Sertraline and Indigestion

[Theothersideofforty]

Hi, I've just started on sertraline, the last week only half a tablet. I've had terrible indigestion and heartburn.
Has anyone else suffered with this? I'm panicking as that's what my mum started with, when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I've also got back pains too, which could be down to me stressing about this.

Sorry this is stressing you out. I'm on sertraline, when I first started it made me feel horribly sick until I got used to it. I spoke to my GP and they prescribed me an antiemetic which really, really helped. My advice would be go back to your GP and explain, and ask them if they can give you anything to counter the side effects. Until you're used to the sertraline. Good luck

@BourbonScreams thanks you. I've made an appointment, but can't get in until next Tuesday.

Yes! I had horrific heartburn, but quickly realised that I took it just before lying down to sleep. If I took it with at least half a pint of water and about 30mins before bed, I didn't get it anymore.

Message your doctors surgery and ask if you can have some omapresol.
My dd takes this daily with her medication.
Or get some Nexium from the chemist.

Definitely wash it down really well, I get horrendous, almost instant heartburn if I don't.

Thanks everyone, I have been taking it with water. Hopefully, it's just a side effect and I'm overthinking things about My Mum
I have an appointment to speak to the doctor on Tuesday

How much water are you taking it with, then are you lying down soon afterwards? Use a LOT of water, it really makes all the difference.

Yes it gives me horrific heartburn if I don’t have enough water with it

You have to take it with a fucktonne of water. Like 500ml minimum, a glass won't cut it. And never on an empty stomach.

I found if taking at night with just a swig I'd be on the bathroom floor thinking I was having a heart attack. Loads of water as PP have said

Yup - it’s a well known side effect unfortunately. I’ve found taking it after food and with a huge glass of water stops it from burning.

Thanks for your replies everyone. I've stopped taking the sertraline for now, I know it's probably just a side effect, but for my own peace of mind , I want to see what the doctor thinks.
I can always re start again after speaking to her. I'm probably being paranoid, but indigestion and back pain was mum's first symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer.

It's well known with Sertraline. I wouldn't worry about it, it stops after a week or 2.

Yes I had this if I didn't have enough water. A couple of times it was that bad that it made me sick.

My advice would be don't take it on an empty stomach. Drink a good amount of water with it. And don't take it immediately before bed. Take it about 30 minutes before. Good luck op.

Just to reassure you it is a well known side effect of sertraline and is often exacerbate if you take NSAID painkillerssuch as ibuprofen or aspirin.

Thanks for your replies.