1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

A positive Anxiety & Sertraline story...

Posted , 11 users are following.

laura84921
laura84921

Hi everyone,

With Christmas around the corner, I just wanted to share a positive anxiety/Sertraline story for anyone that is struggling or are new to the Sertraline journey. When I was in my deepest, darkest times I struggled to find positive stories to help lift my spirits and I promised myself that if ever I felt better, I'd share a positive story.. So, 12 months ago I was in one of the worst places of my life. I had GAD and it was ruining my life. I was scared to leave the house, felt constantly dizzy, could not sleep, couldn't focus on simple tasks or conversations and it seemed like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. My GAD led to severe health anxiety and I was convinced my time was up and there was something seriously wrong with me. I had test after test, even an MRI and nothing, yet I still didn't believe anxiety could cause me to feel so bad. In May 2017 I decided I could not go on and asked my Doctor for help. I began taking 50mg Sertraline and I won't dress it up as the first 7-8 weeks I felt worse. All of my original symptoms seemed amplified but I stuck with it and every day I thank God I went to the Doctor and got help. I have slowly been going from strength to strength since around July/August time and feel so close to my old self I can't believe how much it has helped. I even went Christmas shopping in a packed shopping centre last week and it reminded me how awful and restricting my life was 12 months ago. Merry Christmas to everyone on here who responded to my cries for help and to anyone who is struggling, please stick with it and never be afraid to ask for help as it WILL get better x x

11 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • pamela51740
    pamela51740 laura84921

    Posted

    What a great post Laura, glad you are a lot better, I'm still waiting for my sertraline to work so your story has given me hope x

  • martin28608
    martin28608 laura84921

    Posted

    Great story gives me hope  and encouragment to keep going on sertraline  happy xmas 
  • john15630
    john15630 laura84921

    Posted

    Well done and well said and I am sure your words will give great hope to many that have read it as it has me . Stay well xx
  • craig64791
    craig64791 laura84921

    Posted

    Hi Laura. Great to hear your positive story and progress. I have been taking sertaline three months and there are noticeable positive results. Happy Christmas and everyone else 🎅

  • Stacey29819
    Stacey29819 laura84921

    Posted

    Thank you Laura! That is exactly what I needed to hear.  I’m in week 5, and I thought I was seeing glimmers of hope, then I start to feel worse again.  I’m trying to get through the side effects, hanging in there.
    • sanne27608
      sanne27608 Stacey29819

      Posted

      Im also on week 5. How much do you take? Im on 150 mg for 2 weeks now. I was slowly building it up. But I know it takes more time to start working...
  • nicole0926
    nicole0926 laura84921

    Posted

    Great story Laura!! It is worth it to stick it out. I am doing so much better since September when I first started!! Love hearing awesome stories ? Merry Christmas 🎄

  • john15630
    john15630 laura84921

    Posted

    Thank God for this forum such lovely people all suffering the same problems all happy to help each other through these difficult horrid times . Loving the mix of comments some to relate to and some to give hope x
  • sarah40069
    sarah40069 laura84921

    Posted

    Thank you, that’s so encouraging. I hope you have an amazing happy Christmas this year. I’ve decided this year just to survive Christmas and know that next year will be better. I’m working my way up to 150mg of Sertraline and this week has been easier, but I find I’m better when the children are at school and I don’t have to cope with anything extra. It’s hard to feel like I can cope with all the extra stress and excitement of Christmas. Xx
  • sanne27608
    sanne27608 laura84921

    Posted

    Hi Laura, thank you for sharing your positive story. This is what i needed. Im 4.5 weeks on Sertraline and so far no improvements. But 2 weeks ago my doses got higher to 150 mg so I know I need to be patient. But its hard. Did you increase your doses at some point? Thank you and Merry Christmas
  • DavidinPghUS44
    DavidinPghUS44 laura84921

    Posted

    As laura84921 said 'I began taking 50mg Sertraline and I won't dress it up as the first 7-8 weeks I felt worse.' This is so very important. I've tried many ssri's and was never sensitive to any of them (all generics). But my gosh, sertraline knocked me down for a bit. Magnification of anxiety, loss of appetite, shakes. If it was for this forum I would've quit after the first 2 weeks. I'm going on 4 months now and glad I stuck with it. So my question is, does the actual Zoloft brand here in the us cause the same problems, or is it just generics. This last time I got my rx filled they switched the generic to Aurobindo Pharma (i use drugs.com pill indentifier) doing some brief research i saw alot of negative reviews on this brand. I'll find out in a few more days. Thanks for sharing laura!

    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819 DavidinPghUS44

      Posted

      I was told the generic is the same consistency.  I had to switch in week 6 to Prozac because the anxiety the Zoloft gave me was unbearable unless I took Xanax every day.  The Dr said eventually it would have gone away.  It was so bad, I can’t remember having that bad of anxiety ever.   I’m glad you got through it.  The Dr says I’m not starting over with side effects, so far ok on day 3 of the Prozac.  I haven’t had to take the Xanax since I stopped the Xoloft.  The Dr says it’s actually a good sign that you are responding to the medicine.  I wish it wasn’t so hard.
    • john15630
      john15630 DavidinPghUS44

      Posted

      David

      I was on a different type of setraline for a month but the wife threw the box away so couldn't find me out the name of it then I got repeat prescription of aurobindo and went back to the start of side effects so don't know wether to stay with this brand as they don't seem to work as well as still got low mood but that lifted with the last lot I had but unsure wether to try another brand in case side effects come back again . Any advice

  • alissa_94010
    alissa_94010 laura84921

    Posted

    Thank you Laura for your very positive story! I was just increased to 50mg and still have side effects. Your story gives me hope! I just want to be happy and healthy again. I'm hoping 50mg is my therapeutic dose but how do you really know??

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.