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My Sertraline Story!!

Posted , 182 users are following.

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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  • joy23716
    joy23716 dani32

    Posted

    This is a relief to hear that anxiety is common early on.

    I've been on 50mg for 2-3 weeks and have been having major anxiety in the last week.Really hoping for some improvement soon.

    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 joy23716

      Posted

      Hi any advice

      I been on sertraline 50mg for to weeks and yesterday was upped to 100mg. I still feel really sick and dry heaving. Top of chest feels heavy like someone is sat on me and also my left shoulder feels really tender and achy and apparently it's due to muscles where I tense up but I don't feel like I tense up. Does this sound right? 

      Also how long should I give these tablets to work before I know nothing is seriously wrong with me?

      Please help

    • susan87364
      susan87364 cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Cloe

      I had 4 weeks of Sertraline 50ml then changed to 100ml 5 days ago because i still felt very weepy and anxious. The side effects are not nice. The anxiety is worse and i still cry all the time. I have felt a bit better tho today. Waiting for an appointment for cognitive behaveral therapy, which i've heard is excellent. My doctor says its about 6 weeks for the Sertraline to kick in properly. After reading some of these stories, i know there is light at the end of the tunnel so i'm going to stick it out. Its just unfortunate that its xmas time and i have two small children. Like me, try to put up with the side effects. I am reading self help books aswell which help a lot. Hope you feel better soon xx

    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 susan87364

      Posted

      Hi Susan it's the nausea headache and dizziness I can't stand just wish there was something that helps. I just had a lil listen to a calming for stress and anexity video on YouTube and it was so calming it sent me to sleep for a hour lol. Got a appointment with the doctor today for a check up on the tablets going to see if she will give me anti sickness tablets to help. Thanks for your reply and hope your over the side effects to. I just want to be better for Xmas right now I can't get in to it and I have a three year old. 
    • susan87364
      susan87364 cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Cloe thanx for the idea of calming video's on you tube. I never thought of that! Watched 1 this afternoon.  Felt really relaxed. There seems to be quite a few good ones on there. The self help books are good too. A big problem for me is the loss of appetite.  I'm only skinny anyway so need to eat. Got to see a dietician to help with that. Keep coming on here tho Cloe. It's really helped me a lot talking to others who are experiencing the same. Hopefully we'll both feel better soon xx
    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 susan87364

      Posted

      It is really relaxing going to listen to one before I go to bed tonight where can I get the self help books. Iv been to doctors who wanted to up my dose to 150 but I said no want to wait for the 100 side effects to settle also have given me anti sickness tablets to try and help stop the nausea and dizziness hope they work. Do you mind me asking what side effects you are getting. I'm also all congested in the ears which is not helping or clearing one thing after snother lol. Yea will deff keep coming on here thanks. Xx
    • susan87364
      susan87364 cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Cloe..if I were you I'd stick with the 100ml. My doctor says they will work they just take time unfortunately. My side effects are my anxiety is still quite bad and I am very weepy. I have had a lot going on this year tho. I have trouble sleeping and keep waking up then can't get back to sleep. I seem to feel worse on the morning so am trying some breathing exercises. The loss of appetite is a problem aswell. I got a couple of self help books from amazon. You can also buy them as downloads which are cheaper. Are you having any counselling aswell? I am waiting for an appointment. Hopefully that will help aswell. xx
    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 susan87364

      Posted

      What signs do you get with anexity if you don't mind me asking. Ok thanks I will have a nose on Amazon. For some reason I like to be in a dark room but don't like being on my own. In getting some many physical symptoms gets pains everywhere and it always seems to be my left side and that's what freaking me out. Not sure if your doc will give it to u but diazepam tends to help me sleep I don't get a long night sleep but more sleep then I use to. I won't go to one and one counciling as I'm very shy and that will kick my anexity off even more but I am waiting to hear from steps of well being and having it over the phone but that can take up to 12 weeks. Do you take your tablet in morning or at night? Xx
    • susan87364
      susan87364 cloe46559

      Posted

      My anxiety is a mixture really. I get panicky at the slightest thing or loud noise. My stomach is in knots like I'm constantly nervous. Weepy too. I don't get pain but my friend used to get what you're describing when she had anxiety. I do have 5ml diazapam at night now which helps a bit but don't want to take these for long. It's a shame you can't do counselling.  I had it 3 years ago when my Dad passed away and I found it brilliant. This time I have been advised to have Congnitive Behavioural Therapy although I have to wait 28 days for it. Apparently it's excellent for anxiety. I am sure you can probably do it yourself using books or audio if you're not confident with anyone else. Look it up. There are books on it. Also I take my tablet 1st thing in the morning. Hope some of this helps you xx
    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 susan87364

