Feeling anxious about starting Sertraline

[TeaKitten]

The GP has prescribed Sertraline for anxiety. I’ve struggled with anxiety for years but always hated the idea of medication, but following DH leaving for another woman (and being very mean about it) my anxiety has hit a peak and I decided to accept help. Except I’m too anxious to take it! I’m most worried about feeling sick, or feeling more anxious for the first few weeks.

Currently most days I need to have an alcoholic drink before bed to be able to settle down and even though it’s one drink (occasionally 2) I’m really keen to cut it out. Am I better taking it in the morning so it doesn’t affect my sleep, or in the evening so I can sleep through the sick feeling? I’m more more worried about feeling sick than not sleeping, but in reality I’m a single parent to small children with a full on full time job so not sleeping will just make me more anxious. How can I make myself just take the stupid pill? I feel like I don’t have time to feel unwell because life is so full on and it’s really putting me off, but I really owe it to myself and my children to get control over this situation while I still can.

I took sertraline for 10 years and it was the only AD I've taken (also taken paroxetine, fluoxetine and venlafaxine) that had zero side effects - other than heartburn if I took it before food. I took it in the morning. You should be okay to have a drink in the evening. Good luck - hang on in there.

I took a day off work, popped the first pill then sat there all day waiting to feel ill. Apart from a dry mouth and mild headache, I was fine. Within 5 days all the anxiety I had been feeling started to melt away - like I couldn't be bothered to worry about anything. This feeling alone made it all worth it. I'm only on 50mg (been 2 years now) and I wish I had taken them sooner. Like you, I was terrified of them making me ill so I delayed it for years and struggled on. I wish you all the best.

Best to take it in the morning and get on with your day. You shouldn't feel sick more than from a strong cup of tea. Good luck and hope it goes well. You can always go back to GP if you think the dosage should be adjusted.

Oh and I take it in the morning otherwise I have very weird dreams.

Thank you for the reassurance. I didn’t want to take it today because I don’t want to be stressing about it while at the kids activities. But I’m going to give it a go tomorrow morning and see how I get on. It’s starting on the lowest dose (GP said shel increase it once I’ve settled into taking it) so hopefully the side affects will be minimal.

Sertraline saved my life. You will be fine

I had a few mild side effects when I first started it (very very slight nausea, bit of a headache, felt a bit tired), but it was still way better than any symptoms the anxiety had caused. And you get used to it pretty quickly.

You'll be reet, as we say in Lancashire.

Oh you will be absolutely fine. The anxiety you are experiencing about feeling sick will be worse than any feeling sick. You owe it to yourself to feel better. Take in the morning after breakfast xx

I've been on sertaline for about 8 weeks now. Slight headache at first that's all. I take in the morning. Take with a full glass of water as can give terrible heartburn otherwise I find.

I’ve just started on sertraline, 50mg a day, and have had no side effects whatsoever. I really hope you will be fine on it, and it improves things for you.

I’ve been on it for a month now, after coming off other ADs because of side effects. It has been brilliant so far. Take it in the morning. The only side effects I have noticed are restless legs and more frequent urination. I can live with those!

I recently started Citalopram, and have just started a thread as I came on to the meds very slowly (having experienced side effects in the past)... already the incessant anxious chatter is diminishing...I'm just waiting for side effects to subside and to feel full benefits. I would give it a try if I were you xx