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sertraline, how long before it works?

Posted , 74 users are following.

jenni42789
jenni42789

Hi, I was prescribed sertraline on thursday for anxiety, Ive suffered with it since I was 11 after my dad's sudden death, I used to have panic attacks regularly as a child. I'm now 25 with a 4 and 2 year old and its began to get worse, my 4 yr old is in pre school and I get really anxious about school runs, I turn down invitations to any sort of social situations as I panic so much. I sit and worry about all most anything and it gets me really down, I just want to be worry free and able to enjoy these precious years while my children are little! Anyway I have taken 2 tablets so far (50mg) and ive had all sorts of side effects, shaking, feeling cold, nausea, teeth grinding and ringing in my ears. These I can deal with if it doesn't go too long... just wondering how long before they start to work? Just want to feel normal again sad

2 likes, 162 replies

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  • tara88484
    tara88484 jenni42789

    Posted

    Hello to you all. I have really appreciated your feed back. I start this on 50mg tomorrow. I had a car accident 5yrs ago and sufferred with chronic pain since. Ws diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2015. Symptoms of pain and more recently insane chronic fatigue. I worked at the Royal Marsden Cancer hospital in radiotherapy for 15yrs. I loved my job but lost it due to ill health Xmas 2016. I was also teaching yoga. Which has also stopped. Plus im sadly mourning not having children. Im 47. I guess due to extreme feelings of loss i have experienced heightened anxiety, stress and depression. Im also scarred to take this tablet. THANK YOU all so much. Love and well being and balance to you all. Xxx

  • jennifer32534
    jennifer32534 jenni42789

    Posted

    Hi jenny hope your feeling better im wondering anyone ever get a viral infection and r anxiety and depression hits??
  • jessica_66399
    jessica_66399 jenni42789

    Posted

    HI im 16 and have just been prescribed setraline, a few months back I was a happy teenager with a boyfriend of 2 years and enjoyed my life when one day I suffered a terrifying panic attack and have been in fear of another which has sent me down a hole of depression. I have just started taking 25mg of the tablets and a more only a few days in but I’m having fears the tablets may not work as they have left me feeling more depressed and anxious. Can anyone put my mind at ease I’m worried I will be stuck in this state forever!!!
  • catherine24768
    catherine24768 jenni42789

    Posted

    Hi jenni

    Everything you have mentioned my daughter felt it was quite bad and frightening for her and me onlooking, it took another visit to the doctor to adjust the dose and things have settled  she still suffers with anxiety nothing like a few months ago things thinga that bothered her don't seem to be important but yet still anxiety pops in and out I'm leaving it another few weeks and if not completely settled we will up her dose again    Finding meds that work can take sometime, but you will get there , those horrible symptoms will pass keep that in your mind        Thinking of you and Hope tomorrow wil be a better  day 😊

  • lewis62171
    lewis62171 jenni42789

    Posted

    Hi Everyone,

    Just wanted to drop in my experiences with sertraline because I can see that a lot of people are wondering if it works.

    First of all please know that whatever you're currently feeling you are not alone!

    When I first started on SSRIs I began on citralopram which for two years worked wonders. I then found myself back to square one so my Gp recommended I change to sertraline this was about 5 years ago.

    Always remember that when you first start SSRIs the chemical imbalance will probably make you worse for the first 2-3 weeks. You'll notice that you may take on worries that you never had before. I experienced intrusive thoughts which was horrendous and I didn't think there would be an end.

    Whilst I can't remember the exact time period it took me to recover, I definitely did with time.

    I came off all tablets around May 2017 and was generally fine although maybe a bit more grumpy (I have just changed jobs and currently planning a wedding so a bit of anxiety was to be expected).

    Christmas 2017 I was knocked off my feet whilst overthinking at work and found myself dropping down the hole again. I was reluctant to start up my tablets again as I though I had it in me to recover by myself. Things were looking up in the new year and I thought I was getting back to to myself.

