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Original poster

Sertraline day 5

51 replies

blondewhoneedshelp · 05/06/2023 10:09

Good morning,

hoping for some reassurance. It’s been quite a rocky start to sertraline. Head and body have been all over the place. Sometimes I’m elated, sometimes I’m panicking. Sometimes I feel really nauseous, sometimes I’m starving. Cold chills, headaches and body aches. I was hoping that on day 5 I’d start to feel better tummy wise but at the risk of TMI this morning my bowels have been in full force. A lot of sitting on the toilet and actual tummy pain. Did anyone else experience this? Im on this medication for health anxiety and emetophobia (fear of anything relating to vomit) so it’s very much a scary situation for me. Just praying someone can tell me they felt like this and even know im on day 5 this is normal. Thank you so much

OP posts:

whatsmynameaga1n · 05/06/2023 11:46

What dose are you on? I was told when I started that the first two weeks is often a bit rocky so all sounds normal! I think I was relatively lucky that I had about three days of feeling more tearful and on edge then normal before the fog started to clear.

stick with it, it should get better.

Bogggle · 05/06/2023 12:54

Try and stick with it for at least a month if you can. I started taking 50mg around 3 months ago. I felt awful for the first 3 weeks and was wondering whether I should carry on, I was so tired, awful headaches, body aches and crying and then towards the end of week 3 it all went away and I feel so much better! It has changed my life but it was really rough to start with. Hope you feel better soon

RachelGreensHair · 05/06/2023 12:55

Hi OP, join us on the mental board. First week of setraline I kept crying, feeling nauseous, it was horrible, but now I can say going on the medication was for me the best thing I've ever done and wish I'd done it sooner.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

RachelGreensHair · 05/06/2023 12:56

Aaaaaaah obviously I meant the mental HEALTH board!!!

Blankspace4 · 05/06/2023 13:00

I’m also on day 5 and have vomiting and diarreah (sorry my spelling is awful)

mood wise I haven’t felt any better or worse just blank and tired, still low, I’m taking diazepam as well to start with

happy to stay on this thread for solidarity

derryrose1980 · 05/06/2023 13:01

It will get better. I have been on it twice now and both times I started bad tummy, lack of appetite and insomnia. Give it 2-3 weeks. I'm now 7 months in on 50mg and it has been life changing.

SweetAndSourChick3n · 05/06/2023 13:36

It will get better! I was told to expect to feel worse for the first 2-3 weeks. My physical side effects lasted for around a week and I started to feel much better mentally at around 4 weeks. I started on 50mg and have increased the dose twice since. Give it a bit longer.

Blankspace4 · 05/06/2023 18:16

How has your day been @blondewhoneedshelp?

all I have wanted to do is sleep

Original poster

blondewhoneedshelp · 05/06/2023 18:52

Think it’s my toughest day. I feel exhausted, very acidic feeling in my tummy and I’ve had 2 anxiety attacks. It’s so weird, I was feeling like symptoms were lifting and I felt really positive. Now I just feel awful. How are you getting on? Have you managed to eat?

OP posts:

Blankspace4 · 05/06/2023 19:01

@blondewhoneedshelp have they given you any diazepam to help until the sertraline has kicked in? I’m finding it’s helped me, although it’s made me feel very tired and heavy.

i felt hungry earlier but then nauseous as I began eating so I stopped. Perhaps I’ll actually end up losing some weight anyway 🙈

let’s hope we start to see an improvement in coming days. Are you on 50mg? I am until they review me in a week and a half from now

bottleofbeer · 05/06/2023 19:03

Get off them right now. Go back and ask for a different one. Sertraline is awful and as a MH worker I see it daily. It stops you being anxious and depressed because it removes your ability to feel anything.

It's handed out like sweeties.

Ladybug14 · 05/06/2023 19:08

bottleofbeer · 05/06/2023 19:03

It's handed out like sweeties.

Really? This happens to everyone?

SweetAndSourChick3n · 05/06/2023 19:22

bottleofbeer · 05/06/2023 19:03

It's handed out like sweeties.

That may be true for some people, I can't really comment on that, but it's certainly not true for me. Sertraline has made a huge difference for my anxiety, I was barely functioning before and now I feel like myself again. I am still perfectly capable of feeling a full range of feelings!

Tbh as a 'mental health professional' surely you shouldn't be advising someone to suddenly stop taking a prescribed medication without discussing it with their doctor???

