Sertraline support

[BrickSnail]

Hi all, I'm on day 4 of sertraline and the side effects have been absolutely horrific. I've gone through so many old posts on this but was wondering if anyone was currently in the same boat so we could support each other?

I had a down day yesterday. Sticking with it.

Hope everyone’s ok and managing with the Sertraline!

I’ve now reached 3 weeks, first 2 at 50mg and past week at 100mg. I did a direct switch over from Citalopram 40mg, after taking it for many years.

POSITIVES
sleeping better than I have in years. Takes a while to fall asleep but sleeping through more often, so improved quality of sleep I guess!

Side effect of horrible nausea has finally disappeared!

Side effect of feeling very vague and spacey has reduced

NEGATIVES
still feel low and v flat.

slightly more anxious and noticed I’m jaw clenching and grinding my teeth.

Some slight gastric issues.

Lethargic

I have a review in a weeks time.

Oh dear
its still early days but not good you’re still feeling low and flat. Definitely think it might be the fa t you’ve only been in the 100 for a week though. It’s another transition phase. Keep in with it for a few more weeks and you might feel a lot better. I’m still upping from 75 to 100 and have felt a bit flat but calmer!!!

Meant to say it could be the transition that’s made you feel worse!?

@Anon3837 @Lizzbear sounds like we’re still in the trenches. I’m also feeling very flat. The only consolation I can hold onto is that I must have been very unwell to have prompted the request for the medication and so having the impetus to persist.

It’s helpful to have these updates. Thank you for taking the time to post.

Just wondering how everyone’s side effects are now? I’m about to take it for the first time tonight and anxious about the side effects (lol the irony). Particularly worried about grinding my teeth as that seems to be a common side effect - did anyone suffer from this? Xx 😅

Hi
I didn’t have major side-effects when I started on 50mg. I bit of fatigue and drowsiness but that went after a week or so.
Im upping to 100mg this week and am having a bit more anxiety 😟
Hopefully that will resolve!!

How are you feeling now? I’m upping to 100 and feeling a bit more anxious but I think that’s to do with other reasons.

@VictoriaSmith01 the key side effect has been fatigue, which is lifting now. Otherwise, none of the frequently experienced side effects. So nothing untoward. I don’t expect a quick fix so very mindful of not wishing for dramatic effect.

The horrible anxiety has gone. I feel flat but if I’m been running on stress hormones that are no longer flooding my system, then feeling flat might be reasonable. The mood lift is expected to improve over the coming weeks. In the meantime, I’m taking good care of myself. Hope this helps.

@Lizzbear as I posted above. Still flat but better than last time I posted. Remaining on 50mg for the two months and then review. I don’t expect a feel the medication is having a positive effect, albeit very subtle.

If you are feeling more anxious and can assign this to a real life event, do you feel you are managing better?

Hi
Im not sure what’s related to what as I’ve been changing my HET and the progesterone part flared up my anxiety.
Think I’ve made the relight decision to up to 100mg. No major physical side effects. Hopefully stopping the progesterone capsules will help. But that means I can’t have the oestrogen part, but maybe the oestrogen was activating too?
Why oh why did I choose to up my Sertraline and mess around with my HRT at the sand time as my son leaving home?
Its nice he’s moved into a flat with his girlfriend but we have an empty nest now!!
Ill report back about the 100mg soon

@Lizzbear go steady dude 😎

Will do x

I tried sertraline on and off for years, couldn’t cope with the side effects and never got past a week max.

now on citalopram and it’s completely different, no side effects just feel steadier if that makes sense

Ive been on sertraline for 3 weeks. I was scared to take it so initially did 25mgs for 2 weeks and have been on 50mgs for 1 week. I still have anxiety but it doesnt pin on anything for me to start spiraling. Im not sure if this is due to the drug or the fact that my hrt was increased last month.

I have pronounced fatigue and struggling to stay awake so am moving taking sertraline from morning to early evening to see if this will help.

I’m on week 3 of sertraline 50mg and take it in the evening. I wake up feeling really groggy and tired - takes me about an hour to come to life. The nausea is less now than the first couple of weeks and I feel a bit flat. The anxiety is still there and my mind still races. I’ll keep pushing through and hope that things improve.

Total days 30. 5 x 25mg, then upped to 50mg so 25 days. Tentatively reporting feeling a positive impact on mood.

Brain feels more settled now the thrust of hormones related to anxiety have calmed to negligible. I can have the thought but without triggering the flood of adrenaline or cortisol.

Main side effect has been feeling sedated. Have slept lots and soundly. Probably catching up on decades of unsettled sleep. Maybe contributing to calmer state. Feel less heavy today and not drawn to my bed.

I live with tinnitus and that has ramped up in the morning but know how to manage the spike. It does take mental energy.

Fingers crossed. Hopeful.

@Sneezypeazy - hope the post above useful.

Yes, it is, thank you @indigorisingI’m glad you’re feeling hopeful and it gives me hope that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

I’ve been on 25mg for three days and whilst the physical symptoms haven’t been bad at all (a bit sweatier than normal but that’s it) my anxiety is still awful and I do feel quite sad (which is a new feeling for me, normally it’s just anxiety). My Dr says I should be on at least 50mg as that is the lowest therapeutic amount, but I’m tempted to ride it out and see if 25mg makes a difference once these first few weeks have passed? What do people think? Xx

I would go up to 50 if the physical symptoms aren’t bad, as that should be more effective.

@Lizzbear how are you tolerating or responding to your dose?

Hi @indigorising
Im feeling a bit tired but this is the worst bit, hopefully. I’m still anxious but have had some periods of calm. How are you doing?

Sorry indigorising, just seen your update

Thanks everyone. I’m on day 7 and whilst I have moments of feeling ok I also feel quite down and flat. I am using tools I learnt in CBT to tackle my intrusive thoughts and anxiety spirals, which is what I’ve always done before starting mediation.

I’m wondering if the Sertraline isn’t for me as I’ve never really felt down before, and I’m worried it’s close to feeling depressed. I’m getting way more agitated with my kids.

I told myself I’d give it two weeks but I really don’t want to continue feeling down or flat…