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
jo40122 dani32
Posted
Last night I woke at 3am and anxiety took over so I was wide awake. I’ve had to call in sick today as felt so dreadful, how did you all cope at work? Or did you stop work?
I had been wondering whether it was worth taking as I wouldn’t say I’m depressed but now I read your posts I realise I am not alone in sweating the small stuff, irrational responses, feeling of not being able to cope and anxious about social things.
Really hoping it’s worth it in the long run
erin19141 jo40122
Posted
Hi jo,
I'm going on 2 weeks now of starting sertraline I started at 50mg and I'm now at 100mg. I did exactly the same thing as you about day 5 and found this thread, it helped me to get through knowing I wasnt alone.
Days 5,6,7,8,were the worst for me I had no appetite I didn't eat for 3 days, I couldn't sleep so the dr prescribed me sleeping tablets they got me to sleep but didnt stop me from waking with panic attacks every hour. I really wondered if I was going to get through it, I cant even put into words how anxious I was feeling it was the worst time of my life! But now 2 weeks later I still every now and then get a little anxious but I dont get all the feelings that come with it, I'm doing so much better! I seriously thought It was never going to end! But it does! Hang in there your going through the worst of it now and I promise you it will get better!!
It's so hard to find someone to talk to about it because if they've never experienced it they will never understand!! That's why this thread helped me so much knowing I'm not alone!!
Youve got this, just know your at the worst and its gunna get better! Hang in there and keep me updated xx
jo40122 erin19141
Posted
Thank you so much Erin! Your words are really kind and are motivating me to keep going!
Felt like a sick zombie this morning but a little better this avo. I know what you mean about no appetite, I’m such a foodie it’s weird for me! Back to work tomorrow so nervous for that and how I’ll cope with the sea of emails whilst I’ve been off the past few days. Were you working through that tough time?
Well done you for persevering despite feeling like you did 👍🏻So pleased you are feeling better now. Will keep you updated x
m70646 jo40122
Posted
The hardest thing is to relax as the agitation caused from these meds are bad. But take each day as it comes, each week is a another week on your meds.
I couldn’t work but returns after 6 weeks and I’m now completely fine xxx don’t give up xxx
jo40122 m70646
Posted
I am now 5 weeks into 50mg per day and my husband and Mum and sister both feel I’m like “night and day”. It’s only this week I’ve really seen it for myself but I must say I feel the best I’ve felt in a long time!
Things that’s used to reduce me to tears barely bother me and I’m just enjoying life so much more despite some difficulties at work! It’s worth the initial struggle for sure!
Only slight down side now is that for some reason I am struggling in the bedroom if you know what I mean! Still enjoying it the same but not getting the end effect. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks for everyon s sypport, it really helped me those first few weeks xx
DogMum1985 dani32
Posted
I just want to add an update really. I started Sertraline 16 months ago. Initial side effects were really difficult. Insomnia but then sleeping for very long periods when I did sleep. Non-existent appetite. Really low motivation. I still have the occasional off day bit it has been so worth it persevering. Anyone just starting this medication, expect dreadful side effects for first 6 weeks. Go back to basics and just focus on basic selfcare. You will start to feel better soon.
Groc69 DogMum1985
Posted
I'm on 6 weeks and 3 days of taking Sertraline as of today and although today is not as bad as yesterday, my anxiety is high and mood has started out fairly low again. I'm trying so hard not to get disouraged but it's hard as I have been under the impression that full therapeutic effects begin from week 6-8 and I have not felt this yet. Can somebody please give me some positive guidance on when I can expect to start seeing an improvement in mood/anxiety? Should I start noticing some sort of positive change in mood after week 6? Any positive advice would go a long way in restoring my hope in this med.
DogMum1985 Groc69
Posted
Well done on persevering with it. The side effects can be dreadful at first. Everyone is different and having your symptoms ease even a little sounds like a step in the right direction. For me, adding in other things like getting dressed, having more routine, seeing friends, exercising really started to help at this point. I started small like being awake to watch the West Wing every afternoon, wearing loungewear instead of pjs. The only thing that matters is that you are going in the right direction.
Groc69 DogMum1985
Posted
Thank you for responding. Do you remember at what point you began to notice the Sertraline kicking in for your mood and anxiety? Also, I feel tired and my eyes feel a bit heavy, although not as bad as 2 weeks ago. Is this something you experienced and if so, did it go away. Having more energy has always helped to bring my mood up.
DogMum1985 Groc69
Posted
I went up to 100mg after a few weeks and that was a notable shift for anxiety and mood. Tiredness gosh yes. I had periods of sleeping for hours and hours and other times insomnia. The way I tackled that part was starting to gradually have more routine and my body adjusted. Can't stress enough about it being gradual though. I think it would have been a real shock to the system had I tried to do too much too soon. I went back to work after about 8 weeks but again this was done gradually. I'd say I felt the mood, anxiety and tiredness truly settle after about 3-4 months.
kieron27576 Groc69
Posted
hi how did you get on
deborah58965 dani32
Posted
hi , i have been on setraline for 5 weeks first couple of weeks were awful with side affects , about week 3 i had 4 days feeling great no anxiety i felt a cloud had lifted for the first time in 2 years . now my anxiety has came back constanly for the last 6 days if not worse than before . having awful headaches and jaw clencing . i dont know what to do if i should keep going or stop the tablets . i started suffering anxiety due to menpause and it has been so debilitating . anyone had a similar experience and stayed on them and felt anxiety improved .
Groc69 deborah58965
Posted
I've been through the same exact thing. it's normal. The med is in the process of leveling out in your body therefore the ups and downs. stay with it, it's very early yet. by the time you get to between 8-12 weeks, you should feel great. Hang in there. and if you're on facebook, do yourself a favor and search "zoloft (sertraline) bruno truth group. It's a private group that will help and support you through this. very helpful! Hope to see you there. You'll be fine. 😀
julie0000 Groc69
Posted
Hi Groc what dose did you stay on to get full effects , im on week 7 at 225mg vensirxl and had a set back last week nedd diazepam again?
jemma93242 dani32
Posted
Hi Dani was good to read your story! I have struggled for years with anxiety but always felt it was just me and i needed to just get on with it! i have 3 children and am exhausted from fretting over everything, sometimes big things, or like you said about the school runs! i totally get that! i will work myself up leading up to eat and am filled with dread at the thought of it!
anway i have finally got the help i need but only on day 4! cant imagine waking up not feeling negative about what the day may have in store for me! x