Sertraline buddies - support for anybody taking Sertraline

[buttonortwo]

I eventually went to docs yesterday, been really suffering with depression. Is it possible the medication can result in side effects straight away? I'm feeling sick and no appetite today, however feeling better, clearer... I'm on 50 mg the lowest dose.. Anyone else share their experience please?

Yes you can get side effects after the first dose. Hang in there, for most people the side effects disappear after a couple of weeks.

I only took one half-pill (25mg) of that because I felt so sick by the time it came to take the next one that I couldn't face putting anything in my body. It took 2 days for the nausea to fully subside. Still have the pills sitting on my kitchen counter judging me, but I can't face feeling that ill again. Side effects can definitely kick in quickly!

Hi there. Sertraline saved my life.
I tried citalopram first and didn't really get on with it. I switched to 50mg sertraline in September and feel fantastic.
First week on meds is tough then no problem.
Pm me if you need any info.
I take mine around 6 in the evening.

Thanks for your replies. Sickness has gone, only anxiety seems to be increasing, is this common too? Palpitations, thinking the worst...

Yes, sertraline increased my anxiety for 4-5 days and then it subsided.

Thanks, agitation still there but what I am mostly noticing is extreme tiredness... Do they have a sedative effect too? I'm holding onto the fact that in a few weeks I'll feel better...

Hold on in there. They are a great medication. Hope you feel better soon.

I second that - I'm four weeks in and feel like myself again after years of being very unhappy and angry.

I read that they have the opposite to a sedating effect and so changed to take them in the morning rather than at night. However, initially I did feel very tired, a bit sick and had no appetite. It passes in a few days and I instantly felt calmer although I did feel a bit anxious at points - more so than previous.

All those side effects have passed now and getting this prescription is one of the best things I've ever done! Good luck - stick with it.

Day 3 for me and so far I've been ok.. felt very anxious and jittery yesterday but ok today.. hang in there.. we'll do it together :)

Thanks for support, feeling ok.. Crispy, yes we'll do it together. How are you feeling today? Omletta that's fantastic, I hope I can be saying the same soon..

Hey

To all you guys who are suffering my advice would be to take your meds before bed or at least an hour or two before, this way the side effects occur during sleep.

That is what I found anyway

Thought I would update.. They are working! I am already starting to feel better, coming out of despair! I cannot believe it, I'm able to relax today, which is a godsend...

I am on day 3. I had some problems to sleep but otherwise no side effects. I take the tablet in the mornings and feel little bit more energetic.

Aniline, I'm still having sleep problems but the nausea has gone, hang in there. I'm hoping it will continue to improve as time goes on..

When did you , buttonortwo, notice improvement in your mood? I have only noticed more energy so far. Early days still for me.

That's fantastic buttonortwo, glad for you.

Aniline, it's just this week I'm noticing improvement, started 11th feb although I'm extremely tired..I'll keep posting with updates

Oh, I hope I haven't spoken too soon, this morning being crying, very low, low confidence.. I can only hope mess kick in more... Is this normal? Nothing has happened to cause this, apart from my thoughts and reflection on things!

Meds not mess!

There will be ups and downs, and it can take several weeks before you feel the full positive effects of the meds.

Thinking the same as Lastinglight.

I have a mixed bag. My energy levels have raised but I feel worse otherwise. Sometimes I feel okish but then horrible bad feeling strikes. Worse than before sertraline. Hopefully this disappears.

It took many, many months for it to start working properly for me but oh boy has it made a huge difference - so hang in there! Agreed though with the ups and downs - I found it quite hellish in the first week especially.

Thanks for replies.. I'm finding I'm sensitive to noise, things not feeling real. Spent afternoon with mum who talked about herself constantly, I just switch off, she doesn't know and I won't tell her. I feel exhausted by her.. I don't think it is normal to feel so exhausted, she just talked about trivial things and I was thinking to myself " I don't care". Have always felt invisible... Wish she didn't have a negative effect, I tend to limit contact.. I'm hanging onto the fact the will work, thanks degust. Hate the ups and downs. Absolutely hate it.

Yeah the ups & downs are not much fun at all - unfortunately with sertraline you often feel worse before you feel better! x

What I hated worse about the ups and downs - from being ill and as meds side effects - was the unpredictability. You don't want to plan anything because you don't know how you're going to be feeling at the time. But it gets better, hang in there and just look after yourself.