Sertraline 50mg side effects

[JustMyNomDePlume]

Hi, I suppose I'm looking for some advice really. I've been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for a few months, so I finally bit the bullet and went to see my GP who prescribed sertraline (50mg). I was supposed to go back in two weeks to have the dosage put up to 100mg.

Anyway, I took the first one yesterday morning and at first I felt fine. Fast forward to a few hours later and the room was spinning, I felt really nauseous and my whole body ached. I took myself off to bed for a few hours and felt much better by the afternoon.

But then later in the evening I had back to back panic attacks for four hours that were so much worse than my usual anxiety symptoms. My skin felt like it was burning, my joints ached... it was awful.

I've woken up this morning and I feel a bit better. Im still nauseous and a bit panicky but I'm weak as a kitten. (A bit pathetic sounding, I know).

Has anyone got any experience with sertraline? I'm trying to work out if this is normal and I should persevere or if I should call my GP and switch to something else. Thanks!

Hi OP I had those same symptoms - dizziness, nausea, aching body’s and feelings of fluttery panic for about 3 or 4 days then they came back again when I went up to 100mg and were worse. In fact I felt like my anxiety and general well-being was worse for about 4 weeks on sertraline. I persevered though, and it really did help me and do wonders for my mental health after about 4 weeks.
Most of the side effects do go away. In found that the nausea stayed for a couple of hours after taking my tablet though, I often got constipated and (sorry to be crass) I also had a lot of gas and flatulence when I was taking sertraline. I never did get used to that one and it was actually the gas and flatulence that made me stop taking it.

Thank you, that's actually really reassuring. I'll give them another go and hopefully the symptoms will subside in a few weeks.

Hi OP, funny I have found this thread today as I took my first 50mg of sertraline yesterday too. I had the nausea and a horribly dry mouth last night. Also increased feelings of anxiety and a bad sleep. I’m really not sure about carrying on with them as I’m at home with a 20 month old toddler and I don’t want to be feeling zoned out and sick. I believe the side effects do go away after a few weeks but it’s whether you can get through the early days I suppose. Wishing you luck with them OP

Best advice DP had was to take his sertraline in an evening as he goes to bed.
Also make sure you take it with a lot of water.

The side effects do die down, just persevere with it for 3-4 weeks and it'll get easier

I had nausea for the first week or so when taking Sertraline, and night sweats too. I still get them occasionally. I’d definitely try to stick with it for a good few weeks if you can, to see if it’s worth it.

Yes, I had the nausea and affected sleep. But stick with it, they will go.