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Original poster

To be afraid to start Sertraline?

34 replies

AstridAv · 22/07/2020 07:34

I am really struggling at the moment. Ive been dealing with anxiety for a while but lately things have come to a head and I'm now experiencing panic attacks too. I've been having CBT for 10 weeks but clearly things are getting worse. I have two children to think about and and absolutely sick of feeling the way I do constantly.

The doctor has prescribed me Sertraline but of course I am anxious to take it. On the one hand it feels like a lifeline, on the other I've seen and heard some scary things about it and I'm petrified to start taking it.

Anyone have any experience? Thank youFlowers

OP posts:
HeyDuggeesCakeBadge · 22/07/2020 07:41

Changed my life OP. It was horrid to start with and the first 2 weeks I was really sick and my anxiety seemed to get worse but after this my anxiety just stopped. It does leave you on a level all the time so no extreme reactions either side but it's what I needed. I'm off then now with no ill effects and I'm really thankful I took them as they literally saved my life.

Newchapter2020 · 22/07/2020 07:47

It's been great for me. The first 2 weeks though it made me feel worse but that can be common. Took about 6 weeks though for me to feel the difference although I had regular doctors appointments to see how it was going. But now I'm okay, no side affects and I actually want to live and can cope

sockonmyhead · 22/07/2020 07:48

It is really scary and you are doing so well to have got as far as you have and to ask for help. CBT can be really helpful but you have to be in the right place to be able to learn and use the skills it can give you, it doesn’t sound like you are there at the moment.

I think you just have to make yourself take that first dose, or half dose if you’re starting slowly. Pick up the pill and take it before your anxiety starts to ask questions.

Try to be honest with yourself, you might feel worse in the very short term but you know it will help long term, and something has to change for you to stop feeling as you do at the moment.

It’s not an easy thing to do, be kind to yourself, you’re doing the right things so don’t give up yet.

sockonmyhead · 22/07/2020 07:52

Sorry mine was more pep talk than experience...my experience is do it! You will feel awful to start and then you’ll start to feel better, then up and down and eventually mostly up after a few weeks.

I spent the first week barely moving from the sofa but I’m a big fan of my sofa anyway so you may find you hardly have any side effects at all. Good luck!

Thisisworsethananticpated · 22/07/2020 08:05

I had no issues with it
No side effects at all
The main Change is I am
On a more even keel
And my very very dark thoughts have gone

Highly recommend it

I’m still A bit anxious though ! But I can live with that

vampirethriller · 22/07/2020 08:08

I take 100mg, I started on 50. It's honestly saved my life. I get a very slight twitch in my hand when I'm tired but that's the only side effect and it's worth it.

DaveMinion · 22/07/2020 08:12

Just try it. Everyone is different and remember that you only read the bad stuff on the internet.

contrmary · 22/07/2020 08:16

Started on 50mg, worked up to 200mg, back down to 100 and then back to 200.

It wasn't a revelation, there was no sudden massive boost to my mood, it was very much a gradual thing. When I tried reducing it it was really noticeable though so I think 200mg is my level.

Honestly I didn't have any bad side effects whatsoever. Maybe feeling a little nauseous to begin with but I think that was as much to do with nerves over taking something than anything. (Plus I had to get over my fear of swallowing tablets - I had to practice with M&Ms.)

If the doctor recommends it then I would advise you to take it. Just don't expect a sudden, massive change. It will probably be 6 weeks or longer before you notice any difference and the doctor may need to up the strength before you do. With me it was probably four months before I was put onto 200mg and I noticed any improvement at all, although others said they had noticed a change in me beforehand. And like I said, when I tried reducing it, the drop was really noticeable.

Hidingtonothing · 22/07/2020 08:34

Another one with little or no side/ill effects here OP, don't know whether hearing from us is helping? Very slight headachy feeling and a bit of trouble sleeping for the first couple of weeks but nothing major, and after that massively reduced anxiety and everything just felt easier.

I've been on and off them a few times now (I've suffered with anxiety and depression in relation to major life events for the most part) and they've worked for me every time. I wouldn't hesitate to go back on if I needed to and I'm a person who avoids medication generally. I hope there's some reassurance in that for you OP, I know it's scary Flowers

madcow88 · 22/07/2020 08:37

This medication did not agree with my partner we are still seeing side effects from it 6 months after stopping taking it. He changed to mirtazapine and this has worked much better for him.

Pacif1cDogwood · 22/07/2020 08:38

It's alway a leap of faith.

Nobody here can tell you how it is going to agree with YOU which is what you really want to know.

Ask yourself what you have to lose by trying it? At worst, it does not agree and you stop it again. Nothing lost and you can then consider an alternative with your GP.
If you don't try it, you'll never know.
It is part of your anxiety problem that you are thinking and thinking about it - deciding to try it and sticking with it for at least a couple of weeks will be an act of taking control and hopefully help you.

Best of luck Flowers

SJR86 · 22/07/2020 08:38

I was the same as you OP when my GP prescribed it - Googled it and scared myself!

However, I started on a super low dose - 25mg and now on 50mg, I honestly had no side effects whatsoever, it definitely has helped keep me on an even keel and helped with the intrusive thoughts. Go for it, the GP should monitor you regularly to begin with.

