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Original poster

Will sertraline work? When?!

158 replies

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 10:08

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.

OP posts:
HourlyTime · 15/10/2025 20:59

Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 20:11

Sorry you're still feeling bad too..is your anxiety still high constantly or are you having times of feeling better?

Yes, hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Show quote history

It's pretty much constant - at least it feels that way.

It's so hard to keep distracted! Tomorrow will be day 7 for me, I wish I could fast forward a few weeks (for us both).

It's really hard to tell if it's just adjustment or if it doesn't suit you - the effects seem to be the same don't they?

Keeping hopeful ☺️

Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 20:11

HourlyTime · 15/10/2025 20:06

Oh no I was just about to say that was great you were feeling better but saw your later post!

It may well be due to the change in time? I read that sertraline doesn't have much 'leeway' and works best taken at exactly the same time each day.

I'm doing much the same - just coping! Hoping tomorrow will be better.

Maybe it's a bit two steps forward one back?

I'd say you feeling even a bit better this morning is really hopeful!

Show quote history

Sorry you're still feeling bad too..is your anxiety still high constantly or are you having times of feeling better?

Yes, hoping for a better day tomorrow.

OP posts:
HourlyTime · 15/10/2025 20:06

Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 18:39

Well after a better morning and my post earlier feeling more positive I've now been getting sharp spikes of anxiety. It's horrible. I don't know if it's because I changed from taking it at night time to morning today (thought it might make me sleep better). I'm worried about how I'm going to survive worse anxiety again now 😭

Edited

Oh no I was just about to say that was great you were feeling better but saw your later post!

It may well be due to the change in time? I read that sertraline doesn't have much 'leeway' and works best taken at exactly the same time each day.

I'm doing much the same - just coping! Hoping tomorrow will be better.

Maybe it's a bit two steps forward one back?

I'd say you feeling even a bit better this morning is really hopeful!

Rubes24 · 15/10/2025 19:23

Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 19:19

Thank you so much for your story. Yes I'm doing exactly the same, constantly reading other people's stories. But then I inevitably find ones where the sertraline didn't help and think that will be me.

Show quote history

Yes me too! Just remember thats your anxiety talking! Reassurance seeking is a symptom of anxiety it itself and your brain will always seek out the most negative stories to latch onto. I'm sure it will work for you if you keep going but even if it dosent then another SSRI definitely will. I would give it a month (i know that feels like forever!!)

Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 19:19

Rubes24 · 15/10/2025 19:12

Hi OP, didnt want to read and run as I know how rough this first bit is! I was on escitaloprám for a couple of years a few years ago but had been SSRI free up until I had my baby boy in May. I was hit with the biggest wave of anxiety and depression I have ever experienced (and that is saying something.) I was totally consumed by panic and dread- made worse by the fact that this hadn't happened with my previous babies so i felt like something was badly wrong! I was put on Sertraline and I have gradually increased it to 100mgs over 3 months ish. I have been on 100 for about a month now and I feel completely myself again! Obviously I am still sleep deprived and have rubbish days but I am calm and rational and able to very much enjoy my baby and my MAT leave. It's like a cloud has been lifted and that feeling of constant dread has disappeared. I have say every time I increased the dose I had about 10 days off feeling terrible (massive increased anxiety, waves of nausea, emotional.) With every dose increase (after it settled down) i felt a bit better but it took getting to 100 to feel myself. Just wanted to let you know as I spent hours reading old mumsent and reddit threads about Sertraline and when things improved etc. I promise it really does!! Xxxxx

Thank you so much for your story. Yes I'm doing exactly the same, constantly reading other people's stories. But then I inevitably find ones where the sertraline didn't help and think that will be me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 19:18

LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 15/10/2025 19:05

Did you just change abruptly? That might be why you’ve gone a bit haywire. I read you’re supposed to take it at the same time every day and gradually change times. Hopefully tomorrow you’ll be feeling calmer again.

Show quote history

Yes I did, I just skipped last night's dose and took it this morning, so was about 8 hours late.

Do you really think it could be that? I've lost all hope again and feel dreadful.

OP posts:
Rubes24 · 15/10/2025 19:17

Also if you have a pill cutter (and you increase your dose again), increase it smaller increments. Or ask the GP for 5mg tablets to do this! The GP told me to go 50 to 100 but I knew that would be horrible so I did 75 for two weeks first.

