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Original poster

Sertraline - can I really be feeling better already?

36 replies

lowbatteries · 14/02/2022 20:17

I’ve been prescribed one 50mg tablet of sertraline per day for my anxiety. I took the first tablet this morning and am sure I feel noticeably calmer already. My toddler had a very minor fall earlier and whilst normally my heart would be beating faster, I’d have adrenaline flowing round my body and would be in full on panic mode, stressing out and googling worst case scenarios, today I was able to stay calm and rational (he literally fell 20cm onto a soft mat, cried for a minute, was playing with his toys soon after and is obviously completely fine). Could that be the sertraline kicking in already? What does it feel like when it’s properly working? Surely it’s too soon to have an effect? I’d be interested to hear other people’s experiences.

OP posts:
Dontknownow86 · 14/02/2022 20:20

I felt like this when I took it for anxiety. I think it's especially noticeable when your body has been on high alert. It will even out a bit so your emotions will be a bit more balanced.

MuddlingThrough1724 · 14/02/2022 21:04

I felt better almost immediately when infirstbstarted and when I've restarted after pauses over the years. I found it just smoothed the peaks of emotions and anxiety for me. Total life saver.

SusanRandom · 14/02/2022 21:08

I had the same when I started taking it for PND. I wondered if it was a placebo effect. It was like a light switch.

7eleven · 14/02/2022 21:16

When my husband was put on the correct antidepressant it was like the dark force that had overtaken him disappeared. Literally the first day he took it.

Throckmorton · 14/02/2022 21:18

Same for me!

bonfireheart · 14/02/2022 21:18

This is so good to hear as I've just been prescribed this today.

jamfirstcreamsecond · 14/02/2022 21:20

It took about a week for me to kick in but, like someone stated above, it was like a huge cloud had lifted. Things that would have pushed me to breaking point previously barely registered on my "oh crap" scale. It's truly a game changer.

Boozeless · 14/02/2022 21:20

My daughter is on Sertraline & the improvement in her anxiety was noticeable almost instantaneous.

WorryMcGee · 14/02/2022 21:22

Yep. It was almost instantaneous and I couldn’t believe it. Meds changed my life - I’m off them now after three years as I managed to “relearn” how to think normally while I was on them. I wouldn’t hesitate to take them again if I needed them. Good luck ❤️

Looubylou · 14/02/2022 21:24

It's different for everyone - absolutely possible to feel better very quickly. I hope you have found a good match for you

Merryoldgoat · 14/02/2022 21:25

I found the same.

Penvelopey · 14/02/2022 21:26

Could be a placebo because you have made a positive step? Mine made me feel so much worse for a couple of weeks and then I felt as you describe though. So maybe?!

applespearsbears · 14/02/2022 21:27

Yes it works pretty quickly, I did learn that I needed to take it at the same time each day though until I'd been taking it regularly otherwise I did get a few wobbles

Luredbyapomegranate · 14/02/2022 21:39

I think it would be a placebo effect at this stage, but hopefully that’ll move to a real one.

VestaTilley · 14/02/2022 21:39

I take it, I don’t know if it kicks in positively straight away - that’s probably a psychological thing of knowing you’re taking it.

I was told I might feel more up and down for the first few weeks, but that if I could stick with it 2/3 weeks it was good. I found it fine! Still on it, a year later, due to wind down later in spring.

I really recommend it.

PurpleBuny · 14/02/2022 21:42

Not for me, I shit myself in public on the first day Smile

ChaosMoon · 14/02/2022 21:48

It's very unlikely to be a chemical/physiological difference yet but
1 the placebo effect is an incredible thing. It's not fair, it's your body and mind taking into your inner strength.

  1. talking a positive step feels empowering, and being empowered is one of the most powerful things you can do for your mental health.

Congratulations either way.

HousePlantNeglect · 14/02/2022 21:55

Goodness, I’ve been putting off medication for years and this thread is really making me want to try.

Hope it works out well for you OP

Penvelopey · 14/02/2022 22:03

@HousePlantNeglect

Goodness, I’ve been putting off medication for years and this thread is really making me want to try.

Hope it works out well for you OP

It's worth speaking to your GP. I was sceptical but it was a real life changer for me. I now can live life.
Original poster
lowbatteries · 14/02/2022 22:12

Things that would have pushed me to breaking point previously barely registered on my "oh crap" scale

That is such a good way of putting it. I feel exactly the same.

@ChaosMoon very interesting - I did think it might be the placebo effect as from what I’ve read, I thought it would take around two weeks to kick in.

It’s only day one but I’m slightly worried that I’m almost too calm! It feels so strange not to be on constant high alert, I honestly can’t believe it.

OP posts:
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 14/02/2022 22:26

I read feeling better straight away is a huge red flag. Its actually the placebo effect what's happening. I do take sertraline so I do have experience. I'm not just spouting off.

mycatisannoying · 14/02/2022 22:27

That's amazing!

NewtoHolland · 14/02/2022 22:31

Everyone is different, it could easily be you noticing a benefit straight away. When I upped my dose from 50-100 (having safely taken 50 for a fee months) I noticed that immediate relief you've described. It evened me out a lot when I needed it to and stopped my racing heart and on edgeness. I experienced relaxation and joy more. I've now come off because I was ready but I'm so glad it was there for me when I needed it :)

MistressPhoenix · 15/02/2022 00:09

I started taking it a couple of months ago for PND. I felt much better within a couple of days and thought it must have been a placebo effect as my Dr told me it would take a couple of weeks to make a noticeable difference!

HeechulOppa · 15/02/2022 00:30

I felt the same after day one and it stayed like that.

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