My Sertraline Story!!
Posted , 182 users are following.
Hi im a 32 year old female. Im married with 2 children. About 12 weeks ago I started to get awfulanxiety, I was stressing about the least little thing and turning small things into massive over the top things. I started doing breathing exercises and taking herbal remedies, reading books and going onto websites. Nothing seemed to work and about 6 weeks ago I couldn't take the way I felt anymore and felt like I wasn't coping with normal everyday situations like the school run and seeing my friends and even watching a film with my husband. I have never suffered with anything like this before and that in itself is very scary, I felt out of control with my thoughts, I wasn't sleeping or eating.
I went to see my GP who prescribed me 50mg of Sertraline, I was also given 10 days worth of diazepam (2mg). After a few days of deciding if I should take them I went for it, I had the most awful side affects, sickness, diarrhea, headaches, night sweats, shakes. I couldn't even get out of bed for a couple of days. I was having panic attacks and Insomnia.
After a week or so the side affects eased off and I was able to cope again although I was still left with the awful anxiety. After 2 weeks I started to feel 50% better and then into week 3,4,5 I seemed to go downhill with my anxiety again but I stuck with the Sertraline as the doc said it could take 6-8 weeks to see the benefit.
The last few days I've started to feel 90% my old self again. I think this drug seems to take a while to work but i'm glad I've stuck with it as I feel like i'm getting my old life back again. I really hope this is a helpful and positive story if you are just starting out on Sertraline, I know I have a long way to go but I feel with the help of this med I can get my life back on track.
Reading all the positive stories on this forum has helped me a great deal. Im also lucky to have great family and friends I can talk to.
52 likes, 461 replies
kelly76420 dani32
Posted
Thank you so much for this story ! I'm on day 9 of Steraline and was feeling terrible for the first 6 days ... Started to feel ok the last few days then last night whilst I was sleeping woke to the worst panic attack it has really set me back
really need positive stories to get me through x
bobby_39551 kelly76420
Posted
It takes time, and has been one of the hardest things I have ever come through. But trust me you will get there. Keep going......
sarah66277 kelly76420
Posted
Unfortunately the medication can make you more anxious at times initially, I know it did for me, but try and stick with it if you can because the results can be so positive. I was so anxious in April that I was virtually housebound. Thanks to Sertraline and CBT I am now feeling much more like my usual confident self. It took weeks though, maybe even 8 weeks on the correct dose to start to feel better. You can do it, keep going, be kind to yourself. Best wishes Sarah
kelly76420 sarah66277
Posted
Thank you for the positive feedback ...can not wait for the sick, anxious feeling like I'm going crazy time to pass
sarah66277 kelly76420
Posted
charley46288 kelly76420
Posted
Once I first started Sertraline...in the first few day I woke up to the absolute worst panic attack I have ever had...and I literally did not sleep for the rest of the night. Anxiety can be the loneliest thing at times. I promise you within a few weeks you will begin to slowly feel more like yourself. You will be able to cope much better. Sleep is so important too, I noticed if I had a bad nights sleep, I had a bad day the next day. So do whatever you need to do to sleep and pass the time till you feel a little better. Xxx
kelly76420 charley46288
Posted
Thanks so much for the positive message Charley . I'm loving this site ! I felt the best today than I have since starting Sertraline I'm on day 14 now. I have been having. Dizapam every evening but really don't want to rely on it so going to try and half tonight to seen myself off.... I have my daughters birthday this weekend praying I get through it and give her the best time X
charley46288 kelly76420
Posted
I found this site really really helped me through tough times as well. It's reassuring when you feel like you're crazy and alone. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Xx
sheron67167 dani32
Posted
anna17409 dani32
Posted
justin_27924 dani32
Posted
natalie_05271 dani32
Posted
I know this is a old feed but....need some friendly support!! I've been on sertraline 50mg for 5 1/2 weeks now for anxiety and nocturnal anxiety probably caused by menopause? Went on holiday and had a great week with lots of sleep but on returning my anxiety (quivering)and no sleep has returned! think it got set off by association of the bad month I've had in my home on returning from holiday ! Feeling very disheartened!! Looks like I need to keep going but it's hard!! 😕 x
sarah66277 natalie_05271
Posted
Hi Natalie you will get there, but it takes longer for the Sertraline to really take effect. You have done the hardest part, stick with it and honestly by about 12 weeks you will feel so much better. If you haven't already considered having CBT counselling then please do, it's helped me enormously. Also my occupational health nurse recommended taking high strength evening primrose capsules (1000mg) because I suspect my anxiety too is partly hormonal. Maybe you could look into that and check with your gp? Most of all, be kind to yourself. Sending you big hugs from the UK! Sarah
natalie_05271 sarah66277
Posted
Thank you Sarah. I think the anxiety is actually better but because I can't sleep a wink this week I'm really struggling to notice! I've taken evening primrose and menopace for the last year so hopefully that is helping abit? My doctor (who is very understanding) 2 weeks ago gave me propranolol beta blockers 40mg to take three times a day, but I found they were keeping my vey chilled but unable to sleep also! He also gave me zopiclone sleeping tablets to take 2-3 times a week, but they do make me sleep but i feel awful and very down the next day so rather avoid them now. Wondering if I should just take my sertraline tablet only and keep going till I just fall asleep naturally???? Having alot of symptoms stopping me sleeping. Hard to know whot to do for the best?? You given me food for thought though Sarah thanks x
stephaniekeogh dani32
Posted
This forum is a life saver for me right now, I recently came off of lexapro as i didn't find it effective anymore and i am four days into 25mg sertraline which will up to 50 mg after two weeks.
The past few days have been awful with anxiety through the roof and insomnia. I have had several breakdowns which i am lucky to have family to console me. knowing other people have experienced similar feelings and that it just needs time to get better is encouraging and i just have to take it day by day.