Started Sertaline for OCD and depression
Posted , 5 users are following.
hi guys, 3 days ago I have started Sertaline50mg and side effeccts are brutal. Crippling anxiety, extreme nausea, Few hours since taking tablet I get sweats, chills and tremors. All I want to do is lay in bed. Had to take time off work cause it makes me feel dizzy and sometimes I feel like Im losing my mind. Thank God for benzos to get me through the side effects. Is it normal to feel such a bad side effects ? When they should improve ? Thanks
0 likes, 23 replies
james97025 aga02916
Posted
Hi I was put on 50mg of Sert two years ago for anxiety and experienced all the side effects you descibe. The good news is that the side effects will fade and you will gradually improve, although it is likely to take few weeks before the Sert kicks in fully. Good luck for the future.
aga02916 james97025
Posted
Thanks for the reply. I have noticed that side effects get worse few hours after taking tablet, I feel like something is grabbing my head, pressure, extreme burning in my chest and hesrt palpitations and racing thoughts. how long side effects like this last for ? Ive got 10 days off work and doc said she will give me another 10. Do you think side effects will get better by then ? thanks
sue74917 aga02916
Posted
Hi aga. the side effects will ease as time goes on, 2 to 3 weeks and you will be over the worse, although at times scary, they will do you no harm, just look on it as the meds are are doing their magic and it means they are working. if you feel like doing nothing but staying in bed then do that, as with any other illness you need to be kind to yourself and let your mind and body heal. I have just finished 3 months on 50mgs and am back to normal and enjoying life again anxiety free, you will very soon be the same you just have to hang on in there through this hard bit.
aga02916 sue74917
Posted
Hi, Nausea is the worst. I was on it before for 2 years but had no side effects. This time it seems that I have every side effect. Hopefully the worst will pass soon as I need to go back to work and would not be able to go to work in this state.
sue74917 aga02916
Posted
you can take a travel sickness tablet to help with that
aga02916 sue74917
Posted
can I ? I thought you couldnt as it affects absorbing of the med. Ive got cyklizine at home. Just to get rid of this horrible nausea.😖
avril23791 aga02916
Posted
It took three months and then at the top dose of 200 mg for me to feel nearer to OK; I had vomiting, insomnia, severe anxiety and lack of appetite.
My condition is complicated by autism, OCD and ADHD but I am still managing to go out, exercise and run a business, even though I still feel emotional at times.
Sertroline is slow acting but very effective, given time.
Good luck.
aga02916 avril23791
Posted
hi, thank you for your reply. Yes its awful isnt it. I just feel like stopping. Today is the worst so far. Im so glad it helped you and you managing. Hopefully it goes away soon as I need to go back to work😞
MibuKyo avril23791
Posted
nice to hear some assuring news from someone else with OCD. I'm at 100mg now for 7 weeks, 11 weeks total and I feel way better but not really 100% yet, and my psychiatrist insists that I have to raise the dose to 150mg minimum because its at those levels scientifically starts having an effect on people with these crippling anxiety disorders.
MibuKyo aga02916
Edited
i suffer from OCD and anxiety that broke out a few months ago. I am now on day 19, starting at 25mg and then raised to 50. The side effects were terrible in the first few days, especially my anxiety levels went from 7/10 to 9/10 but my system slowly adapted to it in a week or two. When I raised the dose It got worse but not as bad as the first time, and the body adjusted quickly to it. I also got prescribed anti-anxiety meds to deal while the sertraline is starting to work.
it is important that you take notice on the improvements in mood, thinking and behaviour and not only focus on the side effects. Try keep a diary of your progress.
For me improvements have been gradual so far, but I noticed a significant increase in appetite (I barely eat at all before), I started to react less to intrusive thoughts and let them go easier, less emotional and I noticed I am not not crying anymore. I am more focused in the present moment, I felt excited and happy with friends (before I had crippling anxiety to be around them), a few times I felt even peaceful, and exhausted because I noticed finally I had small moments where I felt allowed to let my guard down and actually rest. I didn't have that possibility for months before I started medication, my mind has been constantly on edge 24/7 in a fight or flight mode.
I still have side effects, mainly anxiety is still there and peaks in the morning and a few hours after taking the Sertraline. But I believe when the body has adjusted to the medication these spikes will be less and less.
So while the side effects can be very scary, especially the raised anxiety it is normal, just be patient and hang in there!
aga02916 MibuKyo
Posted
hi, for now I dont see any improvement. I know it gets worse before it gets better so Im trying to tell myself this. I felt better without meds but I keep telling myself its side effects and it will be worth in long run but its so hard. Ive got xanax to help with racing thoughts and anxiety otherwise I would be climbing walls. I was on it before for 2 years and had no side effects whatsoever. This time I got every possible one.
MibuKyo aga02916
Posted
My side effects are mainly strong anxiety, and sensitivity to light. I don't have nausea - taking the meds while eating is crucial, I do sweat easily though and it's annoying but not that bad. I also sleep quite well.
At first I also felt better before meds, I wanted to stop cold turkey because I never felt so strong anxiety in my life, with no other improvements but these are common short term effects that should subside after a few weeks.
