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Need help with anxiety medication Sertraline

Posted , 11 users are following.

shaun98J
shaun98J

So a while back I got prescribed Sertraline because of anxiety that I have been experiencing for a good few years now and the doctor told me not to read the side effects as it will probably put me off taking them, so of course the first thing I did was looked at the side effects and seen things about cancer, hallucinations ect. this has caused me to not take my medication and resulted in me not being able to do things I should be doing like work and going out.

I would be grateful if anyone who has taken these before can give an idea of any feelings or things that happend to you during your time taking Sertraline

Thanks!

2 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

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  • arwen1972
    arwen1972 shaun98J

    Posted

    Every mediation has side effects. You need to be back on some kind of medication or you won't be able to function. You also need to bear in mind that that chances of these types of things happening are beyond rare.
  • louise37661
    louise37661 shaun98J

    Posted

    Hi I had more anxiety when I first started sertraline I went up to 150mg but when it kicked in it was great for anxiety and depression good luck 🌼
  • shaun98J
    shaun98J

    Posted

    I first got prescribed Sertraline about 2 years but never took them because of what I had read. Just want to know if its worth taking them I've heard that you change in personality and sometimes don't go back to how you were previous to taking them and that you don't function as normal. Plus the doctor told me that I can become basically reliant on the medication and can get really bad withdrawal effects after I stop taking them
    • SkyeBeth
      SkyeBeth shaun98J

      Posted

      Shaun, after suffering from anxiety and depression does anyone really go back to how they were?  I doubt many people go back to their carefree lives but I don't think this is necessarily because of the antidepressants but because of the events that set us on this course of depression and anxiety in the first place.  
  • jinny23
    jinny23 shaun98J

    Posted

    Hi

    I have had ME for about 3 years now and I have experienced good times and bad. Last year I lost the use of my legs temporarily but I persevered. At the moment, I am working hard in self control, pacing, diet and supplementing. I have a cousin who has taken the smallest possible dose of Sertraline for 19 years and she has advised me to take it. She is recovering well but still works at it.

    I started taking it 2 weeks ago, 50 mg a day, early in the morning. My brain fog has cleared, I have slowed down and I no longer have a mind that races. I am reading up on ME and looking at ways to relax which I know will help.

    Neither my doctor nor my cousin's specialist spoke of cancer ! I don't think My doctor would have agreed had the risk been that great.

    Like everything in life, we take risks from time to time. Let's hope my number isn't up too soon..... smile

    Maybe do as I have done, take 25mg, a very small dose, and see how it affects you. You can always increase to 50mg without taking too big a dose once a day.

    Anyway, all the best and look for the positives!!!

    good luck

    Jinny23,

  • Gina16140
    Gina16140 shaun98J

    Posted

    Shaun, I was prescribed sertraline 2 weeks ago, 50mg daily, lasted 8 days on them as the side effects were horrendous, everyone is different, but thats my experience x

     

    • jinny23
      jinny23 Gina16140

      Posted

      hi

      What side effects did you have , out of interest.. ?

      Jinny23

    • Gina16140
      Gina16140 jinny23

      Posted

      nausea, diarrhea, my anxiety increased tenfold, couldnt get out of bed, was terrified to fall asleep, was at the point of suicide, I was also taking propanolol, which a nurse at NHS24 told me today should not have been prescribed to me, as it can increase suicdal thoughts.I am due to start fluoxitine on Monday, in the meantime i am taking 4mg of diazepam 3 times a day,terrified of having the same side effects with the fluoxitine sad
    • jinny23
      jinny23 Gina16140

      Posted

      hi

      I'm just off to bed so I won't keep you up too long...

      Just to say when I had depression, I was guven Fluoxitin and it helped me tremendously with no side effects but I was careful to come

      off them slowly over months.

      I have had no side effects from Sertraline but maybe that is because I started on 25mg and am only going up to 50mg. I' m using to sync my mind and body whilst I have ME. It won't be addictive either because the dose is small.

      Maybe cut your tablet in half and take half the dose for a month then increase it. You should then avoid the side effects.

      Good luck and let me know how you get on

      Best wishes

      Jinny23

    • Gina16140
      Gina16140 jinny23

      Posted

      thanks Jinny,got an appointment with my GP Monday, I will let you know how I get on, 

      Sleep well hunni

      Gina x

  • deirdre._03652
    deirdre._03652 shaun98J

    Posted

    Hi Shaun,

    I am sorry that you are facing difficulties, it can be very, very distressing.....I am on 200mg sertraline every day, us 250mgs..of pregabalin every day as well...I have to say that sertraline literally saved my life..!! I would never functioned without them....

    Pregabalin has helped greatly,,, for both anxiety and panic trd

  • virginia97082
    virginia97082 shaun98J

    Posted

    You do need to be careful with these pills i ahd allergic reaction to them if you try them take a very small dose if anything happens like your breathing being affected then stop them they are ok for some people but not for me good luck
  • rory93
    rory93 shaun98J

    Posted

    My dose got upped to 100mg because 50mg wasn't enough. I find it okay i manage on it but it still comes and goes quite strong
  • jen80798
    jen80798 shaun98J

    Posted

    I have been on the lowest dose Sertraline for two months.  Because of a benign heart condition I have seen a cardiologist who has recommended I stop Amitrptyline and up the Sertraline. As I am sleeping better since starting Sertraline in the morning, combined with Amitriptyline in the evening, I can only hope a double dose will make it better still. I have suffered no side effects.

     

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