Sertraline start-up feel awful

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi . First post but long time anxiety sufferer. Is sertraline notoriously worse at the beginning than other ssri's?? Getting worse and to a point at which I can bearly talk to anyone .. I should add that I have tried other ssri's with various rates of success a failiers. I have also been given diazepam which I'm scared to take for obvious reasons. Thanks for reading.

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    In the beginning it can be worse with heightening anxiety. I had that, also brain zaps, headaches, muscle aches, insomnia and other side effects too. It will and does get better.

    I was so bad that I couldn't leave my house. I was off work for almost a month. I would have a panic attack thinking about when I was gonna have another one. That is gone now. Feeling more like myself each day. It takes time and I know that is hard to hear you want it to work now. I have been there. I have upped my meds 3 times. Like it said stick with it, it will work 🤗

    • Posted

      Nicole

      I am so glad to hear that you experienced those feelings in your head. I thought I was the only one. It’s like a pressure/ache and it scares the heck out of me ( I suffer from health anxiety). You made me feel better smile 

    • Posted

      Jenna-

      It was awful. It would freak me out too and I would Google it and I learned NOT to Google symptoms. I either had a brain tumor or something just as bad. So my panic and anxiety sky rocketed. Yes, they are a side effect and they get better as time goes on!! You are not alone Jenna 😀

    • Posted

      Yes!!!!! I googled it and read the same thing and it literally put me into a panic. It’s so damn scary but I’m glad I’m not alone. When did you finally start to feel better? How many weeks in? 
    • Posted

      It is scary! You are so not alone! I am on week 12 I have adjusted my meds 3 times. I am so much better then I was 3 months ago! I feel like I am feeling alive again. That feels so good. How far in are you and what is your dose?
    • Posted

      I am on 50 mg and about 4 weeks and a few days. I hope to be where you are soon! 
  • Posted

    Oh it definitely will work , I know it’s so so so hard, I was suicidal at the beginning, no sleep anxiety panic, intrusive thoughts , one night I remember paceing up and down my hall way all night long thinking I have lost the plot .

    I woke up every morning with panic and sobbing my heart out, that’s if I got any sleep at all, then eventually other people notice it before you do, that things start settling down.

    The first thing my son said to me one morning is I’m your not crying this morning u seem calmer, I said yeah but I still don’t feel good, but he said mum it’s progresss and it was. I then had the night sweats , but I slept more each week.

    I also was scared of any meds, but I did finally take the diazepam, I just thought you know what nothing can make me feel any worse than I do already.

    The diazinon really really helped I wanted it all the time. But I would take only 2.5 mg each morning coz that was when I felt the worst.

    After a couple weeks I tried only to take it when really necessary, sometimes in the evening or morning .

    Then after about 5 weeks I had patches in the day that lasted about half an hour that I felt 100% me again. Then the patches got more and more.

    Please please bare with it, give it at leat 8 weeks before you decide to change. Sertraline has saved my life honestly sweet heart.

    Talk to us in hear any time day or night we will help you get through it. Xxx

  • Posted

    Yes the start up is awful. Increased anxiety and so forth. I am myself only at 4 weeks and still experiencing side effects. As I’ve read from pervious posts that it does get better in time. 
  • Posted

    Hello Paul,

    Unfortunately it will get worse before it gets better, with various side effects stopping and changing as you go threw, at least till you become more settled in your dosage.

    One of my side effects was becoming depressed when I was actually taking Sertraline for anxiety, go figure?? But you will have days were talking and socialising is just a no go... but dont be too hard on yourself in these periods, weve all been there. I had periods were I could barely manage two words to people and just felt the need to shut myself away and stay in bed on several occasions, But  IT WILL PASS, it might not feel like it right at this moment, but keep going and you’ll get there. Sertraline is a very slow gradual medication, so it does take a few weeks at a regular dose level to start working.

    As for the diazepam, they really do help in those tough moments... just keep your doses simple and evenly spaced, and only take them if it feels too much and you’ll be fine. Also keep a daily log of your symptoms and side effects going threw, really helps to look back and monitor your progress even if only slight. You’ll get there 🌹

    • Posted

      Thank u for taking the time to reply. It's been a horrendous few days and it's nice to know there are people who understand. Thanks again

    • Posted

      Your welcome Paul, I was just the same when I started out...  I posted all the same questions, but I stuck with it, and so glad I did. Time really is the key.

      Weve all been there, I know its tough, but dont ever think your alone, this website is a great help 🌹

    • Posted

      Thank you as well for the words of encouragement. It seems like it won’t ever get better but hearing your story along with others it really is reassuring 
    • Posted

      Hello Jenna, I keep meaning to do a full post about getting to the other side to help give others a boost, I remember how much those positive stories kept me holding on in the beginning!!

      Ive just got to find the time to sit down and type it all up, but my question posts from when I was going threw those beginning stages are still linked to my profile... so you can see I also had all the same concerns/ side effects going threw. Wondering if it was ever going to work?? Should I change meds?? It was only this website that kept me going. 

      So if you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask and I will try to reassure of help as much as I can.

      Its tough, but worth it 🌹

  • Posted

    Thank you for the heartfelt replays. It's nice to know there are people who understand how it feels . Another day from hell I'm afraid. I'm definitely worse than before I started the sertraline but only on day 6. Currently looking at the box of pills wondering weather to carry on with them..

  • Posted

    I started on this yesterday. Not gonna sugar coat it, I feel like crap! Completely lost my appetite, hot cold flushes, pupils are massive, feel really spaced out and been tired since. My mood seems worse. I'm on 50mg for depression. Hoping it gets better. From what I've read and heard the side effects are pretty nasty but should subside in no more than 2 weeks. You're not alone

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