Sertraline question

[haggischaser]

Hi , finally opened up to GP and was advised to start on Sertraline 50mgs one a day

Took my first yesterday around 7pm , I don't sleep well at best of times but have felt jittery, had a nightmare and slight nausea since

This morning still slight nausea , loose stool and absolutely no appetite . Slight woozy feeling but managed to do all I need and drive so not very bad

I've had 1 !

Could I be imagining all of this or could they affect me with immediate affect ?
I'd be happy if the reduced appetite stayed as I can't cope with any more weight

Am I correct that 2-4 weeks before a positive effect ?
Can anyone share their experience ?
Do side effects settle or continue ?
Thank you all

No advice as I've only taken my second dose today - nausea, headache and insomnia already in full swing though (I am also withdrawing from other ADs though, so might not be strictly the sertraline).

Apparently the side effects die down by week 2, I sincerely hope they do. There are some very encouraging threads on this board though. Hang in there!

You are not imagining it. I started earlier this year and was supposed to just take 25mg for a couple of weeks then move up to 50mg. I stupidly took a whole one the first day as they are so tiny. I felt all the things you describe. Break them in half and do at least a week on 25 until the side effects ease then move up to 50. My side effects passed really quickly but were very noticeable. Also last month I accidentally missed 2 doses due to an unexpected event/change in routine. I felt really strange the second day which is why I realised. But they are really helping. I just feel steady now. So persevere.

I felt rubbish for about two weeks. Nausea, awful headaches etc. Then nothing and I felt much better. Try and ride it out.

Split them in half, I’m two weeks in and still on 25mg. Side effects do go, but they can be a doozy!

I started taking Sertraline 50mg 6 weeks ago. I didn’t sleep well on the first night but I took my first one at around 4pm when I collected the prescription. Since then, I haven’t had a single sleepless night although I seem to be waking up naturally at 6:30am. A few days in I realised, I didn’t feel tired! Previously, I’d feel tired all the time and sometimes so much I would have to crawl up the stairs.

I had a mild headache for 2 days, nausea for about the same and loose stools for longer, maybe 2 weeks. I had that woozy feeling for abolition a week.

It began to work quite quickly and now I feel like a new person, it’s honestly changing my life!

I felt this after just one dose and it lasted a few weeks but then I have been totally fine on them and since moved to higher dosage with no issues. The first few weeks were not nice though and I kept thinking I should just give up on them. I'm glad I battled through it though because now I feel they really do help me.

No, you’re not mad! I had horrible side effects from 1 dose (my now husband joked it was morning sickness, though I didn’t actually vomit!) but it settled within the week. I felt so dizzy that week though. Persevere, it has changed my life and I hope it changes yours too

Thank you so much everyone
Really appreciate it

Should have done this a long time ago but I'm here now

I'm hesitant to break them in half as GP suggested 50mgs but will see how I go , if it gets worse I definitely will

Has anyone lost or gained weight ?
That would be a disaster for me
I don't know if I'm fat because I'm depressed or depressed because I'm fat
Seriously

Don't worry, it's totally normal. I was on Sertraline a few years ago.

I've just started a new mood stabiliser, 1 tablet in the morning and 2 tablets at night. The morning tablet still knocks me out for 3 hours or so and I've been taking it for a week.

I've had to lower my anti-depressant dose and stop my other mood stabiliser so I'm going through withdrawals as well, feel like I'm going a bit insane but I know it's only temporary so I'm powering through.

Good luck x

The first day when I took 50 I sweated and felt sick, dizzy, lost my appetite and couldn't sleep. I thought I would have to stop completely as I could barely get to work and didn't feel safe driving. A week on 25 was manageable and then the jump back to 50 was fine. I'm not a doctor but I did a lot of reading and the gradual approach seems to be recommended until you reach what works for you. My dr also said to experiment with the time of day I took it. For some people it's better before bed. For others morning is better. I've found the latter.

Thank you @Sofia71 yes the Dr did say find the time that suits you and stick to same time every day .

Fingers crossed no nightmares tonight

Hope it settles soon and you feel better. I wish I had done it years ago.

I started on 25mg as I knew the side effects could be harsh and even on 25mg they were. Speak to your gp about starting on a lower dose and take them just before bed.

Meant to to add the side effects will fade over time. Headaches, jaw pain, nausea, night sweats and vivid dreams were my main ones if I remember correctly. Hang on in there op it's not an overnight cure but they do work for most people.

Thank you all , feel a little more positive than I did earlier

Thank goodness for MN as I have told absolutely nobody what has been going on

You can break a 50mg in half until you get a lower dose prescribed by your gp. Don't feel pressured into taking 50 from the get go.

@Sofia71 was it you who had a thread about feeling nervous about taking it a few weeks ago? If so I’m so glad it’s working out for you! 😊

@cushioncovers I think you are right , I'm going to half it tonight and do a week of 25mgs then see how it goes

I hate nausea even though I've not actually been sick it's just been there all day
And I've been the loo about 10 times 🤭

I rang the doctor after a week to ask if my side effects were normal. They said they were and not to worry. I haven't lost or gained weight particularly (still fat!).

[quote LadyCatStark]@Sofia71 was it you who had a thread about feeling nervous about taking it a few weeks ago? If so I’m so glad it’s working out for you! 😊[/quote]
That wasn't me but I read a lot of threads on here about it when I was starting earlier this year and it really helped me get past the initial side effects. It's helped so much I hope for others too.

I tried antidepressants many years ago with terrible side effects that put me off but about a year ago really needed to try again.
Dr suggested sertraline as I could start on that half dose then move up to 50mgs if I felt all well. It went very well and they really help.
First few days I was woozy but was quite nice feeling...
Good luck

I didn’t get any weight changes on sertraline, though I did on risperidone. One enduring side effect of sertraline for me is night sweats, which are a real nuisance but manageable - and a lot better than my crippling anxiety and ocd!

I've been on them for over a year now and that's how I feel if I ever miss a pill.

Take one in the morning with breakfast, it helps

Side effects passed pretty quickly for me. They affected my sleep so now I take them in the morning and sleep fine. They've honestly changed my life I hope they work for you x

I had a thread about being nervous about taking them a month ago. I had side effects for a fortnight but I’ve been on 50mg for 5 weeks now and I feel so much better. I can’t believe the horrible anxiety I’ve lived with for years has almost totally gone. I hope they’re as good for you as they have been for me OP.