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Mental health

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Original poster

How fast do sertraline side effects kick in?

37 replies

RhubarbRocks · 03/12/2016 13:03

My doctor prescribed setraline this morning for anxiety and OCD - it's been getting worse and although I can still cope, it doesn't feel like I can keep going without anything while I wait for CBT to start.

Anyway, I have the tablets but am scared of the side effects. In particular I am singing in a concert tonight. If I start the tablets now am I likely to experience side effects in the next 8 hours? I'm worried about having a panic attack on stage anyway and am worried it will be made more likely if I start taking them right now.

Sorry, long post but I would be very grateful of anyone else's experience. Thank you.

OP posts:

fallenempires · 03/12/2016 13:25

Hi! I don't have experience of Sertraline but I take Citalopram.I actually delayed starting them until I had a less 'busy' day iyswim.I would imagine that if you were to start them today then you could well end up creating further anxiety for yourself when you already feel anxious about the performance.
Hopefully someone with experience of them will post with some advice for you.Best of luck tonight, I do sympathise,anxiety is truly horrible.

tiredvommachine · 03/12/2016 13:32

Hello, I have recently been put onto Sertraline for depression, I take mine in the evening and my side effects were slight nausea and clenching my jaw. This went about a week later.
Good luck

asmadasmax · 03/12/2016 13:35

If I remember correctly the side effects kicked in quite quickly. I had a bad headache and vague nausea for a few days. I did start on a very low dose though, I broke the 50 mg tablets in half and took half a tablet for 7 days, because I was scared about the side effects.

Original poster

RhubarbRocks · 03/12/2016 16:19

Thank you all. That is really helpful. I think in that case I'll wait til tomorrow and start then.

I'm also wondering about whether it's ok to have a drink with setraline - the odd glass of wine with dinner over Christmas etc? The leaflet says no alcohol but I'm not sure why and what the effect is?

OP posts:

fallenempires · 03/12/2016 20:30

I think that's wise.Good luck tonight & please be kind to yourself.Starting AD's is hard and they take a while to kick in,it can be difficult in the first few weeks you will experience some strange feelings & will feel exhausted,this is normal.Your GP will have given you a review date I think mine was after a few weeks.If you don't feel any benefit or are still experiencing side effects then do let them know so they can either up/reduce your dosage or switch to another AD.AD's are a bit of a lottery,what suits one person won't suit another.Keep on posting there's support for you on this board!

Original poster

RhubarbRocks · 03/12/2016 23:28

Thank you! All went well tonight. Singing is the one time my anxiety disappears.

I'm in two minds about whether to take these tablets. I'm just about coping now and I'm terrified of making things worse. I have lived with anxiety and OCD for 30 years and although I would love them to go away, I think it is more recent external factors that are making it difficult (miscarriage, and then work and relationship issues which are made worse by anxiety and so go in a bit of a spiral). We are due to go on holiday at the end of the month and I'm not sure if starting ADs now is the best thing to do so I can relax and enjoy the holiday, or if it's the worst thing I can do as I won't be myself on the ADs. So confused.

OP posts:

DianaMitford · 03/12/2016 23:50

Hi, I've been on Sertraline for two years. I take 200mg/day. Key things for me were:

always take it in the morning
always eat first

It kicked in really quickly and I noticed a huge difference in how I felt. I would definitely give them a go. Oh and I drink a fair bit of wine and Sertraline has never caused any unpleasant reactions :)

Original poster

RhubarbRocks · 04/12/2016 14:51

Diana - thank you so much. I can't tell you how reassuring that is.

OP posts:

Cern · 04/12/2016 15:00

I was exactly the same as Diana - almost immediate improvement and I drink.

fartlek · 04/12/2016 15:02

I have been on sertraline 150mg for about 2 years. I was a bit like you, coping but not feeling great with anxiety and low level depression. I felt truly awful for about a week when I started them but the side effects lessened after 2 or three weeks and now all I have are a bit of night sweats.

My life is sooooo much better now that I wish I'd taken them sooner. I still have blips when I don't feel great but these are manageable and short lived. My moods are steadier and I can focus on other things than my mental state, which is such a relief.

