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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:
LuckyAmy1986 · 10/12/2018 20:11

I was on it for four years,l until this summer, found taking it around 7pm worked for me but you should have a little play around yourself to see what’s best for you. I felt sick and dizzy when I first started it. Oh and I did feel quite numb on it, didn’t really feel anything good or bad, but it saved my life at the time.

IWantToUseAnApostrophy · 10/12/2018 20:38

I'm on 200mg. Don't think I have side effects but the diagnosis of depression was actually a symptom of something else so we're not messing with it at the moment. Definitely in the morning though

thenextsmallthing · 10/12/2018 20:42

Can I join you OP as I started taking it today. Been feeling a bit dizzy and muddled head so far but it's been bearable. Bit nervous about it all tbh.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
MagentaRocks · 10/12/2018 20:45

I'm on it. Dr told me to take with food at breakfast. I feel much better on it - I've stopped crying at everything.

abbsisspartacus · 10/12/2018 20:47

It works fast I took a couple of days off to lie around and be a bit foggy my bowels hated it for three days then it tapered off

Sickenedbychristmaspud · 10/12/2018 20:47

I take mine at night doesn’t affect my sleep. I can’t take it in the morning as I don’t normally eat breakfast and it made me feel sick on an empty stomach.

InsomniacAnonymous · 10/12/2018 20:52

This is worrying I switched from Citalopram to Sertraline last Tuesday so have been taking it (50mg) for a week. The whole reason for the change is that Sertraline is (according to the doctor) supposed to be better at relieving anxiety. I have depression as well.

Original poster
Loopylou6 · 10/12/2018 21:47

@thenextsmallthing please feel free, it would be nice to compare and support each other.
I'm sorry for everyone here who is suffering, it's awful. Flowers

OP posts:
MorningsEleven · 10/12/2018 21:53

Everyone reacts differently. I can't tolerate fluoxetine, citalopram has recently gone out of favour, Sertraline works.

Luckingfovely · 10/12/2018 21:55

I have a prescription for 50mg sat next to my bed.... for massive anxiety problems.

I have been so scared of the side effects that I haven't been able to physically make myself take them. Which is playing straight into the constant circle of feeling pressure and guilt about it.

Has anyone here found them successful for an anxiety disorder?

I have tended to react badly to medicines in the past, so super nervous.

Loopy thank you for starting this thread, following (anxiously) Wink

CryingMessFFS · 10/12/2018 21:56

My dreams were a bit weird - I felt like I wasn’t fully asleep for a few weeks and a bit nauseous but I felt better very quickly in my mood etc. I took mine before bed after a week, so I’d sleep through the nausea. It was life changing for me, it saved me.

CryingMessFFS · 10/12/2018 21:58

I was taking them for anxiety and depression (started on 100mg) it helped me so so much. My anxiety is so much more under control. I after a couple of months I started feeling like I was leaving a black hole.

Original poster
Loopylou6 · 10/12/2018 22:24

Hmm, now I'm thinking do I take before bed?
I'm so glad some of us are feeling better.
@lookingfovely do it. Come on, I will if you will? :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Loopylou6 · 10/12/2018 22:32

@luckingfovely Blush

OP posts:
Momo18 · 10/12/2018 22:35

Have you tried 5htp? I can't tolerate any antidepressant but old tryclic ones and tbh they do Zero for my anxiety. I've been on 5htp for about five days and feel great. I self inject (taught by a nurse for another injection I self administer) b12, I also take magnesium, ferrous gluconate, D3 and a good multivitamin too. All these together has made a huge difference, I'm no longer irritable and depressed and the 5htp lifts my mood and helps me let go of anxious thinking. I really was in a terrible state before all this, not sleeping, housebound and not eating. Please do your research before starting 5htp or any supplement in general as they can interact with antidepressants and various medications. If unsure your GP can advise. I started with the b12 injections (six weeks ago) as the NHS won't treat me even though my levels were borderline, for mental health they need to be over 500 definitely, some psychiatrists say 900! The ferrous gluconate (iron) I started this too as my levels again were borderline. I spoke to my GP she is happy for me to self treat and is going to run my levels again in a few months, but unfortunately the NHS won't treat borderline patients. I know this isn't exactly what you asked but I thought I would put it out there as 5htp has really good reviews :)

Original poster
Loopylou6 · 10/12/2018 22:49

Thanks momo that's interesting.
Ok, so I've just took my first one 🤞

OP posts:
Kemer2018 · 10/12/2018 22:49

My vision deteriorated and i got the squits.
I felt hope for the future for the first time in years.
I yawned alot, got headaches and was not as "sharp" as normal. Tricky in a new job!
The hope faded fast (shame) but my anxiety was controlled which meant I could function in society.
I stopped after 2 years because i could not reach orgasm.

MovingNextYearHopefully · 11/12/2018 00:24

Sertraline changed my daughter's life. Her anxiety was really debilitating but within days of taking it there was a drastic change for the better. She was able to go to college, she has got a part time job & is talking about taking driving lessons. None of this would be possible without Sertraline. I agree taking it in the morning is best. Hope you get some sleep tonight. Hopefully this helps you! Flowers

PleaseTryAnotherUsername · 11/12/2018 05:36

A metallic taste in my mouth and a couple of valiums for the first week and that's it.

I've just hit the 1 year mark and after the dark days of my PND life is so different now.

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 11/12/2018 06:08

I had a terrible reaction to it, it made me confused and suicidal.

I love Fluxetine even though I have sleep problems with it. It’s the only one that’s really worked for me, so I just stick to it.

thenextsmallthing · 11/12/2018 08:24

Day 2 for me, just taken it after breakfast. Last night was a bit odd, very drowsy and then woke up 4.20 and didn't go back to sleep. I've got blurry vision and shaking hands. If this is time limited I can cope with these symptoms.

How did your first night go OP?

Nodnol · 11/12/2018 09:20

I had Valium to take for the first week with it. I’ve been on 150mg for three years and have not had any side effects unless I miss a couple of days. Don’t do that- you can’t just stop taking it cold turkey.

I take it mid morning and have no issues sleeping.

toffeecrispees · 11/12/2018 12:59

As mentioned above, try looking into 5-HTP it's made a massive difference to my anxiety.

Original poster
Loopylou6 · 11/12/2018 13:14

@thenextsmallthing I feel rather anxious, like a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach that just won't go away

OP posts:
thenextsmallthing · 11/12/2018 14:03

Hang on in there OP day 1 does appear to be the worst day for a lot of people.