Crazy side effects on Sertraline

[petalflowers95]

Hi all!

I took one 50mg Sertraline pill last week for the first time (I’m 27 years old). I’ve had anxiety for many years and CBT wasn’t working as well as it could, so my GP recommended that I try an SSRI medication.

After taking just one Sertraline, I had a very wild ride for the next four days! My pupils were suddenly huge and very dilated, so much so that all lights were very blurry and it obscured my vision. I also felt extremely drunk and spaced out, and I was unable to cook dinner that night without speaking out loud to myself to work out how to make the lasagne! I also had insomnia that night and only slept about two hours. I felt a bit crazy, wired, spaced out and very strange for the following three days. I also had a very big grin on my face for about 24 hours, and just the smallest thing my partner said (not even funny comments!) would make me burst into laughter. It was very, very odd. I felt so out of control of myself as if I was drunk and had much lower inhibitions.

I would be interested to know whether anyone else has experienced this. I ended up not taking any more Sertraline after the first pill because the side effects scared me so much.

If you also had crazy side effects, did you try a different SSRI and was it better? Has anything worked for you? Please help! :-)

Thanks,
Lou

Hey,

I'm on day 3 of sertraline and I feel awful to be honest! Like anxiety is pumping through my entire body, I cant eat or sleep much and I just feel sick constantly.

My GP told me this is normal though and it takes a few week to get through these symptoms before it settles down. It's not ideal when you are already anxious but I've read so many people on here say its totally worth it!

I vomited non stop for the first 8 days on Sertraline but kept on going as I knew it was a temporary side effect. When it wore off I felt so much better and am so glad I stuck with it.

That sounds very extreme after one pill and a bit scary, it didn't affect me like it did you op, aside from the insomnia and I felt crappy generally for about a week or so but after that it did help and has been a game changer for me. I would be worried that you had such a bad reaction to it, go back and see your doc maybe a different kind would be better suited to you x

How about trying 25mg to start with? Speak to your doctor about the side effects you experienced and ease yourself into it. You might find taking at bedtime a bit easier.

Hey, I hope you’re feeling better and experiencing fewer side effects soon. It can be so scary - especially when you already have anxiety! I find that it added to my worry and anxiety so much!

Thanks for the replies. I’ll see what my doctor says. In the meantime, I’ve ordered ashwagandha supplements. Has anyone tried those?

Has anyone developed an eye twitch or spasm on sertraline? I've been taking it for about 2 years now. Last few weeks I've had almost a constant twitch in my right eyelid. I've spoken to GP and they have said to book an optician appointment which I have. Just wondering if anyone else has had the eye twitching! Driving me mad and only in one eye!

I was told to start with only 25mg and it was awful for the first week or so but then life improved 10000x once they stared to work and I was upped to a therapeutic dose. They kept me stable while I sought therapy and after a few months tapered off with therapy. Worked really well for me. Can safely say sertraline saved my life (I was suicidal).

That being said, it's not the only option and if it doesn't work for you there are others that might be a good fit,

I had to stop after one dose!

I woke with a tight chest, stood up and next thing I know my husband was picking me up off the floor. I'd passed out, at night, and was so lucky I didn't hit my head as I fell between a wooden chest and wooden bed.

Crikey! I have been fine on it for two years so I'm not sure if it's a build up causing the eye twitch or something else 🤔

I had to come off it after 4 weeks as I came out in huge bruises and ended up in a&e, very scary. Thankfully, it's a rare side effect and most people find it helps them after the initial side effects wear off.

Hi all,
Just to say that I am now on Citalopram and doing really well. I had none of the strange and scary side effects that I had on Sertraline so it just shows how important it is to find an SSRI that works for you! Everyone is so different.

I’ve now been on 10mg of Citalopram for three weeks and starting to feel less depressed and worrying less about things. The only side effect I got was severe tiredness in the afternoons for the first two weeks, but that has worn off now too so no noticeable side effects at all anymore.

Thank you for all your replies!