Page 3 | Is sertraline worth the side effects?

Cantpee · 2026-02-21T16:27:15+00:00

I’ve just started taking sertraline as I have developed bad PND and PTSD following an awful birth and associated health problems. I’ve been reluctant to take it because before this I have never suffered mental health issues. I’ve had four tablets and experiencing dizziness, feeling dizzy, jaw/teeth clenching and ache, headaches, nausea and generally feeling strange. I’m still not sleeping. I’m really tempted to stop but another part of me thinks I should persevere. Does it get better? Is it worth it?

MID50s · 21/02/2026 23:12

RobinGoch · 21/02/2026 18:11

They transformed my daughters life…… though for the first couple of weeks she felt dreadful…..long term her quality of life has improved massively….

Yeah I took them for a while and definitely got worse before I got better but wasnt just side effects, general mood, anxiety, etc all was worse for a little while
You have to be patient but they do work

Wolfiefan · 21/02/2026 23:12

But some people do need medication. I wouldn’t be here without it.

SixtySomething · 21/02/2026 23:05

pointythings · 21/02/2026 22:59

Your post is deeply offensive because it assumes you can just overcome mental ill health with willpower and exercise. The evidence does not support this in any way. Stop misleading people - some people need the medication to have any quality of life at all.

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Your post is deeply offensive.
No it isn't. People are allowed to think differently from eachother and to discuss these issues.

Wolfiefan · 21/02/2026 23:02

I wouldn’t stop after a few days. I have tried several antidepressants. Each needed a few weeks to see how I did on it. Setraline was a no as it really upset my stomach. But it’s too soon to say if it suits you yet.

Hankunamatata · 21/02/2026 23:00

PinkJ · 21/02/2026 16:41

100000000%

This for me. Side effects disappear in 2 to 4 weeks.
I had pmdd and wish I tried it years ago. Now im on maintenance dose. Came off for a while and I was just wasn't great so went back on. In times of stress my dose is double and it really does help

pointythings · 21/02/2026 22:59

Hereforthecommentz · 21/02/2026 22:40

Ssri should be last resort they are terrible. I was on setraline it's grim. You need to deal with the actual reason for your mental health not just take tablets. Edit as u realise that sound harsh and not my intention! I had setraline and it didn't work I felt totally numb and like what was the point in living not to feel anything. I came off.Best thing I did was run. I run 3/4 times a week and it's keep my mind in check. They do say if I remember rightly you need to take them for a few weeks and it gets worse before it gets better. My dad had severe tremors on these too. Maybe you need to change to another type if it carrys on too long.

Edited

Your post is deeply offensive because it assumes you can just overcome mental ill health with willpower and exercise. The evidence does not support this in any way. Stop misleading people - some people need the medication to have any quality of life at all.

Original poster

Cantpee · 21/02/2026 22:58

Hereforthecommentz · 21/02/2026 22:40

Ssri should be last resort they are terrible. I was on setraline it's grim. You need to deal with the actual reason for your mental health not just take tablets. Edit as u realise that sound harsh and not my intention! I had setraline and it didn't work I felt totally numb and like what was the point in living not to feel anything. I came off.Best thing I did was run. I run 3/4 times a week and it's keep my mind in check. They do say if I remember rightly you need to take them for a few weeks and it gets worse before it gets better. My dad had severe tremors on these too. Maybe you need to change to another type if it carrys on too long.

Edited

i do agree with this however I am going through a really tricky time when I can’t rely on my usual methods of coping. I have some other threads here but I have complications from a C-section that have left me with a catheter and needing additional major surgery and that means I can’t exercise (I used to run marathons). Even walking can be uncomfortable with the catheter and it has given me frequent infections too. That’s on top of my section recovery. I spent weeks in hospital when my son was first born which has upset me. I have got major anxiety, ptsd and depression since all of this and as a result the gp recommended I take the sertraline until this period of my life is passed and hopefully I feel like me again.

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MarxistMags · 21/02/2026 22:53

They definitely helped me at a stressful time in my life. I took 50mg.
Last year I was ill with gastroenteritis which has left me with travel anxiety for some strange reason.
The GP has doubled my dose and given me Propananol as well .

Hereforthecommentz · 21/02/2026 22:40

Ssri should be last resort they are terrible. I was on setraline it's grim. You need to deal with the actual reason for your mental health not just take tablets. Edit as u realise that sound harsh and not my intention! I had setraline and it didn't work I felt totally numb and like what was the point in living not to feel anything. I came off.Best thing I did was run. I run 3/4 times a week and it's keep my mind in check. They do say if I remember rightly you need to take them for a few weeks and it gets worse before it gets better. My dad had severe tremors on these too. Maybe you need to change to another type if it carrys on too long.

hazelnutvanillalatte · 21/02/2026 22:39

I went on sertraline for horrendous PND/PNA - couldn't eat or sleep, was shaking and shivering with fear and panic, cold chills, felt like the world was ending.

