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?

From what i remember the sleep issue was short term unfortunately many symptoms were not. Jaw cracking awful, up & down & felt manic

I’m on day 12 now of Setraline, I must admit the side effects aren’t nice, I feel nauseous a lot of the time and all my symptoms of why I went on them in the first place are twice as bad! 😳I just keep telling myself it has to get better, I just need to ride it out!! 🤞🏻

Hi OP . I know this post is a few weeks old now but just wonder how you're feeling? I've started on 50mg yesterday but think I might go down to 25 for the first week because of so side effects and build up. How are you doing? 🌷

Hello, I'm on week 3, 25mg week 1 then upto 50mg.
My nausea is only just settling so feel like earing again, but I still feel internally jittery and shakey. I'm hoping this settles down soon. My sleep has been all over the place, but this week I feel exhausted and struggle to wake up.
I've been taking in the evening as fit with my schedule better, but now I'm wondering if I should swap to morning?

When I started sertraline many years ago I had to ring my GP regarding the side effects. I felt like I had taken some sort of class a drug!
Jaw clenching, running legs, wobbly eyes unable to focus, unable to sleep easily, morning nausea... It was horrendous.

My GP advised that it was quite normal and it would settle, which it did.

My only advice to new sertraline users is to eat something small before you take the tablet. For me, a rich tea biscuit just ensured the nausea was lessened.

I was on 50mg for 4 weeks ( after coming off citalopram, started on 25mg for a week) but I’ve just gone back down to 25mg as the side effects were just too much for me, nausea, upset stomach and anxiety just 10 x worse than before, suicidal thoughts etc. GP suggested I let my body get more used the the 25mg before I up it again but just dreading the same thing happening again!

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Think I will go with 25mg for now too then, 50 seems to be giving lots of people bad side effects. All the best with your treatments 🌷

I'm also contemplating sertraline or propranolol for anxiety. Have to say, feeling a bit scared of the side effects now. Speaking to the GP next week re: what to take.

I've been on 150mg for about 9 years. I've asked to come off them as I'm so so tired. I feel shit now though.

@Enigma52 don’t let it put you off, I know a lot of people say Setraline has done wonders for them and it is worth pushing through the side effects. Every person is unique and will react differently, I think maybe I’m just not personally suited to them as I thought after 4 weeks the side effects would have start to have worn off! 🤷🏼‍♀️

For anybody, worrying about the side effects: they can be sometimes unpleasant. However, the end result is worth it. I had good and bad days/weeks. After 12 weeks, sertraline kicked in. You will get your life back. Stick with it.