Starting sertraline today. What to expect?

[NoHeavenNoMore]

I have been prescribed sertraline after speaking to the GP about some extreme emotions I have during the second half of my cycle. I'm talking irrational anger/rage/mood swings. This has been happening for the last 6 months or so. I haven't always been this way.
A bit of context, I have had a really difficult and stressful year. I feel the antidepressant is probably what I need but I read the list of side effects and I'm worried about feeling worse. Can anyone share their experiences with me? Does it work for you? Haven't taken any yet.
Thanks in advance

It’s worked wonders for me however I did suffer some side effects for a few weeks but it’s worth perservering with.
I found I had to try taking it at different times to work out what suited. I now take it if a morning
I had vivid dreams, night sweats and issues with blood pressure but was told the BP side effect isn’t very common
would highly recommend it though

lots say nausea and off feeling

honestly for me…. not one single whiff of a symptom. i went 25 - 50 - 100.

And no symptom whatsoever. good luckn

Thank you for your input. I'm worried about ruining Christmas for my family if I'm feeling rotten. Don't cope very well with a lack of sleep. I've been resisting any sort of Christmas joy and my partners pestering to put the tree up. I want to want to do these things but I just cannot be bothered. That's why I think I should just give it a go... still trying to pluck up the courage to take it

Thank you. I have been prescribed 50mg once a day during second half of cycle day 15-28 or once a day every day.
I've read that you shouldn't come off them straight away so don't understand taking them on and off for two weeks. Might stick to the every day. I could start with 25mg as you did, sounds like your experience was ideal

This is within the Royal College of Gynaecologists pre menstral syndrome guidance - if you haven't seen it, look it up. Follow the other steps too.

I took it for a bit during menopause. Main side effects were reduced sex drive/sensation. Otherwise a slow burn but the intense blackness lifted.

No side effects for me. Doctors started me on 1/2 tablet to increase to 1 tablet if needed and advised me to to take it in the morning as it may affect sleep if taken in the evening. When I came off it, they reduced it to every other day.

I took it for a two years and really helped me out, hope you feel better soon x

Morning, I am in my third week now. First week I was gittery, tense shoulders and jaw, had no appetite, a bit spaced out for the first few hours after taking the tablet. I take it at night, it makes me sleepy so it's been great, sleep was an issue before.

Three weeks in, I am still a bit gittery in the morning, my appetite is still very low, I am sleeping great, I feel more me, more in control of my thoughts. I'm on 50mg and it may need to be increased, I'm not sure yet. But overall I feel so much better, just wish I had asked for help sooner.

No side effects for me at all until I got to a very high dose (250mg). No problem coming off them at all either.

please follow what your GP says and not me

loads do as i did and still get side effects

I've been on it for nearly 4 weeks. Never taken it prior. It made me feel terrible but don't let this put you off. I now feel ok just some low level nausea sometimes and tiredness.
I felt very shaky and extremely sick. This lasted about 4 days. Then it started to taper off. I felt unwell like when you have flu. Persevere though. I have only cried once as opposed to millions of times a day. I'm more chilled out, much less anxious and less panicked. Also had menstrual problems with mood. It's taken the edge off. Good luck!

@sugarandsweetener You're right. I will do as prescribed. Thank you x

I went to Legoland with the kids on day two of sertraline, do not recommend 😂 I felt quite sick and jittery and just a bit shit. If you can stay in and relax I'd do so. But it passed after a few days.

I've been on it for years, in the beginning my side effects were insomnia (that stopped once I started to take it in the morning), constant yawning, clenched jaw. Now the only symptoms I have are vivid dreams, ,which I actually quite enjoy 😅. Oh and I physically cannot cry when I'm on them, no matter what happens. I feel the sadness but also sort of numb. They have kept me alive and given me my life back.

@trevthecat aww I'm pleased you've got the help now, I too have probably waited too long but I was trying to go off my past experiences of finding my own way to get through things. It's not worked so here I am. Take care x

I’ve been on it 3 months. 25 - 37.5 - 50.
My main symptom was upset tummy and headache. Nothing too dreadful. Sleep was iffy for a bit and heightened emotions, but, my oestrogen levels were low and dropping so some of this may well have been hormonal too. It also passed quite quickly with sertraline and a new HRT regime.

I restarted it last week after a break of 18 months. Had a headache and felt a bit sick.

First week I had the shakes a little bit and was told my anxiety could get worse, but they gave me propanalol (a beta blocker) to take at the same time. I didn’t notice increased anxiety but that may have been the additional meds. I seem to remember having a bit of a bad stomach for a few days.
Second week was like the veil had been lifted and everything I’d struggled with previously just became easier to manage. I had no adverse symptoms after that. I came off it about a year ago and have continued to feel stable even with the hormonal chaos and stress of having a baby!

I was on it for 2 years for anxiety.
Day 3-9 was horrific, I was so anxious I could barely function, just waves of fear running up my back. I had to keep taking myself to bed. Day 10 I felt better and by day 12 loads better. It really got me through a very difficult period (child being very ill and going through a drawn out diagnosis period).

I would have stayed on it forever but I put on a lot of weight, unfortunately.

Nausea

The nausea was horrible for me, but not for long. Restless legs at night, and now I’m on a higher dose, I don’t ever cry. It’s so weird. I normally cry at everything, but have been dry eyed at funerals, kids concerts etc.

I had two weeks of horrendous insomnia and feeling like crap, great since then though.

Thank you all for your posts. I still haven't taken the tablet. I guess I'm scared. Going to see how I feel when I wake up in the morning x

I started a new med on Friday so I've done two days so far. I was very worries about side effects but so far, so good. You can do it!

Does it "reset" things so that when you eventually come off it, the feelings (ie the reason you went on it) don't come back?

How are you now OP?