I just started on sertraline and its only my third night taking it and its becoming very hellish now as I'm experiencing worsened anxiety, insomnia, racing negative thoughts and tense stomach muscl es. I. So tired and exhausted and yet I cannot sleep 😣 somebody please tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel? I need it so badly, I want to stick with this but I also really need to sleep and I'm praying the negative thoughts will subside . can anyone help?
hold on in there, it gets better eventually. it takes 6 to 8 weeks to really kick in, you have to be patient. Maybe in the meantime you can ask your doctor to give you something to help you sleep? I know how painful it is, but I promise you, you will be ok. good luck!
Hi honey, i had this! Started on 50mg 3 weeks ago and 100mg for the past 6 days and honestly I was ill! My anxiety went through the roof I used to wake at 4am and dry heave and had the poops, tense tummy loss of appetite bad heads and insomnia!! It was brutal! But the past 5 days it's eased off, the only thing left is the little bit of anxiety when I 1st wake, and the insomnia is still here I have to take a sedative to nod off, don't worry it will pass hang in there! Ask your gp for some non addictive pills to help u sleep x
im on my 4th week have some moments where i think im getting better then i get depressed thinking im never going to get better i guess we gotta push through it
Stick with it. My first 5 days were hell. The side effects do subside. Thought I was even more crazy! Started on 50mg in October then 100mg December. 200mg in a few weeks. I feel so much better now. Get down days. But anxiety is getting so much better. Hope this helps.
Thank you guys so much for the support!! I'm realllyyyyy tempted to call my doctor because I'm scared its not the right medicine for me but I guess I'll wait it out a bit more? If I can't sleep, I won't be any good, I have to be able to sleep because losing sleep makes this all worse! My anxiety and thoughts were not this bad before taking the meds, so I'm trying to ride out the storm, its so hard when all you want is to feel normal again. I've had anxiety and depression\OCD so long I don't think I'd know normal if it was right in front of me lol but I have OCD about my health which likes to switch between that and my relationship and now the thoughts of "my relationship is all wrong" "I'm making a horrible mistake that I'll never recover from" "I'm too far gone" etc. Etc. Every negative thing you can think of is going through my head (even though I know my relationship is not the problem) but it makes it so hard now that the thoughts seem to be worsened by this medication which is supposed to help. Owell, have faith I guess, I can get through this, it takes patience! And thank you all for your kindness
I found it heightened everything for a few days. It really does calm down. You could ask your doctor for something to take the edge off. I read some took nytol to sleep. If that helps.
Did any of you experience irritability and chest tightness feelings? I am hoping to be able to sleep tonight, just curious cuz I've been irritable today and chest feels a bit tight. Part of the heightened anxiety I suppose
Yes! I'm having trouble remembering things slightly, it is all Part of the side effects and will pass. I'm sure we will get a breakthrough if we stick it out and stay strong! I'll keep in contact with you if I notice anything else. So far it has been insomnia, higher anxiety, negative thoughts, brain fog, and kind of a spaced out feeling but not too bad. We've got this! Forums really are great for support and it truly helps to know others are in the same boat as me. Sending you all comfort and hugs
same with me except heavy legs which stops me from showering scarying me into thinking ill fall stupid anxiety. yes we will get through this because we are strong
You are having a strong reaction to the medication but this should have been a side effect your gp warne you about. I have a week of sleepless nights, feeling uncomfortable, anxious and slightly nauseous. I started on 50 and worked up to 200mg until recently going back down to 100. Hopefully you are starting on a small dose. Maybe you should lower it but try to hang in there.
Yes, I am on 50 mg right now. Last night I slept about 4 hours. It wasn't a great sleep, but at least it was something. Why do the dosages need to be increased or decreased at different times by the doctor? Like, what is the purpose, is it just to find what mg works best for you?
Hi Thats good that you are getting sleep. I dont think I slept properly for a year or more when I wasnt on the medication. The doctor increased my dose fterI told her I was still feeling anxious. I was in a terrble job that was causing the increase in depression which I eventually left. I then increased it again as ....sexually I was getting very frustrated with my partner and a wonderful female doctor said increasing t would taper it out which it did. Its a learning curb that is beneficial to have great understanding doctors to share their advice and other patient experience with. I am now in the process of going down to 25mg as I have put on so much weight which is causing anxiety. I have eating dramas and over eating so dont be worried by that. I didnt excersice for a year either as I was in a happy comfortable laissez-faire that all went to my tummy
Its my fifth night taking it and I feel really nervous today, very jittery I keep grinding my teeth and biting my lip til its swollen. Bad Memories from the past are coming through my mind, which I think is odd but I'm trying to see it through lots of anxiety today. Just praying! Please pray for me.