Experiences on sertraline?

mamaxbear · 2024-05-30T07:22:51+00:00

Hi all, I’m a little over a week into taking sertraline and my anxiety is at an all time high. It’s making me physically sick, it’s so unbearable. Some days I feel ok, some days I feel horrendous. What are your experiences on sertraline and when did you start to feel better?

Vanillabourbon · 30/05/2024 08:33

It took about a month before I felt more level day to day. It was very difficult fot that first few weeks. I used them alongside talking therapy which really seemed to help.
I was on those for about 3 years then gradually came off & haven't had to go back on them since. For me it was harder when I started to take them, than when I came off them.
Do you do anything like knitting or crafts? I found that helpful for lowering my anxiety/distracting in the early days.

RachelGreensHair · 30/05/2024 09:06

First few weeks were so hard, I couldn't stop crying, wanted to physically pull my hear out - I'm a year into them now and it's probably the best thing I ever did, wish I'd started much earlier in life.

RachelGreensHair · 30/05/2024 09:06

Hair not hear :/

BrightNewLife · 30/05/2024 09:14

Awful, and I really feel for you @mamaxbear . My daughter went on it for depression and it made everything skyrocket. she was a wreck for several weeks and then it does kick in and work like a miracle. It was to the extent she couldn’t function and had to leave uni for a few weeks because of it.

Honestly it was so awful during those first weeks, I was on suicide watch (not saying that lightly) had to call the doctor quite frequently to guage how normal these reactions were.

We got a lot of support, researched a lot and she was very supported and that helped: do you have support?

Original poster

mamaxbear · 30/05/2024 09:29

Vanillabourbon · 30/05/2024 08:33

It took about a month before I felt more level day to day. It was very difficult fot that first few weeks. I used them alongside talking therapy which really seemed to help.
I was on those for about 3 years then gradually came off & haven't had to go back on them since. For me it was harder when I started to take them, than when I came off them.
Do you do anything like knitting or crafts? I found that helpful for lowering my anxiety/distracting in the early days.

I’m going to try and get some talking therapy through work. I really find it hard to focus my mind on something else when I’m feeling like this, but I think I’m going to try and get stuck into some reading. I’m in a rut of doom scrolling through social media at the minute and I hate it.

OP posts:

Original poster

mamaxbear · 30/05/2024 09:30

RachelGreensHair · 30/05/2024 09:06

First few weeks were so hard, I couldn't stop crying, wanted to physically pull my hear out - I'm a year into them now and it's probably the best thing I ever did, wish I'd started much earlier in life.

What dosage are you on if you don’t mind me asking?

OP posts:

Original poster

mamaxbear · 30/05/2024 09:31

BrightNewLife · 30/05/2024 09:14

Awful, and I really feel for you @mamaxbear . My daughter went on it for depression and it made everything skyrocket. she was a wreck for several weeks and then it does kick in and work like a miracle. It was to the extent she couldn’t function and had to leave uni for a few weeks because of it.

Honestly it was so awful during those first weeks, I was on suicide watch (not saying that lightly) had to call the doctor quite frequently to guage how normal these reactions were.

We got a lot of support, researched a lot and she was very supported and that helped: do you have support?

Oh bless you. How is she doing now? I have support from my partner, his mum and some friends but that’s really it. I don’t have a relationship with my mum (and she wouldn’t understand or would make it about her anyway) so it’s difficult. My partner and his mum are really supportive though.

OP posts:

BrightNewLife · 30/05/2024 10:00

@mamaxbear That sounds like good support 👍

My daughter’s doing great now, thanks for asking! It definitely took the full 6 weeks to kick in and over time she’s got back to her old self, very vibrant & busy.

Do stick with it, hope you feel better soon 💐

RachelGreensHair · 30/05/2024 19:22

I'm on 100.

mm26 · 03/06/2024 00:59

Hi @mamaxbear! I started Sertraline about 9 months ago now and promised if I ever came across a post like yours I'd reply! I was struggling with anxiety and depression for around 2 years following the birth of my first baby. Tried counselling etc which did help, but it didn't lift the dark cloud.

I won't lie, the first 2 weeks on Sertraline were horrible. I think it made me worse before I got better, BUT! Stick with it!! The person I am now vs the person I was 9 months ago is completely different. I finally feel like I'm back to myself.

