1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

32 days on sertraline. Feel horrendous

Posted , 2 users are following.

andrea34715
andrea34715

started sertraline over weeks ago

I was on citalopram for 12 years but suddenly felt very anxious and down.

DR said to change meds

first week cross tapered with citalopram at half the dose 10 mg and 50 mg of sertraline . Then went up to 100 mg sertraline

I feel so awful, mood lower than ever.

feel anxious, hopeless about future . I just cant relax as have no peace of mind or interest in anything. No appetite . Although it scares me how many people say how much weight they gain on this.

just wish I had stayed on citalopram and upped the dose as it worked well for me at 20 mg for a long time..

Dr said give it 6 weeks but Im really struggling. Feel like Ive had a breakdown and my confidence is nill. I am 47 yrs and feel like a frightened child

please someone tell me it gets better

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • paul37795
    paul37795 andrea34715

    Posted

    you felt exactly like i did a few weeks ago

    i put message below stick to it its so hard i know read below

    Hi all i have been on Sertraline for 20 years and i want to give my experience to help other people as i have more experience than doctors on these the side affects are true and they are awfull you will go through hell on earth sertraline is a strange medication when you first take it most people will feel worse for 4 or 6 or 8 weeks you will go through a very bad time ringing in the ears/ ringing in the brain/ tired/ brain feelings like jolts to the head that go to stomach/ dizziness/ headache /anxiety worse/light headed when moving eyes or neck/very very depressed/pressure around forehead/strange echo ear/feel like ball is in head/lots of crying/these are the side affects i have had every time i decreased the dosage or increased the dosage

    After taking this medication regularly for 4 to 6 to 8 weeks

    It is the best medication for anxiety your anxiety will go 80 percent this medicine has gave me a life i never thought i could have you will start to have good moments after 4 to 6 to 8 weeks then you go back to another 2 days of hell then your get another 2 good moments then another day of hell then your have a good half day then another 2 days of hell then a good day then another 2 days of hell now it starts getting better you will have 2 good days then 1 day of hell then 3 good days and only 1 day of hell then it will gradually go up to 7 good anxiety days and eventually even out then you will start really feeling better its a great medicine and the best you just have to get through the first 4 to 6 to 8 weeks then your life should be good again so before you take them im going to be honest for most people it will be very hard but to give max 8 weeks for your life to change is worth it you will be so happy you stuck it out and you will feel so much better

    • andrea34715
      andrea34715 paul37795

      Posted

      thank you for your advice.

      I shall try and stick it out another 3 weeks!

      Compared to the side affects with citalopram which I was on before this is really tough!

      Could I ask if weight gain is a problem on this drug as keep reading reviews that it is!

      Also when I have a glass of wine I feel dreadful. Does that go away eventually as I really do enjoy a glass or two of nice wine and really miss it.

      Do you take sertraline for depression also? As that is also my problem as well as anxiety

      good to hear a positive post

      thanks for your reply

    • paul37795
      paul37795 andrea34715

      Posted

      hi yes everything goes slowly because your having a glass of wine will make it worse because you brain is fragile trying to rebalance and everything will go eventually its long road but at the end you will feel better i have it for anxiety and depression yes

    • paul37795
      paul37795

      Posted

      i dont think weight gain was really a problem for me thats just all about kcal in kcal out really i lost weight when i wanted to know problem

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.