Re: New to sertraline
Originally Posted by
Coni2
Hi everyone, I’ve been a member of NMP for several years and have been doing ok.
back,
Yesterday my GP prescribed sertraline. With instructions to take half a 50mg tab for one week then one a day after that.
Good. Your GP is wiser and more caring than most.
So I’ve been looking at them since yesterday, of course have looked up the side effects. And now I’m scared to take them.
Unfortunately, that's a 'good' way of ensuring you'll experience them all. An anxious mind is quite capable of delivering the whole side-effects gamut in widescreen Technicolor with Dolby surround sound if given half a chance. Side-effects are one area where ignorance can truly be bliss. The maker of my AD no longer puts patient info sheets in the box, but back when they did I had my pharmacist remove them even though I could recite them from memory if I'd allowed myself to think about them. Just one of those silly mind games that get us through the day.
I previously took venlafaxine but the start up effects and discontinuation effects of those were awful, hence the sertraline.
The SNRIs are notorious for the severity of their initial side-effects and venlafaxine is one of the two hardest ADs to discontinue because of its short half-life. Sertraline will almost certainly cause fewer issues, especially at 25mg.
The thing to always keep in mind is that while side-effects can sometimes be unpleasant and scary, they are rarely a sign of actual harm. The problem is serotonin isn't only a brain neurotransmitter. It has many roles in most organs of the body and these functions can be impacted by SSRIs at the beginning. However, the body usually soon adapts with no harm done. I've found the best tactic is to keep busy so you don't have time to dwell on them. Read a book, rearrange the furniture, go for a brisk walk. Anything to keep your mind off what is happening with your mind and body.
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The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.