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sertraline

RayannAbbey profile image
55 Replies

just started sertraline 50mg feel so nauseous and sick. How long will this last ? Any advice would be gratefully received.

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RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey
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55 Replies

Hi RayannAbbey, I hope you feel better. It's probably a good idea to call your doctor, but the bottle of your medication there will usually be a number to the pharmacy. The pharmacist can discuss side-effects of specific medications, but they cannot diagnose.

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

I’m on day 20 with 25 mg Sertraline. The nausea has more or less been constant! Sorry! Been given two different anti nausea medications to try and far worse! Now splitting medication into two 12.5 and no nausea!! It takes time but it is horrendous!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

thank you. Did the dr tell you split the tablet? Thank you for replying.

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

no she didn’t. I got that idea from this website. She wants to up the medication to 50 mg every other day but I’m going to do it farrrrr more slowly! I’m very very sensitive to most meds so it’s no great surprise! I don’t think it will interfere with the action of the med by splitting it just hits the stomach more gradually. However I’m not a doctor!!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

how is your anxiety?

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

if you have breaks in your nausea eat something as otherwise you may find you can’t eat anything if you keep to set meal times. Crackers, ginger nuts and ginger tea help!!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

thank you will try x do you have any other side effects? X

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

I’ve noticed it’s is beginning to ease ??? Very slowly but then I’m on such a low dose at present LOL. I did find bad insomnia during this time though! Get your books ready and accept this will ease. As you can see I’m still counting the days! Also write in my diary how I feel each day.

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

thank you x any other side effects x my muscles ache so much . Can’t manage work at the minute.

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

I’ve lost 3/4 of a stone whist on this medication as I have found it difficult to eat.

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

yes I’m the same x do you have diarrhoea with it or the shakes?

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath in reply to RayannAbbey

yes the awful shakes! Breathing exercises help that! I only got them in the evening - really odd. Pacing round the room to help ease. However you may be lucky and your side effects may be for a much shorter time!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

thank you so much x did you have diarrhoea x

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath in reply to RayannAbbey

I certainly do not not suffer from constipation!!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

thank you x

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

I’m lucky as I’ve retired! I had spikes of anxiety and hot flushes, however I’ve accepted that these are normal when starting out. This website is brilliant - it makes you feel that you are not alone. If you have never experienced anxiety or depression there is no way you can possibly understand!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

exactly. Thank you x

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

have you taken anything else before?

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

yes been on several antidepressants over the years but after a few years they stopped working. This has been the worst side effects ever but I’m told it’s one of the best. Was on mirtazapine prior to this but awful reflux all the time but it did make me sleep! No effect on anxiety though! Each medication is different but with Sertraline I think it may take longer to have an effect???

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

thank you x I had citalopram for two weeks couldn’t take the side effects. I was on sertraline a few years ago and l knew the start up was brutal but forgot just how bad!!!

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

I was on citalopram for several years but just stopped working! Sertraline for me definitely has the worse side effects I’ve ever known!!! But as I said they may not last for you! My granddaughter takes it and has had NO side effects at all!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

wow that’s amazing. Let’s hope so. Did you muscles feel weak at all. Not sure if it was the citalopram that did this initially but legs are like jelly.

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

yes - I generally try two health walks a week but haven’t managed to do any yet since starting! Also find going up stairs makes me worn out. I hope it’s worth all these side effects

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

thank you so much l was getting worried incase I had ms. I suffer from health anxiety hence the sertraline. The waves of anxiety are vile aren’t they and the crying outbursts . Just desperate to be me again.

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

and you will also find you keep going on the internet which actually makes things worse! I’m married but my husband has no idea what I go through. His answer is take a diazepam but I’m so so worried about addiction I probably don’t take them when I should!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

yes it’s so true. Unless you go through this no one can truly understand it. Do you suffer from panic at all? X

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

yes!!! Always have! Deep breathing exercises work to some extent and also distraction!! Taken me years to find that out though! So easy to take a diazepam as it eases symptoms straight away but I refuse to use them daily! Only on 2mg occasionally but have read you can still get hooked!!!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

thank you so much for your help and advice. X really appreciate it x just want to be me again.

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

do you suffer from dry mouth with it at all?

