack of appetite, short periods of derealization, and frequent diarrhoea (to the point I've lost weight).
At the beginning of last week things started to settle, the anxiety was fading, I stopped having periods where I felt I was losing my mind, my stomach settled, I could eat well and my depression felt like it was easing. I was still feeling tense and getting headaches, but in general I felt like things were improving.
However, since Sunday evening the anxiety and diarrhoea returned and I've been struggling again with racing thoughts and the feeling of dread/uneasiness (with no specific reason), some short periods of derealization again, and I've been a lot more tearful. I feel much worse in the mornings and things tend to ease by early evening. I think I feel slightly better today than yesterday, but not as good as last week.
I did see a doctor on Monday as I had a review booked, but since I've just moved and haven't been able to fully register at a surgery yet, I saw a locum and he wasn't much help. He said he'd never heard of Sertraline causing any anxiety and the drug should only take 10-14 days to settle. I'm fairly certain he's wrong on both counts, but what he said has worried me.
I'm just seeking some reassurance that I should continue with the Sertraline and that things should settle again. Has anyone else had their side effects improve and then come back? Can I expect these side effects to fade again? Did anyone else find it took more than 4 weeks at a given dose for side effects to improve?
I'm really struggling at times so any replies and advice would be very much appreciated. Just some reassurance would be nice. I just want to feel better soon! Thanks for 'listening' 
2 likes, 25 replies
Wilb Dom05879
Posted
Dom05879 Wilb
Posted
Thanks Wilb, I really hope things settle down for you. Mornings are definitely worst for me too. I'll stick with it and pray that things get better for us both!
michael58834 Wilb
Posted
I too am on lexapro 5mg for the last week of anxiety and depression, and Its been pure hell so far the first night I took it I was as high as anything the next day so sick but picked up as the day went on since then it has been up one day very down the next day, racing thoughts, sick, overheating, dry mouth, cant stop thinking about suicide some days, I dont need to be thinking about this, I also havent slept in two days just cant get to sleep. I too was on sert 100mg for just over a year but it was not the one for me, I remember the start up from sert and it was not just the same so I know it will pass, I was just wondering did you have any of these while starting up and have they passed and how long did they take to pass. I know you are up and down at the moment and Im so sorry for all the questions. If anything it good to find someone thats on lexapro as I put up a post on this site but there does not seem to be anyone on here on lexapro.
Wilb michael58834
Posted
michael58834 Wilb
Posted
Wilb michael58834
Posted
michael58834 Wilb
Posted
Well Wilb how are you doing today good I hope. How thing's in New York this morning.
Wilb michael58834
Posted
weenett Wilb
Posted
michael58834
Posted
Well Wilb how are you feeling today. Better I hope. How did your visit with the therapist go the other day. I'm still up and down at the moment I find it hard to get motivated in the mornings and my anxiety is through the roof at the moment so please god it starts to let up a bit soon as it's a pure pain in the ###. Work has been a no go area at the moment as my poor brain has not been able for it. How are you doing dealing with work and life while waiting for it to kick in.
ger00232 michael58834
Posted
Hi Michael
I am in ireland too. I'm at the end of week 3 and feel no different the derealization is strong today, my mood is low and anxiety well that's always there. I'm feeling hopeless.
Wilb michael58834
Posted
lee18125 Dom05879
Posted
Hi..
Like u I was on other meds,they made me feel like I couldn't focus I wanted to sleep all the time, I'm now on 50mg of sertraline for about 6 weeks now and it really takes at least 6 weeks b4 u start to notice any changes for the better.
Give it a while longer, best wishes.😄
Dom05879 lee18125
Posted
Hi Lee,
Thanks for the message, it helps to know that I need to stick with it a bit longer to see positive changes. I'll be patient and hope for the best!
Thanks
weenett Dom05879
Posted
Dom05879 weenett
Posted
Thanks weenett. I'll definitely Google that and have a read. Mirtazapine did work quite well for my depression, and much more quickly than Sertraline. It's also great for sleep, I would easily sleep 7-8 hours straight without stirring, and now I can barely sleep 2 or 3 without waking up. I'd been on it over 8 weeks and I was still struggling with the drowsiness the following day, which is why I decided to switch. I was still at the lowest dose, so I could have just gone up, but I wanted to try an SSRI again. Definitely worth a try if you don't feel Sertraline is right for you.