Sertraline- help and advice please

[Luckingfovely]

Hi. I started 50mg Sertraline two wreaks age for long-term generalised anxiety disorder, possibly with depression as went (although I'm not convinced of that).

Since then, I seem to feel even more anxious 24 hours a day, instead of being up and down. My heart is constantly racing and I'm having palpitations. On top of that, I am so exhausted I can barely get out of bed. Sleeping for 10 or so hours a night, get up for an hour, and then feel like I need to go back to bed again. It is getting quite unbearable.

Has anyone experienced this?

I don't know whether I am one of those who cannot tolerate Sertraline, or if I just need to give it more time.

Would be so grateful for any advice - thank you.

That's a high dose imo but yes those symptoms sound familiar. They went away after two weeks for me. Life saver. Well worth sticking with it. Good luck

I started on 50mg and had similar symptoms for 7-10 days. I had a review at 14 days - do you have anything similar booked in? If so, tell your Dr and they might suggest a different drug

I don't think it is a high dose. Sertraline normally starts at 50mg where as other ssri's for example citalopram can be used at 10mg. I think you need to go back to the GP. This sounds like quite an extreme reaction imo. But I'm not a medical professional so you really need to see a GP like tomorrow.

Sorry forgot to add I take 50mg sertraline and just had mild nausea so I don't think every one experiences similar effects.

Hi Op. yes my anxiety def got worse when I first started. Had the palpitations, nausea it was awful. I was on 50mg too. But after two or three weeks the horrible symptoms eased. I can honestly say it has transformed my life I'm so glad I stuck with it. Best piece of advice I got was on here and that was to beak the tab in half and have half in the morning and the other half in the pm. Worked for me - might be worth a try. Good luck

And it take on an empty stomach! Def have something to eat even if it's a biscuit or banana before taking tab.

Sorry meant to say DONT take it on an empty stomach

Sertraline didn’t agree with me at all, it ramped up my anxiety to the point my heart was almost beating out my chest, I couldn’t move off the sofa as the slightest movement triggered my heart to race it was terrifying actually. My gp took me straight back off them and changed me to citalopram which works well for me. Yes an increase in symptoms is common at the beginning of treatment but It’s possible that not all anti depressants will agree with you. Do speak to your gp.

OP I think the replies here show how different ssri's work differently with different people. So I definitely think going back to the GP is the next step as you don't need to put up with this unnecessarily. Good luck.

Thank you all so much. GP then next.

It's not a high dose. The problem could even be it's too low a dose. My daughter was put on 100mg for her severe anxiety at 18. It worked dramatically with days for her. She did suffer some of the problems you are having, but taking them earlier in the day helped & the side effects eased with a few weeks. It could also be that you need to try something else.

I was about to start a thread but then saw this one, I have been prescribed 100mg sertraline yesterday but am too scared to take it because everything online seems to say the starting dose should be 50mg. Was anyone else started on 100mg and did you suffer side effects? I’ve been so poorly all over Christmas but the thought of taking too high a dose and having bad side effects is making me feel even worse!

I take 100mg sertraline. It is a wonder drug!!! 😁😁

My husband has just started on it. It states that it takes about 3 weeks to have a positive effect, and things can get worse before they get better. You should have bee asked to go for a follow up appt 2-3 weeks after you started taking them. Speak to your GP but try and get past the 3 week point.

@Rayn did you start on 100mg?

I take 100mg of it . I haven’t had any bad side effects at all. I did start on 50mg but after three weeks it still hadn’t had any good effects for me so my GP increased it to 100mg. I’ve been on that dose for a week now. Still no mad side effects . The increased dose is now also starting to help to. Take the plunge. Try the meds.

Hey im on 150mg now that's high lol although I keep taking them and then not coz I like to think I can get past it without taking drugs for the rest of my life !! Anyone else fill like that ?? Xx

One bit of advice - don't, whatever you do, take it without water! I did this today because I was in a rush and it was sooo unpleasant. I didn't notice it while swallowing, but about half an hour afterwards my throat started burning, and then chest, stomach... It was absolutely hideous. I drank about a litre of water and took liquid Gaviscon, but when I thought a few sips of lukewarm peppermint tea might help it felt like swallowing fire! Luckily it was OK after about 3 hours but... Best avoid!

It's not a high dose. It's the lowest therapeutic dose. Highest is 200mg.

Most people experience increased anxiety for the first couple of weeks, then find these start-up side effects peter out. Improvements then begin to be seen.

Don't rush to change drugs; give it 6 weeks at least and then reassess if absolutely necessary.

Hi all
It’s nice to read your posts. I was on citalopram 20mg but felt after 2 years it wasn’t working. Things at home got worse and me and my wife are on a trial separation as we were both not happy with each other.
I’m now on sertraline 50mg for 2 weeks and I was so bad to start with. Anxious and constantly worry about things. I have improved and seem a bit better but still quite anxious

Get the GP to check your iron levels too, sometimes palpitations = anemia