Setraline advice

[Foolish33]

Hi,

I know there are lots of threads already but I could do with some advice. Took my first 50mg of setraline yesterday (about 18:30) and felt good at first, buzzing almost, but then brain didn't switch off and I didn't sleep the entire night. Today it's like I've crashed completely and getting really dark thoughts about not wanting to be here. I was already in a bad place so not sure if it's coincidence or not.
Also have an upset stomach and burning sensation in the palms of my hands.
Is it worth continuing or does it sound like it's not for me? I'm a bit scared of how bad I feel today.

It gets better quickly! When I took my first one, I had almost a full sleepless night but I was fine the next night. I think the nausea lasted about a week. I didn’t have a burning sensation but I think my body temperature is warmer than it used to be. 18 months in and the only lasting side effect is (weirdly) teeth grinding.

Oh and yes to the upset stomach for a few days too.

It can take a couple of weeks before it starts working properly. I had about two weeks of much higher anxiety and restlessness but then it started working really well. If you’re still having bad side effects from it after a couple of weeks then make another GP appointment and see what they recommend.

Stick with it, the symptoms will ease and in a week or so you will feel so much healthier mentally. I need to take mine standing up with a full glass of water otherwise it gives me horrific heartburn.

Stick with it. I felt absolutely dreadful when I first started taking it, but I was expecting it so I powered through and I can honestly say that sertraline changed my life. It took me 4 weeks until I felt like most of the initial side effects had gone, but I know lots of people feel better after 2 weeks.
I second the advice about standing up and lots of water. I once took one without water and I thought I was dying the next day as the heartburn was horrific.
Good luck, I hope things start getting better for you soon.

Thank you all. Just worried about the 'crash' feeling today I've had, almost like I was high last night and now much more depressed today after only one dose.

I've spent today under the duvet feeling very low, but meant to be back at work tomorrow.

The insomnia is my main fear as I was already running on low. I'm so scared of another sleepless night.

Could you get to a pharmacist? There are sleeping tablets that might help if it’s just for a short period and the pharmacist will be able to tell you if they’re safe to take with Sertraline.

Thank you. Yes I should have done that earlier today but couldn't face leaving the 'duvet fort' unfortunately our nearest pharmacy closed at 6 and we live very rurally.

Thinking I might wait until Saturday morning and take 25mg (rather than 50) when I don't have to worry about work. Maybe taking it in the morning will help more with the insomnia? Reading mixed things.

You shouldn't take it at night, insomnia is a very common side effect.

Try with 25mg each morning, it's a small dose but we're all different and so respond to different doses of tablets. Be prepared to build the dose up if you need to but give it a couple of weeks before making that decision.

Nausea does tend to settle if you stick with the sertraline, as does any agitation (another common initial side-effect).

I'm so sorry OP your feeling so low you don't want to be here anymore especially dark thoughts but it does get easier hun, please stick with the Sertaline and see how you get on with them. They do take a few weeks to fully kick in and I know as I'm on them for anxiety. I had headaches, nausea and felt basically out of it like a I don't know a zombie effect but I persevered with them and I'm honestly the girl I used to be before life got difficult for a while. Try taking them with food or after. My mistake was on an empty stomach and I felt awful for a few hours afterwards but eating does help! I know lifes challenging but please stay strong. You've loved ones in your life that need you and care for you more than you know!

Thank you. I really appreciate it. I have a friend who I know takes it but her only side effect was headaches.

My anxiety is generally worse than depression, but I have been feeling low anyway. Today is the lowest I've ever felt though.

Hi Op im sorry your feeling this way, it is hard when you first start but it gets better.

I take my sertraline at night because i take levothyroxine in the morning and just knew i wouldnt remember to take the sertraline an hour later.
When i told a gp at a review they suggested doing it the other way round as sertraline can cause disturbed dreams/ insomnia but i dont get either so have kept it that way it works for me.

I wouldnt recommend changing doses without the doctors advice especially as your new to it, how about trying it in the morning and seeing how you feel?

I’m on Sertraline but take in the morning as it does affect my sleep otherwise. In the first few weeks I was up and down mood wise, felt the benefit one day and crash the next, but I was told that’s a positive sign it’s changing the way your brain works.

I also had dry mouth, disco jaw and no appetite for the first few weeks, but these symptoms stopped. Keep going for a bit longer.

My Dr advised taking it in the morning precisely because of the potential issues with sleep.

A lot of prescribers recommend starting at 25mg daily for a week or two then increasing to 50mg daily to reduce risk of side effects.

I take a different SSRI (prozac) but I have to take it in the morning or I don't sleep. Low mood is unfortunately a side effect in the early days, keep pushing, it's going to get better

Please tell me u persevered an things got better im feeling pretty much the same increasing my dose

Can you tell me abt the thyroxine thing? Im on it to my doc never told me to take them separately tia