1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

My 8 week story on sertraline!

Posted , 13 users are following.

lauren56079
lauren56079

Hi guys, 

This is my 8th week on sertraline 50mg and I’m feeling nearly back to my normal happy self so thought I’d give some of you the reassurance you need with my journey :-) 

I started on 50mg of sertraline on the 1st August...my first 4 weeks were terrible, I felt jittery, heart palpitations, nausea and the tiredness was absolutely HORRENDOUS but I thought I would hang in there as all I kept reading was ‘you’ll feel the full benefit between 6-8 weeks’. 

At week 5 I started feeling a little better, I still had the odd anxiety moment and intrusive thoughts lingering but nothing like my first few weeks. Then week 6/7 I went completely downhill and felt how I did at the start...I felt really sad and lost hope as to how I could go so backwards on this medication! The anxiety along with the intrusive thoughts case back with a bang and I was so close to coming off them and trying another medication or going back to the GP....but I really didn’t want to as I had stuck it out for 6 weeks! 

Then week 7 I started to feel a little better and im into my 8th week and I literally feel like a new person. The intrusive thoughts have gone ( thank god!!!) and all the side effects seems to of gone..... 

So for anyone out there who is in there first few weeks and struggling hang in there!! Please!! This medication does work but you must give it time. I was so so close to going to the GP to up my dose but I’m glad I didn’t now. 

Love to you all xx 

3 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

Next
  • lauren56079
    lauren56079

    Posted

    Ps - I’ve wrote this all this forum has really helped me xx 
  • Theanxious1
    Theanxious1 lauren56079

    Posted

    Thank you!! Literally exactly what I needed to hear. I’m having v similar experience to you. On week 6 now, went downhill last week after being ok ish for a bit and a horrendous for first couple weeks. I’m still feeling v tired but today definitely feeling a little better again. Fingers crossed. Realllllly want this to help me. Thanks again!
  • melissa01346
    melissa01346 lauren56079

    Posted

    So needed this today! I’m at my 4th week and still going through side effects as I just increased to 50 three days ago and just desperately want to be better! 
    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 melissa01346

      Posted

      I am on day 7 did your anxiety get worse the first 2 weeks. Sometimes my stomach aches but mostly anxiety?
    • melissa01346
      melissa01346 lynn67615

      Posted

      Sorry I just saw this! Yes my anxiety was definitely worse the first few weeks.. and is still kinda going up and down but more better days then bad so that’s good. How are you feeling? 
    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 melissa01346

      Posted

      I was on sertraline for 20 years and then had breakthrough anxiety. I stopped taking them about a year ago. Tried Prozac and Lexapro but didn’t work. On day 8 today. Praying it will help me again.
  • karin88115
    karin88115 lauren56079

    Posted

    Thank you so much for posting this. My story sounds like a carbon copy of yours, except I’m struggling through the 6/7 weeks mark right now. But like you, I’ve come this far I’m not giving in. I hope I have the happy ending too 😪😀

  • Sagremor1976
    Sagremor1976 lauren56079

    Posted

    Great success story. Those are the one we need to have more and more around here. I can't wait to write mine. 

    I wished that I could have stayed on the lower dosage but I needed more but I am getting there. The doc upped my dosage to 100 mg last week. I started on 75 last wednesday and on 100 last night. I can feel a difference but not 100% yet. 

    Physical anxiety symptoms are almost gone now but the depression is still lingering in the background. Funny thing is I can sleep like a baby now. No more headache either as when I first started. No brain zap either. Just my belly making strange noise all the time. 

     

  • brenda72357
    brenda72357 lauren56079

    Posted

    So pleased for you Lauren, have been following your story.  I am just starting week 5 on 50mg and have had all the horrible side effects.  I went to my Doctor yesterday and didn't want to carry on.  However he persuaded me to try a bit longer and your story has given me hope. Thank you and hope it continues to work for you - we need to be encouraged by success stories

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 brenda72357

      Posted

      I am on day 7 of sertraline. Did you have more anxiety the first and second week. 
    • brenda72357
      brenda72357 lynn67615

      Posted

      Yes Lynn I definitely had more anxiety and panic attacks for the first 3 weeks.  Just 4+ weeks now on 50mg and starting to see some improvements. Hope it continues!
    • brenda72357
      brenda72357 lynn67615

      Posted

      Yes Lynne I did have some depression but the anxiety/panic was my main problem and why I went on Sertraline. I am feeling more positive now but still find early mornings diffcult.
    • antony46257
      antony46257 brenda72357

      Posted

      How are you going??? I am at the end of week 4 of 50mg and it’s been hell. Pretty sure I have and am having every bad side effect you can think of.
    • brenda72357
      brenda72357 antony46257

      Posted

      Keep going, at 5 weeks on 50mg Sertraline I find that a lot of the horrible side effects I have suffered are starting to disperse.  My appetite came back overnight, sleeping better and not had a panic attack for 5 days.  The nausea and tingling feeling has also lessened. I now feel there is a lot of light at the end of the tunnel and so glad I didn't give up.  I still have loud tinnitus and the occasional shaky feeling but feel far more positive now.

    • lynn67615
      lynn67615 antony46257

      Posted

      On day 17, 50mgs is it common to still have periods in the day where my stomach is aching, with gas and burping.
Back to top
Next

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.