Sertraline

[traintoskaville]

Jesus. Is the beginning always this rough?

Took my first a couple of days ago in the morning. Spent the whole day feeling like a zombie, trying not to vomit, can't eat, and was awake half the night. Took the next one in the evening he next day as doc said some people prefer this. Slept better but woke up this morning at 5, absolutely wired and feeling sick and spaced out. Anxiety is through the roof and can't switch off. I'm taking it for anxiety.

I have to lead a conference call later and not sure if I can as I can't think properly.

How long does this bit last?

[Jetwashingsquirrels]

As PP have mentioned they can work absolute wonders but if the side effects continue after a couple of weeks then don't be shy of talking to your doctor again. Every person is different in how they react to anti-depressants and anxiety medication and sometimes it takes a few attempts with dosage and type to get things right for you, they are an absolute godsend when they are right though. I'm on fluoxetine now, after previous attempts with sertraline and mirtazipine, and it has changed my life.

[livsmommy]

What dose have you started on OP? I have been taking sertraline for several years now, started on 50mg and now take the maximum dose of 200mg. For me, when I started and each time I have upped my dose, side effects have been absolute exhaustion, diarrhoea, generally low and lacking motivation. But after a couple of weeks it’s settled down. The first time I realised they were actually working, it was the night before we were due to take a trip to the farm with my family, usually I would be an anxious mess the day before, worrying about not being at home, what if I have a panic attack, what if I need the loo and there isn’t one available, and I was almost trying to get myself worked up, and I realised wait, I’m not worried about it, I’m actually looking forward to it! They’ve changed my life. I would say though, they definitely help more with my anxiety than they do my depression. It’s almost like it’s numbed down if that makes sense? My GP recommends I take them at night as they can still cause me some tiredness and dizziness, but I actually don’t, as if I do take them before bed I get terrible night sweats and restless legs. If I take them in the morning on an empty stomach they still give me tummy cramps and diarrhoea, but if I take them around mid day after eating that seems to work best for me. Significant weight gain has also sadly been a side effect for me.

[LucyAutumn]

Yes! I felt like I was on the hangover of my life for about 2 weeks and then suddenly I was fine and so calm, keep with it, it will get better!

[Madein1995]

Thank you everyone, I'll persevere with them . Am taking before bed at the moment and hopefully theyll work soon, am currently on 50mg which is ok I guess. For me the anxiety is linked to my self esteem. Manager can send an email asking me to do something, I will, shell email back saying 'thanks'. Becsuse she hasnt said thanks and a shortening of my name (think bec for rebecca, lou for louise etc) and a smiley face, I panic I've upset her. Have I not done the job quick enough? And then I'm thinking of little things I can do over the next few days to make it all ok! Absolute craziness and its really horrid. Whenever my landlady speaks to her husband I'm worried they're speaking about me etc

[AstridAv]

@Madein1995 hi, how are you getting in the the sertraline? I have been prescribed them today but too scared to take them. Also scared to carry on the way that I am just now

[Waveysnail]

Two weeks side effects disappeared. Felt like a new woman. Not the quivering wreck I was when I started them

[AstridAv]

Thats amazing I read far too many thread on here and now I'm too scared to take them. Today I've had 2 panic attacks. Never happened to me before. Im so glad they helped you! Well done.