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Original poster

Is anyone else just starting out on sertraline?

114 replies

SnozBuriedUnderThePatio · 17/11/2015 16:45

Does anyone want to ride through these first couple of weeks with me?

I took my first dose yesterday and will be taking my second tonight. No side affects after the first one other than not being able to sleep at all.

Anyone else out there for support? Flowers

OP posts:
cj7689 · 17/11/2015 19:21

Hi Snoz

I started on Sertaline 50mg just over 2 weeks ago. I am currently 23 weeks pregnant. I am also having weekly therapy sessions.

I found my first few days on the tablets to be quite strange, I felt very spaced out and tired but that wore off after around 48 hours. The only side effect I seem to be getting still now is an increased sense of anxiety. My heart races and I find myself worrying all the time and having the shakes. The tablets have helped lift my depression and after my appointment with the doctor yesterday I am not worried about the increased anxiety as she says it is normal and should subside soon.

Hope this helps.

xx

Original poster
SnozBuriedUnderThePatio · 18/11/2015 00:26

Thanks cj

I'm feeling very tired but completely unable to sleep. I'm dreading the anxiety increase but trying to remember that it will pass.

Are you taking yours in the morning or evening? I'm taking mine in the evening in the hope that the worst of the side effects happen at night but all it's doing so far is keeping me awake.

OP posts:
PippiHippo · 18/11/2015 00:30

Hi!
I was given them on Monday, 50mg to be taken once a day. I'm feeling okay so far but after (stupidly!) googling the side effects I'm very worried.
I've been taking it around 7pm but my doctor warned me about the possibility of 'vivid dreams' so not sure what time would be best!

Original poster
SnozBuriedUnderThePatio · 18/11/2015 00:37

Hello Pippi

I do remember having vivid dreams when I was taking them a couple of years ago but they were mostly nice vivid dreams rather than the awful ones you get with anxiety itself. I can't remember what the first few days were like last time but so far this time I feel ok just insomnia. Are they keeping you awake too?

OP posts:
PippiHippo · 18/11/2015 02:32

Ah I'm glad to hear that. I'm feeling fine at the moment but yes, I'm very awake right now despite desperately needing to sleep!

Original poster
SnozBuriedUnderThePatio · 18/11/2015 07:07

I only managed to get about 2 hours sleep I hope tonight is better!

OP posts:
PippiHippo · 18/11/2015 09:57

Me too! Not feeling great today tbh. How has everyone's appetite been? Mine wasn't good before but now I seem to be eating loads.

Snozberry · 18/11/2015 10:31

I am definitely hungrier but trying to ignore it as last time I was on sertraline I gained over a stone in a few months. Sertraline supposedly makes people lose their appetite but it seems to have the opposite effect on me

Madnessmouse · 18/11/2015 11:44

Hi all,
I'm on day 2 of sertraline. I am taking 25mg a day for the first week, then will take 50mg a day. I'm taking it in the morning after Dd breastfeeds. Have had a slight headache and tingles so far, and felt slightly paranoid when out shopping yesterday. Sorry to hear about everyone's sleep issues. I haven't had that so far...

Snozberry · 18/11/2015 12:33

Hi Madnessmouse

Are you taking it for PND?

I've started on 50mg so that might be why I can't sleep. Feeling quite anxious today, my heart is racing but I'm finding it easier to ignore as I know it's the sertraline.

PippiHippo · 18/11/2015 16:15

I've just taken it now instead of after dinner so fingers crossed I will be able to have a better night's sleep tonight.
I'm being treated for depression and haven't had any increased emotion but I've been feeling in a bit of a daze and am very headachey, hopefully that will settle down soon.

I hope everyone's day is going okay and everyone gets sleep tonight!

cj7689 · 18/11/2015 16:32

Hi guys! Hope everyone is having a good day so far!

I've not had any trouble sleeping so far, I just feel exhausted all the time but I'm not sure if this is due to the meds or the pregnancy.

I take mine first thing in the morning but I was thinking about swapping to the night but worry that it would cause insomnia at night due to the anxiety. If I was to swap to the evenings do you think it would be better for me to take another one this evening or wait until tomorrow evening and go nearly 2 days without a tablet?

Fingers crossed you all get some more sleep tonight if you're struggling!

