Sertraline is horrific

[spacetime]

I've been taking it for a few days now. I have a constant lump in my throat which is very uncomfortable. I feel totally wired. Anxiety is really high. A bit shakey in the mornings. Appetite has disappeared. I feel hungry but he idea of eating makes me feel nauseous. I usually love food. Head is spacey. I wake up super early in the morning, whether I take the tablet in the morning or at night.

Someone please reassure me that this will all wear off and I'll come out of this fog? I feel worse than before I started taking them...

I've been on Sertraline for about 5 years. First dose was horrible; I got really panicky a while later. The awful panic subsided, but I was left with the feeling you describe for a few days (I continued taking it). After about 3 days I still felt it, but it wasn't bothersome; after a week or so (I think - can't remember for sure) the feeling went away and I've had no trouble since.

If you don't feel better (lump in throat-wise) after another couple of days, talk to your GP (the depression/anxiety symptoms may not improve for a couple of weeks or more). Pharmacists are also good for advice if you can't get in touch with the GP.

I'm on 200mg a day and have been told to expect to be on them longterm now, the side effects are not fun. I have awful nausea and anxiety, I can't sit still and can't sleep - but I haven't had any thoughts of suicide for about a week so that's something. I've tried citalopram, mirtazapine and fluoxetine in the past and didn't get on with any of those either.

The worst thing I ever took! Jesus I’d never wish how I felt on anyone, and I was supposed to be getting better on it.

Give it a week.

I took for PND (low dose) and they just calmed everything. I'm debating stopping now as PND better and I feel they have 'dulled' me.

I agree with a pp that they can be really helpful for some if you give them a chance (but they may not be right for you) and try to ignore horror stories whilst you are probably susceptible to them

You’re not wrong. The side effects can be terrible for some. I took Sertraline for a few months and when I was not throwing up from it, I had the most terrible stomach cramps and diarreha. My doctor kept saying oh. It will settle down. Give it a few weeks. I lasted 10 weeks and then refused to touch the stuff.

It takes some time for your brain to adjust to the amount of serotonin you are getting. Give it some time.
However, if you have anxiety, it might not be the best med for you.
There are plenty of options (thank goodness!!!).
Journal your symptoms if possible. Stay in touch with your doctor.

Positive thoughts coming your way!

I was on sertraline for a few years. It does take a few weeks to get into your system so bare with it.
Talk to your Gp about the side affects if they are affecting you badly 💐

Keep going with it. side effects can last 4-6 weeks I believe.

@AlrightAlrightAlright

It's great it helped you, but not all drugs work for everyone. I had the same issues as OP and the side effects never went away. In fact, I felt worse on the medication than I did off it.

That may be the case but I think the word horrific is an over exaggeration. Chemo is horrific. Plus if you're suffering from anxiety you will find symptoms that aren't there

Absolute bullshit. Anxiety does not make people create symptoms that aren’t there.

Panic attacks and derealisation can be so horrific that you don’t want to be alive, because everything good in life doesn’t seem to exist in those moments.

Op you could ask the doctors to reduce your dose. However like people are saying the symptoms will ease in a couple of weeks. I’ve been there I know how hard it is, you can do it xx

About a week of bad side effects before the benefits kicked in, I was on 25mg.

I tried for 3 days and gave up. My teeth were chattering, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat or sit still. I understand that it does settle after a bit but I didn't feel able to continue.

Ive not RTFT thread but yes, the first weeks on antidepressants are awful. I had mini-fits, my pupils were huge, I was twitching and couldnt sleep.

It does settle down.

Hold the line, my lovely. You will be ok.

I lasted 10 days on sertraline and had to be talked off a ledge. It really, really did not suit me. Horrific is exactly how I’d describe it.
Citalopram was a better fit for me.
If you find things are not improving at all, or you feel much worse, get back to your GP. Do not persist and persist to the point that I did.

As many others have said it will pass as your body adjusts. Feeling cold was another side effect I had. But after few weeks really felt benefits and that made the difficult start worth it.
I took 50 from start.
Dr recommend a visit after 2 weeks, 2 months ect keep those up. Try not to miss any tablets.
A year on its about 2 weeks since I have taken any and overall feel great. The last few weeks reducing & eliminating was a hard adjustment too.

I tried sertraline and had some really intense side effects - I felt high and really in the clouds. It did not agree with me, but as others say it may be too high of a dose or just some uncomfortable effects whilst your body gets used to it. Have a chat with your doctor about what you’re experiencing! Good luck

It takes about six weeks for the heavy side effects to go. I felt sleepy found mundane tasks difficult. Then one day it went. Though I have to say counselling is what fixed me.... the drugs don't work is more than a good song!

I didn't get on with it either. Same as others, I felt completely wired, couldn't relax, couldn't sleep and I also had terrible, incredibly vivid nightmares.

I stuck with it for about 4 weeks then went back to my GP and was given Citalopram instead. That's worked wonderfully well for me. The problem with these kinds of medications is that you just have to see how you react to a couple before you find the right one. It's so hard to do when you're already not feeling great, so I sympathise. Persevere, you'll find the right one.

I have a school friend mother that takes this. She always sweats badly from her forehead and always has white stuff in the corner of her lips which she blames on this drug. Is this another side effect.
Also if it is so hard for many people to adjust to these drugs what is it like when you decide to stop.
Are these drugs taken for life as many of you guys state you have been taking for years and I was under the impression that you only be prescribed these for a set amount of time until you feel better mentally?

I am so sorry I have not RTFT. It’s late and I’m tired!
I just wanted to say that I felt exactly how you describe OP.
I started on 50mg about a year ago, first two weeks I felt so nauseous, like I needed to yawn, like someone had their hands around my throat. I felt utterly wired, almost sparky. I woke up having panic attacks, it’s was just flipping awful. After 2 weeks I was totally fine. It took a month or so before they sort of started to work. Dose upped to 100mg and symptoms came back again. Another month or so went by, upped to 150mg and finally I started to feel so much better (OCD and anxiety)
I’m still taking them now but would like to reduce them at some point. (Not yet - not how things are in the world right now!)
I take them at night and get on well.
I hope they work for you x

I started out on Venlafaxine for GAD and when I got pregnant, was switched to Sertraline. I must've lucked out, as I didn't have any side effects. Coming of Venlafaxine was awful though, I really hope it's not the same for Sertraline.

I take this and it's been amazing for me. I get nauseous when I take it for about half an hour... But if rather that than being consumed by hopelessness and rage.

I always thought I just had a short temper and an angry disposition.... Nope... Just unmedicated depression.

I'm on 100 mg now and it's doing the trick.

Keep in contact with your Dr. But.. it may not be the med for you.

Good luck! 💕

@GachaBread

I have a school friend mother that takes this. She always sweats badly from her forehead and always has white stuff in the corner of her lips which she blames on this drug. Is this another side effect. Also if it is so hard for many people to adjust to these drugs what is it like when you decide to stop. Are these drugs taken for life as many of you guys state you have been taking for years and I was under the impression that you only be prescribed these for a set amount of time until you feel better mentally?

IMO... That's like saying a diabetic can stop taking insulin when their sugar levels even out.... At least for many people. There are people who can be on mood stabilizers short term but for many it's a life long need.

OP I tried to stick at it for weeks and in desperation went back to GP who changed my meds immediately.
A couple of days I'm not sure. It does seem to suit some people. But ask GP anyway.

Stick with it. It really was horrific, like really horrific but it really does stop after a couple of weeks. I’m 3.5 weeks in and side effects have gone and I’m starting to feel better.

I would have quit if it wasn’t for some kind words / people on here.

I have anxiety too.