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Prescribed sertraline but too scared to take it.

Posted , 7 users are following.

megan10917
megan10917

I have recently been prescribed with sertraline by my doctor after feeling extremely anxious, constantly sick, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and low moods. I want to feel better as I have felt like this for a few months and it has recently got worse. However, after having read about all the nasty side effects I am reluctant to start taking it. I am aware that for most people the side effects only last a few weeks and then the benefits start to be felt, but I do not want to feel worse and I'm not sure it's worth starting. I have also been prescribed diazepam to help ease me into sertraline. Does anyone have any experience with this? Or can anyone recommend any natural remedies because I am reluctant to try drugs?

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • megan10917
    megan10917

    Posted

    Also can anyone give an information about withdrawal? When I feel better and decide to stop taking it, will I experience bad withdrawal symptoms? Is it addictive?
    • Guest
      Guest megan10917

      Posted

      Hi Megan.....I know how off putting the side  effects are.i hadn't been on any medication for nearly a year when I realised I needed to start again.I had stopped taking Citalopram which made me feel chronic fatigue a lot of the time,so wanted to try something different.I was given Sertraline 50 mg and for the first  three weeks I halved the tablets with a pill cutter,thereby taking 25 mg .I wanted to give my body a chance to adjust to the new medication with a minimum of side effects...So far so good and it hasn't been too bad.You need to way up the pros & cons....If the depression is bad I would give it a shot...However Diazepam,although a very useful relaxant can also make some people depressed,certainly for me they are.We are all different.All the best in whatever you choose to do.Sally x
    • megan10917
      megan10917 Guest

      Posted

      Thank you for sharing your experiences.  I have also been advised to start on 25 mg and then increase it to 50 after 2-3 weeks once the side effects have calmed down. I am still weighing up the best option to take. Megan x
  • Digsby
    Digsby megan10917

    Posted

    Hi Megan,

    I'm just wondering if you have been prescribed any anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication in the past? I guess the majority of us are in the position we now find ourselves, not wanting to take medication that alters our body & brain chemicals but it has become a last resort for us because we are desperate (or is that just me?) Please don't be put off by the long list of side-effects. I prefer to read these patient forums to find out what I can commonly expect. So for instance, I wasn't too alarmed when I experienced night-time heart palpatations which did subside. Any side effects that are worse than your anxiety symptoms and that last for several days would be cause for alarm and you should then seek medical advice. At this stage, I wouldn't get too hung up on the withdrawal side either. If you find something is of real benefit to you, then you won't want to come off it. When the time is right, you will know and withdrawal should be very, very gradual. I know it's daunting but try to be positive and as Sally recommends, you need to consider the up side and the down side - can you afford not to give medication a try when it has worked so many other people who feel the same way as you do?

    Follow your heart and take one step at a time to regaining your confidence and self-belief. Don't be ashamed of asking for help or needing a chemical boost to get you back on track - that's what they are designed for :-)

    With very best wishes. Let us know how you get on. We're all routing for you!

    Digsby

    xx

    • megan10917
      megan10917 Digsby

      Posted

      Hi Digsby, 

      No I have never taken anything before. I have just been feeling quite down and anxious over the last few months but it has got worse recently and symptoms have worsened. I suppose I don't want to start taking sertraline because I don't want it to be long term and it all seems very definite. Perhaps if I continue to feel bad I will start taking them. 

      Many thanks! Megan x

  • chris23342
    chris23342 megan10917

    Posted

    Hi Megan. I felt exactly the same as you. It seems that these problems are becoming more widespread and ad s are needing to be prescribed as a result. I have been experiencing anxiety and depression for years and always denied it. I treated it with exercise, natural remedies, etc...with shades of success. Last September I began to feel as you described after a series of difficult life events. It felt like a breakdown. I had little alternative so I took the meds. The start up effect s were tricky for a few weeks but the diazepam helped. I started to feel better gradually from 4-6 week s. I felt more like myself at 12-14 week s. I still get the odd few rough days here and there but don't we all? So I am personally glad I took them after being oh so reluctant to do so. Take it one day at a time. Good luck and ask for advice any time. That's why we 're here .
    • megan10917
      megan10917 chris23342

      Posted

      Hi Chris. Your experience on sertraline is reassuring. Did you feel that taking diazepam for the first week helped to minimise the side effects? What other side effects did you have difficulty with, if you don't mind my asking?  Thank you. Megan 
    • chris23342
      chris23342 megan10917

      Posted

      Hi no probs. Diazepam did help but I really limited my use of it. I guess I also suffered with dry tongue for a week, itchy skin and slightly blurred vision. I had a little insomnia at the start too but it dissappated . Ask any questions you like 😊
  • karen261
    karen261 megan10917

    Posted

    Hi Megan

    Im on sertraline have been on it a few months, like you i have difficulty sleeping, i cant say theres no side effects with me on this drug, i mean i get ringing in my ears ive had that for years since being on other antedepressants. but if your not on any antidepressants some people say st johns wort is good, i think that is herbal, but i dont know if you can take it with diazepam, i know you cant take them with antidepressants. For me i do exercise as well if i cant sleep, ive tried hypnotherpy, that didnt work for me but it might for others.  swimming helps you relax. meditaition is suposed to be good. pilates and yoga help me. i hope this helps.

    • megan10917
      megan10917 karen261

      Posted

      Thank you Karen. I am slightly worried that I will struggle with the side effects and find it difficult to continue with the drug, so perhaps it will be worth me looking into herbal alternatives. Yes I do also find exercise to help. Thank you very much. Megan 
  • karen261
    karen261 megan10917

    Posted

    Hi Megan

    i dont blame you for not wanting to try these drugs, sometimes i wish i hadnt either, ive been taking them for 11 years now, ive tried coming off them without success.

    take care i wish you luck.

    from karen

    • megan10917
      megan10917 karen261

      Posted

      Yes that's exactly the thing I am worried about! I don't want to be taking them long term so for the moment I will be trying alternative remedies. 

      Thank you and good luck as well. Megan 

  • june46299
    june46299 megan10917

    Posted

    I'm exactly the same,I haven't started mine yet as I have somewhere important to go this week,and I can't risk the possible side effects.I'll be following this with interest,as I'm still undecided.Good luck.
    • megan10917
      megan10917 june46299

      Posted

      I have exams coming up over the next couple of weeks and so my anxiety is bad but I can't risk it getting worse as I need to study and take the exams. I have decided to try alternative methods before I rush into taking drugs. I am trying rescue remedy after hearing positive things about it. I will also be taking vitamin B because apparently this is responsible for cognitive health and I will be eating a better diet and exercising more. I will make a decision after this because I dont want to be taking drugs for the long term if I can help it. Thank you and good luck with your decision too. 
  • june46299
    june46299 megan10917

    Posted

    hi Megan

    hope exams are going well.I've decided to wait too,as my daughter got married abroad last week and we also have the evening do this week,I daren't risk the side effects that everyone seems to have.I want to feel better not worse,your other ideas are good.

    Good Luck

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