Hi just started on a course of Sertraline yesterday for depression and anxiety. Took the first tablet after getting back from Doctors about 11am, had to keep going to toilet with diorreah (can never spell that word!) but was pretty anxious anyhow so it could just be my nerves doing that anyhow. Felt really woozy headed, kind of a bit braindead if you know what i mean for a while. Had the same thing when taking Seroxat and Citalopram over the past few years so nothing too worrying. Later on just couldn't stop yawning ,maybe once a minute but brain felt pretty lively. Thought I may be going to have trouble sleeping. Had terrible insomnia when started on Citalopram. But eventually dropped off. Woke up a couple of times in the night but really no different from the way I've been sleeping recently anyhow. So here goes day two!
I was originally pescribed prozac and had the same side effects you describe, they then switched me to Sertraline and I was ok although I keep waking up at 3.30am wide awake.
Perhaps Sertraline isnt for you, I'd give it another few days and if the Diaorrea doesnt settle down go back to the doctor
Hi Kevin, thanks for the reply - Not had much trouble with diorreah since my first post, think it was my anxiety causing it. The tablets don't seem to be causing any side effects except interrupt my sleep. I can manage to drop off around midnight but only manage a couple of hours before waking up. I know its a vicious circle, the more you get wound up about not sleeping the more anxious you become and the harder it is to sleep but this interrupted sleep only started after taking the sertraline. Been yawning all day today as per usual so lets see if sleep comes!
Well here I am after 1 month on Sertraline, Hows it been? Well the first 2 weeks were a real struggle, really bad insomnia, which lead to me feeling spaced out and dizzy all the time which just increased the anxiety and low mood but very slowly I have started to improve, starting to sleep better and feelings of despair and lethargy and just not careing about anything have lessened, starting to find enjoyment in things again. Its been a rough month but I'm in a better place at the moment than before I went on the Sertraline which has to be a good thing
I know it gets reitterated again and again on this forum but keep on with the medication, give it a few weeks to work before you give up on it!
Mr B