Just startted setraline

Anxiety, loss of appetite, nausea, jaw clenching muscle soreness are all side effects of the med. I didn't have paranoia so can't speak to that! I've been on it 4 months, 8 1/2 weeks on 125 mg. I still experience anxiety, nausea and a stiff neck!

You may want to get in touch with his Dr. regarding the paranoia. Hope this helps.

Thank you Gracey, that has put some of my worries at ease. We're off to see a mental health speacialist today, I'm hoping they can give us some answers and some coping methods for when the paranoia and panic attacks take over.

You say you have been taking the medication for 8 1/2 weeks, have you noticed any improvement - either in how you feel, or the side affects getting better?

I don't know what is due to his depression or what is down to the medication!

Thank you for talking to me, it's good to know that I'm not alone

You are welcome Clare. I've been on the meds for 4 months, 81/2 weeks on the 125 mg. yes i have noticed improvement, I'm sleeping well, the depression has lifted. My problem being I'm very impatient, and get frustrated with the way I feel! The side effects vary some days I'm fine other days I've got them all! I tend to focus on it though so have to get something else in my life, as I'm retired. This is also frustrating as I was quite content in my life until this hit a year ago. By the way i know the ALONE feeling. If you join Topix ~ side effects of Zoloft. You will see you are not alone. I thought I wazs losing it until i joined that forum.

Let me know how the drs. appt went!

Morning Gracey, I hope you're having a good day today

I'm glad your depression is gradually getting better, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! I understand the impatience and frustration - my dad often says that he just wants to go back to normal, and I know it's hard just to be told to wait - you know how you used to be and you know how you want to be - it's just getting back there!

It was my dads birthday yesterday, so I went a bit mad and brought him loads of puzzles and painting supplies and things, anything to keep him busy and out of his room! I hope you can find something equally distracting, I know it's easy for me to say, as I am not the one suffering, but try not to get too caught up in what's in your head!

The appointment itself went okay, but they have decided that they can't help my dad, he has instead been referred to the hospital for therapy rather then conselling, it means he is on yet another waiting list - but everything we try that doesn't work will bring us closer to something that does work.

Hi everyone, I have never replied to a forum before but felt for you all so much, having 'been there' that I thought I'd share my experience. I have had reactive depression, caused by a high powered job, had counselling, and seen a psychiatrist ( who confirmed I am not crazy in any way.) This was all in my late twenties, scraped through this with the help of an excellant gp. Got post natal depression after my son was born when I was thirty seven, and was petrified to tell anyone for weeks for fear they may take my baby away, which of course they didn't. Became very introvert, which is awful as I have a normally very bubbly character. I decided that this is way I now am and got on with it. I lost my mother to motor neurone within two years, my father had lung cancer, then a stroke, and now cannot speak, but is fit otherwise. Got divorced, moved home with my son, met a new partner, who we love to bits, and then BAM got so down that I just didn't want to be here anymore. Took so much to see doc but so proud when I did. I have been on sertraline, 50mg for a year, and then 100mg for the last year, and can honestly say that I have NEVER felt so normal and in control of my life. It took a while but was so worth it. I have had lots of experience with anxiety, depression drugs, and for me, these have changed my life. Please hang in there, I am now 49 and feel like a new woman. Hope this helps, you are not alone.x

Hi. With regard to sleep problems whilst taking sertraline, my doctor told me to take them in the day which I have done, but whenever I have forgotten and taken them at night or before bed, I have very vivid dreams and feel like I've had no sleep at all in the morning. My doctor says this is because sertraline, unlike other anti depressants which calm and slow you down, tends to give you more get up and go. Prior to taking sertraline, I would do nothing but sleep and be exhausted and frustrated when awake. It takes time, but, in my experience, the end result is so worth it. I don't think anyone feels better initially, but there is no miracle cure, and the strongest people fall the hardest, so give yourself a chance.

New dawn did you go through the emotional ups and downs? I have been on 125 mg for 10 weeks. Friday I felt like myself finally. The past couple days I feel down and anxious again. How long before you felt stable? I started at 25 mg in Dec. increasing slowly up to 125mg. On the positive I'm sleeping well, but one day I feel good and the next terrible. This is indeed so frustrating. Did you experience this?

