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My Sertraline Story!!

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dani32
dani32

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

461 Replies

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  • chanelle27644
    chanelle27644 dani32

    Posted

    Hi I know this post is old now,

    Just wanting some advice as Iv started taking 50mg sertraline for pnd and anxiety. Dr has also prescribed 10mg propranolol to help with the heightened anxiety. I’m only on day two of sertraline but my head is already feeling fuzzy , don’t really know where I’m at atm , my heart feels like it’s going ten to the dozen. But the thought of taking a beta bloka is making my anxiety worse ! As Iv gone and read up what they do.  Has anyone got any advice with the sertraline and propranolol please 

    • bobby_39551
      bobby_39551 chanelle27644

      Posted

      There really is no easy way to deal with this, only to know that you will get through it and feel normal again. It's a horrible thing, but all you can try and do is take control.

      I'm back at work full time, and leading a competly normal life again. 

      It was one of the hardest few months of my life. I think you have to review what is causing it, what the trigger is and remove that from your life. 

      Get to the gym, and get some councillor if you can, these where all massive help for me

  • kell85
    kell85 dani32

    Posted

    Hi! I read your story and i kinda have hope....I jist started zoloft 50mg this am its making me very tired and I have buspar for the edge taker off my anxiety and panic attacks...they seem to be bad today 5 hrs after taking the zoloft....I am also getting cold chills that come and go and send me to panic mode...any sugfestions on keeping strong and sticking this out? I have tryed other meds in the past and felt this way also but got xanax to help. I do not have it this time....
  • kell85
    kell85 dani32

    Posted

    Hi! I love reading the stories they keep me hopeful...im on my 2nd day of 50mg zoloft and all im getting is I take it at night and about 4 hrs later I wake up with a really bad panic attack and cannot get back to sleep. Dr gave me .1mg clonidine but nervous to take it...any suggestions?
    • charley46288
      charley46288 kell85

      Posted

      Hey Kell.

      My anxiety and panic got much worse before it got better. It's SO hard stixking it out. But it's worth it.

      I would wake up eat 3 or 4am and not be able to sleep...just awake with my anxiety.

      It can feel really lonely, but you aren't alone. Keep reading these stories to get you through.

      Always here if you need to chat.

  • sue55041
    sue55041 dani32

    Posted

    Anxiety is the worst feeling!  I’ve had it my whole life and for a period, experienced extreme panic attacks.  They stopped but I sometimes feel I am on the verge.  My anxiety hits at night, as soon as it gets dark.  I was told that I suffer from a form of ptsd and I have fought it for years.  I was on Zoloft for several years.  Once the jitters went away, it worked amazing!  I knew what it felt like to feel normal!  I found joy and enjoyed life again.  I stppped taking it after several years because I believed I was at a point where I no longer needed it.  But each time a difficult situation arose, I found it harder to cope.  I finally spoke to my doctor and  and went on celexa... worked great also until I went on medication for R.A.  I was switched to buspar which works quicker, but the dizziness was hard to deal with.  My doctor put me back  on Zoloft.  I too, am feeling jittery and anxious, but I remember how that improved before.  Be patient.  Avoid caffeine until the side effects settle down.  I take mine , with breakfast.  It will be worth it to be anxiety free.  I wish you the best.
  • m70646
    m70646 dani32

    Posted

    Hi I know this is an old discussion,  but really needing some support.  

    I was started on sertraline 50mg 12 day’s ago, and as one side effect eases another one seems to start.

    I was started as anxiety causes IBS and vomiting. Each morning is a struggle as acid and vomiting is crippleing and the panicky feeling and nausea causing me to vomit during the day. 

    So today dr gave me lansoprazole to help with acid.  I find in obsesing with how Ill i feel, and as I feel so ill each day is a struggle. I do seem to pull myself around by the end of the day for it all to start again the day after.   Any advice is greatly appreciated, I just need to get through these symptoms and know that it does get better.  I’m currebtly signed off from work and I’m funstioning in the very basic ways. 

    Please help xx

    • charley46288
      charley46288 m70646

      Posted

      How are you feeling now???

      Any better?

      It does get worse before it gets better. Hang in there

    • m70646
      m70646 charley46288

      Posted

      I’ve had some awful days, is it anxiety or nausea, really struggled with food and look like death warmed up. 

      But yesterday I thought I’ve got th start treating my IBS, maybe I’m not helping by eating all this bread. 

