Sertraline - Wow!

Author
Discussion

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
I went to see my GP on Tuesday and was prescribed Sertraline 100mg/24 for depression. I have to say, it was the best thing I talked myself into and out of, and back into again. But that's another story. Already my head feels better.

But the side effects!

Tueday, first tablet. An hour after taking it, massive acid stomach, burping, yawning. Emergency Rennies from a pharmacy. Ended up taking four over an hour and just about calmed it to bearable. Was wide awake all night, about two and a half hours sleep.
Wednesday, second tablet. No acidity which was a massive relief, but a banging headache and feeling nauseous like I'd had too much to drink the night before, but like totally off my box too much to drink.
Today, third tablet. No acidity, yay! no headache, but I feel spaced out. Still feel nauseous if I yawn (which is weird) but slept well for seven hours. Feel physically like I'm trembling, but I'm not. Just feel weird in a not entirely unpleasant way.

Anyway, do these side effects last all the time I'm on the tablets, or will things calm down? I'm not missing the acid stomach or insomnia and the nausea was manageable, but the spaced out thing is alright for now but will become really frustrating if it doesn't calm down!

hippy

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
Yes, to be fair, all are listed in the leaflet so not entirely...........DUCK! Mind out for that giant ladybird!...........unexpected.

Right whose for a nice chat with the purple and pink spotted goblin sitting in the corner?

hehe

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
I shall err, look forward to that.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
I'm sitting watching TV now, feeling very normal.

Except when I yawn. That's like having a rush to the brain and quite odd. Lasts perhaps only a second, but a bit unnerving.

Oh, and my appetite is non existent. I have to consciously eat. I don't feel hungry at all. Not a bad thing as I could do with shedding a few pounds.

I don't think taking the tablets at night is a great idea, I take all my others in the morning. Plus they give me a massive 'wake up'. I'd never sleep!

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Friday 6th March 2020
quotequote all
Well this morning's little white joy giver has me feeling a bit queazy and that's all so far. Oh, and a bit trembly.

I did a bit of reading and thought that 100mg was rather a lot to start, but I seem to be coping with it alright, The side effects seem to be easing up. No weird dreams or feeling a bit spaced today. Yesterday was proper weird. Every time I yawned it was like having a rush.

Slept well last night, got a solid seven hours.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Friday 6th March 2020
quotequote all
I've never been able to stomach food first thing in the morning. I've been up since 0630 and now i could eat something.

All I've had so far today is a cup of tea. I'm off to the Co-Op for some hot food.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Friday 6th March 2020
quotequote all
I've just had two bacon and cheese turnovers (well it is Fat Friday) and don't feel much better yet. The queaziness is passing off I think. But the tremors are still there. Like I've had no sleep and too much caffeine.

I'm going to see how this pans out over the weekend and if I feel the same on Monday will ring the GP to see if they suggest dropping the dosage.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Friday 6th March 2020
quotequote all
To be honest, this constant feeling of overdosing on caffeine is starting to annoy me now. Ironically, it's starting to get me down.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Friday 6th March 2020
quotequote all
If the side effects don't calm down, I'm going to have to ring my GP.


Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Friday 6th March 2020
quotequote all
Yeah I'm beginning to think 100mg is a bit of an overdose.
I have no experience of this type of drug, but the side effects are starting to distract from normal life. As in, if I was sitting at home it wouldn't be so much of a drama, but I'm getting distracted by them at work.

I haven't had any alcohol yet. The leaflet says avoid, the NHS says it's ok, but may cause drowsiness. Might crack open a Merlot in a bit and try a tentative glass.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020
quotequote all
I've stopped taking them. The side effects weren't getting any better at all.

Every time I yawned (a lot) or sneezed I got a sort of headrush. And the constant feeling of too much caffeine and not enough sleep was getting me down, ironically enough. Then there was the headaches and nausea. In fact I had the whole lot except for the vivid dreams, but then I was hardly asleep either!

I have another appointment with my GP on Tuesday. If I'm honest, I'm very reluctant to try any other tablet for fear of the same effects. I think counselling might be a better option for me perhaps.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020
quotequote all
I'm sleeping much better since I stopped taking them. Obviously there is some residue in my system, but I really don't fancy taking a tablet with those effects again.

I've been trying to go swimming twice a week for an hour, for both 'time to unwid' and for my personal fitness. That helps.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020
quotequote all
Brain zaps?

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020
quotequote all
MonkeyMatt said:
I've managed to pretty much come off of all of my mental health meds (was on quite a few) and taken a much more holistic approach, I've actually not felt this good in years
That's good to hear. Also my plan. Not that I'm adverse to taking drugs. If I have a headache I'll take a paracetamol. But Sertraline was really messing me up.

Tyre Smoke

Original Poster:

23,018 posts

261 months

Monday 22nd June 2020
quotequote all
I haven't taken anything since March. Have to say, I feel better for not taking the Sertraline.