Sertraline stories please

[feathermucker]

After coming off Mirtazipine successfully, my GP has started me on Sertraline and said to take 25mg for a week before going up to 50mg

Would be grateful for some success stories and how people have found the side effects.

[feathermucker]

Anyone?

[frenchfancy]

DD is on it. It is great now but the first month was hard. Be kind to yourself and get people you love around you.

[ImoAsta]

I was on it for a year, it really really helped. Was on citalopram before that and it didn't really do much for me.
First couple of weeks were tough as it made me feel a bit sick but hang in there and it'll pass!

[Fairydust26]

I’ve been on 50mg since the summer and they’ve been helping. The side effects at the start were rough I had heightened anxiety, dodgy stomach and didn’t have an appetite for the first 2 weeks but they do eventually ease after a little while. I didn’t really feel like they kicked in till week 4-6 but everyone’s different, good that your starting off at a lower dose hopefully that will lesson the side effects for you take it one day at a time hopefully you’ll get some relief from it soon.

[flimflaminurjams]

Personally I thought Sertraline was just what I needed. I was prepared for a rough couple of weeks at first and the side effects were as expected. I had dry mouth, fuzzy head feeling, disrupted sleep, nausea and vomiting all mostly for the first 2 weeks then just the fuzzy head feeling for 3 weeks but then it was fine. I started over Christmas when I didn't have to go to work etc. I think trying to fully function at work whilst just starting on sertraline would be hard.

They did help me to destress. It was as if they stopped my brain from overthinking and worrying with worst case scenarios. I did get quite tired on them, but I'd been sleep deprived for a very long time prior (ill child, bad pregnancy etc) so was glad of the excuse for extra sleep!

I was on them for about 2 and a bit yrs and when I decided to come off (when things at home had changed and circumstances were right), I tapered really slowly so I had hardly any noticeable effect at all. Been 10 months off them.

[feathermucker]

Thank you everyone. I've been on Citalopram a few times in the past and the side effectscwheb starting them were horrific, and I managed that without too much trouble.

I think I just need to be as kind to myself as I can. Lots of long, hot baths and relaxation stuff.

First dose tonight; will see if taking them at a different time helps with any symptoms that might occur.

[UnimaginativeUsername]

I’ve been taking sertraline for about a week (50mg). I was taking citalopram, but it was giving me panic attacks and making me feel almost suicidal. The sertraline is better. I get a bit of a dry mouth but the main side effect is very vivid and odd dreams.

[treeofhearts]

I'm doing the same. Had 25mg for 4 days now with no ill effects so far. Fingers crossed it will continue. Stock up on indigestion tablets though, Omeprazol has been worth it's weight in gold here.

[feathermucker]

Thank you

[laurisse]

I've just been prescribed sertraline and am really paranoid about starting it because of the side effects. I have important meetings at work week after next and i don't want to be incapable. Just started a new role with a new line manager too so really need to prove myself. Ugh. Was thinking I'd start with half dose (25mgs) for a few weeks then increase? Got about 10 days where I can hide / no meetings etc!

[laurisse]

Ps it's nice to find some other people to go through it with

[VileyRose]

I started on 25mg no side effects and no improvement. Went up t9 50mg and again no change. 100mg and felt tired for 3 days but then much better. Went up to 150mg and was life changing! So much better x

[VileyRose]

P.s I take mine at 9pm that stops the tiredness.

[LittlePearl]

My son was prescribed this a few years ago. He had been on Citalopram with limited results, but when he was prescribed Sertraline we saw dramatic improvements within 3 weeks.

I honestly believe it saved his life.

[laurisse]

I've just taken my first 50 mg tablet. Fingers crossed it's not too awful. Having mulled it over since yesterday I figured I'd rather get the side effects over and done with. Still quite scared though!

[MirandaWest]

I took sertraline (think it was 50mg) when I was pregnant with DD. Made me be sick for about 2 weeks but was like morning sickness which I’d just stopped having so was bearable. I found taking it at night helped with that.
Also made me stop wanting to kill myself which was a definite benefit. Think I went up to 100mg but was 13 years ago now so my memory is a bit hazy.

[MrsBertBibby]

It was like a bloody magic wand for me. Took it for anxiety and within a few days my poor brain had just stopped whirring and I could think again. Only bad thing was the not eating was truncated by Christmas. Could have done with losing another stone.

Just tapeed off after 2 years, no trouble at all. Wish I had had it sooner.

[phoenix1973]

I was on 100mg for 18 months.
I reduced gradually during 18-24 months.
At starting and stopping i had terrible diarhoea for a day.
For the first couple of weeks i actually felt hope and happiness for the future.
That went, but i was muted and cotton woolled but i could function properly for work and i was a more patient calm parent.
I had to come off as i was unable to orgasm.
I should probably go back on them to slow my anxious distracted brain.

[DollyTots]

Sertraline was a nightmare for me. I woke up having the most awful panic attack that then spiralled into hallucinating. I was then put onto citalopram due to the bad reaction, which frankly did nothing. I am now on fluoxetine and it's worked wonders for me. It's all about our own biology I guess & what works for one may not for another. Good luck x

[VileyRose]

Honestly I think you will be ok. Don't Google the side effects because if you are anxious to begin with you will imagine and will be looking for them. I've not had any on any dose up to 150mg

[feathermucker]

I took my first 25mg tablet Wednesday evening and was a mess Thursday. I was anxious, felt sick all day and was jittery and a bit shaky.

However, I am willing to give them a go and I have a week off after Tuesday so I'm going to start them again and persevere for a week at least then hopefully the worst of the side effects will be over.

I'm realistic and know this might not be the case, but if I can take some omeprazole aswell and start to find some coping strategies for the side effects so I can manage them until they pass, then it might be ok.

I've read up extensively on them and it seems really common that they make you feel a bit ill initially but that that does pass.

Would be grateful of the support if anyone is about next week.

[VileyRose]

Have you tried taking at night inst3ad? And with food xx

[jimwith2noses]

I'm about 2 months in & the side effects have gone.

Started on 25mg & gradually worked up to 100mg and they've certainly helped with my anxiety / PND. First few weeks I nearly stopped but so glad I stuck with it.

[jimwith2noses]

Oh and I started taking them at night but found it better taking them first thing so you could trial both.

[feathermucker]

When I took the first tablet, I took it in the early evening and found the side effects kicked in about 12 hours later, so maybe the morning would be better?

How did anyone who has taken it cope with the side effects? Did you get omeprazole or similar to cope with the nausea?

Thank yoy. Grateful for any advice.