Sertraline - help :-(

Sistermoondance

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2015

Posts : 32

Posted 2/11/2015 9:14 AM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone,

Against my feelings I took sertraline twice and now feel absolutely awful. I think I am coming out the other side, but my vision is a bit blurred although seems better than a couple of days ago. I have felt extremely nauseous and weak, hot and cold, pins and needles in my hands, my muscles seem tense and my jaw aches....

I took 1/2 tab on sat and a whole one on Sunday. The symptoms started a bit on Saturday but I haven't got out of bed since Sunday. I have now made the error of googling side effects of sertraline, and now I am scared.

Because although i feel awful, but nothing terrible happened do you think I am safe to ride this out? I am about to call my doctor but wondered whether anyone else has been through this and let me know how long it takes to get the stuff out of your system?

Thanks x

Sistermoondance

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2015

Posts : 32

Posted 2/11/2015 9:27 AM (GMT 0)

Update- just called my Dr surgery and spoke to a Dr, he has made me an appointment for tomorrow so guessing the side effects can't be too dangerous or long lasting.

Would still appreciate some moral support

Thanks

CT 2014

Regular Member

Joined : Nov 2014

Posts : 256

Posted 2/11/2015 9:52 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Sistermoondance :)

I'm guessing you've only just been given Sertraline?

The side effects you are experiencing are quite common.. I had all of the ones you described when I started my SSRI about 6 weeks ago. I felt awful the first couple of days but I started to feel the positive affects after about a week or so!

If you can handle the side affects then I'd stay stick with it, but if not then I'm sure the Doc will advise you best tomorrow of a different route to take :)

Hope you feel better soon :)

Sistermoondance

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2015

Posts : 32

Posted 2/11/2015 10:28 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks CT,

Well done for sticking with it! I couldn't! I can't believe how terrible the side effects are :-(

And yes, never taken anything like this before x

CT 2014

Regular Member

Joined : Nov 2014

Posts : 256

Posted 2/11/2015 11:43 AM (GMT 0)

It is difficult to even believe it will get better but it does eventually when your body gets used to the meds. If you've not taken any of the Sertraline since Sunday and you only took it twice it should be out of your system soon :)

I've been on SSRI's before and had the same start up effects before so I knew what to expect but they're still nasty! Feeling loads better now though so I'm glad I stuck with it this time :)

Rrakkma

Veteran Member

Joined : Aug 2011

Posts : 1319

Posted 2/11/2015 12:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hey SisterMoon!
Welcome to Healing Well!

Everyone who take SSRI medicines have same symptoms first week, I did too.
But then the benefits of the medication are, which you will feel, totally worth it.
Talk to your dr about the symptoms anyways.

Hope you feel good soon

Sistermoondance

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2015

Posts : 32

Posted 2/11/2015 1:00 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks

problem is that I am also an emetophobe so can't bear feeling nauseous! If I didn't fear being sick so much then I may not have found this so hard x

Hibee

Forum Moderator

Joined : Oct 2008

Posts : 7935

Posted 2/11/2015 3:49 PM (GMT 0)

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Yes when starting up new medication it is common to experience side effects but these should pass after a couple of weeks if they don't go back and speak with your doctor.

Have a look at our resources thread on the main page for some links to self help guides.

Hibee

Scaredy Cat

Elite Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28868

Posted 2/11/2015 5:55 PM (GMT 0)

Hi SMD,

I am sorry to hear of your reaction to your Rx.:(

Some people are just very sensitive to medications, and get very uncomfortable...though harmless s/e's

However, even though the effects won't hurt you...there is no reason to suffer.

Talking with your doctor about alternative tomorrow will hopefully get a new game plan in action for your treatment and recovery!

I saw on another post that you are looking into seeking therapy, which I fully support and can recommend.

You can also talk about other Rx options at your appointment, as not all meds will have the same effect as the Sertraline did!

Best wishes and keep us posted!

S.C.

Rn1987

Regular Member

Joined : Mar 2014

Posts : 279

Posted 2/11/2015 6:45 PM (GMT 0)

Hi , I'm on Zoloft for almost a month now , but I was so scared to take it that I took only 6 mg at first I cut the 25 in four and took 6 mg for one week even with that small dose I had nausea and loose stools and headaches , than I went up to 12.5 mg for another week still had headaches feeling zoned out , body vibrations and super cold all the time , than I went up to 25 and I still have a few headaches here and there but I say to my self what would you like to have better these sifeeffects or anxiety , I choose side effects and I hope they will lessen ,,but I went from daily panic attacks with my pulse shooting up to 160 during attacks and it's been two weeks since I had a panic attack Its the Medecine that's helping and I'm so grateful for it I suffer with agoraphobia too ,but on the meds I even went out to lunch with my family not too far but it's impovement . Just wanted to share s little bit on how it's helped me , I still have anxiety when I go out but I hoping with time and maybe dose increase I will see even more improvemt . Stick with it It doesn't seem like the side effects are too severe what you have but we suffer from anxiety and even the smallest side effect will cause us to panic . It may be uncomfortable for now but like I said I'll choose the side effects rather than panic attacks .
I hope that the side effects will go away and the medecine will help you with your anxiety . Best of luck to you :) hang in there !!!

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