Notthecarwashagain · 18/11/2015 16:35

Hello!
I started taking sertraline and diazepam last week. I'm taking mine at night because they make me a bit confused and I need to drive in the day.
Have had horrible gnawing hunger pains, but they seem to be easing. No amount of food would stop it, so I'm glad it seems to be wearing off now-I'm eating myself out of house and home!

Hope everyone's side effects wear off soon.

StarTravels · 18/11/2015 16:38

Hi Everyone, I've just started on sertraline for anxiety. I was on 50mg for a couple of weeks and the doctor increased this to 100mg. I've had awful headaches. They are just terrible. Taking ibuprofen or paracetamol doesn't seem to help at all and I feel unable to focus like my eyes are rolling around in my head. I've tried to put up with it for the past 5 days hoping it will fade, but it feels just the same as it did when I started on the 100mg. I'm wondering if I increased them too quickly? The doctor didn't tell me to do it gradually and I've been given 100mg tablets so I would have to break them to have only 50mg. Do you think it's worth me dropping back down to 50mg? I can't get a doctors appointment until Monday and my head is hurting so much.

Snozberry · 18/11/2015 17:17

I think I'd wait until tomorrow cj as the advice if you miss a tablet is to take one the next day rather than double up so I don't think you want to take too many.

Can you try and get a phone consultation with the doctor tomorrow star sometimes they will fit you in with a phonecall? If you weren't having headaches on 50mg I'd personally go back to 50mg until could speak to a doctor.

I'm taking them for anxiety and today has been fairly bad, I've just had a panic attack which is maybe because it's wearing off at this time of day? I just want to go to bed now so that another day is over!

FairlyUseless · 18/11/2015 21:41

Hi, I'm on 50mg for 3 wks 5 days. For the last week I have felt spectacular... but today I had the worst breakdown I've had for ages. Was just awful, I was hideous to DS at bedtime (he's only 4) and made everything a million times worse. I'm hoping this is the blip the gp warned about - things getting worse before they get better. I've been crying for hours and only just stopped. I hope tomorrow will be better. Trying v hard to accept what happened and move on.

cj7689 · 18/11/2015 22:23

Don't despair fairlyuseless. Sometimes things have to go down to come back up again. This is my first time on Anti D's and other than the anxiety my mood has been so much better however I had a shocking day today and completely flipped on my partner for no good reason. I've put it down to an off day and I'm hoping that tomorrow will be completely different. Don't beat yourself up too much, you're only human xx

Madnessmouse · 19/11/2015 00:38

Sorry to hear about the side effects everyone's having.
Hope tomorrow is better, Fairly, Snoz and Cj.
Snoz, I am taking sertraline for social anxiety.

Star, I am getting similar headaches to how you describe. Though I didn't think to try painkillers. Maybe in the morning. Night all.

Snozberry · 19/11/2015 06:05

How did everyone sleep?

I slept much better last night, I had the shakes when I got up but I sat back down for a minute and they settled. My chest is heavy this morning I hope this will pass soon as obviously that is not great for anxiety Sad

cymrukernow · 19/11/2015 08:56

Hi Snoz I have been on Sertraline for 2 weeks. First weak dreadful. Headaches so intense that I was sent for a ct scan - all clear tho. Sleeping better now and slowly feeling a little calmer . It seems it can take anything from a few days to a few weeks to kick in depending on lots of factors.

Snozberry · 19/11/2015 09:00

Hi cymru I'm glad it's helping you so soon. Are you taking them for anxiety? Did you get the increased anxiety that they warn about?

StarTravels · 19/11/2015 10:43

hi cymru, did the doctor reduce your dosage because of the headaches or did they just slowly fade?

cymrukernow · 19/11/2015 20:05

Snoz I am taking them for anxiety and depression. Still feeling anxious but not 24/7 like before. Feel a little vacant and spaced out sometimes.

Star headaches are still there but on cocodamol now which has reduced intensity- literally felt like someone was hammering my head in the mornings!

Snozberry · 20/11/2015 19:40

How's everyone doing today? I am flipping between definitely feeling calmer and having the odd moment of panic.

Madnessmouse · 20/11/2015 20:24

Calmer is good...panic not so much. Are you sleeping better, Snoz?
I still have a splitting headache - like there's a buildup.of pressure in my head. Also jaw clenching a bit. Not been sleeping brilliantly but more due to baby waking me than the medication!