Sertraline struggles

[Umbongo1]

I'm on Day 4 of restarting sertraline and I'm really struggling mentally and physically. I've been on it before and it worked for me but I'm finding this so tough. I'm on 50mg a day but my panic is through the roof, I'm shaky and tired and barely able to cope with my dd. Anyone in a similar boat or can help with experience? 🙏

Hi, I’d say if you’re only on day 4 it might take a bit longer to work. Give it a week or two and contact your gp if you don’t feel any better? You might need to up your dose.

I had the same reaction. The psychiatrist from perinatal mental health said to take half a tablet (so 25mg) for a couple of weeks for my body to get used to it, then increase to the proper dose. This worked for me.

The massive anxiety is a common side effect and I think lots of people give up early because of this. I'm glad I persevered, but you should really talk it through with whoever prescribed it (GP?).

Good luck - it really helped me.

I started Sertraline a few months ago. After persevering through the side effects I went from 25mg to 50mg which still made no difference. In fact I'd say worse. I found myself constantly breathless which I couldn't explain.

After some research last week I asked the doctor to move me over to Mirtazapine. It's early days but I never felt like I'd had a restful sleep.
In fact I dreaded waking up each day. I'm not constantly waking in the night now and the dread has gone. I keep telling myself they couldn't be working yet but something's changed for the better.

Good luck with the Sertraline I've read some good reviews about it.

I'm also on day 4 of restarting Sertraline & experiencing exactly the same! Constant feeling of panic in my stomach which I can't shift no matter what.

I'm just hoping to get through this initial period & then once it beds in properly it will be ok.

@checkthemeaning are you on 50mg too? I'm just not sure how long I can go feeling like this. I'm not really functioning!

@Umbongo1 I am indeed on 50mg! I'm just trying to get through the next week or so and pray for a turnaround

God it's sh1t isn't it! Fingers crossed we will both get some benefit soon. How are you sleeping on it? I take mine in the morning as dr said

I'm starting tomorrow so on a similar journey

My friend takes hers in the morning as it keeps her awake at night, but I have mine at bedtime for the opposite reason; was making me spaced out and drowsy. Hopefully you’ll find something that works for you.

Day 5 and still hideous. Can't get out of bed.

Cutie101 how was your first day? Day 6 now and I'm vertical at least.

@Umbongo1 so far so good, I feel ok-ish. I have awful stomach pains but that is probably something else. I'm keeping busy with work s that helps too. Glad to hear you are up, take it slowly x

I started sertraline 5 months ago and just gone up a dose and so anxious too

I take it in the morning as too late and it keeps me awake at night or I wake up early

I am on day 8 and finally managing to get up and do stuff with my days despite really high panic/anxiety. How is everyone else doing?

No signs yet of it actually doing anything to reduce anxiety or depression though .(

I thought I was doing okay, was actually feel I ng positive this morning, but feeling pretty broken this afternoon

@cutie101 broken in what way? What dose have you started on?

I started low and due to increase next week to 100. I felt like I was doing OK but then a couple of comments that I should have been able to laugh at and ignore at work today have set me off, I'm anxious, I'm overthinking, massive anxiety, i feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest and its all just a bit much

I had to come off Sertraline after struggling through 6 weeks. The side effects were too much for me. I lost a stone and half in weight because I couldn't eat and the anxiety / panic was off the scale. I saw a different GP and she suggested trying a another SSRI. I am now on escitalopram which seems to be working. Although all the weight has gone back on. A small price to pay for being able to live 'normally'.

I was prescribed sertraline 2 weeks ago. My husband & I both work full time & have 4 young children as well. Things got very difficult with balancing work, the house, the children etc.. I spoke to my gp & was prescribed sertraline 50mg. I thought this would be the answer to sorting out my emotional stress & anxiety. I took it on day 1 & was like a zombie... I couldn't sleep but I was drained... I panicked that much that I decided to go down the therapy route instead & found out talking to a counsellor instead has really helped me. I've heard some amazing success stories with sertraline & I was hoping I was going to be one of them also. But after taking one dose I suddenly changed my mind & I am so glad I did. Whatever route you choose to take I really do hope it works for you. Take one day at a time. All the best.

@Umbongo1 just wanted to check in and see how you're doing?

Had a couple of slightly better days but woke again this morning in terrible panic and convincing myself this is never going to improve :(

I had the same on sertraline last year and just couldn't persevere on it. I struggled through the rest of the year and I've now just started taking fluoxetine - but I did have to ask for it, the doc never once mentioned it to me. I've only ever heard good things from people who've been on fluoxetine and it has less side effects than sertraline. Maybe ask to change to another drug?

oh @Umbongo1 sorry to hear that. Its got to get better right?

@orangejuice1 unfortunately fluoxetine wasn't good for me at all.