Sertraline for anxiety - anyone had mild / no side effects?

[Autumnalleaves]

Just been prescribed sertraline for anxiety, have been reading this very informative thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feeling_depressed/4088279-sertraline-hand-holding, and am worried about all the side effects.

Wondering if anyone has taken it without too many side effects? Any positive stories about going onto it? How long before you felt better and how did it help?

The doctor has also given me 50mg whereas loads of people say they started on 25mg - anyone start on 50mg and was ok?

I started on 50mg back in September, I felt like I was coming up on a different type of pill for a couple of days, very chatty, jittery etc, overshared WILDLY at work but since then I've felt fine, it's helping, and I've not noticed any side effects. I take it first thing so it doesn't disrupt my sleep. No weight gain. I have a friend who has been on 50mg for 8 years now, she absolutely swears by it. good luck, better days are coming, well done for getting help

I have been on it for a week now, I have had no side effects at all.

If you type Sertraline into the search on here you will see some posters found it has been great for them.

Thanks both - that's reassuring. Was thinking of starting tomorrow as I won't be at work, it's due to rain solidly all day, so if I feel really weird at least I'm at home! Not that I can go anywhere anyway really, given lockdown!

Any other experiences?

A bit of weight gain, but that's probably because I wasn't burning it shaking with anxiety

Two weeks of tiredness and an upset stomach (nothing too bad). But it's life changing for me. So worth the initial (and mild) side effects.

For me, a bit of trouble sleeping, a little nausea/loss of appetite. Felt a little spacey the first day. But I'm on day 12 now and not noticing anything at all. I started on 50. Everyone's different. Just do what your doctor suggests and see how it goes :).

How are you feeling OP

I started on 25mg for a month and then went up to 50mg. Few side effects after the first week and I feel so much better. Like myself again.

Took the first one this morning, with lots of water and breakfast, so far no noticeable side effects, but it was only about 2.5hrs ago!

How are you doing this morning, @Funksoul?

I was prescribed 50mg last time and again this time (waiting for my prescription) but I just broke them in half and took 25mg for the first 7 days. Apart from feeling very slightly nauseous at the beginning and struggling to orgasm I didn't have side effects that I can remember.

Hope they help. I'm looking forward to feeling better again.

Sertraline saved my life. It's restored balance and calm, with no side effects since the first week. I'm currently on 100mg a day, down from 150 a year ago.

Yes, all good here thank you. My G.P was going to prescribe me it for 14 days every month to take before my period, but I asked if I can have it everyday, hopefully it will work. Ive also started the mini pill so hopefully both together will make me feel good all month, rather than 1 good day & 27 crap ones!

Well done for taking it today, keep yourself occupied and try not to think about it too much.

I also started on 50mg sertraline yesterday and noticed how a lot of people seem to have started on 25mg. I felt very drowsy yesterday afternoon but did wake up very early so not sure if it’s related. I’ve also had a very bad nights sleep last night, which isn’t too unusual for me, but it felt different somehow if that makes sense. It’s only been one day but I’m hoping that’s about if for side effects, as despite reading about people having so many bad side effects, I know people are more likely to post online about bad side effects, and that the ones who are having a good experience are less likely to post and are hopefully off enjoying their less anxious lives

Don't know if this will help as I am only taking it 2 weeks out of 4 (for PMDD, so cycle-related anxiety (breakdowns before every period!)).

First month I was on 50mg, had extreme jaw clenching. Other than that, just very thirsty.

Second month I was on 25mg as the jaw clenching is quite rare and serious and means I won't be able to take more than 25mg of any SSRI again. Jaw clenching reduced to basically none, but dehydration was extreme.

That's it really! Start month 3 in a few days. The benefits have been incredible already, quite unbelievable really.

*won't be able to take more than 50mg of an ssri...

I started on 25mg 5 days ago. First time I’ve taken it. Felt a bit like I had taken something on the first day - a bit spacey - also dry mouth and headache. Headache again on day 2, but since then just the dry mouth more thirsty than usual. Also tired - but that could just be life in general plus effects of weeks of very high anxiety levels. Feels like the edge has been taken off the noise in my head already.
Hope you’re getting on ok OP

@PolarnOPirate

Don't know if this will help as I am only taking it 2 weeks out of 4 (for PMDD, so cycle-related anxiety (breakdowns before every period!)).

First month I was on 50mg, had extreme jaw clenching. Other than that, just very thirsty.

Second month I was on 25mg as the jaw clenching is quite rare and serious and means I won't be able to take more than 25mg of any SSRI again. Jaw clenching reduced to basically none, but dehydration was extreme.

That's it really! Start month 3 in a few days. The benefits have been incredible already, quite unbelievable really.

I'm not sure about the jaw clenching being rare. I've chatted to quite a few people who've been on it and many of them have had this side effect.

I had it too and it was causing massive headaches because of how hard I was clenching. I'm on 50mg. Now, almost 2 weeks in, the clenching has stopped.

I'm not trying to go against what your GP has told you because that would be irresponsible - just letting you know that I had exactly that side effect. I had to take myself off to bed the headaches were that bad, and I'm not a wimp with pain! But it stopped. I wonder if perhaps yours would have, if you'd given it more time.

🤷🏻‍♀️ Just saying what the GP told me! I’ve never taken any medication in my life so I’m just doing what I’m told.

Day 2 - felt a little bit heady yesterday, but might have just been general tiredness (work’s really busy), wondering if I feel a bit nauseous today, hard to know if it’s the sertraline. Slept quite well, which was a relief given what I’ve read about possible sleep disruption.

Good luck to everyone else going on it for the first time too.

Hi OP I had the mildest of side effects, just a little nausea for a couple of days. Total opposite experience of horrendous first few weeks on fluoxetine years ago. I've found it really helpful for my depression and anxiety - hope you do too.

Definitely been feeling nauseous all afternoon/evening, which i never usual feel and which is a bit annoying, but Sunday night anxiety a lot lot better than usual, so maybe it’s working a bit already...?

Sertraline was good for me. Didn’t have the sexual side effects I’d had with Citalopram for one.

I am on 50mg, I love it. Bit of weight gain but thats also down to xmas and lockdown.

No anxiety at all, its bliss.

Urgh, woke up this morning feeling really sick and dizzy/light headed. Just forced myself to eat some cereal (which DH kindly brought me) as eating yesterday helped with the nausea.

Really hoping this passes soon, good to hear @colouringindoors ‘s nausea only lasted a couple of days....

Hopefully the nausea went? I am glad I stqrted mine, nearly 2 weeks now.