Original poster

blondewhoneedshelp · 05/06/2023 19:23

Yes I’ve just taken 4mg of diazepam now so hoping it helps soon. This is awful! I’m only on 25mg so I’m dreading going up to 50 if this is how I’m feeling.

how have you found all the side effects so far? Anything you’ve struggled with or are you powering through?

no I’m sure you don’t need to lose weight! I just hope that you feel stronger on these. I’ve heard horror stories and I’m trying to stick it out but it really does scare me. I sound so pathetic. Stupidly got a copper IUD just before going on these so have a huge horrible period too. Urghhh

OP posts:

Ladybug14 · 05/06/2023 19:26

It may be that sertraline isn't for you but you can't possibly know that on day 5.

One of my friends started on 25 mg. Let that settle, it'll take about 2 to 3 weeks. Then after about 6 weeks go up to 50 mg if you feel that you need to.

You could cut the 25 mg in half and start on 12.5 mg if you want to take it really slowly

But sertraline has worked wonders for my friend

Blankspace4 · 06/06/2023 06:25

On to day 6. It’s got to the point where I’ve practically leapt out of bed to take the tablet as I’m so bloody desperate for it to kick in and start making me feel better.

im still nauseous and headachy but stomach seems a little better

Original poster

blondewhoneedshelp · 06/06/2023 08:54

You’re so right. I’m almost crying when I take them but I’ve got the same mindset as you. We got this! Let’s hope for better days. I’m glad your stomach is slowly starting to feel better!

out of curiosity if you don’t mind what do you tend to eat? What’s safe foods for you?

OP posts:

Ladybug14 · 06/06/2023 09:04

blondewhoneedshelp · 06/06/2023 08:54

You’re so right. I’m almost crying when I take them but I’ve got the same mindset as you. We got this! Let’s hope for better days. I’m glad your stomach is slowly starting to feel better!

out of curiosity if you don’t mind what do you tend to eat? What’s safe foods for you?

Sorry to butt in..... when do you take your sertraline? My friend found that morning was best and she had to drink a pint and a half of water after taking the tablet to make sure to avoid acid/nausea

Original poster

blondewhoneedshelp · 06/06/2023 12:02

Thank you that’s such a helpful tip! I think I’ve been taking it in the afternoon because I tend to have quite a carby bland meal just beforehand in the hopes it helps nausea but yours makes alot more sense!

OP posts:

namechange1986 · 06/06/2023 12:10

Hi.

I'm on day 5 today. This seems to be the best day I've had in terms of side effects. Slept most of the day yesterday and was jittery.

Hoping things improve soon...

Ladybug14 · 06/06/2023 12:38

blondewhoneedshelp · 06/06/2023 12:02

Lots of water is essential. Also there are some amazing groups on Facebook which are helpful although my friend says that some of the posters can be negative nellies. So use discernment. My friend liked taking her sertraline in the morning as it then helped her through the day

letmeeatcrisps · 06/06/2023 12:43

im On day 7 had terrible nausea until day 5 and lost a couple kg, I d needed to sleep loads (not possible as single parent of 1yo and 3yo) so was feeling pretty wrecked but I’ve noticed socialising at playgroups etc feels a bit easier
if I get a good nights sleep and eat well it helps but I’ve been taking it at night (to avoid nausea ruining my day) so I may switch to taking it in the morning instead as it doesn’t help with sleep at all

so far it has really helped although I want to supplement with counselling / cold showers / more exercise as I realise mental well-being is a holistic process

i mainly just feel exhausted, with a bit of brain fog. But the anxiety is already easing up (I was prescribed 50mg for ptsd)

Blankspace4 · 06/06/2023 14:57

I feel like I’ve permanently got a horrible taste in my mouth even through I’m trying to drink plenty of fluids, probably not enough. My wee is very dark indeed.

for those taking diazepam alongside, what dose and how long for? I feel I need it for panic/anxiety and trauma relating to a relationship breakdown along with immense work stress but I’m going to need to taper off it as im running out

I really hope life gets better. It’s so miserable at the moment. Just want that dread to disappear

bottleofbeer · 06/06/2023 22:06

I didn't say 'just stop taking them' I said go back and ask for different ones.

Blankspace4 · 07/06/2023 11:40

How are you doing today OP?

I stupidly had a few glasses of wine last night and found I was even more loopy/manic than usual. Nothing bad happened - and I was at home, but once I’d opened the bottle I have a compulsion to finish it.

Now got the hangover anxiety and feel like I’ve set myself back.

im hoping this won’t damage the sertraline building?

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