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I'm really nervous about taking Sertraline

Posted , 4 users are following.

Lucidvio
Lucidvio

Hi,

I've been perscribed Sertraline 50mg for GAD and depression. I've been dealing with a lot of life anxiety, with my health, my relationship, my work and other things. I just feel like I'm constantly on edge and he advised I could try this to see if I can get a handle on things as I've got a lot of traveling coming up at the end of the year.

I've read through the posts about Sertraline and I really shouldn't have.

I'm mostly scared about the side effects as well as knowing I have a generic brand. I'm seeing everyone saying that this is going to cause me even more side effects because its not the main one that they first brought out.

I really just want to get a handle on my life and everything else going on, but taking these scares me so much.

I've got a long history of depression and I've been perscribed medication before, but I have been off of it for years and now at the age of 28 I'm feeling like I've had to admit defeat and take them.

Could anyone share their good experiences with this as well as the brands so I can force myself to take these things!!

Thanks very much in advance

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • PharmaSara
    PharmaSara Lucidvio

    Posted

    It's not admitting defeat if you take them. It's being kind to yourself and giving something a go, that might just work and make you feel better. You say you took sonething before - how did that work? Was it ok? Try and think positively and distract yourself doing things you enjoy (or used to enjoy as is the case with this illness) and while you weren't looking, the tablets may have worked smile give it a go. Don't read other people's side effects, that's a big turn-off.  Wishing you good luck!
    • Lucidvio
      Lucidvio PharmaSara

      Posted

      Hi, Thanks for your reply.

      I used to be on citalopram 40mg until I was about 19 I think or maybe 18. So that's a good 10 years ago now and really at the end I just felt a bit numb, but I guess they did something because I haven't had to go back to this for a long time.

      I'm off work at the moment and was only going to take until Monday, but I think I'll take the full two weeks that the doctor signed me off for until a week on Tuesday just to be on the safe side.

      I think I'm worried about prolonged side effects and having more issues due to taking these than not taking them.

       

  • Scampi18
    Scampi18 Lucidvio

    Posted

    Hi I take 100mg sertraline, they have just changed the brand so god knows what is going to happen, my chemist is always doing that, I also did not want to go back on ADS, and was in denial, I was a mess, but since starting the sertraline I feel much better, I am not 100% yet, the first couple of weeks for me were the worst, side effects double what it said, I won't lie to you I nearly stopped taking them it was so bad then one morning I woke up and felt a little better and it carried on until my dose was upped back to the beginning again, but it got better again.

    i am still sweating but I am also meno and have thyroid problems and BPPV benign vertigo, it all came at the same time.

    good luck and persevere it you get the side effects it should pass😊

    • Lucidvio
      Lucidvio Scampi18

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for replying.

      Yea they always seem to be coming from a different company (I remember from the previous anti depressants I was on)

      Its good to see the tablets have given you some relief and allowed you to cope with things better.

      I think sometimes we all just need a bit of extra help, its just annoying that we seem to be unable to get more face to face help quicker these days (in the UK that is)

      I hope things continue to get better for you smile

  • lynn41911
    lynn41911 Lucidvio

    Posted

    Hi, I was given the same for the same as you but I was on 100mg, was on it about 8 weeks went through some of the side effects such as hot flushes,diarrhea,panic attacks and sleepiness nights, but after 8 weeks I decided enough wa enough because like you I'd read a lot of the postings on here and didn't want the struggle of coming off them. So went back to my GP and said I wanted off as if anything I was feeling worst she changed my medication to venladex 75mg (venlafaxine) been on these since the end of December 2014 and feel so much better and as though I've got my life back, going to continue as now I have a lot of stuff going on in my life that if I wasn't on anything I knew I couldn't cope

    All the very best

         

  • Digsby
    Digsby Lucidvio

    Posted

    Hi,

    We are all different and experience side effects very differently too. I'm up to 100mg (and in my 9th week) and my side effects are very minimal (I have a very healthy appetite, my bowels are behaving themselves, sex drive intact). Much better than the last meds I was on before Christmas - the side effects were horrendous, but I've read plenty of people feeling great on the ones I couldn't tolerate. Go figure!? As Sarah the Pharmacist says, don't miss out on something that could improve your health and get you back on your feet. As with any drug, you won't know until you try it. At least you will be prepared. For instance, I wasn't worried by my heart palpatations at night because I had read they were a common side effect. If I hadn't read other people's experience, I would have been very scared by this. Try not to expect the worst. It would probably help if you could tell a family member or close friend that you are starting a new med so they can keep an eye on you and cut you some slack if you need extra support. You are definitely not alone. We are all striving to regain our health so you will always have company for the journey on this forum :-)

    Good luck. Big hug,

    Digsby x

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