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Original poster

I'm about to start Sertraline, will it really make me worse for a couple of weeks?

71 replies

Loopylou6 · 10/12/2018 18:27

I must admit, I'm a bit scared. I was on citalopram for 12 years, but took myself off in June. Anxiety and panic attacks have returned terribly, spoke to doc today, asked for something other than citalopram as I felt it made me too numb.
So, for those of you that take it, what can I expect? Flowers

OP posts:
BirthdayKake · 10/12/2018 18:28

It didn't make me worse. I noticed a difference within a week or so and extremely loose bowels

eve34 · 10/12/2018 18:30

Sorry to hear you are struggling.

I was on mitazapine. Which was fab but knocked me out at night. So I couldn't hear the children. So asked to change.

I started sertraline and it has had no side effects for me. Citalapram made me feel hazy. So much prefer sertraline to the others I have had.

myidentitymycrisis · 10/12/2018 18:33

It did make me very anxious. Much worse. GP prescribed Valium to help with side effects. I’m afraid to say I gave up after 5 weeks, was unbearable. Good luck

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goose1964 · 10/12/2018 18:38

I'm on sertraline and I didn't have any effect, DS1 however gets bad headaches when he fist starts a course

Furrycushion · 10/12/2018 18:42

D sister recently started it. She had a fantastic energy surge within a couple of days. She has to take it early in the day otherwise she can't sleep. Had terrible hot flushed to start with as well!

starcrossedseahorse · 10/12/2018 18:48

I had huge anxiety issues with Sertraline for about a month. I was given Valium to deal with that. I no longer take it but it was good for my racing mind and obsessive thoughts.
It also made me hot and sleeping was very difficult.

Shepherdspieisminging · 10/12/2018 18:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 10/12/2018 18:53

It didn't make me worse but I had mood swings of epic proportions.

WaitrosePigeon · 10/12/2018 18:54

Possibly. It can also increase suicidal thoughts.

WaitrosePigeon · 10/12/2018 18:54

If they are there already

SureIusedtobetaller · 10/12/2018 18:58

Didn’t make me worse. Worked very quickly. I think there’s no way of telling what it will do initially. Started on 25mg btw.

ThePencil · 10/12/2018 18:59

Day 1 of taking it, I had a rush of anxiety for an hour or so. Day 2 it didn't last as long and wasn't as intense. After that, I had no side effects, and after a couple of weeks, started to feel better.

Original poster
Loopylou6 · 10/12/2018 19:00

Hmm thanks everyone, mixed bag of replies there, do you think I'd be best taking it before bed or morning?

OP posts:
starcrossedseahorse · 10/12/2018 19:04

I was on 150mg which I think is the highest dose. I took it in the morning.

snackarella · 10/12/2018 19:05

Didn't do anything for me - I've stopped taking it and was on 100mg

MattBerrysHair · 10/12/2018 19:07

Definitely the morning as it disturbs sleep for some people. I had bad heartburn with it at first too, so get some gaviscon in.

BentNeckLady · 10/12/2018 19:13

I just found I had brain shocks for the first few days and then it started working incredibly quickly with no real side effects except stopping my horrible intrusive obsessive thoughts. I’m just about to start taking it again too after a few years off. I hope it works as quickly again. Good luck :)

thenorthernluce · 10/12/2018 19:16

I lost my appetite (and loads of weight) for the first two weeks, and felt really buzzed. I then got used to it and have felt good ever since. Four years of finding life much easier and I deal with challenges pretty easily. I even took it while pregnant and breastfeeding, so it’s a safe drug. Always take it in the morning.

I hope you feel better soon.

WhoTookTheChristmasCookie · 10/12/2018 19:17

It took about 3 weeks for me to level out on 50mg and it's recently been upped again.
No bad side effects so to speak, just took a while to kick in properly.

I do take it in the morning because it can apparently mess with sleep; but I suffer with insomnia anyway so I don't know...

FourteenCows · 10/12/2018 19:19

I take 50mg a day, at night, and had no side effects at all. It’s helped a lot, I think its worth it

Bunnyfuller · 10/12/2018 19:26

Day 1/2 I felt like I had the flu and slept sooooo much. Then lost appetite and felt sick for about 6 weeks and dropped a stone. Mentally just felt like things didn’t get to me so much. Also gave up FB and dropped a few toxic ‘friends’. Lots of walks in the fields and a liking for my own company that hasn’t really changed. I’m more protective of myself now.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon

DMCWelshCakes · 10/12/2018 19:32

No side effects other than loss of appetite for me.

I feel like me again.

Iolaus84 · 10/12/2018 19:50

I had a bit of wakefulness with it so used to take in morning but now (11 months on) I take it at night as I tend to remember it better then and sleep fine. I felt anxiety reduce within 2 weeks and could eat again and felt much better after 4 weeks.

colditz · 10/12/2018 19:52

Might make you dopy

Original poster
Loopylou6 · 10/12/2018 19:56

Thanks again everyone. I think I'll probably take the first one in the morning and see how it makes me feel.
@colditz nowt new there Grin

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