Rubes24 · 15/10/2025 19:12

Hi OP, didnt want to read and run as I know how rough this first bit is! I was on escitaloprám for a couple of years a few years ago but had been SSRI free up until I had my baby boy in May. I was hit with the biggest wave of anxiety and depression I have ever experienced (and that is saying something.) I was totally consumed by panic and dread- made worse by the fact that this hadn't happened with my previous babies so i felt like something was badly wrong! I was put on Sertraline and I have gradually increased it to 100mgs over 3 months ish. I have been on 100 for about a month now and I feel completely myself again! Obviously I am still sleep deprived and have rubbish days but I am calm and rational and able to very much enjoy my baby and my MAT leave. It's like a cloud has been lifted and that feeling of constant dread has disappeared. I have say every time I increased the dose I had about 10 days off feeling terrible (massive increased anxiety, waves of nausea, emotional.) With every dose increase (after it settled down) i felt a bit better but it took getting to 100 to feel myself. Just wanted to let you know as I spent hours reading old mumsent and reddit threads about Sertraline and when things improved etc. I promise it really does!! Xxxxx

LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 15/10/2025 19:05

Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 18:39

Well after a better morning and my post earlier feeling more positive I've now been getting sharp spikes of anxiety. It's horrible. I don't know if it's because I changed from taking it at night time to morning today (thought it might make me sleep better). I'm worried about how I'm going to survive worse anxiety again now 😭

Edited

Did you just change abruptly? That might be why you’ve gone a bit haywire. I read you’re supposed to take it at the same time every day and gradually change times. Hopefully tomorrow you’ll be feeling calmer again.

Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 18:39

Well after a better morning and my post earlier feeling more positive I've now been getting sharp spikes of anxiety. It's horrible. I don't know if it's because I changed from taking it at night time to morning today (thought it might make me sleep better). I'm worried about how I'm going to survive worse anxiety again now 😭

OP posts:
Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 09:24

LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 15/10/2025 07:23

I came here to see how you are op. I’m on day 8 and I had a good day after an anxious start. Glimpses of light are coming through.

Hi! Yes glimpses of light is a good way to put it.

I'm still having anxious thoughts, like what if I'm never going to be able to do my job again? (I work in quite a stressful job with people in crisis a lot of the time and thinking of those situations is making me feel so anxious right now).

Will I always be wondering if I'm suddenly going to have a mental breakdown again at any given moment?

I know it's too early to be having these thoughts as I'm not even better yet!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 15/10/2025 09:17

HourlyTime · 15/10/2025 07:14

How are you doing, OP?

Still much the same with me - super high anxiety, or flat/low!

Sorry you asked before about sleep, I didn't see the post; normally I sleep really well but since starting sertraline, my sleep is awful. I'm alert and jittery so can't sleep well.

Past 2 nights I've had drenching night sweats, which is apparently another side affect, as serotonin affects temperature regulation.

I hope you're through your adjustment period and are on the up!

Nice to hear from you! Sorry you're still feeling like that, it's so horrible.

Touch wood things have calmed down a lot. I'm feeling a bit anxious but nothing like the feelings I was having a few days ago when I felt I couldn't go on. I'm feeling more positive now it's actually going to work!

My sleep was already awful before the sertraline, I would wake up with my heart racing and feeling anxious. Now it's still the same plus I feel all trembly and go hot/cold and sweaty.

I phoned the doctors yesterday and have been prescribed some zopiclone (well I begged, they were reluctant) to help me sleep a bit better as the lack of sleep was defo making my anxiety worse. I took it last night and slept 7 hours with a few short wake ups, so much better than before.

I'm hoping once the sertraline works fully it will calm the stress hormones that have been waking me at night.

Also to note, the last 3 evenings I've felt pretty good!

OP posts:
LuceeeeeLoobieeel · 15/10/2025 07:23

I came here to see how you are op. I’m on day 8 and I had a good day after an anxious start. Glimpses of light are coming through.

HourlyTime · 15/10/2025 07:14

How are you doing, OP?

Still much the same with me - super high anxiety, or flat/low!

Sorry you asked before about sleep, I didn't see the post; normally I sleep really well but since starting sertraline, my sleep is awful. I'm alert and jittery so can't sleep well.

Past 2 nights I've had drenching night sweats, which is apparently another side affect, as serotonin affects temperature regulation.

I hope you're through your adjustment period and are on the up!

Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 19:22

joseph25 · 13/10/2025 18:28

It look me 2-4 weeks to feel better and I felt worse initially. I had headaches and I was exhausted for a while. For my anxiety and depression it has improved my life significantly. 4 months after my first dose and I feel like a ‘normal’ functioning adult after many years of feeling like I was on the verge of a breakdown.

Thank you, that's encouraging.

I'm so sorry you had to go through years of feeling like that.

OP posts:
joseph25 · 13/10/2025 18:28

It look me 2-4 weeks to feel better and I felt worse initially. I had headaches and I was exhausted for a while. For my anxiety and depression it has improved my life significantly. 4 months after my first dose and I feel like a ‘normal’ functioning adult after many years of feeling like I was on the verge of a breakdown.

