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Should I stop Sertraline or persevere

Posted , 4 users are following.

linda81406
linda81406

Hello, I've been suffering with anxiety for a couple of months after a health scare with my husband, all is ok with him now but I still felt the anxiety until a couple of weeks ago when the jitters stopped for most of the time, it was then that I just felt flat and depressed for no real reason.  I saw the doc on Friday and was prescribed Sertraline 50mg to take in the morning.  On the first day I felt sick and was retching and had diarrhoea, second day still more sick feeling and retching but less bothered by diarrhoea, I had a really bad night feeling hot and panicky and unable to sleep much, also had to keep getting out of bed to wander around as I felt restless.  Have taken my tablet today but feel even more sick and retching and very tired.  Firstly not sure whether to stop the tablets but feel I've not really given them long enough so feel inclined to continue for a while.  Also wondering if I am best giving in to the tiredness and resting or trying to keep going, will this help with the side effects or make them worse.  Would love some advice please from those who have been there, should I persevere with the meds.

2 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Tracy7338
    Tracy7338 linda81406

    Posted

    Hello Linda I posted my own discussion up just yesterday, similar to yours. My side effects are not as bad as yours though I do believe they affect people differently. I to have had bad diarrhoea, headaches, severe dizziness, palpitations and shortness of breath. I have been on the Sertraline for 12 days now and I believe it can take 2-4 weeks to take effect. I have the odd good day and today I feel nauseous, I have also lost a stone in weight over these two weeks, weight I couldn't afford to lose as I'm already thin enough. We can help each other with messages to get through this. If you are feeling as bad as you are I would get a sick note, I'm currently off sick as it is easier to sit down, I get even more anxious at work if I am feeling ill and I don't cope very well with it as I'm never normally ill at all.
    • linda81406
      linda81406 Tracy7338

      Posted

      Hello Tracy, thanks for replying and yes it would be great to help each other through this awful thing.  I work mornings only so will perhaps go in tomorrow and see how it goes, to be honest I'm better when I'm with peope and dread being at home alone at the moment although this didn't used to be a problem for me so guess is just the anxiety and depression causing those feelings.  I've had a bit of dizziness but not too bad, also had fast heartbeat in bed last night but deep breathing sort of calmed it down.  I have very poor appetite but am forcing myself to eat little and often for the time being.
    • Tracy7338
      Tracy7338 linda81406

      Posted

      I had a poor appetite too and the smell of cooking food knocked me sick, only just now starting to eat a bit more and the smell of cooking food doesn't knock me sick anymore.
    • linda81406
      linda81406 Tracy7338

      Posted

      That's good Tracy that you are starting to eat a bit more and shows that you are making progress as you said had a poor appetite and not have a poor appetite.  
  • james8206
    james8206 linda81406

    Posted

    Hi it sounds like it's not something you've suffered from for a long time and so I'll guess that you haven't tried alternatives? Like you, a lot of people including myself have suffered major side effects with Sertraline and I only lasted four days before giving in it was that bad. After a couple of months of ups and downs cold turkey I asked the doc to give some other tablets a go. To my surprise the Citalopram (another ssri) I was given had very few side effects and seems to be working to good effect. So my advice is don't suffer in silence. Ask your doctor if there are alternatives you might try.
    • linda81406
      linda81406 james8206

      Posted

      Hello James, no I haven't tried alternatives, think I will give this a couple of weeks and then speak to the doctor.  People keep telling me to stick with it so I will for now.  Didn't have a very good night's sleep, trouble is I'm tired in the day.  Thanks for your support and hope you continue to feel well.
  • linda81406
    linda81406

    Posted

    Oh my goodnes, woke up on day 6 even more anxious and jittery, sweaty feel awful.  Got out our bed to get ready for work, felt a bit better.  Wanted to ring doctor right now to get meds changed.  Husband has encouraged me to stick with these for a while longer to give them a fair chance.  Just going to get on with my day.
  • ellebi
    ellebi linda81406

    Posted

    How long you on it? I'm on it 10 weeks now. No improvement
    • linda81406
      linda81406 ellebi

      Posted

      I'm on day 21 of the tablets and starting to feel better, have occasional jitters now and ringing in the ears but definitely better.  Sleep has improved too,I do still wake up in the night but get back to sleep again. I'm on 50mg and spoke to dr today who suggested I stay at that dose for the time being.
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