Will sertraline work? When?!

Pelvicpaininthebum · 2025-10-11T09:08:59+00:00

I've been having anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I started Sertraline 11 days ago at 25mg and then went up to 50mg 4 days ago. I feel my anxiety is worse if anything. I've got constant low level anxiety and am so worn out from it. I'm waking early and feeling panicky. Will the sertraline end up working? I feel so desperate for it to.

noddles080623 · 29/11/2025 19:23

I’m so sorry it don’t work for you darling , do you have another plan of action ? Will you try something else or going to see how you go , appreciate you coming back to update especially as I’ve just started. X

HourlyTime · 29/11/2025 19:21

I thought I should update!

The night sweats and bouts of awful physical anxiety came back again.

I stopped taking sertraline 10 days ago and feel SO much better!! I felt dreadful on it.

I can only say, if you're reading this and really struggling on it - it's okay to not continue and to try something else.

noddles080623 · 29/11/2025 19:21

im So glad your doing a lot better hun !! And thank you for coming back to respond to me I really appreciate it ❤️❤️

noddles080623 · 29/11/2025 19:16

I’m going to scroll back up and look I’ve read it all but didn’t pay attention to names as such … I’m glad your feeling so much better I’m in the depths of despair at the minute 😭 such a battle taking something that is going to make your anxiety so much worse before it gets better. , it’s pretty grim so far , but I have been here before , it’s just hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you fell like your walking through treacle. X

LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 29/11/2025 19:14

I’m in 7.5 weeks, see my previous comments on this thread - I’m feeling sooooo much better - hang in there!

noddles080623 · 29/11/2025 14:22

I’ve taken it before around 5years ago but I honestly forgot how hard it is to get in it , I can’t sleep , can’t eat , heart racing constantly unless I’m taking propanalol , which I’ve ran out of and can’t get to the dr till Monday , I feel like I’m failing everyone I’m a shell of myself and absolutely exhausted.

Rituelec · 29/11/2025 14:20

I promise it does get better xx

Rituelec · 29/11/2025 14:20

I promise it does get better xx

noddles080623 · 29/11/2025 11:19

Hopefully some of the ladies come back to share how they are getting by on an I could do with a virtual hand hold that’s for sure. 😞

MrsPositivity1 · 29/11/2025 08:55

@Pelvicpaininthebum how are you? Hopefully you are feeling the benefit of sertraline now?

noddles080623 · 29/11/2025 08:52

Pelvic how are you feeling now ? Just come across this thread and I’m scrolling the internet searching for hope , I’m on day 4 today and constantly anxious can’t eat a thing and not sleeping , it really is the pits I’ve also got a 2 year old to look after. 😭

InterestedDad37 · 03/11/2025 07:52

Some years ago, when life was very difficult for a number of years, I started on it 3 times in the space of 5 years or so (crisis points).
I simply could not get over the spaced out feeling, and had to stop.
The actual issues went deeper than something which could be chemically masked. I'm through all that now (thankfully) but I couldn't handle sertraline

HourlyTime · 03/11/2025 06:47

Hey OP, how are you doing? I hope you're doing loads better.

I wanted to update just in case anyone reads this thread (I know I scoured many old threads!)

I'm almost 4 weeks into 50g Sertraline and feeling better; the awful side effects started to lift days 14/15.

I definitely feel calmer and a bit more myself, I know it'll take more time for 'full' effect but I'm glad I stuck it out through the rough bit.

I'm also seeing a clinical psychologist which is proving to be hugely, hugely helpful, she believes I'm neurodiverse (pending diagnosis) which would help explain a lot of my anxiety.

Sending lots of well wishes to everyone who needs them!

HourlyTime · 22/10/2025 15:25

Pelvicpaininthebum · 22/10/2025 09:07

Sorry you're feeling low. I would say stick with it. The low feelings did get better for me.

My main problem is I just can't sleep. How is your sleep?

Show quote history

I'm feeling stronger today, my head feels quieter too. Hopefully a corner turned but I'm fully expecting more tough days!

My sleep is getting much better, apart from waking up with night sweats and having very vivid dreams.

But I'm feeling like I'm getting good enough sleep, I'm very lucky I usually sleep well.

If you're still sleeping badly that must be unbearable, I really feel for you. It's like you can't get on top of anything being so sleep deprived.

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 22/10/2025 09:08

LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 21/10/2025 20:57

Yes 50 now. Took 25 for first 5 days. Sleep is now ok. I gradually moved the time to 11am and that helped. First 10 days or so were hell. I am still taking it one day at a time.

