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Side Effects ?

Posted , 4 users are following.

marko1969
marko1969

Hi all :0) Im after abit of advice Ive just started 50mg Sertraline approx week 4 now - but getting really bad chest pains which go into my arms and back to seem to be centalised up the middle from my stomach to top of chest also seem to get out of breath quick and gets worse if I do anything physical even walk etc .

I do suffer with Fibromyalgia and do get alot of chest pains with this condition but seem to be alot worse now on the sertraline - been docs they dont seem to concerned and have told me to stick with it as its early days but thats easier said than done any thoughts ?

Ive had heart checks which havent showed up any problems but it does scare me as sometimes get very strange sensations in my chest - accompanied by fast heart rate and hot and clammy feels like a heart attack - think it might be panic attacks not sure probably why doc has put me on sertraline for anxiety\panic attacks ?

Just hoping I`m not having a reaaction to the sertraline cos so fed up of feeling crap and really want to give this med a proper go and hoping it helps my condition as got no life atm :0(

Mark

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • charles61038
    charles61038 marko1969

    Posted

    Hello, I started out on 25 mg of Sertraline. Aside from feeling a bit antsy and anxious, it seemed to be okay. After 6 weeks I was feeling pretty good. I started taking the Sertraline due to frequent heart palpitations that were diagnosed as harmless PVC's. They started getting more and more frequent and were driving me nuts. I had the Echo cardiogram, EKG etc. All tests were normal. Finally my primary care doc suggested an anti depressant - Sertraline. After about 2 weeks, the palpitations all but stopped. I was feeling pretty good most of the time. I went for a follow up with the doctor and he upped my dose to 50 mg. He said that was the normal dose. But I am having problems adjusting to that dose. I took the 50 for 2 days, and couldn't take the antsy anxious feeling. And the heart palpitations started up again, so I went back to the 25 mg. Everything settled down. So I am now trying to get up to the 50 mg again. I started cutting one of the 25 mg in half, so basically trying the 25 mg plus a half. It has made the palpitations come back, and the anxiousness begin again. I will give it a few more days to see if I can adjust to that dose. I wanted to try to get to the 50 mg, but maybe that is just too high. I guess we are all different. I've read on this website where people take 100 to 200 mg and feel great.

    • marko1969
      marko1969 charles61038

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply Charles - I was started on 50mg dont get palpitations as such mines is a contant ache in chest but I do get the odd fast heartbeat and go hot and clammy sometimes think that could be a panick attack as Im constantly worried about the chest pains ? Also very weak and shortness of breath whenever I do something hoping these situations are just short term side effects ?

      I can`t remember the last time I felt good had fibro for 10+ years now and it seems to be getting worse and not better :0(

    • charles61038
      charles61038 marko1969

      Posted

      Mark, I read the side effects of the Sertraline and chest pain can be one of them. The clammy sweaty feeling too. I sometimes wake up at night sweating and I don't feel hot, just sweaty. It goes away though. I've also had the pounding heart beat. When that has happened, I check my blood pressure and it is normal. So I think it is just the some of the side effects. Of course that adds to anxiety. It seems like most all of the anti depressants cause some side effects. Hopefully they will go away. I was feeling pretty antsy and anxious starting last night after upping my Sertraline to the 37 mg. I take it in the morning. All day I was okay, until just before dinner. Then the antsy anxious feeling started along with the heart palpitations. I thought about just going back to the 25 mg, but from what I've read on this website I should just go through it and tough it out. So I took the 37 mg dose this morning and I am feeling pretty okay so far. I started taking a low dose Zanax (.25 mg Alprazolam) at night to help with sleep. My doctor said that was okay - I want to try to get to the 50 mg Sertraline in the next week or so.

    • marko1969
      marko1969 charles61038

      Posted

      Thanks charles Im hoping its a temp side effect as its horrible feeling and starts you feeling anxious which leads to more side effects its a vicious circle for sure :0(

  • chris80549
    chris80549 marko1969

    Posted

    if you worried go back to the Dr.

    but the anxiety and panic can cause the same feelings.

    I took months to get over side effects and wish I had gone back earlier.

    my surgery has now started a dedicated Mental Health section with 2 Mental Health Practicianors able to prescribe and he took me off Sert and put me on Venlafaxine and Im so much better. Still get a bit anxious if I have too much to do or a prob to sort.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    • marko1969
      marko1969 chris80549

      Posted

      Thanks Chris been back docs and tbh they dont seem that sympathetic just thats how it is and carry on taking the tablets I guess some gps are better than others - Im trying to give the meds time to take effect but it ain`t easy :0( Cheers

  • robin16
    robin16 marko1969

    Posted

    Hi Mark,

    Robin here. I took 50mg of sertraline for anxiety/panic attacks and I was on it for two years, only took 25mg for the last 6 months to tapper off. When i first started, I went through a similar episodes but worse maybe. I had ECG and stress test and other heart checks because I was convinced that I actually had a heart condition but everything came back normal. On top of that I only had about 3-4 hours of sleep for the first 3-4 weeks and I literally thought I was going to die of sleep deprivation. But it all picked up after 6 weeks. Along the way I also lost almost 8kgs in the first 4-8 weeks, and again I am back to my normal weight.

    My point is to be patient and give the medication a chance to do its job. People have many other side effects and its different to each person so, if your doctors are not concerned it's probably a little spike in your anxiety/panic so I wouldn't worry too much.

    I also want to give you with the diet, I tried to eat lots of banana, avocado, salmon fish (proven to be effective against depression and anxiety) as much as I can during the first 6 weeks. Do your own research about what kind of food should you eat that will also aid the medication.

    Many blessings and may God be with you as he was with me.

    • marko1969
      marko1969 robin16

      Posted

      Hi Robin and thanks for the info :0) Yes Ive lost approx 8 - 10 kgs so far but its the constant aches\sensations in my upper chest they feel so weird and get breathless quick :0( doctors dont seem concerned but I am and yes cant sleep aswell possibly due to the pain. Im trying to think positive and carry on with the meds but its not easy just wanna feel good again..

      Cheers Mark

    • robin16
      robin16 marko1969

      Posted

      Hopefully things will make a U turn for you sooner rather than later.

      It took me a couple of months till i can finally say i was back to my norm.

      It should for you too. Take care.

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