Sertraline for anxiety?

[ItchySeveredFoot]

Has anyone else used it for anxiety? I've suffered my whole life with extreme feelings of anxiety and feeling really down. I've managed it by not doing anything. I avoid doing lots of things and didn't really finish school and don't work. I've annoyingly been too anxious to seek help.
Today after having a panic attack last night i finally reached out and am feeling quite proud. I told the doctor how I'm feeling and she suggested antidepressants. They're coming in the post as we're quarantined at the moment. I'm just really nervous as I've never taken anything before. But totally desperate for something to work. I feel like I'm wasting my life. Has anyone had positive results?

Feeling a bit more even now. Still down about the whole situation but no panic attacks.

I was just going to ask how you was doing OP?

Usually the Sertraline can take about 4/6 weeks to get into your system properly, but that's fab if you are feeling even just slightly better so soon : )

I'm pleased to hear that you haven't suffered the awful side effects that I did too.

Hi guys, newbie here. I’m just after a bit of advice
Please. I’ve been given sertraline almost 2 weeks ago now. I’ve never taken it before this is my first time, I have however taken fluoxetine many, many times before. I never had any side effects with that. The day I was prescribed sertraline I had the worst anxiety attack literally felt like I was having an heart attack and went extremely light headed. The side effects I’m having with sertraline are terrible first I felt sick for around 4 days also very light headed and head aches. This weeks been better until today. I have woken up feeling dizzy, head feels fuzzy, and very tired. Is this normal? Please help.

I'm on 50mg a day. I felt awful for a good few weeks to start. But now I don't have side affects.
Hope u feel better

Thank you. Were your side effects similar? I am also on 50 but probably will have to have 100 which I’m really worrying about.

Yes all those but not panic attack but huge increase in anxiety. I would sit at 50g for a bit. Until u increase. I was on 100g a few years ago, but had to come down to 50 as it made me shake. Then came off but a life change led me back on them. Sticking at 50.
But the side effects are very strong initially. See how you go but always check in with GP if you are really worries. Good luck

I take sertraline, first time I was on 50mg then up to 100mg, three years off it and been on it at 50mg for around a year now. I have told my gp that I don’t want to come it again but taking it for me isn’t just for anxiety/depression, I also have premenstrual dysphoric disorder so it helps keep that under control.

For those worried about taking it and the side effects, you don’t have to go straight on in there at 50mg. The first time I went on it, I did that and the side effects were horrendous. Second time round, I split the tablet in two and took 25mg a day for a week, then 50mg from then on, it was much better. I know some people that even split a 50mg tablet into quarters so start with 12.5mg a day for a week, then 25mg for another week, then 50mg.

I can say without a shadow of doubt that sertraline has saved my life.

Taking it in the morning really didn't suit me. I switched to the evening and was much better.

My side effects are pretty much all gone. Although I can feel foggy in the afternoons.

That's great news, hopefully the fog will drop in time.

I’m very new to this and coincidentally I’ve posted this on a new post if anyone can help me ❤️

Hi, I wonder if any of you guys who've had success on sertraline could show me some light at the end of the tunnel?
I was started on 50mgs and stayed on for 4 weeks, definitely felt an improvement but thought I could be better, so GP upped me to 100mgs which I stayed on for 8 weeks, same result. Up now to 150mgs for past 6 weeks and although I definitely feel calmer/much less anxious, I still don't feel happy/sociable/fun, the way I was before. Very flat. I know these drugs take a long time to work so wonder if anyone else had the same experience? Thanks

I found that the "flatness" goes with time, also on sertraline I've found a particularly strong correlation with diet and exercise (even more so than I would normally if that makes sense?).

Thanks for that. Yes I'm using lockdown as an opportunity to try and lose weight (!) as I found sertraline made me crave carbs and I know if I feel heavy at all it really affects my mood. So I'm exercising every day and not eating junk! ☺️
Can I ask how long you've been on it and what dose?
I've got all these reviews saved on my phone from the websites and I have to say there are a few that say it took them to 150 mg to feel better and not immediately but a few months in but I think it's better to actually chat to someone? I'm so desperate to feel normal again xx

50mg for about 18 months so far. Over the years I've been on various ssri at some quite high doses but sertraline seems to have done the trick even at a low dose.

It seems to have drastically reduced the anxiety that caused me to procrastinate with so many things and was therefore a huge bane on my life and by extension a lot of those that I love and care about.

That's fantastic, it really gets a good name, I think that's why I'm determined to persevere.. I'll give it another few weeks on 150mgs and see if things get better xx

Can you drink while taking sertraline? I don't usually drink but I do occasionally like cider in the warm weather or drinks at Christmas and birthdays.

@ItchySeveredFoot I've been having glass of wine or two when I want. I find it affects me more but the other night I was miserable and drank too much and magically didn't have a hangover so that's good!

Yes, alcohol doesn’t affect it, my GP was very clear about that 😊

Thanks I'll maybe treat myself to a bottle of cider.

OP I found that alcohol went to my head more ( made me a lightweight) so take it steady if you have a drink so you can gauge if & how if affects you differently now .... not that you are going to have a massive party / bender or anything ?!

Glad you are feeling ok : )

Havent read the full thread but I'm about to! I hope you are doing okay. I today spoke to the doctor about my health anxiety and have just taken my first dose of sertraline. Have been prescribed them before but wouldnt take them after reading side effects. This time round I need to get out of this cycle I'm in so feeling hopeful that these will help!

Hey, glad to hear you’ve taken the plunge! I was the same.. so worried and when I finally took my first tablet I basically just then waited to die or something 🤣 the side effects aren’t 24/7 sometimes mild nausea, jittery, they were my main ones. I got propanolol 10mgs which helped the jitteriness and GP gave me diazepam 2mg if I couldn’t sleep. They really helped. So good luck, you’ll be great! Xx

Still occasionally feel groggy. And I've had a few low days this last week. I have to speak to the doctor on Friday about how I'm feeling on them. Glad to see others have decided to go for it.

@Eilidh2203 😂😂 your comment made me laugh 'waited to die or something'.
I'm glad they helped you!
@ItchySeveredFoot I hope all goes well with the GP, I hope tomorrow is a good day
I just feel so tired. I took my tablet around 2pm. Maybe that was too late or early but I feel gross now. Very nauseous and dizzy.

I take mine first thing in the morning. I'm rubbish at remembering to take medication so my sertraline and my birth control are both on my bedside table! How are you feeling today @AvacadoPrime