Sertraline side effects - reassurance needed

[wonderwomaninaus]

I've started taking sertraline for anxiety and panic attacks. I'm on day 3 and feel awful. I feel really wired and edgy and a bit dizzy. My jaw is clenching a lot, I feel a bit nauseous and the worst is, I can't sleep. Waking all hours of the morning and not been able to go back to sleep. The pharmacist said side effects will wear off, just wondered if anyone could share their experience with me and when I might expect to start feeling better?

Thanks @Squiggles23, I've been getting lots of cuddles from hubby since he arrived home. We're going to sleep apart tonight but he's told me to yell out if I need him. Thanks for your kind words.

Good point @Nopenopenopenopenopenope. It's day 7 tomorrow, I'll see how I go over the weekend as I have an appointment with the GP on Monday. I'm on the lowest dose so hope it won't be too much of an issue if I decide to stop them next week. It's the lack of sleep that is the worst, I don't seem to be panicking like I was last week but not sure if that has anything to do with the meds. Thanks for your message.

Still feel very weird, but I think I'm almost getting used to it. I've been taking it a week from today. Was taking it at bedtime, but now having it when I get up. Really hope you can keep going with and it definitely sounds like this is the worst bit. I just thinking how I couldn't go on like I was so this will be worth it. Hope you got some sleep

Partner had all your dymptoms doc changed him onto Mirtraprazine, no problems since. Think its very much trial and error. Ive been on Citalopram since 1998 various doseage with no problems

Started on sertraline this morning.
Feel so so anxious already.
X

Hi @Namemchangeforthispostonly101 I made my bedroom very cold last night and my hubby slept elsewhere. I slept from 9:30 to 5:30 this morning! I haven't had much sleep in days so I don't know if that's why I slept or if things are starting to settle. I still feel very spaced out and anxious this morning but the mornings have been particularly bad anyways. I still feel like I could sleep. Just hoping I feel some sort of normal again soon. Thank you for taking the time x

How are you feeling @ladybee2? I finally slept which is great. Still feeling weird but is not so bad this morning, just anxious and spaced out.

Glad you're getting used to it @PastyMuncher, hope you can keep going too. I did sleep last night! Although I'm not sure how I could have given much longer without it. Hoping it's the same tonight. Going to give it another week and if things have a least improved, will keep going. Thanks for all the messages, you have all helped me through these last few days.

How many days is it now? I hit the three month mark today and am about to go off to work. 3 months ago I was locking myself in my bedroom, terrified of everything! Dig in sweetness. You’re over the worst.

Feeling weird and spaced out.
I took my second one this morning.
Xx

I'm on day 7 and it's the best day I've had so far. Let's hope I am through the worst of it! Only slightly anxious today but definitely manageable and feeling in a better mood after a good nights sleep. That is so awesome for you! So glad you're back to living life again. Thanks for all your advice, you've really helped me not to give up xx

Hope it settles for you soon @ladybee2. I felt the same, I hope you can catch a break whilst you get through this first week.

I'm on 150mg they are crap

I found the side effects went away pretty quickly. It wasn't an overnight thing, they eased up gradually. I don't remember having issues when I increased my dose but tapering down to come off them (a couple of years later) started the side effects up again. They're pretty horrid but I don't think they're so bad when you know what's causing them and that it's only temporary.

Oh my goodness- day 3 today.
I feel very on edge and anxious 😢

Hey @ladybee2, day three was particularly bad for me. It's just side effects, I know how horrible they feel though. I felt bad on day 6 (crying all day) then suddenly felt a lot better the next day. I'm now on day 9. I lost my very old dog yesterday, I loved him dearly and was an extremely sad day. He was ill so I'm taking comfort in that. Despite this, my anxiety is not too bad at all this morning, although I'm just feeling sad. Give it another few days. What dose have you started on? I tried to distract myself as much as possible, walking, watching light comedy shows also helped. Hope you're ok x

Hiya, I've found this thread on Google. I'm looking for some reassurance please 🙏 i started taking sertraline 4 days ago, today is the 5th day. I feel so dizzy & on edge, im taking them in the morning, which is making me so tired through out the day, but have been advised to not take at night time, its such a weird feeling, i feel so much worse in the morning & i little in the afternoon, then come night time, i dont feel to bad (but i did feel like this better starting the medication) always felt so much worse in the morning. My legs keep feeling abit shakey too, like i cant keep still, but again.. i felt like this before taking the medication. How long does the side affects last please? 😊 thank you for reading.

What dose did you start on?

@Jade90x hello! Come across your comment from yesterday. I too have just started taking sertraline 25mg on day 4! ( I did start at 50mg a few weeks ago but the side effects were horrific so stopped) then recently restarted
i too feel horrific in the mornings then as the day goes on feel better but this has been my pattern for a while. Hope the side effects don’t last too long feeling nauseous too but then again I was nauseous before which is why I’ve started taking sertraline!

Hello. I have just come across this thread and am interested in the comments about not taking Sertraline at night - I was not given advice not to do this and have been taking it at night. Was a reason given for it not to be taken at night? Thank you

I started sertraline about 6 weeks ago and for the first few days felt just like you. I’m still feeling a bit sick occasionally and jaw still clenching a bit but otherwise I am a totally changed woman and finally feel happy and calm all of the time - I feel like this must be how ‘normal’ people feel. Everyone I know has commented on the change in me - most don’t know I’m on ADs. Taking it has been the best thing I’ve ever done - I’m sure the side effects will pass quickly, just hang on in there!

@Cinders22 try to take it in the morning- you’re more likely to have disturbed sleep if you take it at night

It blocks serotonin uptake which can promote wakefulness. It makes a lot of people feel a bit wired especially to begin with.

Can I ask what you were suffering with before and what sertraline cleared. I am really struggling and am terrified of taking my sertraline, it would be me to understand what the upside could be