Sertraline for anxiety - positives and negatives?

[feckingknackered]

Inspired by another thread I am wondering whether Sertraline would be good for me. I have social anxiety and am absolutely dreading going back into work, having to attend face to face meetings. It's making me feel ill.
Please can you share your experiences, what are the side effects like? Does it really work for anxiety?

Bumping post ....

I take sertraline I find it much more useful for my depression than helping with anxiety. Have you had any cbt before? I found that much more useful for coping with anxiety

For anxiety you're better off looking at propranolol/other beta blockers. I have to take 200mg sertraline plus 80mg daily slow release propranolol plus fast acting propranolol for palpitations. Sertraline on its own would help mild anxiety it depends how severe it is

Sertraline saved my life. It is really grim going on it but you have to be strong and keep going. It does get better. Sertraline is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Worked a bloody treat. Far better than the beta blockers recommended by another poster. But.... killed my sex drive stone dead.

Thanks everyone. I've been taking beta blockers for years, they don't really help anymore.
Also tried CBT but only from a self help level.

I think if you can get a proper course of cbt you might find it useful but drug wise you should probably speak to your dr to see if there’s anything more suitable you could take for anxiety

No help at all for me, quite the opposite. Made me feel absolutely deranged, buzzing, no sex drive and completely out of control. Sorry.

I've been on since Nov and has helped so much. I increased dose after a few weeks . I did suffer some anxiety in first few weeks and problems with waking up a lot on night but those issues have gone now.

Personally no, but know of 4 close family members who have benefited from taking it for anxiety immensely. No side effects either.

Sertraline was the only medication that improved my severe anxiety (constantly anxious with periods of suffering from crippling panic attacks). I'd previously tried Fluoxetine, Citalopram and Propranolol - none of which which made any difference whatsoever.

Yes been great for me for anxiety however, I have wanted to come off it recently and have been getting side effects such as dizziness, feeling low so I’m wondering if best just to stay on it especially given the news at the moment. I never wanted to be dependent on them but i maybe need to accept that I am and they do help me be a happier person which in turn helps my kids.

Worked really well for me but it’s so hard to get off it. I’ve given up trying for now but I would like to eventually. It has helped a lot though.

Thanks again for replies, I'm thinking that ot may be worth a try.
@PoorMegHopkins can I ask why you want to come off it if helps?