I hope they work out for you and you start feeling better soon.

fartlek · 04/12/2016 15:03

Oh yeah, I still enjoy a drink with no ill effects.

tiredvommachine · 07/12/2016 08:05

How are you getting on with Sertraline, OP?

LeopardPrintSocks1 · 07/12/2016 10:42

I just took my first tablet after contemplating not taking/taking them for 3 months.

I have anxiety, slight pnd and v bad pmt whereby I'm angry and am awful to my kids for 2 weeks around my period :(

I broke the tablet in half in hope of reducing symptoms. I've had anxiety my whole life and just tired of it all now tbh so bit the bullet and started taking them.

fallenempires · 07/12/2016 13:01

Rhubarb so pleased to hear that Saturday went well! How are you feeling now?
Leopard you need to take the full dose for now.It's one of those things you will feel rough for a while but then things will start to ease.Please be kind to yourself

LeopardPrintSocks1 · 07/12/2016 13:17

My gp said to take half for a week then up to 50mg as it'll help with symptoms. Being in sole charge of 2 under 5 scares me to have bad symptoms hence why I put it off for a while

fallenempires · 07/12/2016 13:49

Ah I see.It's tough it really is.I've been in your shoes when mine were younger and I'm back there again this time with a 12 & 14 year old.
If you don't have any available help then it will be a struggle for a few,I have to be quite honest with you about that.However,despite being Mum and having to care of your dcs you do have to be easy on yourself too and keep reminding yourself that this is the beginning to feeling better within yourself.
Keep posting here we'll help you through

LeopardPrintSocks1 · 07/12/2016 16:10

Thank you! I'm having cbt at the moment too for anxiety and phobia. It's a really tough time. I have my dad and sister who support me and some good friends but day-to-day I'm on my own and it's hard.

fallenempires · 07/12/2016 23:31

Aww Leopard it's a horrible horrible illness.I'm glad to hear that you have some form of support as it's such a huge help even if it doesn't fulfill all the help you need.How have you felt after completing day 1?

moonoverthewater · 08/12/2016 08:17

I have experience of Sertraline and they really worked for me. I would take them in a morning with breakfast as another poster said.
I had very few side effects other than lots of yawning strangely! And my jaw would click. This was worth it for the benefits which I would say kicked in around the 2 week mark so be patient.
If I needed to I would take them again.
I am wary of drinking too much alcohol as it is a depressant itself but I had no problems with the odd couple of glasses of wine.

LeopardPrintSocks1 · 08/12/2016 08:33

Thank you, I had no side effects yesterday. I'm hoping they kick in before Christmas so I can enjoy it with my children :) I really hope it helps me, after 30 years of this, I'm just tired of it.

moonoverthewater · 08/12/2016 10:15

Fingers crossed for you

fallenempires · 08/12/2016 10:33

Leopard glad to hear that I'm rooting for you

Original poster

RhubarbRocks · 08/12/2016 11:06

Hi Leopard - good luck! Glad you had no side effects. Fallen - I'm ok, thanks. I started on Sunday morning (50mg) - was nauseous all day and by Monday was very sick, tinnitus, dizziness etc. I had to go home from work it was so bad. My boyfriend convinced me to stop taking them until I've at least tried CBT. Not sure if that is right decision - not sure my decision making is that great at the moment! But the GP was ok with it when I discussed with her on Tuesday. Am a bit annoyed with myself for not sticking with it, but hoping CBT helps - just waiting for the psychologist to call me now and hoping for an appointment very soon.

OP posts:

Sarahhot1250980 · 08/12/2016 11:09

Hi everyone I too am petrified of taking my sertraline iv had mine for 2months in cupboard, then moved them to the wardrobe in my room . Silly I know ! My baby us 3month old now and I have a 3 yr old n 6 yr old , iv had pnd before. This time I have extremely high anxiety and panic attacks. Last time I was on velafaxine but doc prescribed sertraline 50mg this time . Do they work anyone , I'm soooo desperate to get better for my children and I dint want to spoil Xmas for them coz I feel like this ! Also can anyone recommend Rescue Remedy the drops to cope with the anxiety? Please help 😓

LeopardPrintSocks1 · 08/12/2016 15:15

Rhubarb and Sarah - they are meant to be very good for anxiety/pnd. Please try half a tablet for a week - 10 days then up to 50mg to help symptoms.

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