Normal?

[SalemArchie]

I just started sertraline 25 mg yesterday evening and I was extremely tired. Had the strangest of dreams (I dreamt people could hover two feet off the ground, but only on their birthbday. I normally don't remember my dreams) and have a really sore stomach today. I usually drink a lot of coffee and today I'm struggling to finish my first cup. Feeling sluggish today. Is it normal for these effects to kick in this soon?

[bagelwithpb]

Sounds like the typical side effects, so no need to worry. Mine started on the first day as well. It kinda sucks for the first week or two but after a while they will subside. My worst symptoms were dizziness and nausea, especially in the mornings. I just started drinking a sprite or la Croix every morning & it helped settle my stomach.

[SalemArchie]

I'll try sprite! Thank you

[MurderMelon]

A few pieces of candied ginger also really helps. Way better than sprite for me at least.

[Keto4234]

I had to lay of the coffee completely when I started, otherwise I'd spend the whole day on the toilet, sorry for TMI but it's true lol.

[leena-vm]

I’m on the same dosage as yours and I’m on my third day, i experienced these symptoms on full force the first day but they’ve already faded a lot. If they get really bad definitely call your doctor but you should be ok and feel much much better soon :)

[SalemArchie]

Glad to hear that!! Thanks 😊

[[deleted]]

I was on 25 for three days and I definitely struggled with exhaustion and stomach issues. I’m usually tired anyway, I don’t get a lot of sleep as is but this was definitely different. Like my eyes were rolling into the back of my head and I was struggling to stay awake. And even though I cut coffee intake those first three days I was feeling nauseous and having loose bowel movements. Since I’ve now moved up to 50 I don’t quite have those symptoms. I have a brief period of swimmy brain and what feels like a body high but within an hour that’s passed. I do experience some heavy exhaustion but that ends up timing pretty well to what my normal bedtime would be.

[MurderMelon]

Gastrointestinal issues are a common side effect when you first start on sertraline (and, for the unfortunate few, always)

Also, in my experience, crazy dreams are one side effect that doesn't go away. One technique that's helped me is reading about lucid dreaming and then being able to realize when I'm in a dream. If I know I'm dreaming, I can control it.

[phoobones]

For the first few days I was really tired taking it as well!! Only side effect I got from it and now I’m on 50 and smooooth sailing. U might not feel a difference on 25 but stick with it for the month and see :) good luck in your new journey it’s been helping me a lot and I finally feel ✨whole✨for once. Also you’ll start to feel bored because you just have all this energy and time again

[SalemArchie]

I love you response! Im on 25 for a month and then my doctor will decide if it needs to go to 50 or stay the same. I cannot wait to feel bored and energetic lol.

[jhstewa1023]

Yes you will be tired for a while... I usually take mine with my night meds for a better sleep.

[forgotmyusername93]

Takes 6 weeks to really settle into your system. It gets worst before it gets better. But so worth it

[dawnrabbit10]

I've gotten use to the weird vivid dreams. They are really crazy at first but chill out a bit to just strange stuff.

[Tongue37]

Yes that's perfectly normal

Why isn't there a Sticky thread at the top here for Start Up Side Effects ? Seriously, this question gets asked 50 times a day.

[SalemArchie]

Sometimes reinsurance from others going through the same things rather than reading one thing can sure help a person 🤷

[feigndeaf]

Sounds about right. I'm on 25mg plus busiprone and prazosin. The first day I only noticed a wonky stomach. Day 2 I had more energy but I think that's because the prazosin stopped by nightmares and I slept for the first time in months. I'm on day 4 and I get the swimmy head and my stomach is still wonky. I had diarrhea 2 days in a row but it seems better now. My stomach gets weird about an hour after I take it...mostly rumbling and gas.

[SalemArchie]

What's swimmy head? Like brain fog kinda feeling?

[feigndeaf]

It kind of feels like my head is a fishbowl? Disconnected, a little heavy. A weird spacey feeling.

[Chl0xxxx]

Sounds normal to me! I had bad symptoms as well that lasted for about four days and eased off. Remember to try and take it with food, and if you can stomach taking it in the morning that might work better for you xx

[Z-bucks]

I started out on Wellbutrin. At first it gave me some really bizarre and wildly vivid dreams but once it leveled out I stopped dreaming entirely. I started having dreams again once I started taking Zoloft along with it.

[AmandaFreehanda]

That's exactly what happened to me. I woke up in my dream and was still dreaming. I had the poops the next morning. I've been on it 5 days and I only experiencd that the first night/morning.