Sertraline - how did you cope?

[PeterPipersPepper]

Have only taken one Sertraline so far (yesterday morning) but have no idea how I’m going to cope while I wait for the side effects to subside. At the moment I feel like I’ve made a huge mistake starting it. Yesterday I felt sick and odd all day, then I was awake for four hours overnight with my heart racing. Today I feel very strange - exhausted and like I’m not in my own body. I have two small children and work full time and I don’t know how I’m going to manage the next couple of weeks. Does anyone have any tips on how to cope?

Why are you taking it?

For anxiety @hamstersarse

The pharmacist did warn I’d feel worse before I felt better but I didn’t imagine it would be to this extent

I took Sertraline for a couple of years. I did find that I would have horrible night sweats, but aside from that, no side effects persisted that I can recall.

It's important to be aware of how long these drugs take to take effect. One tablet is highly unlikely to make you feel like that, it was more likely a psychological reaction. That being said, tell your doctor, they will best advise you and help you find a medication that suits you.

I found that one drug would work for a year or two, and then we would have to find something else. I did try one or two that I just didn't get along with and didn't stay on more than six months.

It's important to let these things settle, I personally don't look at the known side effects for fear of placebo effect. Sertraline is not a really strong drug but it's not for everyone. Be honest with your prescriber about how you're feeling.

I found the really bad side effects lasted a couple of days - then I had an almost reverse ultra chill feeling for a week or so - then it settled into a more normal feeling - it will get better.7

@Makinglists thank you. At the moment I am worried how I’m going to get through work tomorrow. I can feel my heart racing!

One of the side effects that didn't go away for me was a sensitivity to light. I stopped them after 3 months.

Other side effects: night sweats, clenched jaw, tinnitus.

I tried it for terrible anxiety.

I stayed on it for about 18 months I think. Didn’t work for me at all - sorry not what you want to hear.

My ‘bad’ side effects lasted about 2 weeks at the beginning, made my anxiety and panic attacks so much worse, it was horrendous.

My GP prescribed a small dose of Diazepam (2mg) to take for the first couple few weeks when I felt the side effects were too much. It was enough to take the edge off and get through the day. Not strong enough to get dependent on.

GP also signed me off of work whilst the medication settled into my body - though, I had had a mental breakdown at the point of starting the Sertraline so I was in a permanent state of fight or flight at that point.

Hi i was put on sertraline last year and then I had to swap drs so ran out of my prescription, I have started it again 2 days ago and have to go through all the aide effects again. I feel slightly sick can't sleep properly tired in the day and teeth chattering from slight trembles. I know it can be tough but stick at it you really need to keep having it for a few weeks for it to work.

It does take a while for the medication to settle into your system and work how it’s supposed to. For me Sertraline was amazing for crippling anxiety, I was like a caged animal before it. Your reaction to it does sound quite severe, could it be psychological? Echoing another poster I did have diazepam on side as well for the worst days but that make me zonk out. It’s hard because you want immediate positives but that’s not going to happen with any medication. Good luck and if you can’t go into work tomorrow, you simply can’t. Try to get a doctors note if they’re likely to argue.

Thank you. It’s useful to hear everyone’s experiences. I do have a sick note from the doctor if I need it but I’m reluctant to use it. I will if I’m feeling like I really can’t manage.

I had awful side effects like you describe for the first week, I felt dizzy and sort of disconnected from my body and in a brain fog plus had issues sleeping and feeling panicky etc. I took a day off work and then spoke to my line manager and explained I was on new medication with side effects and was struggling and asked if I should take time off sick or if adjustments could be made at work for the week until the side effects settled down. My manager said to come in if I could but not to worry if I needed extra breaks or wasn’t as productive as a usual day. The side effects did subside over the first week or so and after the first two weeks I wasn’t really left with any side effects.

Keep going with them because the side effects usually do subside within a week or two. If you can’t face work tomorrow it’s okay to take a day of sick leave if you don’t feel well enough to work.

I'd take a couple days off.

I had 3-4 days of feeling rough and tgdn day 5 ! It felt like a relief ! It takes a while to fully settle, but it's worth it ! 😋

I got something from gp to get me through in the interim on really bad days. But other things that really help with anxiety are exercise and fresh air plus distraction like music, dancing and eating well. Remember anxiety is constant too much adrenaline so using it up really helps! Lay off caffeine, alcohol and too much sugar (you don't want the sugar crash to make it worse). Find funny light-hearted things to watch on TV and try to get rest (really difficult I know).

Give it time and it does work! Don't expect miracles it takes a while. It's a lifesaver for many

Thank you everyone. It’s sunny so I’m going to go outside and try and keep positive - as a couple of posters have mentioned, some of it might be psychological.

Good luck! I had to take two weeks off as insomnia struck. I still have it and only getting 4 hours sleep a night but had to go back to work last week. I’m week 3. Hoping it gets better but everyone reacts differently so I’m sure you will be good x

A week in and the insomnia has gone and the heart racing has calmed down. However for about four days now I’ve been exhausted - even though I’m sleeping a solid 8 hours - I feel completely drained and it’s even an effort to speak. Can anyone else who experienced this remember how long it lasts?

Anxiety itself wears you out even without medication. I'm off work atm with an anxiety disorder. I've read a little about the importance of sleep for anxiety so if you can try to get more rest

Hi how are u feeling now