New on sertraline - Help!

Something you need to remember is everyone is different. But for me, I've been on 200mg dose for a year now. It has helped a lot. I still have bad spells. I think it's when I'm feeling run down from an illness or have too much happen in one day. I can have days on end where I am a couch potato. Just try to motivate yourself In those moments to do anything, no matter how small. which is a lot easier said then done.

I also have weekly appointments to see a therapist, it helps if you're still struggling. But all in all, I would give it a bit more time before you think about going to your GP about other medications or up the dose. I have had 3 different anti-depressants and for me sertraline helped the most.

As for your side-effects it could just be your body adjusting to the medication, or you could have an illness like a cold. I also cannot drink alcohol with my tablets as it send me very dizzy and it's as if I'd never taken the tablets, but as I said everyone is different.

One last tip, I found I would sleep a lot on the sofa. Try not to do this, only sleep/nap in bed, try not to watch tv in bed either watch it in the living room or kitchen, this also helped me feel less 'heavy headed' when I started taking it, as it gives my life abit of routine then I started adding 'make hot water bottle' or 'have a wash' 'get dressed' slowly build up if you find it easier.

I hope that you start to feel better soon and I hope this helped a little or at least made you feel less alone.

Hi Min

Have you taken Sertraline before for your anxiety and depression? I was bad for2/3 days in the first week but had to get up to take the kids to school and pick up I had no choice. Probably a good thing as it would be so easy to do nothing.

Have a phone consultation with your dr - I did a couple of times - he assured me that what I was feeling was expected for the timescale at that time. He didn't want to increase my dose and I go back in 2 weeks (6 weeks taking 50mg) so I'm hoping for even more improvements.

I presume it depends on your circumstances and level of illness as to how each individual responds and reacts to both the illness and the medication.

My main symptoms are the anxiety, overwhelming thoughts, lack of appetite and simple tasks can be long-winded. I'm taking it step by step.

Sue x

Hello,

I've just registered on this site as I'm currently on day 13 of taking Sertraline and feel atrocious. I'm also on 50mg. I've had it in the past for anxiety and remember these similar symptoms. I think it's easy to forget though and I've used it probably a handful of times for mild anxiety. I obviously feel better after months of usage because then I've stopped each time. Probably silly really as I think " I want to do it without meds" and then always slip back into feeling anxious. (I have ocd!) I will probably stay on them now as this time I'm having horrible thoughts and the whole 'bleak outlook' of depression, I had post natal after having my son and the feelings are the same. These then also make me panic! Really wouldn't wish any of these feelings on my worst enemy!

I started on the 23rd December after noticing I felt anxious and possibly the time of year doesn't help being so dark. Well the first afternoon my heart was racing and each day I've felt panicky but it does seem to be getting worse so I think I'll call the doctor and see if I can have something like diazapam to calm me down. All the posts I've read and the brilliant people I've spoken to who have taken it say to stick with it and they felt the same for a while. It is awful, I've lost most of my appetite, sweating, hot flushes, feels like constant anxiety and the awful depressive overwhelming thoughts, all started properly since beginning sertraline.

I think we just need to stick with it, I feel your pain it's horrible, but I've also read if it makes you feel worse to begin with that's a good sign it will work well. X x

Hi min, how you getting on with the sertaline? How long have you been on it for now? I've been on it for 15days, 6days 25mg and 9days 50mg. The side effects are horrible and the last few days have been worse with a low mood. I also wake up with anxiety which isn't nice either, I know it's early days but so hard to get through xx