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Original poster

Sertraline - too nervous to start taking them, need positive stories!

51 replies

Harlevie · 29/07/2018 18:17

Hi everyone, this is my first post on here so I’m not 100% sure I’m doing this right. My doctor prescribed me 50mg Sertraline on Friday after me finally admitting it’s time for some help. I’ve suffered with anxiety for 10 years now and for the most part have coped on my own, but since the beginning of this year I’ve had some bad panic attacks that I feel have led to depression. I feel so down, ill and fragile all the time. Anyway i haven’t started taking the tablets yet as I’m absolutely terrified of the side affects. I’m so scared I’ll have bad heart palpitations which is my biggest trigger atm for my anxiety. Or my anxiety will be worse and I won’t be able to control whether I have a panic attack or not. Please tell me it’s not so bad? My anxiety is massively around my health so I know any side affects will set me off panicking 😞. I just want to be better and be my old self again.

OP posts:
mawbroon · 29/07/2018 18:23

I swapped to it recently from another drug that gave me long term side effects.

It works fine for me.

Top tip - never take it without water and never use a hot drink to swallow it down with. It burns like buggery if you do!

Wolfiefan · 29/07/2018 18:25

I found it had a very quick and positive effect. Unfortunately it aggravated my stomach (which I'm prone to) so had to stop it. I was gutted. It didn't make me more anxious or like a zombie. I felt great.

Original poster
Harlevie · 29/07/2018 18:25

Thank you! I really hope I’m one of the lucky ones who doesn’t get side affects. Or at least just not the palpitations or heightened anxiety. I can deal with feeling sick or dizzy. What time of day do you take yours?

OP posts:
Original poster
Harlevie · 29/07/2018 18:26

Thank you Wolfiefan that is really reassuring!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 29/07/2018 18:28

I didn't feel sick or dizzy and I certainly didn't have any palpitations. Good luck OP.

Rodders92 · 29/07/2018 18:28

I’m taking them for the second time, the first couple of weeks have been hard but they have been extremely effective for both anxiety and depression, you can get horrible heartburn if you don’t take them with plenty of water. Good luck

SirHubzALot · 29/07/2018 18:28

I love sertraline! It gave me my life back after horrible anxiety. Stick with it as the start up effects can be tough but then it gets much better.

justaguy · 29/07/2018 18:34

Sertraline changed my life. I think I felt a little groggy for a few days when I first started them, but that was all.

Original poster
Harlevie · 29/07/2018 18:34

Thank you everyone it’s so reassuring to read. Im going to take my first one in bed tonight and hope for the best. I can’t wait to come out the other side and be me again. I feel like a failure to my partner, children, family and friends at the moment. I know I need to take them and show everyone I’m trying to get better

OP posts:
differentkindofpenguin · 29/07/2018 18:35

It was one of the better ones I've had. Don't worry about side effects, even if you have any they might well settle after a while.

SirHubzALot · 29/07/2018 18:41

Also if you're feeling rough, try taking it at a different time of day. I switched mine to morning as it upset my sleep a bit at first but can now take it at any time of day.

Pastaagain78 · 29/07/2018 18:45

I’ve been fine. Works well for me. The only side effects I have had is a bit of constipation and loss of orgasm.

Dancer12345 · 29/07/2018 18:57

I started taking them a couple of weeks ago for the first time. The first couple of days I felt sick, but not horrendous. I actually felt better when eating, so it didn’t stop me! I had two nights where I didn’t sleep very well, so felt tired the needy couple of days, but that was it. Nothing horrendous at all.

Apparently it takes about 6-8 weeks for the full effects to kick in, so I still need to wait to see if they’re working. I’m taking them for anxiety mainly, and whilst I haven’t noticed any improvement in that respect yet, my mood is definitely better already (was feeling a bit low due to anxiety and life).

Original poster
Harlevie · 29/07/2018 19:01

Thank you everyone, I feel much more positive about taking it already. Did anyone gain weight on it?

OP posts:
Melkim40 · 29/07/2018 19:05

I took Sertraline for anxiety for about 3 years. They worked brilliantly for me. Only side effect I had was that for the first few days I felt a bit drunk! It soon settled down though! A few days feeling drunk was a small price to pay as I was finally free of the crippling panic attacks and constant worrying that I had previously had to cope with on a daily basis!

CatAnnoyance · 29/07/2018 19:12

Sertraline works wonders for me. I had bad PND in the form of severe anxiety rather than depression. I finally admitted I needed help and the doctor started me on it.

I (and my partner!) noticed a difference very quickly. I felt so much calmer and relaxed and in turn, happier.

I haven't gained weight since I started taking it almost 12 months ago.

Original poster
Harlevie · 29/07/2018 19:21

Thanks for your replies! It’s so reassuring and good to know you haven’t gained weight on it. I’m going to try and get back into exercising and eating healthy when I’m feeling better anyway. I feel a lot better about starting them tonight now. I read a lot of bad reviews online and really worked myself up about it!

OP posts:
JoyTheUnicorn · 29/07/2018 19:28

I was terrified to start, but I’m so pleased I did.
I had an immediate sort of chemical high (which I enjoyed).
I initially had some side effects - period weirdness, extreme sweatiness, but they have calmed down now.

How2Support · 29/07/2018 19:29

Hello - Just echoing others: I started 50 mg sertraline a year ago for anxiety.

I was also very nervous about taking it but I think it has really really helped my anxiety.

I felt dizzy and sick for a while and quite vacant (although that might also have been exhaustion from dealing with the anxiety!) but now feel no ill effects - no weight gain or sleep disturbance.

I also started running around the same time (couch to 5k - recommend it if you can/don't already run) so it could have been a combo of that and meds but it is SUCH a relief. I have been having quite a stressful time lately and was getting a bit of the anxiety returning and it was so odd to remember I was dealing with daily and so much worse for months/years. I really hope it works for you too. Take care of yourself Flowers

How2Support · 29/07/2018 19:30

Oh yes the sweats! I'm still getting that but now not sure if it's perimenopause...

LexieLulu · 29/07/2018 19:34

You message could be me! I got prescribed this on Friday after years of putting off going the drs. Only I have been taking them.

Friday night I didn't sleep, my heart was pumping so hard in my chest that I felt I could hear it.

Other than that my only side effect is nausea, I have been taking them first thing and by 3pm my mouth is watery like I'm going to be sick and I feel rotten.

I'm on day three of taking them and the sickness was much less today

donerwillbehere · 29/07/2018 19:37

I have never looked back . The best thing I have ever done . I am no longer on Seretide and feel good . If I ever slipped back I would certainly with no hesitation go back on them .

Original poster
Harlevie · 29/07/2018 19:43

Thanks for your replies! Oh no LexieLulu I really hope that doesn’t happen to me. I guess I’ll just have to keep reminding myself it’s not going to kill me lol 😩

OP posts:
Catmint · 29/07/2018 19:47

Ive also had a good experience with them & found them less side effecty than citalopram.

LexieLulu · 29/07/2018 19:48

I only mentioned it so you know to start on a day when you don't have to be up really early the next day.

And a side effect for one person may not be a side effect for another Thanks