      Posted

      The pains are horrible and comes on randomly it's amazing what anexity can do to the body I'm going through all this just because 4 weeks ago I was walking my son to school and nearly passed out had cold and flu and chest Infection and made me panic thinking I was going to die. Just can't wait for it to be over. I'm going to look it up now Thank you so much u have been a great help and I don't even no you but u have made me feel lil bit better and 'normal' if all this can be called normal lol. I take mine in the morning but I suffer more during the day and feel kinda better at night so thinking about changing 2 night. It's all helping thank you so much for your time xx
    • susan87364
      susan87364 cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Cloe just wondered how you were feeling and if any of your symptoms have eased? I had a couple of days when I didn't feel too bad but anxiety and crying seems to have returned last couple of days. The loss of appetite is worrying me tho. I'm losing too much weight so got to see a dietitian. I think I'm worrying about xmas next week as well as my children need their mom happy. I am worse of a morning aswell. My doctor has mentioned SAD seasonal disorder so I have ordered me a special light to help with that. 

      Hope you're feeling a bit better. xx

    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 susan87364

      Posted

      Hi Susan I had a really good day yesterday and so far this morning I feel ok just abit nausea so going to make myself eat a few biscuits. I find that when I feel really nausea I suck on mentos give that a try maybe. Thanks for asking how I am I was going to write tonight to ask how you are getting on. Never heard of SAD?. Let the crying out when I need to cry I just go out the room so my son can't see me and I let it out always feel better after. I was at doctors the other day and I just sat and cried in the waiting room bit hid myself in the corner so no one could see me lol. I know what you mean by Christmas I just hope that that will be one of our good days. I was talking to my mum yesterday and mentioned I have been talking to you and it's so nice to have someone to relate to when feeling like this so weird because we don't even know each other lol. Thanks for asking how I am and hope you feel a lot better soon. Xx
    • susan87364
      susan87364 cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Cloe I'm so glad I found this site. There are a lot of helpful people on here. Obviously you can't chat to everyone lol. You seem to be going through the same kind of thing as me. Sometimes just talking to someone who is the same helps. Its not been a very good year for me what with one thing and another in the family. Then a few weeks ago my cat got knocked down and killed!  It was horrible. My son who is 9 was heartbroken. So that didn't help me seeing him upset. Thats when all this started. I felt like I couldn't cope with anything else going wrong. Plus I have a 2 year old daughter who is going through the terrible 2's at the minute! Which doesn't help lol. Sorry to blurt out all my history to you. I really appreciate you giving up your time to chat to me. Its really helped us sharing problems and ideas. Oh another thing I am eating ginger biscuits if I feel a little sick. They're really good for nausea apparently.  xx
    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 susan87364

      Posted

      I was told not to go to google by docs but so glad I did because it helps knowing all about the tablets and people views. I'm a very shy person and normally hold it all in but talking on here has seemed to help me talk to my family about it. So sorry you have had such a hard time don't be sorry blurt it all out it helps. Hope your son is ok now bless him. Oh no not the terrible 2'S I feel for you. My son is 3 and I swear he is still going through the terrible 2s lol. It has deff helped me and has seemed to pick me up abit amazing what talking can do lol. Thank u also. Yes I heard that to and ginger nuts are my fav only thing is they give me heartburn but on tablets for that and the heartburn is due to my anexity to. Amount of tablets I'm on you would think I'm a walking chemist 😂. Xx
    • cloe46559
      cloe46559

      Posted

      Hey Susan been a few days and was just wondering how you are doing? Xx
    • susan87364
      susan87364 cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Cloe I was going to message you later.  I'm not doing very good at all. My anxiety and crying is worse. I still have no appetite and have lost so much weight. I've has 4 weeks of the 50ml and 9 days of 100ml and feel worse. I've spoke to my pharmacist today who was lovely. She seems to think the sertraline isn't right for me as I shouldn't still be feelig like this. I've booked in to see my doctor monday night so I think I'm going to ask for a different one. I so wish I could feel better for next week for my children.  How are you doing anyway. Are you feeling any better?  xxx
    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 susan87364

      Posted

      Sorry to hear you are still feeling bad hopefully the doctors can change the tablets for you. I'm still the same but heart pulptations are constant which makes me worry I have also cut down from 4mg dizepam aday to 2mg aday so thinking it could have something to do with that. Really hope u are better for Christmas xx
    • ings24
      ings24 cloe46559

      Posted

      I had that uncomfortable chest thing. It did improve but was very bad for a while. Also a feeling of a lump somewhere in my throat. 
    • cloe46559
      cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Susan just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas and hope you have a great day. 

