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Sertraline advice please!

1 reply

v1oletsky · 07/01/2014 21:42

I am on day 3 and wondering what to do. I was so worried about side effects that I have only been taking a quarter of a dose of a prescribed 50mg I.e. 12.5mg (I know pathetic right) and even on that for the last couple of days I've been foggy/spaced out all morning and anxious towards the late afternoon/eve, coupled with extra tiredness. Also a feeling of unreality which is horrible but that is something I tend to get when anxious.
Anyway, do I stick to the 12.5 until those symptoms wear off? I know on such a small amount I may not see any benefits, but I'm quite sensitive to medication at the moment and from my google research it seems in America they start people on lower doses than over here. On the other hand I don't want to be taking them, going through all this for nothing.
I was planning to up to 25mg but I'm nervous as barely feel like I can cope with a demanding 3yr old and 5 week old baby as it is. Will those side effects get more extreme? I have to be able function and also to wake up to breastfeed through the night.
Thanks

OP posts:
Funnyfishface · 08/01/2014 00:22

Hi violet sky.
Are these your first ever meds for anxiety? I am also on sertraline 50mg.
I started on citalopram 10mg and the first 5 days I felt awful.
Dizzy, faint, headache, jaw clenching, hot sweats etc. then all settled down. I was so frightened to change meds for having to go through side effects but citalopram caused me insomnia.
So Sep 2013 I switched to sertraline. And honestly they have saved my life.
I am also very sensitive to meds. Hate taking anything. But my anxiety was ruining my life. Now and almost instantly I feel almost back to my old self. I can now work again.
I would stick to the lower dose for a day or so then increase slowly. Take the same amount consistently though and not one day 12 then the next 25 and so on. When you are ready go to 25 and stick at that until your side effects go. You may not have any side effects with the increase. Even 50 mg is very low. Usually a starting dose.
You can pm me anytime if you would like any advice
Good luck.

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