Sertraline day 1 - help!

[LavenderLxx]

I have been prescribed 50mg daily of sertraline to treat depression by the GP.
I think I have been depressed on and off for a number of years but have only recently faced facts and realised I need to ask for help.

i have taken the 1st dose this morning and now in the afternoon I feel awful - I had to pull over driving as I felt like I was having a panic attack (racing heart, hard to breath, racing thoughts) I’ve got pins and needles in the hands and feet and feel so nauseas. I’m currently on the sofa with a bowl next to me! I appreciate that there are side effects to any medication but I feel rotten already and don’t have the luxury of just taking myself off to bed as I have 2 young children and a mum who I care for.

Help! Please tell me it’s gets better!

hi there sorry you are feeling so rough - I started the same on Saturday and have had also had awful side effects, insomnia, head pain, bad stomach, feeling in edge and also slow motion and very sick. I was taking them at night but this is why I have had trouble sleeping so today took this morning. GP and friends said first couple weeks are like this but then Ok. Lets
hope it soon passes!

This happened to me last week after taking my first 50mg. Exactly the same symptoms. I never took a second as I didn't want to experience it again

(That being said, I am told it passes after 2 weeks. But I'm a huge wimp with sickness and felt too nauseas)

The side effects can last a couple of weeks. Sorry. It was awful. It was totally worth it though, and I am so glad I stuck with it as it gave me my life back. Stick with it, it gets better is my advice.

Were you given any instructions on whether to take it with food or not? It's been a while since I was on it but I think I remember feeling ill if I took it on an empty stomach.

The first time I went on it I was totally fine, just a bit sleepy in the afternoon but then wired at night! I swapped to taking it in the mornings after that.

The second time I started it was hellish. Really really bad two weeks or so, had to phone in sick to work for 2 days.

Stick with it though, it’s really helped me so much 💕

I’ve been on 25 mg for nearly a year . The first few days were awful, anxiety worse feeling sick and not eating or sleeping . Suddenly felt better a few days in and been good since .I take mine at night

I started about five weeks ago. First week or so I had constant nausea and was so tired I'd sleep all night then several hours in the day. I felt so awful so took the tablet at night so that I'd sleep through the worst of it and by lunchtime the next day I'd be a bit better. That's now mostly passed and feeling much better, as well as less anxiety and generally more balanced. I am still really sleepy though and often need to nap in the morning (I'm still off work) which I'm hoping subsides or I'll never get back to work. I do definitely feel it working though and would like to stay on it so hopefully tiredness disappears soon.

If you start with half a tablet for the first 2 days then move into full dose, you'll minimise side effects. They usually only last a day or two.

The first 10 days were horrific for side effects when I started 50mg sertraline 3 months ago, just as you described. I was driving and felt such panic and anxiety that it felt like a physical presence in the car with me. Extreme nausea, insomnia and feeling totally out of it and sleepy at the same time.

Persist with it. Take it in the morning when you have your breakfast, to avoid the nausea and reduce insomnia. I was told that around 6 weeks is a turning point and it’s true - I finally feel like my normal self again and I’m getting my life back, despite all the other stressors.

Good luck - it does get better and it will be worth it. The first week is hard x

I started on 50mg initially, luckily no negative side effects, upped to 100mg after 1 month, again luckily no side effects-probably one of the best things I've ever done, I feel like a different person, stick with it if you can.I wish I had started taking it years ago.

Stick with it. The first week is rough, the 2nd a little better, after that I was fine. Make sure and take with food. I then went from 50 to 100 and thankfully not much side effects. I’m on it 7mths now for anxiety and it has definitely helped

I've gone on and come off Sertraline a few times. I'd break the tablet in half and take 25mg a day for a while so the side effects aren't as severe. It's so stupid that an anti-anxiety medication makes people more anxious before it starts working! 🤦🏼‍♀️ Horrible when you're already feeling your worst.

Day 8 I felt a bit better. Day 9 I felt calm. Day 10 I felt great.

I loved being on sertraline. I only stopped because I gained weight because I got very sleepy and sluggish on it. But I loved the anxiety being gone.

I woke up in the middle of the night with a massive panic attack after my first dose of 50mg, and felt so bad I called 999. My heart was racing, I felt hot, like I couldn't breathe etc. I calmed down just by talking to them, then spoke to my GP the next day and was told to keep on going with 25mg for a week (just splitting a pill by hand) before resuming at 50, and that worked ok. Sympathy - hope the meds bring you the intended effects soon.

The worst of it lasted two weeks for me. Jitters, insomnia, nausea, mania, sweating like a nun in a brothel all the time. I fully leveled out after two months. You have my sympathy, it's rough!

Thank you for all your replies - it’s reassuring to know that the side effects were much the same but I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to push through this.

I have barely slept - my stomach is churning, I feel hot/cold and shaking, but most of all I feel a sense of panic and tightness in my chest coupled with a feeling of having too many negative thoughts racing through my head. I’ve never felt so awful and afraid.

I’m scared to take the second dose this morning so have asked for a call from my GP. If I could just hide away in bed feeling awful it might be ok but I’ve got 2 small children and I care for my Mum so it’s just not possible.

A question I’ll ask the GP too - can I take paracetamol for the throbbing headache and churning stomach or is it better to actually ‘feel’ the side effects?

I'm another who is on it. First 2 weeks were awful! I couldn't keep my eyes open and my whole body would shake at times.
About 10 months later and I'd recommend it to anyone. I'm in such a better head space. I did up to 150micrograms recently because I was starting back at work. But honestly, I'm such a happier, healthier person now.

I started on the half dose, 25mg, as I'd had terrible side effects from meds many years ago. I was a bit dozy but really nothing unpleasant this time. After 2 weeks I increased the dose and it has been fine and helped so.much.
Can you ask your GP about doing this?

Yes I think a half dose is def worth asking about. I can’t function feeling like this at the moment. But equally know I wasn’t functioning before I approached the GP either

Just had a call back from the GP to discuss the side effects - as I mentioned that I had a racing heart and a tight chest they want me to go straight to A&E!! 🤦🏼‍♀️

You very likely don't need A&E - but they've got to tell you to go in with those symptoms.

I've had this with all SSRIs and SNRIs. It's unbearable - particularly because when I've tried them, I've already been in a state.

I know people will say to carry on taking them, but personally I asked to be put on something else. The one I'm on now, I felt nothing but a bit of tiredness and relief from my symptoms.

I’m speaking with the GP later so will see what they say. It’s amazing that only taking 1 days worth of medication made me feel like that. Or maybe it was a panic attack like I’ve had in the past that just felt worse as I know I’m addressing things?

I used to take it at night. Experienced no sickness or nausea during the day then. I did get the jaw grinding though, but that was the only side effect.

Came off it after a year as it had done its job and I was in a better place, and stepped down very gradually over two months with no issues.