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Original poster

I can't take sertraline but I have to

31 replies

LostTheWill29 · 26/07/2026 20:38

I started sertraline last night, only 25. Felt fine all night and all day but suddenly I feel so sick. I'm taking them mainly for health anxiety and feeling sick is a huge trigger for me. I'm due to take another one now but I can't even eat, so I don't know if I can keep taking it and do days, never mind weeks of this. But I feel so pathetic as everyone else manages it. I can't cope with feeling paralysed with feeling ill but this is the whole reason I am supposed to take them. I just don't think I can cope taking them. I've tried cbt 3 times but it doesn't help.

I keep thinking I wish I didn't have children because then it wouldn't matter if I was here or not. I don't feel suicidal now because I wouldn't want to leave them without a mum but I have been up and down my whole life and I can't help thinking I wish I had killed myself when I was a teenager before I had children to worry about. I think maybe I've been like this for so long I don't even know if I want to change. I just want to shut myself away and be alone, never go out and do things but I can't because of my family. And I know that's not normal or reasonable but I don't think I can get better.

I know it's not the sertraline talking because I have only had one tablet, and only 25. Its just me. Its always been me. I can't talk to anyone else because they don't get it and also I think I'm just boring my husband and frustrating him because I can't take the tablets to make myself better.

OP posts:
Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 31/07/2026 22:30

There is a good chance the headaches etc are connected to your general health anxiety. It takes 2-4 weeks for your system to adjust to the meds and your hormone levels to settle down. Your GP is unlikely to change anything until you have been on it a minimum time.

As far as the kids are concerned...it is the first week of the holidays, they need down time so be kinder to yourself lady!! See how next week goes, maybe push yourself a little and take them to a play park where they cam run off steam. Stay local to home so if it gets to much you can get home easily. If you can't make it out, Google recipes for play dough and get them making their own, or give them a tonne of scrap paper, envelopes, junk mail etc and get them to make collages. Let them make mess...have pj days with films eat snacks etc...they will love it and you can rest.

OrangeSlices998 · 01/08/2026 07:27

It takes time to adjust, and I wonder if you’re now looking for every sign to be connected to the meds. Realistically it’s a very low dose below the treatment threshold so this time is about adjusting to the medication and hopefully for as short a time as possible so you can get onto a dose that can help your mood and mental health. You’re doing a brave thing taking them when it’s hard, I’ve been there! Sertraline saved my life. You can do this!

shihtzuu · 01/08/2026 23:28

You don't HAVE to take anything if it is giving you side effects. There are other options like CBT ❤️

Original poster
LostTheWill29 · 02/08/2026 15:36

I definitely am looking for signs, like I said it's hard to know what is just in my head or not. That's a huge reason for taking sertraline as I can't trust my own judgement around being unwell or not. I've had upper back pain for a week and today have an ache in my chest that I'm trying not to spiral over.

I have tried CBT, 3 times. I've just finished a course because my therapist has changed departments but I don't find CBT helps me. It was my therapist who recommended I try sertraline to take the edge off my anxiety. Unfortunately I can't afford private therapy so can only access what the NHS offer

OP posts:
Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 02/08/2026 20:12

You are doing amazing @LostTheWill29 focus on the positive steps.

CBT didn't work for me either, I wish I could tell you that there was some miracle cure or some wonder thing I found that helped me finally manage my anxiety. But honestly I don't really know what changed. Just one day I realised I felt calmer, less jittery. Less panicked by everything. I had tried a range of antidepressants and anti anxiety meds. The only one that eases mine is diazepam but I cam only take it for 6 weeks and then I have to come off it again.

Have you tried journalling?

Browbeeton · 06/08/2026 05:58

How are you getting on nowLostTheWill29?
It is hard with the initial side effects.

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