I talked to my psychiatrist about my symptoms and she told me this is normal, when you get anxiety your mind over reacts like if you were staring at a lion. This response means that the medicine is working , only that it is not yet targeting the receptors that makes us feel better. And I should push through and use anti-anxiety pills until it gets better.
Try grounding techniques to calm yourself down and stop the racing thoughts. Meditation and mindfulness can help you identify your obsessions objectively which it makes them easier to let go off. Acceptance and changing behavior and commit towards long term values in the face of anxiety is also very effective.
aga02916 MibuKyo
Posted
yes I have been trying meditation and mindfulness for ages. Long before medications. Yes anxiety is high, Im okay in the morning but it starts few hours after taking medications. Its awful. Feeling sick, sweaty, dizzy. But like you said it could be a sign that sertaline is fixing what needs to be fixed. I wouldnt survive without benzos to get me through this. 4th day today. I might actually take anti sickness tablet to help me with stomach as it really bothers me. It causes anxiety as I asociate nausea with anxiety. So its like a vicious circle🙈
MibuKyo aga02916
Posted
I associate upset stomach with anxiety, it is a psychosomatic condition so I understand what you mean. That sounds really rough. Taking anti sickness medicine might help with the nausea. Hope it will get better soon! Did you talk to your psychiatrist about your symptoms?
aga02916 MibuKyo
Posted
I dont have psychiatrist even though I have asked for referal. Its my Gp who is treating me and she told me to come back in 3 weeks. Im going to see her on monday as I will need sick note for another week. Ive always been sensitive to ssri. Its literally brain washing isnt it 😂
MibuKyo aga02916
Posted
If you have OCD you should get treatment for it since it is a severe anxiety condition. I have been through psychological analysis of my condition and referred to OCD specialists to get therapy along with the medication.
I also advice you to go down to 25mg and let your body get used to lower doses before you go up to therapeutic doses. Starting at a higher dose is like asking for side effects. Once its in the system it will be easier to adjust.
I was on 25mg for 1 week and 50 for 2 weeks. Today is like the first day that I didn't have an anxiety spike yet after taking the Sertraline.
Haha I'm sure parts of it is placebo.
aga02916 MibuKyo
Posted
I had different types of therapy. You name it. It worked for a while but just having a setback so its like starting from the beginning🙂 I will get there eventually. I suffer with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, like checking stuff but since I started sertaline I dont check. Hahah Im too sick to bother with it😂 so maybe thats how sertaline cures Ocd lol
MibuKyo aga02916
Posted
Hi,
Is it getting any better yet?
I had a few amazing days once my body adjusted to 50mg, and I felt very tired so I rested a lot, which I wasn't able to before. I also noticed that I didn't have any obsessions anymore. And scary dreams or thoughts that normally caused strong anxiety for hours just vanished in seconds.
But I just raised my dose to 75mg 3 days ago and I was back at square 1 again, strong anxiety and obsessions came back. But this time I feel that I'm getting used to the dose faster.
aga02916 MibuKyo
Posted
Hi, yes its getting better. Still feeling nausea and anxiety but its easier to not follow my thoughts. First 5 days were awful though. Its only day 10 so hopefully it will work better with time but noticed difference in mood. Glad I am off sick from work. Aww bless you. But you know its only side effects and they are gonna pass soon 😃👌when I up my dose I will do as you. with 25mg. Wont go full 50mg🙈
MibuKyo aga02916
Posted
I'm glad to hear that mood is improved!
I noticed stuff like that, less obsession with thoughts, improved mood, actually able to allow myself to feel positive vibes but before the negative prevented me from feeling positive.
That sounds wise, go up slowly you will get less side effects and find out what the best dose is for you.
Day 26.
I keep a diary where I track medicine amount, mood, and thoughts during the day. Will be good to go back and compare. I'm debating if I should include CBD oil in my treatment but I read there are some minor probable interactions with Sertraline . Before and during first week of SSRI I used CBD because it is effective for pain and anxiety with no psychotropic effects and no side effects.
Lucky you!! I wish I was home from work too but sadly I need to be there to take care of important stuff. it makes me stressed out and the stress makes the side effects such as anxiety a lot stronger. But as you say I need to remind myself that these are temporary side effects.
aga02916 MibuKyo
Posted
Hi thank you 😊 CBD sounds great and I dont think it interreacts with anything. Its all natural. Yes thats what I get, better mood, strenght to fight for my happiness again, optymistic, less intrusive thoughts and I can explain them to myself in more rational way 🙂
MibuKyo aga02916
Posted
I am happy that you feel better!
Last week I was almost feeling back to normal , very happy and positive so I kind of started to challenge my fears and started to watch the regular movies and video games again that was impossible before and mostly it worked very well for a while but then something triggered my anxiety relapse and I had very vivid and scary dreams. I woke up and felt the strongest anxiety yet where my body just went ice cold sweaty and hairs standing. lots of intrusive thoughts after that but they seem to be subsiding little by little.
I feel sometimes like back at square one again with the anxiety levels, but I think it is mostly because of stress and lack of sleep and challenging myself. and I also think its time to raise the dose to 100mg this week. Wish me luck!
MibuKyo aga02916
Posted
How are you now? Any news? I guess you feel better since you are not here reading this forum for encouragement. 😁
I myself have got alot better now on day 50!