Sertraline just 4 days

[Carrotsticks]

HelloLast week I started on 25mg of sertraline. Took 4 x 25mg doses and could not cope with the increase in anxiety, panic and my blood pressure shot up so stopped taking it. I'm now getting panic and adrenaline surges throughout the day and night. High BP then gradually reduces. I'm also getting some left sided flank pain and am wondering if what I am experiencing is because of the sertraline or have I got some adrenal gland disease. I'm now in turmoil. Anyone else experienced this or similar? I've stopped for 4 days now.

Thanks to anyone who might reply.

[Black16]

Hello. I was the same with sertraline. Doctor prescribed 50mg. After taking it, by the afternoon I too had a surge of adrenaline and I was so anxious which then raised my BP. I didn’t have the flank pain though. I know a lot of anti depressants do have awful side effects in the first few weeks and then settle down. I reduced the 50mg to 25mg which did help but didn’t like the side effects and ended up coming off then. It’s a terrible feeling so I really feel for you. I have just been put on 20mg fluoxetine and I’m on day 8. I was ok for the first 2 days but I now have the adrenaline surge again and anxious. I have been told this is very common and to preserve for at least 2 weeks. Have you spoken with your doctor. The flank pain could be dehydration I get that occasionally. Look after yourself and I hope you soon feel better xxxx

[Carrotsticks in reply to Black16]

Thanks for replying. I'm going to try and see a doctor on Monday but don't know how successful I'll be. The adrenaline surge and anxiety is horrendous. I take my hat off to those who can persevere through it. Good luck to you with fluoxetine.

[Black16 in reply to Carrotsticks]

Aw thank you x I totally agree. It’s the worst thing ever. Good luck at the doctors. You just want some relief don’t you. Take care xx

[TedsMum247]

Hi, this sounds awful and sorry to read this. I was prescribed Sertraline a while back, I can't remember the dosage but it gave me acute diarrhoea so I stopped it immediately. The ironic thing was the GP had prescribed it because I have anxiety - related IBS which more than often gives me diahorrea. I hope your GP can help you when you go next time. Take care.

[Carrotsticks in reply to TedsMum247]

Thanks TedsMum. I'm seeing gp later today so will see what they say. I'm averaging 3 to 4 hrs sleep a night filled with adrenaline surges. Hate it

[TedsMum247 in reply to Carrotsticks]

Good luck, let me know whatever GP suggests😊

[Carrotsticks in reply to TedsMum247]

Hi TedsMum Wrote a reply then lost it. Don't know why I bothered with GP. More or less said take another antidepressant, doubt if surges are because of adrenals and if I wanted to explore with an endocrinologist I'd need to go private. Feel very deflated.

[TedsMum247 in reply to Carrotsticks]

Hi, that's so disappointing when you've gone in with hope and come away disappointed. I've had one good day and then two bad days and thought I'll go and see my GP again, but my husband said she'll push the anti-depressants again why bother going? I've just been watching some videos on YouTube by gastroenterologists, but there are so many different opinions. It's trial and error, take care. Let me know how you go from here.

[Carrotsticks in reply to TedsMum247]

I just felt so deflated. I’m having problems with my gallbladder at the moment too and that is causing what I think are IBS symptoms. I feel so uncomfortable both physically and mentally. Is that how you feel? Just so drained and fed up with it all. Just want some medical help but can’t seem to get any.

[TedsMum247 in reply to Carrotsticks]

I can sympathise with you, we go to the doctor ( that is stressful) and then after the effort you get no useful advice, so that in itself gets you down. I was getting pain under front of ribs area, then it would move to my right ribcage side. I was prescribed Buscopan and codeine for that, but I didn't realise this was connected to IBS. My GP said it was my gallbladder playing up, but I've not had any problems with it for several months. Like you I now feel mentally and physically exhausted, but since starting to take Alflorex I feel really fatigued and am spending a lot of time resting. I'm happy to chat more by DM if you wish. Take care.

[Carrotsticks in reply to TedsMum247]

hello TedsMum, yes, I’d like that. Not sure how to do it but I’ll try and test now. Can you let me know if you get the message please?