      So today I’ve had scrambled eggs and porridge fir a later breakfast.  I’m goibg to try veg soup and vegi slag Bol for tea. 

      I’ve reduced my amount of tea as well as it was making me gag.  

      Today is a better day, I allowed myself to go back to bed after I had breakfast and meds and I had a nap.  This is something I have fought up till now as have been determined to stay awake.  But if this is my IBS as well, I need to heal my body.  Having rests has helped as I feel less skitty today. I do t want to say I’m getting there because every time I take a step forward, I end up having bad days.  I’m trying to stop obsessing over food,  and pushing my meal times as I tho k it was anxiety that I was getting rather than hunger and I’ve ended up linking it all together in my head. 

      IBS is hard enough and these side effects have been awful, and made everything far worse. I have thought so many times about packing them in.  But really what good will that do?? That would mean all this was for nothing.  I’m now Day 25 and it’s a struggle but I do think the meds are helping, they have to be, I was so low with IBS before and had so many panic attack’s thst I couldn’t see the wood through the trees.

    • DogMum1985
      DogMum1985 m70646

      Posted

      Hi, how are you doing now? I started taking sertraline and propranalol a few weeks after you. I have general anxiety disorder and panic disorder but have mostly previously managed them ok with CBT (though I did have a previous period of around 18 months on the same medication for anxiety issues which I successfully reduced down and stopped until recently). 

      I started taking them again because I've had a number of life crises in the last 18 months in close succession. I've not really processed them and just ploughed on especially with work but the stress finally started to come out physically with panic attacks and tense calf mucles. I'm also having counselling alongside the medication. 

      The first few weeks back on the medication I really struggled with insomnia, my appetite was absolutely non existent and when I did get to sleep I would sleep for very long periods. I am off work so I have tried to focus on getting up and out each day. I seem to be better in the evenings but the mornings are awful. I feel anxious and tired and have no motivation at all. I have increased to 100mg from 50mg 3 weeks in and been on the medication for just over 4 weeks now. 

      Hope you are doing better smile

    • m70646
      m70646 DogMum1985

      Posted

      Hi I am getting there, I can’t believe how far we have come... I’m back at work on reduced duties. Mornings are still hard but I am able now to get up and get ready, I tell myself everyone feels rough on a morning, I pull myself around once I’ve eaten breakfast but the tiredness still comes in waves. But I’m able to identify what’s causing my symptoms, it’s not always the sertraline, half the time it’s acid reflux and the symptoms Assosciates with that or it’s my IBS. 

      The tablets do def work an I am so glad that I am on them, it has been a tough journey but one that needed to be taken.  

      The fear of being unwell or having a set back is still there but that is to be expected as feel like I’ve been through hell but with time that will ease.  

      I till have disturbed sleep but I’m able to not stress about it.  

      Don’t give up 4 weeks on meds is amazing and each week you will feel better.  There are always set backs but don’t give up. Week 6 for me was my turning point.  Your on the home run now remember not to beat yourself up xx

  • Chris1981
    Chris1981 dani32

    Edited

    Hi Guys,

    I started taking Sertraline just before Christmas about 4ish weeks ago and im still suffering with increased anxiety and losing control is horrible, however I want to stick with it as the doctor did say it can take upto 2 months to fully start working, what didnt help was the fact I had an accident at work and was taking tramadol.  Im doing ok still having alot of anixety and suffering from just a general feeling of being down especially when I am on my own or my head starts over thinking.  

    • charley46288
      charley46288 Chris1981

      Posted

      It was the same for me. Being on my own and with my own thoughts was crippling. That horrible feeling of waking up anxious and gloomy was so bad. How are you doing now?
    • riko65845
      riko65845 charley46288

      Edited

      Hi charley, how are you doing now?, I've been on sertraline 25mg for 5 days,but first 2 days I was on 50mg but I had a horrible panic/anxiety attack, so i called my dr he said to take 1/4 of the 100mg tablet,I think I felt better without this drug, I try to fight the anxiety like trying to relax with breathing techniques, my body gets cold and I feel nervous , get waves of nerves in my nervous system I think on the back of my neck, and makes me get scared and feel like throwing up but I don't throw up its just the fear of anxiety

    • kieron27576
      kieron27576 riko65845

      Posted

      hi i just wondering how your doing now.i know this is a very old post. im day 6 on steraline and ive felt awful, yesterday was the best day ive had then i go from being so well to feeling so ill

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