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

Prev
  • Redsummergal
    Redsummergal lauren56079

    Posted

    Hello. I am on my 8th week mark 50 mg sertraline but I still have constant intrusive thoughts of harming myself, not like I will get through with it but it’s just constant and it usually pops up when I pause from the things I am doin. I am so tired of this, don’t know if I should continue with Zoloft or switch. I did find some relief some of the days only because I take Xanax along with it. 
    • Guest
      Guest Redsummergal

      Posted

      You might have to increase your dose did those intrusive thoughts to go away.  
    • Guest
      Guest Redsummergal

      Posted

      Did you have these thoughts before starting sertraline?
    • Redsummergal
      Redsummergal Guest

      Posted

      I started having it while I was weaning off Zoloft after being on it for 8 weeks and now I started Zoloft again, yesterday I completed my 8 weeks and it’s like I am a totally different person, the depression has lifted and no self harming thoughts.. hope it stays this way!! Just stick with Zoloft for 8+ weeks , u will definitely see a difference, also I did a gene test which the doc recommended which is the MTHFR test to see if any of ur genes are mutated that may cause the anxiety, and mine were !! So he put me on vitamins called methyl care so help my body detox!! It’s only been 3 days that I have been taking these vitamins but I see a big difference in my anxiety and increase in energy and focus. So please do this test and see if this might be the cause. Thanks for listening 

  • Marconi27
    Marconi27 lauren56079

    Posted

    Oh Lauren this post has really helped me today I’m coming upto week 7 on 50mg and feel more anxious and low than ever and I feel sooo disappointed .I was up all night with a racing heart and the shakes

    This med really is a rollercoaster , I have managed to keep going to work and have been to the gym I just want to be me!!

    I don’t want to up my dose so I’m hoping week 8 will be better.

    Thank you Lauren , is your  brand of med called Lustral? 

Back to top
Prev

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.