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Sertraline side effects still there...

Posted , 4 users are following.

laura29494
laura29494

Hello,

I'm 28 years old and have been on Sertraline for about 11 weeks now.. started at 25mg for 7 days then up to 50mg for 4 weeks tried 75mg for a week but felt way worse. So now back down to 50mg, my side effects to begin were light headedness, dizziness, tired and some sort of weird brain fog that is hard to explain but just feeling very off all in all.

Since I have started the medication I can been dealing with a new side effect of derealization/ depersonalization I believe it is called after looking it up. VERY bizarre feeling of not being real pretty much, feeling weird in my body, looking in the mirror like reminding myself who I am. This hasn't gotten better in the 11 weeks so I know this side effect alone (which I feel is worst one) has been brought on by the medication. My doctor said to try four more weeks and if the feeling hasn't gone away we are going to try a new medication.

At this point I dunno if trying a new medication is the best answer or if going off medication altogether would be better. Since I personally know how I felt before taking any medication and I wasn't feeling as off as I am now that's for sure! Has anyone else dealt with this side effect or have any suggestions?

Thanks!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • adrian98
    adrian98 laura29494

    Posted

    I've had similar side-effects.  I started sert in november and increased to 125mg slowly. The side-effects have slowly decreased, but then reappear out of nowhere for a day or two. You sound like you're not having any good days at all. If this is the case, you really want to ask whether to keep at sert at all. Myself, I couldn't imagine going unmedicated completely, the process of changing meds is almost as scary. Sorry am not much help. I really feel for you though, Good luck,

    • laura29494
      laura29494 adrian98

      Posted

      No no any advice is helpful thank you for your thoughts!!
  • laura36585
    laura36585 laura29494

    Posted

    Hi laura, god all these laura’s are getting confusing lol.   I took sert for years and came off them but just re started them a few days ago.   When I took it before, my max dose was 100 but mainly stuck at 50.  Yes I did have little moments of feeling utterly bizarre but I was happy to cope with that as it was really just moments, and I prefer that over anxiety all day.   I think if it’s really alarming and unsettling you and you feel it’s not something you can cope with and is interfering with life then you absolutely should go back to your doc to have a chat.  Perhaps it’s the dose or perhaps it’s just not a good fitting med for you.  The aim of antidepressants is that you feel good on most days so it’s not unrealistic to expect more from your medication.  Xx 
  • alexandra57394
    alexandra57394 laura29494

    Posted

    Hi Laura,

    I have had these side effects first two weeks and every time when increasing the dose. I am at 75mg now. It could be the "body symptoms" of increased anxiety ( even if you may not think you are anxious). Also, 50mg is a pretty low dose and could kick in quite slowly. My doctor's advice was to wait until side effects of 50mg would be gone and then increase the dose. I would follow your doc's advice - to wait a bit more and then in case it's not giving any benefit to you to change the med. (I know it sounds painfull) x x

  • al-pk9
    al-pk9 laura29494

    Posted

    Hi Laura,

    ?Don't be alarmed, it is a very common side-effect of sertraline and you are of course probably analysing and over-analysing it. It does wear off eventually. Remember that Sertraline is a very long-acting medication so I cant say what the time-frame will be for you but it's assuredly just another of a long list of things that Sertraline does. The key to this is getting rest, if you are able.

    Kind regards,

    Alex

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