I started setraline today….

[Myusernameisunique]

… and I’m terrified. So scared of the side effects. It’s taken me 3 weeks to build up to taking them. The noise in my head and the absolute despair I feel constantly is just too much now. I’ve started on half a tablet so 25mg rather than 50mg to hopefully ease myself in. I feel like an utter failure because this has all came off the back of a breakup. I can’t believe I’ve got into this state because of it. I don’t know why I’m posting here but I had to get it out somewhere that isn’t someone IRL because I already know my friends and family are beside themselves with worry about me and I feel so guilty about that too.

I had little to no side effects when I started, and its been a game changer for me. Not the same situation as you but it makes life so less daunting. It doesnt take away your problems but allows you to be able to deal with them. I started on 50mg.

I’ve been on sertraline for years with no side effects. I’d say most people are probably fine on it. Try not to worry.

I had no real side effects but felt so much better, calmer, stopped crying at everything, it just helps - give it some time, and give yourself time as well, asking for help and getting the prescription filled is a big step. Well done!

Any sexual side effects?

2 weeks. Just get through the next 2 weeks. This is serious meds but after 2 weeks you should feel a mood improvement.

make NO rash decisions
do as little as possible
I recommend watching columbo on telly til you past the 2 week mark

Thank you. I’ve never suffered from mental health in my life. I’ve been very lucky. Now at 38 losing the love of my life has broken me. I’ve even been through a marriage breakup and was totally fine. Sad but not suicidal. I just cannot believe it’s came to this.

It was the first time I had ever been to the gp and asked for help, I know it is weird to feel you usually can always cope and suddenly say - actually, I can’t. But this is still you managing, just with some assistance, try to also get some sleep, etc - I’ve tried to use nice shower gel, found the M&S pillow spray really helped etc, just little things to spoil myself!

Sertraline completely changed my life for the better

Well done making the positive decision to take it! You will feel so nuch better soon ❤️ I take it for anxiety and it works brilliantly. I started on 25mg and built up to 50mg. I did find when I first started it and when i increased the dose my anxiety was slightly worse, which is a known side effect but just ride it out and it will start working quickly. I felt better in a matter of weeks and no plans to come off it. Wish I had done it years ago. Hugs OP

Good luck and well done! I’m increasing my dose today to 50mg after being on 25mg for two weeks, I was tired after taking it so switched to taking the tablet early evening instead of the morning. I have been quite anxious but I’m anxious all the time anyway hence trying something new 🤣. It’s nice to find a thread where someone is doing the same in real time xxx

Another one here saying Sertraline has made my life so much better, never had antidepressants before, and I turned them down many times because I didn't think I needed them. A horrendous work situation turned my life and my mental health upside down and honestly I eventually gave in and took them-my only regret is not taking them sooner!
I have been lucky as well to have had no negative side effects, but what it has done is give me clarity, calm and balance-which you sound like you could really benefit from at the moment.I started on a low dose and gp upped it after a few weeks.You are not a failure for needing to take a medicine to help you feel better ❤️

I started them 9 weeks ago and again it’s the best thing. Mine was physical illness- I had long covid and then I couldn’t get over and constantly ill and in bed and was upset at feeling so awful all the time. Within four weeks I felt better and all my physical illness had gone too- it was the physical side of depression (headache, tiredness, stomachache, ) plus then some emotional like not enjoying things and not want ring to see people. I was a total fun sponge

I feel like me again.

I have been on it for 12 months, I started on 50mg and increased to 100mg after about 3 months. I had practically all the side effects on the leaflet in the first couple of weeks but I’d read up beforehand and was prepared to push through. Best decision for me, like you my mental health has always been fairly steady until an episode with an NHS dentist which really knocked me in a way I didn’t expect and I couldn’t handle.
Good luck

I've been on them before (150 mg)came off quite easily.
Had a tough time with overthinking and anxiety so went back on (100mg) it stopped the constant chatter and 100 mph thought patterns.
Hope you find your happy medium.👍

Thank you everyone. I’m definitely not feeling the best on them. Couldn’t sleep last night and have a horrible taste in my mouth and upset stomach. But I’m going to try and push through the next 2 weeks and hopefully it’ll ease. I’m on a waiting list for counselling so I’m hoping this will tide me over until then and then once I’m in counselling I may be able to come off them again after a while. The problem for me is that this breakup is what’s caused this and taking tablets won’t change that. So it’s more like putting a plaster on it for me. I need to work through it all in counselling to actually get better in my opinion.

Day 3. 17 to go. Take it 1 day at a time.

Keep going op and well done for taking them.

i’m another one who put off taking them for so long and glad when i did. I have a life situation (mainly extreme sleep deprivation) that has caused my issues and it hasn’t 100% solved everything but even a low dose has made me feel better when i felt i was running out of options.

It’s really badly affecting my sleep. In that before I slept like a baby 9:30/10 till 5/6am. Even through all this sleep has always been the one thing that’s never failed me. Now I’m lucky if I’m getting 4 hours a night. I’m taking first thing in the morning for the best chance of a sleep. I’m hoping that settles down because I’m starting to get tired and I’m only a few days in!

Keep riding the side effects out, they will subside. So sorry you're struggling after your breakup, it is so tough. Just remember plasters serve a useful purpose while you heal 🤗 counselling will be so helpful too.

You're not a failure.

Try them for a few weeks - if they don't help, there are plenty of other options. Good luck x

I'll be honest I had awful side effects for a couple of weeks. You might not, but if you do it's perfectly justified to take time off sick, rest if you can, and look after yourself. You're legitimately unwell. I hope they help you to feel better soon.

I've been on sertraline for years. Couldn't cope with my situation without it. I am on 100mg daily. Its been fine for me, no side effects at all. I don't quite remember any side effects whilst going on it, although if course started at 50mg initially. The only time I did feel awful was when I unfortunately ran out and could not get an emergency prescription. Never ran out again! X

The not being able to sleep is really hard. I’ve not had more than 4 hours sleep a night since I started taking it. I usually sleep well. I’m not sure how much longer I can ride out being tired.

I’m on day 4 and struggling a bit with sleep too. But I hope it will get better. I already feel it’s harder to tip into panic mode. Hope you get more sleep soon!

I’ve been struggling to stay asleep since upping the dose too, hoping it levels out over the next week as I am definitely feeling less anxious 🙏🏼