Page 6 | 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.

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 19:20

ninjahamster · 11/10/2025 18:46

I remember that feeling. I really struggled for a couple of weeks then it steadied. About 6 weeks in I was driving home from the school run, the sun came out and I suddenly felt really happy! I’d forgotten that feeling! It was wonderful.

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Thank you @ninjahamster

I've forgotten happiness too. I feel like I'm just clinging on.

I feel so uncomfortable in my own skin. I just want to rip it off or scream.

How much longer do I have to feel like this for I just can't cope.

OP posts:

ninjahamster · 11/10/2025 18:46

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 18:43

You feel like you're on high alert too? I feel so agitated tonight, it's horrible 😭

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I remember that feeling. I really struggled for a couple of weeks then it steadied. About 6 weeks in I was driving home from the school run, the sun came out and I suddenly felt really happy! I’d forgotten that feeling! It was wonderful.

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 18:43

HourlyTime · 11/10/2025 15:06

Just remember to be kind to yourself, it's really brave even to be trying it.

I'm definitely exhausted from it, but I'm forcing myself to do things - (it helps there are some tasks I have to do) but it's absolutely okay if you can't focus and just need to rest.

Thinking logically has helped me - like "Oh, okay, I'm on extra high alert, this is really hideous, but it's just my body's way of keeping me safe and a reaction to the new medication".

I feel like although the anxiety/stress is a high, uncomfortable level, in not fighting it, I can let it just sit there within me.

If that makes any sense!

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You feel like you're on high alert too? I feel so agitated tonight, it's horrible 😭

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Fluffypotatoe123987 · 11/10/2025 16:26

6 weeks. Propanolol 80mg works str8 away though

SendTheNextOneIn · 11/10/2025 15:59

Sorry yes I’m also noticing I’m a bit spaced out. Like brain fog. Which is not helping me support my daughter right now.

SendTheNextOneIn · 11/10/2025 15:58

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 12:55

Thanks everyone.

@SendTheNextOneIn I'm so sorry that sounds awful. Did you start straight on 50mg. As well as the raised anxiety I feel so tired and spaced out. Do you have this?

Yes my doctor just started me straight onto 50mg. It’s definitely affecting my sleep I think. I’ve been taking it in the morning as suggested but the last few nights I’m really not sleeping well. But I’m not the best sleeper anyway so I’m not really sure if it’s the meds or just me. But poor sleep obviously doesn’t help my mood.

HourlyTime · 11/10/2025 15:06

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 14:07

Well done form keeping yourself distracted. I'm finding it too hard, I'm just focussing on it all the time. And I'm so exhausted I couldn't imagine going for a jog. Is it not making you tired?

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Just remember to be kind to yourself, it's really brave even to be trying it.

I'm definitely exhausted from it, but I'm forcing myself to do things - (it helps there are some tasks I have to do) but it's absolutely okay if you can't focus and just need to rest.

Thinking logically has helped me - like "Oh, okay, I'm on extra high alert, this is really hideous, but it's just my body's way of keeping me safe and a reaction to the new medication".

I feel like although the anxiety/stress is a high, uncomfortable level, in not fighting it, I can let it just sit there within me.

If that makes any sense!

Rituelec · 11/10/2025 14:07

only worked for me on a dose of 150mg

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 14:07

HourlyTime · 11/10/2025 13:31

I think I'm so used to having anxiety pretty much 24/7, I just feel accustomed to it anyway. It is at a high level though, right in my chest, it began pretty much immediately.

It's never stayed at this high level so constantly before, but I'm keeping myself distracted; I went for a short jog which helped for an hour or two.

I've done loads of research and lots of people say it does settle quickly so I'm holding onto hope!

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Well done form keeping yourself distracted. I'm finding it too hard, I'm just focussing on it all the time. And I'm so exhausted I couldn't imagine going for a jog. Is it not making you tired?

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Newname29 · 11/10/2025 13:37

It took about 6 months for it to level off for me. I started on 50mg and ended up on 150mg. I found it excellent when it did work. Im off them about 3 years now and fingers crossed I won't have to go back on them but I would if I had to

HourlyTime · 11/10/2025 13:31

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 10:36

@ZenithAndQuasar thank you. Do you remember how long until you felt better?

@HourlyTime did you start straight on 50mg? You sound so positive, I don't know how you are doing it! The constant anxiety is horrible. How are you coping?