I was given that medication, and the nausea and vomiting were too much, so asking dr for a different med.

all I can say is maybe try and eat before taking it? Or, if it gets too much, call your dr and ask what you can do. I wasn’t even going to bother trying to take anti nausea medication.

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to

thank you for replying. What dose were you on and for how long? Are you on anything else now? X

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

just a quick note. Have just been out to return something to Matalan. Drove myself there, walked in and had no problem. Ask me if I could do that 3 weeks ago and the answer would be no! So definitely a huge improvement!!!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

wow that’s so amazing !!!!!!well done you x I’m struggling today the thought of going outside terrifies me today. Feels like l can’t breathe properly and I’m being choked. Did you suffer dry mouth with the tablet? X

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

yes I did and still do. Carry a bottle of water with me at all times!! But remember I doubt your side effects will last as long as mine on such a low dose! Have a wonderful doctor that I can text whenever I need to! That helps a lot!!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

certainly does. I haven’t seen out dr in months. Had to go to hospital as felt like l was having a heart attack at the weekend . That’s the first time l gave see any dr. Where do you live?

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

Bedford U.K. our practice is one of the best around. ALL the doctors there are caring. I don’t go via the receptionists as they told me to email them direct!! What more could you ask for!!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

that’s brilliant x I’m in the West Midlands UK

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

after saying yesterday how well I was doing - last night had absolutely no sleep whatsoever! Now my turn to feel despondent!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

bless you x I’ve been awake since 1.10 this morning such bad nausea and heaving x shaking so much too this morning.

Valleyheath profile image
Valleyheath

so you haven’t done much better than me! What a pair! I tend not to look at the time as that sends my anxiety going! Thank goodness I’ve onlygot my Covid jab today. I caught Covid about 3 months ago and still got it quite badly even though I had all my jabs! Think I must be a very sensitive soul!!!

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Valleyheath

I am so tempted to stop the tablet but l know it will work. I can’t even venture past my bedroom door at the min. These side effects are awful and everyday is such a long day at the minute.

Cherylretallack9 profile image
Cherylretallack9 in reply to RayannAbbey

Hello just wondered how your doing now as it's been a month since the conversation? Are you feeling any better? Xx

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Cherylretallack9

hi l stopped the meds as the side effects were horrendous!!! Started passiflora a natural remedy instead and therapy x fingers crossed. Had to detox from the meds vile !!!!hope you’re ok x

Cherylretallack9 profile image
Cherylretallack9 in reply to RayannAbbey

Hi thank you for getting back to Me 😁 aww how lomg was you on them before you stopped? I'm due to start sertraline next week 😬

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Cherylretallack9

I was on them two years ago for a year then stopped them. I went on them again in September and lasted a week as the start up was brutal and l couldn’t tolerate the side effects. They did work in the past but again l remember the start up was tough. I found this time that l was feeling so much worse on them so stopped them but did go through a withdrawal even after a week ! Finally detoxed after three weeks and started passiflora instead x good luck is it your first time on them? What dose? I was on 50mg x

Cherylretallack9 profile image
Cherylretallack9 in reply to RayannAbbey

Awww I've been on citalopram for 12 years until they stopped working as well now trying to stabilise again with no luck at the min currently on escitalopram 20mg which is highest dose so now they want to switch me to sertraline slowly up to 100mg x

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey

I asked to try citalopram instead of sertraline as l knew the start up was brutal but with citalopram l lasted 19 days as CV l couldn’t feel my legs on them and my bp rocketed. Will you do a cross taper? X you may not have as many effects then. X when are you due to start on them?

Ueah gotta cross taper probably so there allways something in my system I also have clonazapan to take when needed through the process just hoping amd praying they work for me been suffering a year now amd I want me back 🙏 😢

Gotta wait for my doctor to ring me to let me no when tablets are ready to collect so probably be next week at some point xx are u in the uk?

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Cherylretallack9

ah wishing you lots of luck x always here if you need a chat x

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Cherylretallack9

yes are you ?

Thank you you to allways here ifbu ever need a chat. Are you on Facebook at all? X

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Cherylretallack9

thank you x

U on Facebook?

RayannAbbey profile image
RayannAbbey in reply to Cherylretallack9

sent you a message

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