Taking sertraline for first time..

[Cos100]

I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for years but as it's been so awful recently I finally plucked up the courage to see the GP. They were a bit hesitant to give me an antidepressant as I'm under the age of 30 but I suggested a low dose and they agreed. So I'm going to trial taking 25mg a day and I'm a bit nervous as she spoke about the side effects. Many people feel worse during the first 2-3 weeks. Im scared about that as I can't stand the thought of feeling worse than I already do. If anyone has taken it or is currently taking it, what was your experience like? Is it best to take it at night, too?

The first time I went on it I had physical side effects but no mental side effects at all, the second time I had mental side effects that lasted (quite intensely) for a couple of days.

I took it in the morning because I found I couldn’t sleep at night if I took it in the evening. Everyone is different though!

It is so worth it in the long run though, it totally changed my life.

Thank you! I forgot to ask the GP (my brain has been all over the place) whether it has to be taken at the same time every day? I suppose I could take it now I was just unsure on the best time to take it. Might be a case of experimenting - glad to hear it made a huge difference to you!

I've just gone back onto Sertraline and have started on 50mg. I used to be on 100mg when my husband died.
I've never had any side effects at all.
I take mine in the morning. The GP said to do that so that they buck me up a bit ready for the day, but if I find they make me a bit sleepy to switch them to bedtime.
I've been on them a week and I do feel less tearful. I'm hoping that they work as well as last time.

Sorry to hear you've been through such difficult times but I'm glad to hear the tablets helped you. I've been crying so much the last few days, sometimes even randomly, so I'm hoping it helps with that. Fingers crossed for both of us🤞

Hi OP. I'm just restarting sertaline and I started with a quarter of the 50mg tablet as I know from before that I get worse for the first couple of weeks. I'm now taking half a tablet and will go up in a few weeks to the full 50mg.