      Iv had a good week but typical went down hill yesterday and still feel ill today no Christmas dinner for me 😞

    • cloe46559
      cloe46559 ings24

      Posted

      Do u get like acid coming up in your throat which makes you feel so sick. I can't get rid of it. 

      Merry Christmas to you have you have a great day. 

    • cloe46559
      cloe46559

      Posted

      Heya wondering how your doing?? X
    • jennycono
      jennycono cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi, I'm Jenny. I just read your conversations and they have made me feel a lot better. I'm on day 5 of Zoloft and Xanax. It's been really hard. I have constant anxiety if I'm not all drugged up on xanax and my anxiety is why I'm taking the Zoloft. I have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday and a consultation with a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy. I just hope I can get through this side effect of having worse anxiety.
    • natalie06867
      natalie06867 jennycono

      Posted

      hi Jenny. I am day 8 today. day 6 I couldn't cope and hubby took over kids but day 7 he took day off made me get up try some food and by lunch time I felt a bit better. mornings are worse for me so I need to try and break the cycle may go out for a little walk. The worst. I had no depression all my symptoms were sudden anxiety so hoping I can cope with additional anxiety whilst sertraline kicks in x
    • cathy26010
      cathy26010 cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Chloe, just reading through these messages and noticed you talking about palpatations. I'm on day 7 25mg sertraline going up tomorrow to 50mg and since I've started them I have heart flutters nearly all day. Was putting me off taking the tablets but how long did u have them for? Thank u 
    • christine01588
      christine01588 cathy26010

      Posted

      Hi all, Im suffering severe anxiety and have been on 50mg sertraline for about 10 years (for other reasons)  so when i hit this patch i was told to increase it.  I went up to 100mg and was sick for about 2 days but then ok and was just starting to have days where i felt "normal"  when it was time to increase it again to 150mg.  Well since i have gone up to 150mg 5 days ago my anxiety has come back to what it was before i started!  Having really awful spikes of scary attacks and very weepy.  Im so gutted as i was just thinking i was getting somewhere and now its come back worse.  Ive read a lot of comments saying that anxiety can rocket when inceasing the dose, has anyone else experienced this?  how long did it take to go away?  thanks 
    • james8206
      james8206 christine01588

      Posted

      The upped dosage should be in response to an event similar to why it was upped from 50mg to 100mg. If 100mg was working okay there's no reason to increase it. Obviously discuss it with the doc but you need to make it clear you were okay on 100mg. Ask questions and make suggestions from your own research. It's a joint effort between you and your doc. I keep a daily log to talk over with my doc.
    • lola1081
      lola1081 james8206

      Posted

      Omg thank god am not alone, but am on my third week but still feel super worried about stuff, and I have sleeping problems and I still fear sleeping and am scared..because I cant remember if insomnia came first or anxiety, I mean I've always anxiety all my life I worry about little things and I guess this happened when I got sick and started searching on the internet for the worst, and I always think the worst , like that "fatal insomnia" disease I heard about today now am freaking out and I can't believe I would let myself fall for little things. Like its only 9 cases they've had in the whole world. And of course I freak out... i feel stupid. And ugh, its just so bad how I make myself believe things, and its like my chest is so tight 24/7 and this head sensation thats killing me, plus feeling shaky or mad for no apparent reason.. I don't know anymore but, I'ma leave my hope on sertraline, am just so scared... and feel like am staying like this for life. oh and I forgot to mention my does was 25 mg and doc raised it to 50mg the 2nd week, but I developed a random bruise and idk if its from the sertraline or Trazodone 100mg that am on.

      Please any suggestions

    • lola1081
      lola1081

      Posted

      Forgot to mention am only 18 years old about to be 19
    • tracey11164
      tracey11164 lola1081

      Posted

      Hi lol how u doing now I'm day 7 on increase of sertraline just wish the increase in anxiety would go hate it so much x
    • nina21823
      nina21823 tracey11164

      Posted

      Hi just read your post about sertraline. Hope your doing better I am on my 7th day and was wondering how long the spikes of anxiety last it's driving me crazy. 😤😤
    • tracey11164
      tracey11164 nina21823

      Posted

      Hi nine I'm just approaching 5wks and still getting anxiety but last couple of days havnt been as bad but I know what u mean it's one horrible road these tablets with the side effects
    • sarah09381
      sarah09381 nina21823

      Posted

      Hi nina after 14 days my symptoms were getting worse not better so doc changed me I'd also ad diff tranquilisers which didn't work so back on citalapram and diazepam and a week of sleeping tablets 
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