    January 2018 came and I dropped straight back into the hole. It felt as if I woke up with a dark cloud over my head every morning which only lifted around 7-8 o'clock at night.

    After discussions with my fiancé and parents I decided to go back to my Gp to go back onto sertraline. I've been on them for a little over a week and feel that my anxiety and panic attacks have got worse.

    I know this is a temporary stage and that I'll get over it which is what is pulling me through.

    I've also used the technique on -

    https://www.nopanic.org.uk/relaxation-technique/

    Which has helped me when I'm in a bad spot.

    Please remember that taking SSRIs is because of a chemical imbalance which is no fault of your own. Don't feel guilty for taking them and be patient. You will get there!!

    Lewis x

    • kerry83144
      kerry83144 lewis62171

      Posted

      Hi. I am the same. I took a ssri a few years ago after having my son, things got better and I stopped taking it, all was great. Just after Christmas I started feeling really anxious and down, no energy and not wanting to do anything. I went to my gps and discussed, I started sertraline on Monday at 25 mg and aim to increase or to 50 tomorrow,
    • lewis62171
      lewis62171 kerry83144

      Posted

      Sorry that you're not feeling the best Kerry. It must be all the excitement of Christmas that's set us off haha! Are you feeling like your anxiety has worsened since taking the tablets again?

    • catherine24768
      catherine24768 lewis62171

      Posted

      My daughter on the highest dose and has had a relapse I’m sitting here in pieta house waiting to talk to her Councellor as she is not improving she is in the Meds about 6 months now I thought there was improvement but unfortunately we are back to the start  has anyone had this problem would she need a change of antidepressants 
    • lewis62171
      lewis62171 catherine24768

      Posted

      I hope everything is OK.

      Maybe the meds didn't work for her which is completely normal.

      I would suggest she speaks to her Gp about switching SSRIs as there are so many different kinds which help.

      I've just been put onto propranolol which stops anxiety attacks to help while I get used to the meds.

    • catherine24768
      catherine24768 lewis62171

      Posted

      Thanks 

      I have given her a full break from school and she studying at home for her leaving cert It’s a  difficult  time I hope it will pass soon 

  • meg20356
    meg20356 jenni42789

    Posted

    Started sertraline 50mg daily, 3 weeks ago. Hardly any side effects. 2 or 3 days of anxious feelings but copeable. Still v low with suicidal thoughts. Life just feels crap. Sick of poverty and see no changes ahead. 57. Anyway, have had a couple of days when felt better then slumped again. GP just upped dose to 100mg a day. Fingers crossed. Will update.

    • catherine24768
      catherine24768 meg20356

      Posted

      Hi meg 

      I know and understand your pain  and want you to know I was there also  , I was told things pass and eventually I felt okay enough to go out after 4 months on the couch  

      This to will pass for you keep that in your mind. This will pass and happiness is there for you   

      I have to work on myself through ups and downs but I always remind myself  my bad times do pass     I wish you happiness 

    • meg20356
      meg20356 karen76207

      Posted

      Hi karen,

      Woke up on Monday past feeling like myself again after a long time of not. And it has continued all week. Today, I actually felt happy! 2 months ago would never have believed that possible. Thank you so much for asking.

      M x

    • meg20356
      meg20356 catherine24768

      Posted

      Hi Catherine,

      Thank you for your kind post. This is my 6th week on sertraline and feel so, SO much better I wouldn't have believed it. Just remarkable and am feeling very thankful. Have been very very sleepy and even worse when dose was increased to 100mg but even the drowsy tiredness has been less in the past couple of days. Thank you again.

      Meg x

    • Kells123a
      Kells123a catherine24768

      Posted

      Hi started 50 mg about 3 weeks ago. Im sleeping, eating going out about my daily life ect. I still have stinging aniexty on my head, also get head fog when I go out, then it clears up. Does this get better in time. Its so frusturating. All I can do is keep going till meds kick in, how long will that be..
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