Hi Gracie1. Yes I did have good days and bad days but I think when you have a good day, you are so relieved that you feel like yourself, you relax and feel good, then the next day you expect to feel great but don't so get anxious that it's not working. I certainly was my own worst enemy, but on the upside, just one day of feeling like yourself shows that you're on the way up. I had more good days than bad, after about 8 to 10 weeks on 50mg. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much, as I'm getting discouraged. It's been a long tumultous journey!My family don't understand and think I'm crazy. My husband says you have to do something about these ups and downs, as I burst into tears at the dinner table last night! I wish i could just flip that switch, that would rectify the situation. Thanks again you ahve given me hope! XX

Hi Gracie, so sorry you're having a bad time of it. My family too didn't understand, some even kept away because they couldn't cope with me. It's a lonely illness and until you've been there it's hard to understand. I used to wish I had a broken leg, or something that people could see, just for a little compassion. Try to remember that you have an illness, that is out of your control, fighting it doesn't work. I used to put on a brave face for others and then break down when I was alone. If I could advise you about one thing, it's not to try to do this alone, have a cry and a laugh with a family member or friend, you need someone to off load to. You've taken the first step by seeing your doctor, you are dealing with it but it takes time. You can curse people to me ha ha I don't know them and it'll make you feel better, and then the next day you can praise them because it's all about what makes you able to cope. x

My husband tends to make me feel guilty. I was on cipralex last Dec. and went off of it when i was feeling better! This was a huge mistake my Dr. should not have allowed after 6 weeks!i toughed it out for a year but wasn't getting better so went back to a new Dr. in Dec., thus the Z journey! This morning I was in tears all morning. The mornings are the worst! I've been on 125 for nearly 10 weeks now. I felt really good on Friday, but since then it hasn't been that great. The fact that hubby thinks I should just be able to snap out of it is so annoying. it just puts more stress on me. I try not to fight it but it gets frustrating feeling down. I went to the gym this morning. I'm feeling a little better this afternoon, but have nausea! Some days I'm ready to throw in the towel! Thanks for the ear!

Did you go for therapy? I tried one therapist and she was terrible so going to a different one on Thursday. I'm also fatigueed, did you find that?

Hi Gracey, saw a councellor a long time ago, but he made me feel so bad, I used to cry all the way home! Not seen anyone whilst on sertraline though. Tired, oh yes, I'm on 100mg a day and I still have days when I feel so exhausted, I just want to stay in bed. I think it's great that you go to a gym, doing things will take your mind off feeling rubbish, I used gardening, found it therapeutic, but it's better if you have people around, as it's a great distraction. Next time you go to the doctor's surgery, ask for leaflets about depression, - it may help your family understand a little more. x

Do you remember how long it took you to level out?I''m so tired in the a.m. and lie down for a nap in the afternoon! Last evening we went to a dinner theatre with friends. I had a good time, got my mind off me. I get so down on myself when I feel like this! My new therapist seems good. She said you're too hard on yourself. You cannot help the side effects of the meds so don't beat yourself up! It's just that after 11 weeks I thought I'd have more energy and be feeling better. I'm not keeping my house up the way I want to. I was such an active person before, and this frustrates me.

Take Care xx

Hi, Ive been on 50mg Sertraline for 3 weeks now along with 450mg Buproprion. I feel pretty terrible very anxious, angry, unsure how I feel, panicy. Hope this is gonna wear off soon and Ill feel better

Hi Dave, sorry to hear you're so down. For me, setraline has been a life saver. I used to feel like I just wanted to disappear, never thought I would feel 'normal again. Try to give it time, I fought against the tablets, woke each morning and waited to see if I felt better and when I didn't, my whole day was bad. I challenged the pills constantly. Give yourself time, you need to repair, you are ill and, just like any illness, it takes time to get back to normal. My doctor had me see a councellor, but I found this did not help me, as I felt judged, pride is a pain in the ass when you're feeling down, but many people find this helps, your doctor can sort this out for you if you feel the need. My advise would be to do what you want to do, stay in your dressing gown in front of the TV all day, then on the next day, try to do something a little more challenging, this can be a phone call, a potter around the garden or anything you have planned. Baby steps, day by day. Hope this helps a little. x