I remember in the first few weeks literally googling "Sertraline day 5, 6, 7 etc" and searching for answers! Unfortunately I think more people talk about the negatives (and they totally should) but I don't think many of us come back to share the positives.

My first few days I was a mess- super anxious (actually had to pull over when driving on the motorway it got so bad). After that I still had bouts of anxiety that would just rise up and take over for a little while. But gradually, those moments got shorter and less often. Now it's at the point where if I feel those negative/anxious feelings coming up I can just talk myself out of them or just shut them out. I couldn't have imagined that 9 months ago.

In my opinion, it doesn't solve all the problems - but it makes it easier to deal with the problems. My mind is quieter now and I can keep a handle on my thoughts without things spiralling which is a massive help.

I'm on 50mg and have absolutely no qualms about staying on it for the rest of my life if I need to. It has made my life and my family's life so much better and I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Sorry for the long post but I know how it feels to be at the start of this journey and not sure about it all. Happy to chat about my experience and be here to vent to about how rubbish it is! My advice would be to stick with it, but try make sure you've got someone to talk to about it all. And as always, GP if you're worried and things don't start improving. 💕

Original poster

mamaxbear · 03/06/2024 10:22

mm26 · 03/06/2024 00:59

Hi @mamaxbear! I started Sertraline about 9 months ago now and promised if I ever came across a post like yours I'd reply! I was struggling with anxiety and depression for around 2 years following the birth of my first baby. Tried counselling etc which did help, but it didn't lift the dark cloud.

I won't lie, the first 2 weeks on Sertraline were horrible. I think it made me worse before I got better, BUT! Stick with it!! The person I am now vs the person I was 9 months ago is completely different. I finally feel like I'm back to myself.

I remember in the first few weeks literally googling "Sertraline day 5, 6, 7 etc" and searching for answers! Unfortunately I think more people talk about the negatives (and they totally should) but I don't think many of us come back to share the positives.

My first few days I was a mess- super anxious (actually had to pull over when driving on the motorway it got so bad). After that I still had bouts of anxiety that would just rise up and take over for a little while. But gradually, those moments got shorter and less often. Now it's at the point where if I feel those negative/anxious feelings coming up I can just talk myself out of them or just shut them out. I couldn't have imagined that 9 months ago.

In my opinion, it doesn't solve all the problems - but it makes it easier to deal with the problems. My mind is quieter now and I can keep a handle on my thoughts without things spiralling which is a massive help.

I'm on 50mg and have absolutely no qualms about staying on it for the rest of my life if I need to. It has made my life and my family's life so much better and I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Sorry for the long post but I know how it feels to be at the start of this journey and not sure about it all. Happy to chat about my experience and be here to vent to about how rubbish it is! My advice would be to stick with it, but try make sure you've got someone to talk to about it all. And as always, GP if you're worried and things don't start improving. 💕

This is so positive to hear and I’m glad you feel better now! How long would you say it took before you started to feel the benefits? I’m going to stick with it because like you, my head is constantly busy and I just need some quiet. I’m on 50mg and into my second week now, I just can’t wait to feel the good effects! Thank you xx

OP posts:

eggplant16 · 03/06/2024 20:40

mm26 · 03/06/2024 00:59

Hi @mamaxbear! I started Sertraline about 9 months ago now and promised if I ever came across a post like yours I'd reply! I was struggling with anxiety and depression for around 2 years following the birth of my first baby. Tried counselling etc which did help, but it didn't lift the dark cloud.

I won't lie, the first 2 weeks on Sertraline were horrible. I think it made me worse before I got better, BUT! Stick with it!! The person I am now vs the person I was 9 months ago is completely different. I finally feel like I'm back to myself.

I remember in the first few weeks literally googling "Sertraline day 5, 6, 7 etc" and searching for answers! Unfortunately I think more people talk about the negatives (and they totally should) but I don't think many of us come back to share the positives.

My first few days I was a mess- super anxious (actually had to pull over when driving on the motorway it got so bad). After that I still had bouts of anxiety that would just rise up and take over for a little while. But gradually, those moments got shorter and less often. Now it's at the point where if I feel those negative/anxious feelings coming up I can just talk myself out of them or just shut them out. I couldn't have imagined that 9 months ago.

In my opinion, it doesn't solve all the problems - but it makes it easier to deal with the problems. My mind is quieter now and I can keep a handle on my thoughts without things spiralling which is a massive help.

