SERTRALINE

[chocolateloverr]

Hi there

I'm due to start taking sertraline (50mg)
Finally admitting that I really am struggling with my mental health and it's impacting every aspect of my life
It's quite daunting
I also suffer with ocd as well

I just wanted to know if anyone is currently on or has been on the tablets and wondered what their experience was like ☺️😊

Hey. I’ve been on sertraline for 10+ years.
in the beginning it’s a bit tough, just in terms of getting to sleep and I did get a lot of headaches but it doesn’t last and you do start to feel better.
put it this way. If I went max 3 days without taking them now I’d be a mess.
50 is the starting dose, just to get your body used to it xx

Hi. I've been taking Sertraline for 6 weeks for anxiety. I struggled with nausea and sleep at first, and my sleep is still affected somewhat, however I'm absolutely delighted with how calm and balanced I now feel. I'm on 50mg but I only took half tablets for the first few weeks due to the side effects.

Good luck - I hope they work for you

My DH has been taking it for a month and he said that it's really helped with his anxiety and is sleeping much better. Good luck x

The first week on sertraline was VERY rough (nausea and insomnia), but it passed and it has honestly been a game-changer for me. I didn't realise until it had properly kicked in quite how bad I'd been feeling.

@Hannie31
I'm definitely fearful of the side effects
I'm currently on sleeping tablets to help with sleep

I know with any antidepressants, it gets worse before it gets better

Exactly that hun. I hope it works for you xxx

It was one of the best things I ever did. Just took the edge off of my PPD and OCD so I could function and start focussing on getting better. I didn't want to for ages and when I finally gave in I wished I'd done it sooner. Sometimes you just have a chemical imbalance in your brain that needs evening out a bit.

I also found it easy to wean off when I was ready to quit. My only side effects were chattery teeth to begin with. OH and don't ignore the "take with water" advice. I didn't and found out the hard way that it can burn your throat on the way down if you take it dry. I couldn't eat for days!

I started taking it 4 weeks ago. I had a couple of days of side effects (headache, threw up once, dodgy tummy) but they stopped after that. A few days in and I already felt calmer and was sleeping better. I'm now 4 weeks in and feeling less anxious and panic attacks have stopped. I feel much more able to cope with every day life. After years of trying to ignore my worsening mental health I really wish I had done something about it sooner. Wishing you all the best!

I have been taking sertraline for just over 4 years and it has been a game changer for me. My intrusive thoughts and high anxiety levels are more than manageable now. Just one tip - take your tablet standing up, with a large glass of water, otherwise the heartburn is very unpleasant.

Feel better soon.

Best thing I ever did, I feel like a totally different person on sertraline.

Thank you everyone
For such supportive comments
It's definitely given me hope! ❤️

Hey, I’ve been taking for around a year now to help with anxiety, depression and cptsd

At first it takes some getting used to. Find a dose time that works with your schedule I do evenings after dinner normally as i find that’s when I’m least likely to forget it. It’s so important to take it around the same time each day, so it can work effectively.

If you are prone to acid reflux then have pleanty of gaviscon on hand as I found that triggered it for me, though gp then gave me omeprazol and that stopped that.

Has dr suggested you start at 25mg for first 2 weeks or are you going straight to 50mg?

Also some may say it gets worse before it gets better when you’re on sertraline but I wouldn’t say that’s true it’s more it takes 6 weeks ish for it to build up and work so when you struggle in those first 6 weeks it feels more like it’s not working but in reality it hasn’t had long enough to build up yet.

In terms of dealing with what you have that’s caused you to begin sertraline, I would make a box of distractions maybe include some print outs of quotes or affirmations, some sort of calm g activity, maybe a stress ball of some kind, anything that’ll make you feel better. The important thing to remember is, you are in control. It will pass and you won’t be like how you feel in that moment forever. Just keep telling yourself this and it’ll help you keep everything that bit more under control.

Also make sure to read the leaflet and check there’s no medications you already take that shouldn’t be taken with it, or that it’ll influence how they work, doctors can sometimes miss that in my experience.

Well done for taking the steps towards getting better though OP! Any questions let me know xx

I was on it I suffer G.A.D and O.C.D I decided to get talking therapy for my anxiety as didn’t want to take meds it helped me no end try it I got it through my dr

My ds, 18, was prescribed sertraline for his severe ocd. It has been life changing for him and for us as a result. There are side effects though. He went slowly from 50-150mg.

Literally life changing. My anxiety was horrendous. I take 50mg and have done for a year I think. First few days maybe up to a week was ropey... Anxiety got worse but I knew to expect it and was determined to stay on them. Delighted... Can't believe such a wonderful life changing item is free on the NHS!

Has anyone previously tried citalopram and switched to sertraline? I've been on citalopram for many years but still have awful anxiety and mild depression.

I'm on day 14. This is my third time and I only stay on it until things stabilise a bit. I find it helps to record how I feel each day. The side effects have been different each time but are usually in the 'more than one in 10' category. Last time I went on it in 2022, I tried the 25mg to start with dose but it didn't seem to help the side effects and would have taken longer to get to clinical dose so I switched on day 5 to 50mg.
It is a game changer. I just wish it didn't take so long to kick in - usually 3 to 4 weeks.

If you are starting it, I'd get some paracetamol, some gaviscon, some imodium and some travel sickness tabs!!!

And yes, there are some meds you shouldn't take with any SSRI. Triptan migraine meds are definitely forbidden. Good luck!