Sertraline side effects - reassurance please

Treatment and medication
1

Hi, I've been taking Sertraline for about 5 and a half weeks, but today is 4 weeks at 50mg (I started on 25mg). I suffer with depression and anxiety and had switched from Mirtazapine as I found the drowsiness too much to deal with. I've been on Citalopram in the past, but several years ago. I'm male and in my late 30s.

The side effects of Sertraline have been really tough, in particular the major increase in anxiety, racing thoughts and jitteryness (for want of a better word) and a kind of feeling of dread/uneasiness. I also have had real difficulty sleeping, headaches (maybe due to jaw clenching), lack of appetite, short periods of derealization, and frequent diarrhoea (to the point I've lost weight).

At the beginning of last week things started to settle, the anxiety was fading, I stopped having periods where I felt I was losing my mind, my stomach settled, I could eat well and my depression felt like it was easing. I was still feeling tense and getting headaches, but in general I felt like things were improving.

However, since Sunday evening the anxiety and diarrhoea returned and I've been struggling again with racing thoughts and the feeling of dread/uneasiness (with no specific reason), some short periods of derealization again, and I've been a lot more tearful. I feel much worse in the mornings and things tend to ease by early evening. I think I feel slightly better today than yesterday, but not as good as last week.

I did see a doctor on Monday as I had a review booked, but since I've just moved and haven't been able to fully register at a surgery yet, I saw a locum and he wasn't much help. He said he'd never heard of Sertraline causing any anxiety and the drug should only take 10-14 days to settle. I'm fairly certain he's wrong on both counts, but what he said has worried me.

I'm just seeking some reassurance that I should continue with the Sertraline and that things should settle again. Has anyone else had their side effects improve and then come back? Can I expect these side effects to fade again? Did anyone else find it took more than 4 weeks at a given dose for side effects to improve?

I'm really struggling at times so any replies and advice would be very much appreciated. Just some reassurance would be nice. I just want to feel better soon! Thanks for 'listening'

2

It can be a roller coaster ride! One day up next day down! I have been on Lexapro for 8 weeks now and still experiencing this! I think you just have to stick with it even tho it is horrible feeling this way! Mornings are my worst time of day! Praying everyday for a normal way of life for both of us! 

3

Hi..

Like u I was on other meds,they made me feel like I couldn't focus I wanted to sleep all the time, I'm now on 50mg of sertraline for about 6 weeks now and it really takes at least 6 weeks b4 u start to notice any changes for the better.

Give it a while longer, best wishes.😄

4

Thanks Wilb, I really hope things settle down for you. Mornings are definitely worst for me too. I'll stick with it and pray that things get better for us both!

5

Hi Lee,

Thanks for the message, it helps to know that I need to stick with it a bit longer to see positive changes. I'll be patient and hope for the best!

Thanks smile

6

U will get there! U should read the citralopram survival guide google it a boy in our shoes wrote it, its a long read but worth it! Just out of interest did mitrazapine work for u? Thats my next med if sert isnt for me

7

Thanks weenett. I'll definitely Google that and have a read. Mirtazapine did work quite well for my depression, and much more quickly than Sertraline. It's also great for sleep, I would easily sleep 7-8 hours straight without stirring, and now I can barely sleep 2 or 3 without waking up. I'd been on it over 8 weeks and I was still struggling with the drowsiness the following day, which is why I decided to switch. I was still at the lowest dose, so I could have just gone up, but I wanted to try an SSRI again. Definitely worth a try if you don't feel Sertraline is right for you.

8

Did it help ur anxiety to? I also need to gain weight so might b an option for me

9

Unfortunately it didn't do much for my anxiety. It didn't make it worse during the start up phase though. It will probably help with weight gain as it makes you really crave carbs. The intense sugar cravings seemed to pass for me after a few weeks, but some people report having them the whole time.

10

Hi Wilb

I too am on lexapro 5mg for the last week of anxiety and depression, and Its been pure hell so far the first night I took it I was as high as anything the next day so sick but picked up as the day went on since then it has been up one day very down the next day, racing thoughts, sick, overheating, dry mouth, cant stop thinking about suicide some days, I dont need to be thinking about this, I also havent slept in two days just cant get to sleep. I too was on sert 100mg for just over a year but it was not the one for me, I remember the start up from sert and it was not just the same so I know it will pass, I was just wondering did you have any of these while starting up and have they passed and how long did they take to pass. I know you are up and down at the moment and Im so sorry for all the questions. If anything it good to find someone thats on lexapro as I put up a post on this site but there does not seem to be anyone on here on lexapro.

11

The first time on Lexapro many years ago I did not have any side effects to mention! However this time around I was more anxious and jittery and just felt very nervous! Most of that has tapered off, but I am in my 8 th week of being on 15 mil of Lexapro, so I should be getting to a better place now!

12

Cheers for getting back I wish I was eight weeks in but that the joy of it, When I have a good day I feel like my old self 95% there but when I have a bad day its like the end of the road. Can I ask why did you come off lexapro before, what part of the world are you in, Im in Ireland by the way

13

i had similar experiences when i tried mirtazapine in the past

the positive i had from it was, it got rid of my depression really quickly.. literally in a few days! that was a great relief

it was a shame though that (for me anyway... perhaps others are more lucky..) it didnt get rid of anxiety.  i might have stuck it out longer, but i suffer from RLS (restless legs syndrome), and mirtazapine made my RLS so much worse (unbearable), so i switched to sertraline, which has been a slower road (8-12 weeks to work) but has successfully worked on both my depression and anxiety, and has not worsened my RLS.

14

Lexapro seemed to have what they call poop out! With this being said my GP felt increasing the dosage would remedy the issues!  I am living in a little town called GHENT in New York USA!,

15

I know sometimes sert and mitraz can be used together?

16

It acted very quickly on my depression too, but like you I was still struggling with anxiety. I didn'tr realise how badly Sertraline was going to exacerbate my anxiety at first, but I'm very glad to hear it's worked for your anxiety and that gives me hope that I just need to stick at it a bit longer and things will settle.

17

Yes, I've heard of some people doing this. It would probably be a good combination as the mirtazapine would aid sleep too, but I guess you'd also have 2 sets of side effects to contend with.

18

Well Wilb how are you doing today good I hope. How thing's in New York this morning.

19

I am still hanging in! Seeing my therapist today! Do not see too much improvement but I keep hoping and praying there is a light at the tunnel! Beautiful sunny day here!

20

Good luck!!