I'm on 50mg and have absolutely no qualms about staying on it for the rest of my life if I need to. It has made my life and my family's life so much better and I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Sorry for the long post but I know how it feels to be at the start of this journey and not sure about it all. Happy to chat about my experience and be here to vent to about how rubbish it is! My advice would be to stick with it, but try make sure you've got someone to talk to about it all. And as always, GP if you're worried and things don't start improving. 💕

Thats interesting. Thanks

mm26 · 04/06/2024 22:41

@mamaxbear I can't remember exactly but the side effects had settled down by the 2 week mark. After that it was just like a gradual thing where I just realised I was coping better in certain situations or at one point when I was driving I realised I wasn't spending the whole drive worrying/thinking about lots of stuff- I was just driving 😂 sounds so daft but it was just little things like that made me realise that it had helped lighten the load a little.
I hope you get the same effect!
How have you been the last few days? X

Newtosertraline · 14/06/2024 18:31

How are you doing now @mamaxbear ? I’m on day 8, and have felt very nervous/anxious all day today with no good reason.

Original poster

mamaxbear · 14/06/2024 19:12

Newtosertraline · 14/06/2024 18:31

How are you doing now @mamaxbear ? I’m on day 8, and have felt very nervous/anxious all day today with no good reason.

I’m definitely doing better! Those first two weeks were horrendous. I still have waves of anxiety, and sometimes wonder whether they’re working but I’ve just picked up a new prescription. I think I will give it to week 8 to see how I feel and if I need to change/up my dose!

OP posts:

Oakbutterfly · 07/10/2024 10:53

I really appreciate these comments. I started on 25mg 2 weeks ago and am building up and taken 50mg today. It feels like torture going through these initial stages and I've usually given up before now. I felt numb yesterday. I find evenings the best but mornings are hell. I'm finding it hard to cope.

mm26 · 24/02/2025 18:17

I thought I'd come back to update since my comment above still gets reactions every now and then!
I'm 3 months post partum now with my second and I haven't stopped taking my sertraline even through the pregnancy. The difference this time around is incredible. I cope with everything so much better on this. While I know it's not the right course for some people, all I can speak for is my own experience and it really was (and is) life changing. I'm so glad I stuck out the initial side effects.

JollyDuck · 08/04/2025 17:03

That's so encouraging, I am on week 2 of 50mg week 1 was 25mg. The end of week I was feeling a little better, now I feel worse on the larger dose. I feel I have gone backwards.

JollyDuck · 08/04/2025 17:09

Any advice on how to deal with the dreadful feelings in the morning and early afternoon, now on 50mg Sertraline and my only time my mind is calm is early evening through bedtime til early morning then it all starts over. I take my Sertraline in the morning as 1 dose, anyone do it differently. Any help would be so much appreciated.

mm26 · 08/04/2025 20:47

@JollyDuck I started on the 50mg straight away so can't speak to how upping a dose is. I know that initially I just tried to slow down- leave housework, go to bed to lie down when I could, and listen to podcasts, audio books or music to distract your mind and stop your thoughts wandering too far. I take mine in the morning with breakfast. Hope things improve for you soon ❤️

skipdiddyskip · 08/04/2025 20:49

For me it worked straight away so hopefully it kicks in for you too. It was the best thing I could have done for my mental state, was really thankful for the stuff.

SauvignonBlancLady · 08/04/2025 20:50

Honestly? Stop it now and ask for duloxetine

same effect, no dead feeling inside x

champagneandfrenchfancies · 08/04/2025 21:35

I started on 50mg and felt better almost immediately. The side effects that I remember from the first 2 weeks were:

Slight numbness on one side of my face
Feeling jittery
Feeling like my sight were not matching the speed I was moving (like when a TV slow pauses for a sec then speeds up to catch up to the correct point). This was the weirdest but only occurred first thing in the morning, so as long as I remembered not to bolt to the loo as soon as I got up, it was absolutely fine.
Cold feet!!!!

I’m 2 years on and hope to be able to take it forever. My OCD is 90% gone and I feel more level headed and rational. I’m still able to experience strong emotions but it’s really really difficult to shed tears, which is a shame but something I can live with.

You do have to be v careful to take it every day tho as the side effects can come back. I’m fine to miss one dose but definitely not two.

Experiences on sertraline?

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