First two weeks on Sertaline

[Goawaybabyblues]

I have been taking 50mg for the past 11 days for PND. Initially I felt better for a few days but imagine that was more the placebo effect / fact I felt help was coming.

It's been very up and down, with days and moments when I feel my old self then horrendous PND again.

I had a slight feeling of nausea but otherwise no adverse side effects.

However the past two days I've noticed my anxiety is through the roof. I felt on the verge of a panic attack almost (I've thankfully not had one), it was debilitating. And in fear I worked myself up into a state and was hysterically crying / dwelling on all the dark thoughts.

Realising this is likely a side effect of the drug as I've heard that can happen, today I anticipated it and have worked so hard all day to keep calm. So much easier said than done but I keep telling myself it's a side effect of the drug.

Since this has been happening I've also been having more nausea and gagging a lot.

My question is really, is it normal for the side effects to get worse rather than better? Is it because the drug is building up in my system?

I could really use something to focus on so I'm really hoping that's the case and if I just keep hanging on, the side effects will ease and I'll have more good days than bad with the PND.

They can take a few weeks to work so to speak. I've been on them off and on for 4 years (currently on 50mg also). The nausea for me usually leaves around 2-3 weeks. And they can take a couple of months to help with the negative anxiety thoughts.
I'd give them a little more time and if you don't feel they're working, speak to your GP.
CBT May help too. Your GP can refer you.
Good luck, it's a horrible thing to go through. It will get better, it just takes time. X

Thank you! I think they're working (they're definitely doing something). Just hope the worsening of side effects is a sign they're kicking in. Thank you x

Hold on in there, it gets better! On 100mg for PND, was originally on 50mg during pregnancy. My anxiety exploded initially but is soooo much better now

One of my side effects was grinding my teeth. Oh and yawning about 10 times a minute!

For me the side effects changed for a few weeks before they settled. I only felt nauseous for a couple of weeks but then got random effects like a dead leg after that! I started to see an improvement in my mood after about 3 weeks.

I had horrendous panic attacks with Sertraline, and they built up as the drug built up in my system. They did subside a bit for me after a few weeks but unfortunately I had to come off it in the end because it caused fatigue that wouldn't shift. I've heard a lot of people say it takes up to six weeks. When I've taken fluoxetine in the past, it made me feel horrific for two weeks but at the four week mark it was like a light switch and I started to feel normal again. I'm thinking of going back on it this year

Thanks everyone! This is really reassuring.