Show quote history

I hope it keeps improving for you.

OP posts:

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 22/10/2025 09:07

HourlyTime · 21/10/2025 21:11

I really hope you do turn a corner, OP! Keep us updated.

I'm on day 12 of 50mg, I feel properly rubbish. Yesterday was awful. No interest in anything, I'd happily sleep the whole day away! Not felt this low for a long time. Hoping it starts to feel better soon, or I'll have to quit these/try something else.

Show quote history

Sorry you're feeling low. I would say stick with it. The low feelings did get better for me.

My main problem is I just can't sleep. How is your sleep?

OP posts:

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 22/10/2025 09:06

ScreamingInfidelities · 21/10/2025 22:21

I couldn’t continue, the panic attacks and the constant feeling of fear and dread were unbearable for me. Having some time to let it get out of my system and then discuss next steps with my doc.

Same reaction as me. I'm sorry it's not worked out for us.

I actually feel a lot calmer today but woke after only 1.5 hours last night and ended up taking 7.5mg zopiclone at 2am (think I'm still out of it now) but that gave me less than another 4 hours.

I think I'm going to have to go back on the mirtazapine tonight and pray it doesn't cause the joint pain again.

OP posts:

ScreamingInfidelities · 21/10/2025 22:21

I couldn’t continue, the panic attacks and the constant feeling of fear and dread were unbearable for me. Having some time to let it get out of my system and then discuss next steps with my doc.

Laura95167 · 21/10/2025 21:11

Give it 4-6 weeks

HourlyTime · 21/10/2025 21:11

Pelvicpaininthebum · 21/10/2025 19:35

Hi everyone, I've been very up and down..mostly down.

I had a review today and agreed to taper off sertraline and start Mirtazapine again. I'm really not sure about it as I did not like being on Mirtazapine. I felt very sedated and I'm sure it gave me knee pain.

I'm 14 days on 50mg now, 22 days in total. I feel I may turn a corner soon, I've actually felt pretty ok since this afternoon. I cannot go on feeling like I do most of the time though.

So torn as to what to do.

I really hope you do turn a corner, OP! Keep us updated.

I'm on day 12 of 50mg, I feel properly rubbish. Yesterday was awful. No interest in anything, I'd happily sleep the whole day away! Not felt this low for a long time. Hoping it starts to feel better soon, or I'll have to quit these/try something else.

LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 21/10/2025 20:57

Pelvicpaininthebum · 21/10/2025 20:02

That's great! Are you on 50mg? How is your sleep?

Show quote history

Yes 50 now. Took 25 for first 5 days. Sleep is now ok. I gradually moved the time to 11am and that helped. First 10 days or so were hell. I am still taking it one day at a time.

beepbeepbananabread · 21/10/2025 20:13

I know GP's don't like prescribing benzodiazepines, but when my psychiatrist put me on fluoxetine (another antidepressant) he gave me a small prescription of diazepam alongside so that I could treat the worsening anxiety before the antidepressant finally started working.

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 21/10/2025 20:02

LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 21/10/2025 19:42

I’m on day 14 and the last two days I’ve turned a real corner.

Show quote history

That's great! Are you on 50mg? How is your sleep?

OP posts:

ninjahamster · 21/10/2025 19:49

Pelvicpaininthebum · 21/10/2025 19:35

Hi everyone, I've been very up and down..mostly down.

I had a review today and agreed to taper off sertraline and start Mirtazapine again. I'm really not sure about it as I did not like being on Mirtazapine. I felt very sedated and I'm sure it gave me knee pain.

I'm 14 days on 50mg now, 22 days in total. I feel I may turn a corner soon, I've actually felt pretty ok since this afternoon. I cannot go on feeling like I do most of the time though.

So torn as to what to do.

There’s no harm trying something different. Certainly I didn’t have anything like the reaction you’ve had to sertraline.
Mirtazapine was good for me but I put on two stone in 6 months so I came back off it.

LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 21/10/2025 19:42

Pelvicpaininthebum · 21/10/2025 19:35

Hi everyone, I've been very up and down..mostly down.

I had a review today and agreed to taper off sertraline and start Mirtazapine again. I'm really not sure about it as I did not like being on Mirtazapine. I felt very sedated and I'm sure it gave me knee pain.

I'm 14 days on 50mg now, 22 days in total. I feel I may turn a corner soon, I've actually felt pretty ok since this afternoon. I cannot go on feeling like I do most of the time though.

So torn as to what to do.

I’m on day 14 and the last two days I’ve turned a real corner.