1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

1st time on AD and been prescribed 50mg of sertraline

Posted , 6 users are following.

Raize
Raize

Hi I'm new on here and can really do with some help or advise!!! I am a 40 year old male and have had depression and anxiety for a number of years and managed to get over it without meds but for the last 6months just getting worse😰My GP prescribed 50mg of sertraline which I have not yet taken due to reading about the drug and being petrified. Been getting extreme anxiety with the occasional panic attach! I have a good job, partner and 3 beautiful kids. And this illness is slowly taking this away from me! PLEASE PLEASE HELP! Been getting suicidal thoughts and getting scared now! Can't sleep GP gave me 3mg of diazepam which don't help sleep at all.

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Cinderella81
    Cinderella81 Raize

    Posted

    Hi Raize, I don't have depression but anxiety. It's came from nothing and suddenly felt horrible ( physical symptoms). My doctor also gave me 50 mg and I was so scared to take it. I started with 25 mg ( cut half the tablet ) so you can also do it. Plus diazepam will help with side effects. You're really lucky your doctor gave it to you because in my surgery they don't give any sedative :-(

    You'll be fine !!! Take the Sertaline with diazepam and in one month you should see the positive result.

    Hope it helps.

    • Raize
      Raize Cinderella81

      Posted

      Hi Cinderella,

      Thanks for getting back to me, I was getting extreme anxiety and and then not sleeping followed by the doom of depression😢 I am so scared and worried that this will ruin my life! How are you getting on with your anxiety? Are you better now? What has your experience been on sertraline?

      🙏🏽

    • Cinderella81
      Cinderella81 Raize

      Posted

      I haven't had insomnia but I woke up every night shaking and had to run toilet- felt hungry in the same time and no appetite... I was so extremely tired and sad. I tried to go to work every day but was hard. I was crying on the toilet that I can't live my life like this. Didn't understand what's going on. Still I am on 25 mg to be honest ( after 2 months ) and feel much better. I think I started to feel better after 2 weeks. I am not perfect and as I said I don't have depression but feels better.

      I might have to take the whole tablet but now I can function as normal and do things I did before. Give a chance to the medication and start with 25mg for a week or so and when you feel the side effects take your diazepam.

      What helped me is relaxation ( it's hard to start but works ). I downloaded an app and really good. I do it when I am in bed with headphone. Plus if I can't slepp I counting back from 100 .... and try it maybe twice and helps to fel asleep. Medication is the thing you have to do every day and not only take medication but works.

  • susan32309
    susan32309 Raize

    Posted

    Just wanted to add the reassurance that the Sertraline will help - you tend to find only the negative stuff on the internet.  I've been taking it now for around 8 months and feel so much better.   Started at 50 mg, increased to 100 mg over these dark winter months, I've taken many anti depressant drugs over the years but this one really works for me, hang in there and give it a try - and keep posting here, it's a really supportive place to be.   Wishing you well, Susan

  • Raize
    Raize

    Posted

    Hi guys,

    I have been thinking of taking St John wort instead and trying the natural approach? Does anyone have any advise or experience of St Johns wort??

    • GodsServant
      GodsServant Raize

      Posted

      Hi Raize, all I know is that I read somewhere that you should NOT be taking St. John's wort with Zoloft. I also think you have to have a period of time after being off sertraline before you can take St. John's wort, please check with your physician. 

  • lattifa7777
    lattifa7777 Raize

    Posted

    Hello raize,

    Listen please please stop reading all the negativity about sertraline .

    I too was extremely scared of taking it, but I was so very ill I suddenly thought nothing can make me worse!! I started by only taking half for a week, then the full dose.

    Riaze im going to be totally honest with you , it does make your symptoms worse for about 10 days, you can't sleep you can't eat your anxiety rockets , you must must persevere at this point, then things start to slowly slowly get better and better and even better, the only thing you will start to get at this point is good sleep but with night sweats, then that goes away too. Then you get even more better. I promise you this drug saved my life,and god of course , just pray and be strong , be ready for a very bumpy ride for about 10 days , please don't be scared. I'm here to help you through it any time you need. We are all here for you.

    Come on now pluck up that courage , and start fighting this awful damn illness.

    Big tight hugs xx

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.