Anxiety and Sertraline

[EnglandKeepMyBones]

I've suffered from anxiety for what is probably years. I had a pretty grim childhood and late teenage years, then I've had a difficult few years recently which have resulted in me being able to cope less and less.

About 6 months ago I started having very infrequent and short flashbacks. This morning I had one as I was driving (won't be doing that again for a while!) and completely missed a lorry that was in the left hand lane as we were merging, didn't spot it until I had already started merging into its side. I spotted what was happening before it was too late but I came pretty close to literally killing my kids.

I came home and called the GP figuring that enough is finally enough. I need to do something because I am fucking miserable and have now put my kids in danger.

GP has prescribed sertraline for treatment of Anxiety and PTSD (which I've previously had some limited support with during pregnancy) and referred to talking therapy. I've started taking them this morning, I can't imagine things getting much worse than they currently are tbh so I'm not overly concerned about short term side effects. But has anyone had any experience with Sertraline for anxiety, and how long did it take for you to start feeling more 'normal' for want of a better word?

I'm on it - it's lovely :)

It can take a few weeks to work (like all drugs of its type), but for me certainly, it was absolutely worth it. I hope it will be for you too - hugs

Im on it im less anxious

It worked on me within a few weeks, but can take a bit longer. Don’t be put off by any side effects. It’s worked wonders for me.

I was much much more anxious for about the first 3 weeks of taking them but once everything had settled they were a lifesaver for me.

What dose are you on? My son is on 50mg, it doesn’t seem enough but am wondering what is the standard dose?

Im on it. I got worse first takin it but within 3 weeks was much better!!

Thanks all. Fingers crossed I see an improvement soon. I'm currently on 50mg but the plan is to increase the dose to 100mg in 3-4 weeks at my initial review.

Hi OP, I take sentraline for PND as I was having horrific intrusive thoughts about my baby dieing in really awful ways. It was horrible, I was sucidal and I actually started a thread about it on here which helped massively and is the reason a sought help.

It's been 7 weeks and I am so on the mend. I started on a Friday and the weekend was hard, felt sick and dizzy, sweaty and very anxious - like something awful was about to happen. But it literally only lasted 2 days, then, all of a sudden in the Sunday I just felt lots calmer.

Don't know if it was a placebo, but I felt calm and rational - nearly completely! And it's stayed steady for the 7 weeks.

I've had my dose upped from 50 to 100mg two days ago because although im soooooo much better and coping brilliantly, I feel like I'm 90% there and just need a tiny little push to get me back to 100%

I honestly promice you, you WILL feel better, so much better. It will change your life and it will change quickly, even if it does take a couple of weeks, it's such a relief and you will be soooo glad you're on them.

Absolutely well done for seeking help, you should be so proud of yourself, it's often really hard to do.

You're on the road to recovery now. Keep posting, if you ever want to chat, feel free to DM me :)

I had it for anxiety (50mg) . For me it was like a magic switch, I felt so much better in a matter of days.

Back off it now with no drama.

I really hope it suits you as well as it did me.