Worried about Sertraline.

Hi there

I've been on it for eighteen months but am thinking of coming off now as I have another condition that requires propranolol which also helps with anxiety. I found it difficult to get to sleep and used herbal sleeping tablets from boots which helped me. Personally I wouldn't go onto prescription sleeping pills as they are addictive. 

Also it is important that you have a controlled withdrawal of such meds to prevent nasty reactions to reducing and stopping them.

Also it apparently matters when you take the tablet, I've always taken mine (50mgs) at bedtime trying to avoid side effects but if you speak to your pharmacist they will advise you as taking it at a different time of day might  help your normal sleep pattern return. All drugs have what they call a life meaning how long each tablet lasts in your system and how long after you've taken it will have it strongest effects.

Hope all that makes sense and good luck

Worrying is natural but it only makes things worse mate.

1. I have used Sertraline for 13 years ( a low dose for most of that) and have just come off it. It enabled me to do a very pressurised job, from which I have just retired.

2. Sounds like it will suit you OK as you have not suffered severe side effects, which is good. If you do - go back to the GP.

3. I believe it is NOT addictive and my own experience would confirm that.

4. Within 3 weeks you will feel a lot better. It seems like a long time so keep yourself BUSY - do NOT sit at home, or on your own and dwell. Keep your body active and try to get out and about.

5. I took mine after breakfast - not on an empty stomach.

6. Avoid alocohol - it will cancel out the benefits of Sertraline.

Best Wishes.

Thanks guys, I would like to ask one more thing. Do the secondary effects usually last until you stop taking it or does it go away once your organism gets used to it? I think I'm having some troubles with my libido and although I can masturbate, it takes longer and almost can't ejaculate.

Hello my friend, I have been taking Sertraline for about 2 years now and I can safely say it has changed my life for the better. It is NOT addictive, once your better you can come off it gradually. As Tezez says, you shouldn't come off it quickly.

Just like you I was very nervous about taking it and put it off for a few weeks but it does work and I have varied the dose depending on circumstances, work, etc. 

I also have problems with libido but like you the problem is mild. And I would much rather have a mild libido problem than feel anxious! 

I totally agree with everything Daddee has said, that is sound advice. In a way it is actually a good thing to identify anxiety at a young age as you can adjust your lifestyle, career, relationships, etc to overcome or prevent it.

I also strongly believe alternative methods can compliment or even replace medication. Investigate meditation, read up on positive thinking and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and remember...your are not the first or only person to feel anxious. Everyone feels anxious at some point in their life. 

:-)

 

hey, i'm in the exact same boat as you - 19 years old, started Setraline recently, doctor upped me to 100mg though but i'm not sleeping well (although i don't know whether that's from waking up and anxiety stopping me from getting back to sleep) and my libido is unusually low. also my jaw is constantly tense and my appetite isn't great. 

setraline is great though, once it kicks in. i had a good couple of weeks before i went cold turkey, assuming i was 'all better' when actually it had only just started to work..

i've read through quite a few forum discussions and decided i'll take it at 100 for a month, then go down to 50mg again for a month and taper off to 25mg a day, then 25mg every two days etc... have you considered doing something like that?

all i'd say is don't go cold turkey, it made me feel awful both mentally and physically.