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starting sertraline tonight and anxious!! some advice would be great.....

Posted , 16 users are following.

sher08
sher08

Hi all, well im starting 50mg of sertraline tonight for anxiety and intrusive thoughts, i have been battling this for a year now but was too scared to take anything for it because of the side effects and incase i felt worse! Can anyone give me any advice on when is the best time to take it and if its helped you feel better?? Thanks smile 

2 likes, 121 replies

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  • Guest
    Guest sher08

    Posted

    Just in case....You probably know you can buy a pill cutter from any decent chemist to get as close to a proper half  as possible.All the best to all of you guys x x
  • Digsby
    Digsby sher08

    Posted

    Hi guys,

    Just read your postings with interest. Although I'm new to Sertraline (it's my latest hope!) I'm an old-timer when it comes to chronic depression and anti-depressants. They have always helped me through crisis in the past, but not on their own. I have also needed some form of counselling or therapy (often just a few sessions). I know the waiting list for therapy is ridiculously long, but have any of you received any helpful therapy? I'm awaiting my first session of group minfulness and 1-2-1 therapy in self-compassion, both later this month. I know I am lucky to have these sessions to look forward to and give me some hope. I am struggling with suicidal depression, rather than anxiety (not to say that one is any worse for the sufferer than the other).

    Good luck to us all :-)

    Digsby

  • sher08
    sher08

    Posted

    So took my first 1 last night and hafta say i think i seen every hour on the clock go by, feel quick dizzy and light headed and an emotional wreck, is this normal???? I did only take 25mg 
    • Guest
      Guest sher08

      Posted

      Hi Sher...So sorry you had a rough night.I would try having something to eat just before taking your tablet or have it with food,hopefully this will minimise the nausea.I take mine in the morning,however this is a personal choice.I think the side effects vary quite a bit from person to person.May I ask you what make of Sertraline you are taking,just out of interest?I really hope whatever side effects you may go through will dissipate soon and you will be feeling better...It can be a bummer at first.All best Sally x x
    • sher08
      sher08 Guest

      Posted

      Not feelin too bad now and to be fair iv been havnt been well the past week with a bug so thats probably the cause aswell! Im not sure they packet is at home im in work sad il get back to you l8r smile xxxx
  • vikki2303
    vikki2303 sher08

    Posted

    Hi, I'm new to this forum but I have been on it everyday looking at other peoples comments on sertraline. I have been taking sertraline 50 mg now for 16 days, I also take propranolol 40mg 3 x a day for physical side of panic for the past 3 months. I am def seeing a difference from the sertraline, I know I have a long way to go yet but I am actually having positive thoughts instead of before always thinking negative and over analizing everything. I was stuck in my house for 4 months previous to taking sertraline, couldn't move from the sofa, didn't want to be around anyone feeling this way (even my partner and son) had no hope for the future so I managed to get the doctors (which took a lot for me ) and she prescribed sertraline, I had them for 3 wks before I took them as was so scared of side effects and thought they would send me  crazy, the first 7-10 days I had dry mouth, heightened anxiety (but I was already suffering it anyway for 4 months), bad tummy, loss of appetite, agitation, but to fair I was sooooo bad before the meds that I was used to feeling anxious 24/7, but now for the past few days I can feel myself getting back the old me. So for anyone scared of taking them I would like to put your mind at rest and say take it, u really have nothing to lose as u were given them for a reason in the first place. Take care and if I can help in anyway just message me x
  • vikki2303
    vikki2303 sher08

    Posted

    Just to add I take mine just as I'm getting into bed and have had no problem with sleep at all, some mornings I just want to stay in bed so I lay there for 10 mins then get up. I was told it's best to take at night before bed so the side effects are not as harsh on your system, but like I have read everyone is different x
    • sher08
      sher08 vikki2303

      Posted

      Thanks vikki, i was prescribed propranolol aswell they are so good at reducing the panicky feeling but i had to stop taking them as i have asthma and they really affected my chest! I will just ride it out and see how it goes?? Has anyone drank alcohol whilst on sertraline? Iv a wedding coming up soon.....
  • vikki2303
    vikki2303 sher08

    Posted

    Hi, have u tried rescue remedy??? I highly recommend it if u have anxiety and u can take it alongside sertraline aswell, it really did help take the edge off the heightened anxiety and I have used it for the past 5 months, u can get a nighttime one aswell if u feel panicky at night etc. and the answer to your question on alcohol with sertraline us yes u can have drink but I would advise u just to have one as it can increase your anxiety x
    • sher08
      sher08 vikki2303

      Posted

      Yes good old rescue remedy i carry it around with me everywhere i go! Good to know your beginning to feel better vikki smile xxx
  • alwaysworrying
    alwaysworrying sher08

    Posted

    HI sher. Just to let you know as I said id keep you posted,  I stopped taking sertraline today. The effects were just too bad for me. I'm usually quite good with illness but I was terrible on these so I decided to quit. I was on seroxat 8 years ago with no side effects so it just shows this drug isn't for everyone. Keep up the good work!
    • Digsby
      Digsby alwaysworrying

      Posted

      Hope you manage to find a medication that suits you better.

      Good luck buddy!

      Digsby

    • sher08
      sher08 alwaysworrying

      Posted

      Aww really? Were the side effects too much? I hope you find a better alternative for yourself! This is only my 2nd day third night 2nite i have been taking 25mg, i havnt slept well and im quite light headed but im keeping busy as i really need to get passed this once and for all! Good luck to you and keep in touch x
    • alwaysworrying
      alwaysworrying sher08

      Posted

      Yes the hightend anxiety was unreal. I just don't think that particular ssri is for me. I was on seroxat years ago and had no side effects so it just goes to show.
  • laura2878
    laura2878 sher08

    Posted

    Hi sher, 

    I gave been taking sertraline for 16 years and I have never looked back , my dose has varied from time to time over the years from 50 to 100 back to 50 and max at 200 and each time I would dread the side effects!! If I'm being honest when I first took them I was feeling so terrible I had all the side effects so it didn't seem to make a difference and I statrred to feel better quite quickly although I had beta blockers and diazepam along side the sertraline.

    I take my meds at night as I find you sleep through the side effects. Also as my doctor told me don't read the side effects leaflet!!!

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