Sertraline

[Littleminx1]

Hope someone can help. I was put on 50mg of sertraline due to health anxiety just over 4 weeks, as my anxiety went through the roof following partners cancer diagnosis.

I'm now feeling light headed and dizzy (is this normal?) constant yawning and fast heart beat?

The first week or 2 I felt numb and didn't feel all that anxious but the past week my anxiety is really bad again and really struggling. For anyone that has taken this is it normal to still feel really anxious after 4 weeks and how long did it take to start feeling "normal" I know it's different for everyone but just going out of my mind and feeling overly anxious all the time. It got so bad today I had to go in the disabled toilet at work and lay down for 10 minutes just to calm myself down

Thanks in advance x

Hi @Littleminx1 Yesterday sounds like it was a tough day. And I am sorry to hear your partner has received a cancer diagnosis. That must be so stressful for you both.

I don't know how much you know or have read about sertraline but it's not uncommon for it to raise your anxiety for a little bit before it calms down for good. The side effects in the first few weeks vary for everyone. I think it's easy to be on the watch out for any symptoms too, especially when you have anxiety. The heart beating fast and yawning sounds like your body felt under threat for some reason... Like the fight or flight reaction, but was probably just the increased anxiety. If you are worried about feeling dizzy etc, it might be worth seeking reassurance from your gp.

I found weeks 4/5 after taking it the hardest. Found myself googling... Will it ever work, is this normal etc. It will pass. The good or easier moments will get bigger and the anxious ones you will be able to manage with and cope with better and better.

There is a sertraline handholding thread which you'd be welcome to join to help you through the next few weeks. I'll give it a bump so you can find it. There's always someone going through a similar thing on there.

Could it be worth mentioning to your employer that you've started some new medication and occasionally it makes you feel unwell? If the anxiety gets too much at the moment it might be worth taking a couple of days off work as sick to help power you through this difficult time. Xx

Should add, I'm several months in now and it's turned my life around.

Yer inwas exactly the same..just coming up to week 5 now and it is all settling down a bit. Try stick it out if you can. So sorry to hear about your partner. Xx

@Dollsandfoo

Yer inwas exactly the same..just coming up to week 5 now and it is all settling down a bit. Try stick it out if you can. So sorry to hear about your partner. Xx

Thank you. I'll stick with them for a couple more weeks x

@Dollsandfoo thank you. That's good you have had a positive experience with them. I hope I start to see the effects soon with them. I've tried to not read the side effects as I suffer with health anxiety and I think I'd subconsciously give myself them. Works been great about all of this. Offered me time off if needed and said I can go for breaks whenever I need to so am lucky. Good job I opened up to them when this latest episode.

Thanks I'll take a look at that thread and see what others have put and see what help I can get. Thanks for replying xx