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Original poster

Thoughts on sertraline . Does it work for you ?

47 replies

MimiBeee · 11/11/2022 20:44

I've been struggling for the last few years and was determined to make myself better without taking pills but feel a bit desperate . PTSD and OCD, panic. So tired and over worked ! I am 32 weeks pregnant and hoping to breastfeed but I think I want to start sertraline because I'm just so desperate to feel myself again .

I've heard mixed things about it. Things like
It doesn't work
It makes you feel worse
It only work on a really high dose.

I just want to hear peoples experiences on it please .

OP posts:
BluesandClues · 11/11/2022 20:46

I started off on 25mg and then went up to 50mg and it seems to do the job for me at present.

purplepencilcase · 11/11/2022 20:47

Yes, for me it absolutely does. 50mg a day keeps me level and functioning.

TwilightSkies · 11/11/2022 20:47

I absolutely love it. The first week or so when I started taking it I felt a bit spaced out but other than that there’s no downsides for me.
I don’t worry or overthink anymore. I don’t like awake with my thoughts spiralling. I don’t cry over silly things. I’m calm, content, present. And I seem to be more efficient too 😂 my house is tidy and I do things when they need done instead of letting things pile up.
id highly recommend it!

RefuseTheLies · 11/11/2022 20:48

I’m on 50mg. Worked for me very quickly. No side effects (apart from clenching my jaw, but I can live with that). No regrets.

Purplecatshopaholic · 11/11/2022 20:48

purplepencilcase · 11/11/2022 20:47

Yes, for me it absolutely does. 50mg a day keeps me level and functioning.

Yup, me too

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 11/11/2022 20:49

It works well for me.

You can also breastfeed on it so please don't discount it for that reason.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 11/11/2022 20:50

I take 50mg and it’s changed my life!

Usernameisgone · 11/11/2022 20:50

I started on 50 mg and worked upto 200mg before changing but honestly I don't think I would be alive if it wasn't for setraline.
I had horrendous side effects for around 3 weeks but slowly after that the fog lifted.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 11/11/2022 20:51

Oh, side effect wise unfortunately I struggle with sex/ability to orgasm when on it but was on it for years. Now I balance still dodgy mental health with sex life bit if mental health deteriorated and the balance tipped I would probably sacrifice sex life again.

incognitocheeto · 11/11/2022 20:52

50mg works for me (after 2 weeks of hellish anxiety at the beginning)
I was also pg and breast fed my son whilst on it.
He was monitored for a few days for withdrawal symptoms but he was absolutely fine.

Original poster
MimiBeee · 11/11/2022 20:54

Thank you ! Ok that's all really positive !
I Haven't felt ok for ages ! Brain fog and seeing fake flies and flashing dots as well . Migraine without the headache I was told !

Does sertraline make head fog better ?

Thanks you for responses !! Makes me feel excited to feel like me ! And really really hope it works for me too .

OP posts:
NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 11/11/2022 21:08

My dd was prescribed it when she was 17 because of severe anxiety because of ptsd. She has been stable for 18 months and is on 100 mg, it has been life changing for her. I just wish it had been prescribed earlier as was absolutely horrendous seeing her so ill with anxiety.

TwilightSkies · 12/11/2022 07:45

It makes my head fog go away, yes.
It takes away all the useless shitty thoughts and that leaves space to think clearly.

Happyasahedgehog · 12/11/2022 10:16

I started at 50mg, went up to 100mg, now back to 50mg. Would like to wean myself off it, but going through a bad patch, feeling very lonely and down right now.

Tomatowentsplat · 13/11/2022 15:40

I started this week on 50mg I'm on day 5 I keep getting a big lump in my throat and feel very tired, can anyone say its normal for the first few weeks and if it gets better.

The lump in throat is anxiety related, if I do a lot of deep breaths and distract myself it goes away for a while.
The tiredness isn't drowsiness but feel constantly ready for my bed.

incognitocheeto · 13/11/2022 18:25

Tomatowentsplat · 13/11/2022 15:40

I started this week on 50mg I'm on day 5 I keep getting a big lump in my throat and feel very tired, can anyone say its normal for the first few weeks and if it gets better.

The lump in throat is anxiety related, if I do a lot of deep breaths and distract myself it goes away for a while.
The tiredness isn't drowsiness but feel constantly ready for my bed.

Sounds very normal - should gradually ease off in next few weeks.

Then hopefully you will feel lots better.

Notplayingball · 13/11/2022 18:35

On 100mgs. Been on sertraline for six weeks now. Agree with a PP that it has stopped all the overthinking/worrying. I just get on with my day.

Tomatowentsplat · 13/11/2022 21:41

@incognitocheeto thank you. Can't wait for this to ease off. Feeling rough tonight.

bananaorange00 · 13/11/2022 23:07

Tomatowentsplat · 13/11/2022 15:40

I started this week on 50mg I'm on day 5 I keep getting a big lump in my throat and feel very tired, can anyone say its normal for the first few weeks and if it gets better.

The lump in throat is anxiety related, if I do a lot of deep breaths and distract myself it goes away for a while.
The tiredness isn't drowsiness but feel constantly ready for my bed.

My doctor assured me that it can make anxiety and anxiety related issues worse for the first two weeks then it should ease, which it did for me!

MendaciousMabel · 13/11/2022 23:09

I had side effects at first and then again when I increased my dose but I can honestly say it's changed my life. My life feels so much more manageable now and I feel so much more in control of my brain. I'm really grateful for it

bananaorange00 · 13/11/2022 23:11

I recently had a baby and I suffered from the most awful postpartum anxiety. I wasn't functioning at all, couldn't think straight or hold a conversation, couldn't sit still or concentrate on anything. I suffered for weeks, trying to avoid medication but got so desperate that I started 50mg of sertraline. The first three days I felt even more anxious, but on the fourth day I woke up and it had just lifted! After a few weeks I upped it to 100mg as I was having hints of anxiety here and there but since starting the medicine I have my life back! My head is clear again and the fog has entirely lifted. It's changed my life and aside from some twitching at night and jaw clenching I haven't noticed many side effects x

bananaorange00 · 13/11/2022 23:12

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 11/11/2022 20:49

It works well for me.

You can also breastfeed on it so please don't discount it for that reason.

I second this, I'm currently breastfeeding and taking 100mg x

Theluckoftheirish · 13/11/2022 23:13

My 15 year old dd is on it for ocd and anxiety. She’s on 50mg and it’s been amazing for her. She had about 3 weeks of side effects like dizziness, nausea, headaches but they settled down.

bananaorange00 · 13/11/2022 23:13

RefuseTheLies · 11/11/2022 20:48

I’m on 50mg. Worked for me very quickly. No side effects (apart from clenching my jaw, but I can live with that). No regrets.

I thought I was the only one with a clenched jaw! But I totally agree it's better than suffering without medicine!

LittleBeluga · 13/11/2022 23:15

Absolute life changer for me too. I've been on it about 18 months now. People I haven't seen for a while have actually commented on how "well" and relaxed I seem these days, not knowing that I'm on medication. I resisted it for about 10 years, for some reason. Those 10 years could have been much happier if I'd been less stubborn! I did try many talking therapies and CBT but nothing ever worked well for me. I had no idea how unwell I really was until Sertraline made me see clearly again.