Anyone else on sertraline- feel like I’m dying

[Oddcat]

I’ve finally decided that I need help with crippling anxiety, doctor has given me sertraline. I’m on day 6 and it’s awful, I can’t stop shaking g , sweating and my heart is racing. I know they said it might get worse before it gets better but this is worth an i was expecting .

*worse

Can’t type due to shaking hands !

I never had this going on setraline. I had it from withdrawals and the doctor said it was a bad side effect. I would go back the doctor if I were you. What dosage are you on?

Yeah, it was pretty awful for the first two weeks. It did get better but I'm not sure it was worth it, both initial effects and withdrawal. However I had fairly mild depression so that's my own perspective, if your mental health is really bad then it's probably worth persevering

I’m on 25mg , it’s for anxiety rather than depression.

I’m on sertraline for anxiety and depression. The first few weeks of taking it, I did feel pretty bad. My worst symptom was that I was constantly clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth and tbh that didn’t settle down for a long time. I would give it another week or so to see if you get used to it and then go back to the GP. They might need to adjust your dose.

I have found it helpful over the past couple of years. Not a magic bullet but enough to allow me to hold things together. Good luck.

Hi there,

I had this with sertraline and I found it didn't work for me personally. I was also taking propananol at the same time and the sertraline made me have very dark rapid thoughts.

I went back to my gp, I suggest at least giving them a call and talking it through with them.

I then went onto venaflaxine and had some major lifestyle changes and it seemed to get me onto a manageable level.

Can I ask if your working atm or are you having some time off? Are you managing to do anything or or go out atm? X

I’ve been signed off work for 2 weeks. I went out at the weekend to see a friend but don’t feel like doing much today , I’ve also got terrible back pain (unrelated) which has started the last few days. Just feel miserable.

How long does this heightened state last ?

I was like that on citalopram. I couldn’t cope at all. The doctor switched me to sertraline and I was loads better. I’ve been stable on it for a couple of years now.
When do you go back to the GP?

I lasted for three weeks feeling like you do. I actually thought I was dying too. It never got better only worse until I came off them

I tried sertraline for 6 weeks last year. I struggled massively in it and had to be signed off work. I too had constant shakes, racing heart and couldn't move without breaking into a sweat. My doctor decided to double the dose which ramped the side effects up and by 6 weeks there was zero improvement, in fact my anxiety had tripled. I came off it and switched to citalopram and within 2 weeks felt better enough to return to work.

Sorry this isn't s positive story but I wish I'd listened to my gut i never felt anything but horrendous on sertraline. It is so difficult as most gps will tell you to stick it out for several weeks though,....

I hope you improve soon.

I'd go back to your GP and ask for citalopram. Some meds just don't suit some people. I can't take fluoxetine but I'm fine with Sertraline and Citalopram.

I do think some SSRIs just don’t suit some people. It’s that same feeling, the sweating, shakes, jaw clenching, I felt really spaced out too.

It doesn’t mean you will feel this bad on a different one.

That happened to me too, it was horrendous.

Switched to citalopram and never looked back.

I’m sorry you’re feeling like this, it’s shit x

It should taper off soon

I had to try a few different meds ( for GAD, not depression) until finding the right one. As PP have said, it appear that some people suit some meds better than others.

I couldn't get on with citalopram or another one that starts with A (sorry I forgot the name) because the side effects were so hideous. I now take Duloxetine and other than some initial jaw clenching, it's been great. When I had depression I found Prozac, which is considered quite old fashioned, was amazing for me.

Go back to the doc and don't be afraid to try something else if you don't feel it's right for you. You will get some side effects to begin with but I don't think you should feel "like I am dying"

I'm on 50mg and the first week was awful. Couldn't sleep, felt nauseous all the time, racing heart... But it gets better and was well worth that first week. I'm a month in now and think they're the best thing the GP could've put me on.

I’ve got to go back in 2 weeks , I’ll persevere til then but will ask to change if I don’t feel better .

Yes, Sertraline was the worst anti d I tried for making me feel physically awful in the first few weeks. It was noticably effective for the depression after about a month though.

As pp have said, differerent meds suit different people. I could not handle Citalopram. Prozac was my gold standard when I had a high enough dose.

If you are really concerned by a side effect and you have looked up the relevant information and advice and still are worried, you should go back to your doctor. And if you are finding the side effects intolerable, if not concerning, you can go and ask to try a different medication.

I've taken citalopram, fluoxetine, mirtazipine, sertraline and another. Sertraline made me feel ill and made me suicidal, irrational and basically a nasty cunt.

Fluoxetine is my saviour. I know people who have horrendous side effects with fluoxetine and sertaline suits them to the ground.

Do tell your GP at the appointment in 2 weeks if you still feel shit.

If you start feeling any worse please give them a call, it's awful trying to get the balance right with mg and different medications.

Take it easy x

Feeling very slightly better this evening, certainly not shaking or sweaty any more . I guess we’re all different but I’m surprised that I feel better in just a day.

Oh Op I was the same when I first started it! it was hell. But after about 3-4 weeks the horrible symptoms eased and then one day I woke up and they were gone. I'm so glad I persevered as it has helped me beyond words.

The best advice was on here where a poster suggested breaking the tablet in half and taking half in the morning and half in the afternoon so easing it in to your system gradually. Worked for me.

Good luck I hope you feel better soon 

It’s interesting, when ssri’s work then that’s great but so many people struggle with them that I wonder why they are always the first option with gp’s. I had a terrible reaction to ssri’s. I went from anxiety attacks to full blown agoraphobia because of them, and it took me several months to even leave the house for 5 minutes even though I stopped them within a few days. I’m on venlafaxine and mirtazipine now and would never ever take ssri’s again. I know someone else who very nearly committed suicide on them and someone else who got major rages and smashed up their house on them. If they don’t help you then definitely do not hesitate to go back to your gp.

Well , had a bit of a scary night . I woke up and had a sort of upset tummy feeling so went to the bathroom , sat on the loo and came over horrifically dizzy. Next thing I’m lying on the floor with blood coming from my mouth .

Called 111 who sent an ambulance and I spent the rest of the night and morning in A&E . They did tests and found my heart was beating slowly.

I’m back home now and feel exhausted, sporting a massive fat lip.

Not sure if sertraline is to blame but will go back to the gp .