Original poster
AstridAv · 22/07/2020 08:58

Thank you all. I have been on it before but only a few days. If I remember correctly they started helping really fast with manageable side effects and brain zaps but then I read about serotonin syndrome and panicked and that was that.
I feel like i am just existing at this point. Its not fair on my kids. Or my partner who had to talk me through breathing my way out of a panic attack twice yesterday. I just want to smile again and feel normal.
Yes I read about someone having a bleed on the brain and someone else being taking to hospital after bleeding from the mouth and passing out. Of course my anxiety is feeding into my fears. In an ideal situation I could be monitored daily for the first couple of weeks (pathetic) but health anxiety is my struggle.

OP posts:
Pacif1cDogwood · 22/07/2020 09:14

Serotonine Syndrome is rare.
Sertraline helping people is common.

You need to decide what is less risky/scary to you: carrying on as you are, or trying something again that you have found helpful (after a short period of time!) in the past.

You are NOT pathetic. Anxiety is really hard to be living with - and health anxiety is the worst!
Keep challenging these unhelpful thoughts and keep reminding yourself of what is more likely to happen.

Original poster
AstridAv · 22/07/2020 11:03

Thank you for your kind words.

Another questions, was I took sertraline I seem to remember getting what I would describe as brain zaps.. i think thats why i freaked out. Has anyone else experienced these?

OP posts:
Yaottie · 22/07/2020 11:13

I had all sorts of weird side effects. Clenched jaw, headaches, trouble sleeping, mood swings, nausea.

I don't spend whole evenings sobbing on the sofa anymore. I don't go through days with dark clouds hanging over me. I don't have days where I can't leave the house. I don't have panic attacks.

I do feel sad sometimes, but I also get to feel happy - sertraline has lifted me out of the dark pit I used to live in. Side effects will pass but you'll feel so much better

Original poster
AstridAv · 22/07/2020 14:18

Thats lovely to read. Im glad they helped you and that you didn't feel numb. Thats one of my worries. I dont want no emotions but also don't want to be in this state daily.

OP posts:
Original poster
AstridAv · 23/07/2020 13:33

Just bumping this..

OP posts:
HeyDuggeesCakeBadge · 23/07/2020 20:33

OP I had a few brain zaps to start with as well as the awful nausea but they saved my life as I said previously. I suffered with awful general and health anxiety and they really helped. They made me a better mum, partner and person. It really helped to feel normal and made me realise how miserable it was living with anxiety like that - you don't have to live like this.

PablosHoney · 23/07/2020 20:35

Often things get a little worse before they get better when you start taking it but it should stop
the panic attacks

alseb · 23/07/2020 20:45

It showed me what life was like without fear, anxiety and depression. Take it. I was on it for four years and weaned myself off with no problems. Honestly life can be so much better, brighter and calmer. It saved me.

Chopbob · 23/07/2020 20:56

I have struggled with anxiety and depression for a long time- maybe even since childhood. I tried the best I could to manage my emotions and was fairly successful until dc came along!!

I think that children seem to magnify any existing anxiety and it's very difficult to self manage depression/anxiety when you have little time for yourself.

Eventually (after 2 mental health crisis and a lot of persuasion from dm and dh) I started taking sertraline. I had very mixed emotions at first...relief, desperation, like I was a failure. It was a very emotional and upsetting time but after 6 weeks I started to feel an improvement.

I only take a low dose 50mg but this seems to work for me. I've been taking them for 4 years.

I find the plus points have been...
Much reduced anxiety and depression (this is the biggie- it was crippling before)
Clearer, more rational thinking
I'm not irritated all the time

The bad points for me...
Reduced libido
Some emotional blunting
I'm more risky!

Given what I know now I absolutely would make the same choice again- as others have already said, it saved my life.

Takingabreakagain · 23/07/2020 20:57

I'm so glad to read these posts. My son has just been prescribed sertraline and of course I googled it. All I could see were bad side effects. It's taken him such a lot to go to the doctor and I was almost thinking the medication would be worse than the depression.
I realise everyone reacts differently but to hear some good news stories has really helped me.

Maisiesaves · 23/07/2020 21:07

I've been taking sertraline for a few years now. I started on citalopram but felt it wasn't working for me so was weaned off and weaned on to sertraline. It has helped me massively. I'm nowhere near as anxious or depressed as I was and I am much more clear headed and in tune with my body and my emotions. I do believe starting any anti-depressant can cause the symptoms to become worse initially but then you feel better. It really is all down to individuals too, though. My ex was prescribed it last year and had a really bad reaction to it. It was a tough few days waiting for it to leave his system. Good luck to you, though! It's a big and brave step and I hope you feel the benefits soon :)

lineandsinker · 23/07/2020 21:10

I was prescribed Sertraline after my DS was born last year. Like you, I Googled it and then was hesitant (absolutely petrified) to take it.

But... I did take it and had no side effects. Worked from 50mg up to 100mg and back to 50mg as am in the process of coming off of it now that I’ve had therapy and have a bank of coping mechanisms.

Good luck - you will be fine. Remember that people like to talk more about negative experiences than positive; for all of the negative reviews of it, there will be hundreds of thousands of people who take it with no problem.