@AmusedOpalShaker thank you. Yes I was told to go up after a week but I've read that 50mg is the lowest therapeutic dose so was keen to go up as just want to feel better quicker! I can't take propranolol as have asthma.

I think I'm so used to having anxiety pretty much 24/7, I just feel accustomed to it anyway. It is at a high level though, right in my chest, it began pretty much immediately.

It's never stayed at this high level so constantly before, but I'm keeping myself distracted; I went for a short jog which helped for an hour or two.

I've done loads of research and lots of people say it does settle quickly so I'm holding onto hope!

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 12:55

Thanks everyone.

@SendTheNextOneIn I'm so sorry that sounds awful. Did you start straight on 50mg. As well as the raised anxiety I feel so tired and spaced out. Do you have this?

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Trickabrick · 11/10/2025 12:52

Keep going with it, totally normal to feel worse before you feel better. Remind yourself that you’re closer to feeling better than you were yesterday and the days before, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.

SendTheNextOneIn · 11/10/2025 12:47

Following with interest as I’m a week into 50mg per day and I feel awful. My doctor started me on it as I currently have a 13 year old daughter who I’m trying to support through as eating disorder but everything just feels hopeless.

CissOff · 11/10/2025 12:46

Hang in there. I remember waking up one day after a month or so and just feeling better - I didn’t have a ball of anxiety in my stomach. It’s worth sticking it out ❤️

user765378 · 11/10/2025 12:44

Unfortunately no one can tell you if it will work. It works for some but not others. A different one might work better, but for some they don’t work at all. this might not be what you wanted to hear, and I am sorry, but I think it’s important that you know it might not work, and most importantly that it’s not your fault if it doesn’t.
book another GP appointment and see what they say.

SepticPegsSepticLeg · 11/10/2025 12:42

For me, day 14 and I woke up feeling a little better.

Hang in there.

Daphnedot · 11/10/2025 12:40

It worked for me but unfortunately it gave need severe diarrhea uk to 8 times a day. This never went and still there after 5 months. I had to stop

thetemptationofchocolate · 11/10/2025 12:40

I think it was six weeks before I noticed a positive change. The first two weeks were awful. The next four were not as bad. After that it was all ok.
I found I got on better if I took my dose in the morning, rather than the evening.

Hankunamatata · 11/10/2025 12:37

About a month to start feeling the really beneficial effects but needed 100mg I the early days.
50mg is my maintenance dose

Locutus2000 · 11/10/2025 12:34

ninjahamster · 11/10/2025 10:37

Yes it will, if you can just ride out these few weeks. I’m on 200mg now.

Another member of the 200mg club. I've been on it a good decade now - as part of a drug package it seems to work.

Getting off it is a bitch though, the 'sertraline zaps' are real.

JANICEMAM · 11/10/2025 12:13

I was on 100mg sertraline but found it too much so im now back down to 50mg, ive been on them for about 5yrs, i found propranolol helpful for my panic attacks, but yeah just give it a few more weeks to get into your system properly before you start to feel the benefits, hope you're feeling better soon xx

Original poster

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 12:11

AmusedOpalShaker · 11/10/2025 11:38

I remember I was so keen to get started that I went on 50mg straight off, the effects were just awful. It takes its sweet time, but just stick it out. I know right now it mostly likely feels absolutely impossible, but trust me, it gets better and you’ll be back to yourself.

Something that used to help me was reading peoples reviews on medication.com. They’re all moaning about the side effects which helped reassure me that I wasn’t alone in it, also their positive stories were a big help in the moment!

Thats such a shame about the Propranolol, is there any other options the GP suggested for you? Xx

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Thank you. No nothing was suggested.

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hungrypanda4 · 11/10/2025 12:02

I was put on it last year. Took one dose and then stopped because of side effects. I tried online free CBT instead and I take propranolol on days I can feel a panic attack pending.

ZenithAndQuasar · 11/10/2025 11:48

Pelvicpaininthebum · 11/10/2025 10:36

@ZenithAndQuasar thank you. Do you remember how long until you felt better?

@HourlyTime did you start straight on 50mg? You sound so positive, I don't know how you are doing it! The constant anxiety is horrible. How are you coping?

@AmusedOpalShaker thank you. Yes I was told to go up after a week but I've read that 50mg is the lowest therapeutic dose so was keen to go up as just want to feel better quicker! I can't take propranolol as have asthma.

I don't really remember how long it took for me to feel better, I'm sorry. X