Started back on sertraline

[Emilychazza98]

After not taking sertraline for about 3 months, my racing thoughts about dying and health anxiety has come back since having worsened ‘palpitations and heart thuds.

I started on Monday night on 50mg, and since then I’ve been feeling very jittery, everytime I move I shake, my jaw is clenched. Everytime I yawn I feel like I’m doing to drop.

I’m hungry but not bothered about food, dry mouth, and occasionally feel very sick. My brain also feels like I’m in a cloud and my eyes are slow.

Does this sound like usual side effects? I’ve been taking them at night around 9pm, so hopefully I can sleep through, but the last couple of nights I’ve been waking at random times.

[Catkins]

It does sound like start up side effects, hang on in there.

[panic_down_under]

I started on Monday night on 50mg, and since then I’ve been feeling very jittery, everytime I move I shake, my jaw is clenched. Everytime I yawn I feel like I’m doing to drop.

I’m hungry but not bothered about food, dry mouth, and occasionally feel very sick. My brain also feels like I’m in a cloud and my eyes are slow.

Does this sound like usual side effects?

Unfortunately, yes. The initial side-effects can be different and/or more severe than they were the first time too. They are mostly due to the enhanced serotonin activity at the beginning and will usually begin diminishing within a few weeks as bio-feedback mechanisms kick-in to reduce serotonin synthesis and expression, though they may return for a while after dose increases. While unpleasant they are not a sign of harm. If they become too difficult consult your doctor as there are ways of easing their impact.

I’ve been taking them at night around 9pm, so hopefully I can sleep through, but the last couple of nights I’ve been waking at random times.

Insomnia and other sleeping issues are common initial SSRI side-effects. Switching the time of day they are taken can sometimes make a difference.