Sertraline - my 8 week story

Hi my experience on 100mg sertraline for 8yrs is somewhat different i to had to wait more than 8 weeks for sertraline to stop my anxiety which it eventually did however it doesn't do much or anything for depression or ocd it has now totally ruined my life i suffer extreme muscle weakness waist massive weight which happened within 6months from 10stone to 16stone massive abdominal fat i sleep all day feel like a zombie my advice is don't stay on them forever just temporary too late for me now the withdrawal symptoms are horrendous brain zaps insomnia life ruined over a little white tablet.

Thank you so much for saying this, I keep reading at 6 weeks I should be good, made me feel better to read 8 weeks was your turning point.

I was on 25 mg for 3 weeks and upped to 50 mg 3 weeks ago.... I feel much better than I did, but still have stomach knots and some palpitations, nothing like before, but I still have some bad days and just want to be myself again. I really tried so hard not to go on the meds as I just had cancer and was on so many meds,... and chemo, so I CBD'd myself, but it just didnt work. I am really hoping in another 2 weeks it goes into gear... but at least I am not just sitting and crying... which is defiitely an improvement.

Hi I've been on 50mg sertraline for just over 9 days and I'm at my wits end. The side effects are awful I can't eat have nausea all day get so upset as I keep thinking they are not working. The diaera has sort of settled but left with chronic indigestion and nausea can't get up even to move about without feeling so ill. Did you suffer with indigestion any information appreciated

thanks

thanks for posting your experience Richard, I have been on Sertraline for 3 weeks, i did start to feel better after 2 weeks, but my main concern is the hunger, I am starving on and off throughout the day and have a craving for sweet things, i noticed a 3lb weight gain which i could do without and this is putting me off taking the tablets, one of my friends has put 12lbs on and another 3 stones whilst taking Sertraline, however their mood and anxiety is much better, im wondering how many more people have the hunger and weight gain.

thanks

hi all. just wanted to give my story in the hope that others will find comfort in relating. i am on sertraline 50mg, just over 4 weeks in. after 2 weeks i had a few days where i felt loads better but then all of a sudden i was back to step 1. horrendous nausea, overwhelming anxiety, horrible stomach, no sleep. i could barely drag myself out of bed. over the last week i have gotten slightly better but the mornings are still almost unbearable. i often have thoughts that i will never get better and feel completely hopeless but this forum keeps me going! i always feel much better in the evenings and just enjoy that time feeling human again. then in the morning its groundhog day and all the side effects are back. i have seen a lot of people saying 8 weeks was their turning point so i am doing my best to hold out to then. i find short morning walks really help as if i stay in bed the anxiety takes over. I have also been keeping a diary to document my days. this has helped me a lot. make sure you find someone to talk to. so much value is discussing how you're feeling. stay strong guys, we will get through this!

Thank you for sharing this. This gives me hope that it may work. I've been contemplating whether I should change this medication to something else.I am in my fifth week and I haven’t felt any better. I was on 50mg but I upped my dose to 75 mg this week in hopes that I will feel better. I know it takes time but this is very difficult. I’m taking it for my anxiety and this is heightened my anxiety tremendously. I guess time will tell.

Hi Richard

Firstly thank u so much for taking the time to share your story. I have searched the internet for weeks now looking for success stories regarding sertraline and I vow that once I am better I will share mine 😊. I am 3 and a half weeks into taking 50mg sertraline. It's been horrendous. I havnt left the house now for around 4/5 weeks. I think I have had every side effect. I know it must be having some positive effect as I can now get up out of bed and take a shower . But the heavy head syndrome just takes over ,, did u have that ? It is so hard to explain. I have had a couple of days were I have felt a switch go off and I feel like me again and that heavy head goes but then it comes back again. It is so disheartening. I plan to keep going at it and that is thanks to you and other people too who have posted their experiences. I cannot wait to be me again. I hope you a&e continuing to do well. Thank you Mary x

thank you so much for all details

I just finished my first week and I suppose to be 2weeks on 25 mg and if well tolerated to increase 50mg for two weeks and increase every 2weeks by 25 mg if tolerated.

so far I did have a headache for first 3days nausea, lose stool, sweat difficulty sleeping, sweating, dry mouth, tiredness, and my anxiety is increased but not every day out of 7 days i did have 3 good days .

just being tired and shaky is annoying.

anyone else has same effect as me .

thank you so much for all details

I just finished my first week and I suppose to be 2weeks on 25 mg and if well tolerated to increase 50mg for two weeks and increase every 2weeks by 25 mg if tolerated.

so far I did have a headache for first 3days nausea, lose stool, sweat difficulty sleeping, sweating, dry mouth, tiredness, and my anxiety is increased but not every day out of 7 days i did have 3 good days .

just being tired and shaky is annoying.

anyone else has same effect as me .

Hi Richard,

How do you stay active despite the tiredness?

I used to be physically active, but since I started feeling depressed and anxious, I started working out less.. which caused weight gain.

Then came sertraline, and I can't find the will to workout.. I am in my first week, still taking 25 mg.

I suffer with severe anxiety have tried two other meds no help - they put me on 25 mg of zolft for a week then uped it to 50 mg and I m now in my third week of 50 mg I have some really good days but then I get hit with an off day - have you experienced that at all?