AndyAnderson · 13/10/2025 18:24

It took 100mg and about 6 months to work for me. You need to give it a lot of time.

Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 18:21

HourlyTime · 13/10/2025 18:12

Luckily I work from home and my hours are flexible so I'm just doing the best I can. It's getting harder to distract myself!

I had to go out and post a parcel for work earlier, it was torture - anxiety, nausea, high alert, I jumped when someone walked by me. So embarrassing.

When the anxiety does lift a bit, depression replaces it 🙄

I really hope you feel better tomorrow, crossing my fingers for you. How are you feeling tonight?

Show quote history

Ah that's good.

Yes I'm very on edge too, the postman put a parcel through the door earlier and my heart lurched. It's ridiculous.

I have exactly the same that in the day I'm alternating between anxiety and depression. I asked Chatgpt who said it's not real depression but is exhaustion from the anxiety and adrenaline crash.

I'm feeling a lot better in myself this evening. The same happened yesterday evening. So may be a good sign.

I'm bloody knackered though all day at the moment. Though I am sleeping badly. How is your sleep? (I also have a high temperature).

OP posts:
HourlyTime · 13/10/2025 18:12

Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 13:06

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad, but at the same time it's quite comforting knowing I'm not alone.

My anxiety was terrible all day on day 4 but calmed down a bit day 5, apart from it being very high first thing.

I have no appetite either, just trying to force down some crisps.

I have no motivation.

Are you working? I'm signed off and just can't envisage a time I'll be well enough to go back 😭

Show quote history

Luckily I work from home and my hours are flexible so I'm just doing the best I can. It's getting harder to distract myself!

I had to go out and post a parcel for work earlier, it was torture - anxiety, nausea, high alert, I jumped when someone walked by me. So embarrassing.

When the anxiety does lift a bit, depression replaces it 🙄

I really hope you feel better tomorrow, crossing my fingers for you. How are you feeling tonight?

Beautifulhaiku · 13/10/2025 16:40

Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 15:50

I'm glad you are doing well.

2-3 months seems ages away 😭

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The first 6 weeks were the worst bit for me.

Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 15:50

Beautifulhaiku · 13/10/2025 15:45

Yes - every time I’ve felt a lot better by 2-3 months in. I’m now just staying on them long term as they work for me, although I have quite complex OCD as well as general anxiety. Therapy has helped loads as well (acceptance commitment therapy specifically), but I would struggle to put the strategies in place without medication.

Show quote history

I'm glad you are doing well.

2-3 months seems ages away 😭

OP posts:
Beautifulhaiku · 13/10/2025 15:45

Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 14:26

Thank you, that's exactly it..I started the sertraline as I was at the end of my tether with it and felt I couldn't go on, and now I'm feeling worse and hopeless.

I am repeatedly googling stories too!

You got better?

Show quote history

Yes - every time I’ve felt a lot better by 2-3 months in. I’m now just staying on them long term as they work for me, although I have quite complex OCD as well as general anxiety. Therapy has helped loads as well (acceptance commitment therapy specifically), but I would struggle to put the strategies in place without medication.

Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 15:27

JudgeBread · 13/10/2025 15:25

8 months. The first couple of weeks were rough while I adjusted to the sedative but then it's made my anxiety so, so much better.

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That's good to hear. Are you planning to stay on it? I only stayed on it 2 months as thought I was ok and heard coming off it is tough.

OP posts:
JudgeBread · 13/10/2025 15:25

Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 14:48

That's interesting because I feel the opposite. I was previously on Mirtazepine a few months ago and constantly felt I was drugged up and also got knee pain. I hated thinking I was taking a sedative every night to sleep, basically.

It did work for me though. I think if sertraline doesn't work I'll have to go back on it. How long have you been on it?

Show quote history

8 months. The first couple of weeks were rough while I adjusted to the sedative but then it's made my anxiety so, so much better.

Original poster
Pelvicpaininthebum · 13/10/2025 14:48

JudgeBread · 13/10/2025 14:37

Didn't for me, gave it 8 months, anxiety and side effects were too much.

Got put on Mirtazapine which has far less side effects and it's been a miracle for me. Still cross with my doctor for throwing the big guns at it straight away without trying the less side effect heavy meds first.

That's interesting because I feel the opposite. I was previously on Mirtazepine a few months ago and constantly felt I was drugged up and also got knee pain. I hated thinking I was taking a sedative every night to sleep, basically.

It did work for me though. I think if sertraline doesn't work I'll have to go back on it. How long have you been on it?

OP posts:
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