It did have a few weird side effects at the beginning but within a week I was myself again - calm, happy, completely in control, loving my baby. It was like magic.

countbackfromten · 21/02/2026 22:38

It takes time for it to work. For me it was truly life saving and career saving - I simply wouldn’t be where I am now without it - happy and healthy. I really feel for you. Agree with taking it at night. Keep going @Cantpee and give it some more time. I desperately hope things get better for you quickly

YellowCatt · 21/02/2026 22:36

I’d give it a month, side effects should die down & you’ll start to feel the benefits, if at this point it’s not working for you - go back to GP. You can’t tell if they’ll help after four days.

PinkLemonadee · 21/02/2026 22:28

I've just started it, but I'm a wuss with new meds so have started at 12.5mg which is 1/4 of a tablet- I'm going to take 25mg starting tomorrow. No side effects yet!

elliejjtiny · 21/02/2026 22:21

I got side effects when I first started sertraline and when I increased the dose but they didn't last long. I'm on 150mg.

ChuckJacksonIvegottheNeedNSoul · 21/02/2026 22:19

Try and ride it out ,four days is no time to get used to a new medication.
Once it starts working for you it will be a world of difference to you
Wishing you all the best for the future.👍💐

SusiQ18472638 · 21/02/2026 22:17

I took this a number of years ago for anxiety. The first 3 months were rough! I had really horrible side effects, but when they started working, they were amazing.

Original poster

Cantpee · 21/02/2026 22:13

Rayqueen2026 · 21/02/2026 20:41

4 tablets 4 days ? Either way and Dr will tell you that's way not long enough for your body to get used to them. I worked with poorly mh people a handful of years ago and about half were fine on sertraline the rest didn't do well on it so were put onto citalopram or fluoxetine however it's all a case of trying and see for the designated time till your body adjust as I also came across several suicidal people who once swapped from fluoxetine to sertraline became normal again

Yes 4 tablets in 4 days, they are 50mg. My DH says he doesn’t see the point in carrying on when I feel worse than I did before, but I’m wondering if I should stick with it. I have had a very low mood since my baby was born, crying multiple times most days, awful anxiety etc.

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HeartyViper · 21/02/2026 20:44

They’ve been life changing for me after the initial side effects wore off. They allow me to function on a fairly steady level without the overwhelming catastrophising and constant panic.
Stick with it.

Rayqueen2026 · 21/02/2026 20:41

4 tablets 4 days ? Either way and Dr will tell you that's way not long enough for your body to get used to them. I worked with poorly mh people a handful of years ago and about half were fine on sertraline the rest didn't do well on it so were put onto citalopram or fluoxetine however it's all a case of trying and see for the designated time till your body adjust as I also came across several suicidal people who once swapped from fluoxetine to sertraline became normal again

Original poster

Cantpee · 21/02/2026 20:26

CostOfLoving · 21/02/2026 18:54

It depends on the person, surely?
You can't speak for everyone.

For me they did nothing - in fact no SSRIs helped at all, just had a variety of side effects, some actually made things worse as I was in a dazed, blunted emotional state rather than having any motivation to improve things.

OP - it's too early to tell if they will help you yet, I'm afraid. You'll get responses across the spectrum here! Taking at night to reduce daytime side effects for now is a good call.

I admit I'm a bit sceptical that you've been given medication for a psychological problem, following actual events. Not random brain chemistry going awry. Have you any chance of any kind of therapy?

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I’m on the waiting list for several therapies but my gp prescribed these as my anxiety and ptsd is significantly impacting my daily life. I can’t sleep at all for example.

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hewassoungrateful · 21/02/2026 19:49

They aren’t for everyone. I developed the most awful paranoia (which I have never had before or since) and stopped them after 8 weeks. GP gave them to me instead of HRT, which is what I actually needed.

LoopyGremlin · 21/02/2026 19:42

I get terrible indigestion/ acid reflux 😢

Lifecircle · 21/02/2026 19:39

My husband started 5 weeks ago on 25mgs and is now taking 50mgs. He's experienced all of the side effects mentioned including loss of appetite.
His anxiety is reduced but I initially he was unable to sleep at night. This has improved by taking the medication in the morning.
Of course everyone is different.

ChuckJacksonIvegottheNeedNSoul · 21/02/2026 19:38

Sisandbro81 · 21/02/2026 18:25

What doses are you all on?

150mg been good for me as it stops the 100mph thought patterns and dissecting a situation from every conceivable angle for days on end.

JustAboutMuddlingThrough · 21/02/2026 19:32

I’d be dead if it wasn’t for sertraline. The first couple of months made the suicidal thoughts seem even more intense but a year and a half on them and I can now function fully again. I take mine on a night time along with Mitazipine to also help me sleep