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So tired on Sertraline

Posted , 8 users are following.

Theanxious1
Theanxious1

Hello,

I am on week 5 of sertraline, 50mg.  Im taking it for anxiety mainly. Depression also. Tried all the usual stuff first (CBT, talk therapy etc) and eventually decided medication was needed. 

First few days on this were insane. I was totally out of it! shaking etc pacing around and just feeling drugged! Had to take couple days off work as they’d have thought I had lost it. Felt very nauseous also. It settled after those first couple days and for about two weeks I just felt tired and very very nauseous. I started to feel a little calmer on week 3 and the tiredness was getting better. But now the exhaustion is back. I feel like a zombie and I had a really bad anxiety day two days ago and felt very down. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to take it at night as I’m afriad I’ll get reliant on it to sleep then. I don’t want to be on this forever. 

I can’t go on feeling this tired and not even sure it’s going to work for my anxiety but wonder if it’s too early to give up?  Anyone with similar experience? 

Many thanks! 

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • tania35477
    tania35477 Theanxious1

    Posted

    Hi, it took me about 6-8 weeks to feel any benefit. The first few weeks were awful, lost 9.5lbs in weight as was nauseous, really tired, palpitations and shaking.  It wasn’t nothing that I hadn’t expected which helped me deal with it better I think. My GP said the first couple of weeks can be tough. 3 weeks is too early to say whether it’s working for you or not. In my opinion I would try and stick it out for another 3 weeks if you can and if you are not happy then I suggest you speak with your GP as not all meds suit everyone. 

    Hang in there and good luck.

  • mae97307
    mae97307 Theanxious1

    Posted

    Maybe yr doc could give u something for the anxiety while taking the meds. I take ativan and it helps so much to calm me down. I'm only 2 weeks in and thankfully I haven't had too bad of side effects but the anxiety on top of the anxiety I had before can get to be too much. My goal is that once the Zoloft kicks in I won't need the ativan or at least only IF needed. That's what I'm hoping anyway. Try to stick with it cuz I hear it's amazing once u get thru the first phase!

  • Clo12345
    Clo12345 Theanxious1

    Posted

    I was taking 50mg of Sertraline for 7 weeks. My side effects were awful and i felt no gain from taking the medication. I was having panic attacks more frequently and i was lower than ever. Even though many people tell you just keep going and wait it out. I took that advice and even though it may be true it’s not always true for everyone and i think it’s important people realise that! My body just didn’t accept the Sertraline for some reason. My doctor changed me and i now take Citalopram instead. After a few weeks i was feeling so much free’r. My panick attacks were almost disappearing and i feel incontrol of my depression now. 

    Only you know your own body and mind. If you’re worried just be honest and tell your doctor that! It’s the best thing i’ve ever done. 

    I also do not want to be reliant on it and don’t want to be on these forever but if this little tablet can make my mind feel slightly at ease we gotta do what we gotta do! 

    Lots of love and strength to you. 

    • lauren56079
      lauren56079 Clo12345

      Posted

      Hi clo! 

      Sorry to jump on this but I’m on 50mg of sertraline it will be 8 weeks on Monday - week 5/6 I feel better and this last week my anxiety seems to of come back! I am in two minds wether to go back to my GP and up my dose or change medication. 

      Did you go straight into citalopram? Did you have any side effects as you’d been on sertraline for 7 weeks? 

      Thanks x

    • Clo12345
      Clo12345 lauren56079

      Posted

      Honestly speak to your doctor and tell them exactly how the medication is making you feel. I felt like completely stopping sertraline altogether but my doctor explained to me that sometimes sertraline just isn’t ideal for people and instead of giving up try another type of medication. I started with headaches and sickness when i took sertraline, then i became extremely anxious, i was so so low, i lost my apetite! I came on here and read so many success stories so i continued but then i started to get muscle cramps in my legs as well as the rest and thats when i went to my doctor.  I literally weaned myself off Sertraline in a couple of days and began taking Citalopram and within 1 week my anxiety decreased, i stopped taking daily panick attacks! Its the best thing i’ve done! 

      Honestly, be honest with your doctor! Making trying a different type of med would be better! Good luck to you! Sending love x

  • Guest
    Guest Theanxious1

    Posted

    Hi, I started on 50mg Sert for anxiety and low mood. The first 5-6 weeks were blooming terrible; nausea +++, jittery, increased anxiety, etc, etc. 

    I truly understand how it is for you.  I would be tempted to stick it a bit longer before making any decision about changing your meds. 

    It can take up to 12wks before you reach full benefit, so it is relatively early days for you at the moment. 

    Hoping for you x 

  • Theanxious1
    Theanxious1

    Posted

    Thanks everyone for the replies! It’s weirdly comforting to hear from people going through the same kind of things. All good advice, I think I’ll stick it out until 8 weeks and then ask to try another SSRI if it’s still not better. Really hope it does work though. Scared about trying a new one as first couple weeks were sooo bad on this but I don’t want to give up on meds either. Anyway thanks again and good luck you all smile x
  • karin88115
    karin88115 Theanxious1

    Posted

    Hi. I’m also 5 weeks in on 100mg sertraline for panic attacks and anxiety. Got every single side effect and increased anxiety and panic. But my doctor has said I need to stick it out for at least 8 weeks. It’s a very slow acting med. the dizziness is terrible right now. But I have a great doctor who prescribed Valium to help me through bad days and honestly I wouldn’t have got this far without them. So maybe try and give it the 8 weeks and then chat with your doctor if it’s still not working. That’s my plan. It’s damn hard to keep going though 😪

    • Theanxious1
      Theanxious1 karin88115

      Posted

      Yeah that’s my plan now too...I’ve also had every side effect it’s such a killer but now the exhaustion is for sure  the worst.  Best of luck x
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