Starting sertraline tomorrow, when did you notice any improvement?

[Sleepy21]

Due to start sertraline tomorrow - when can I expect to see an improvement? Even if only mild? Keen to hear your experiences - thanks v much!

Same - I’ve always had anxiety but I’ve had it under control for a good year and a few events have set it off for me and here I am 😕I so desperately want to be back in a good place

Sorry to hear that @Sleepy21its a bloody horrible illness. I think I need to start trying to battle it rather than just muddling through. I get on the meds and get a bit of counselling and I’m fine but I think I need to actually start doing some cbt exercises myself. Do you do anything?

I'd heard all sorts of horror stories about the way it made you feel initially and I didn't feel I'd be able to cope with that on top of the grief. My beautiful friend died suddenly in May and I've only now plucked up the courage to begin taking it (50mg daily).
I can't tell yet, I will keep posting though..

Two to three weeks for me. I remember driving in the car one day with husband, and laughing about something. It was the first time in months I had felt any sort of happiness.

If it takes meds to get off that rollercoaster
Then take it.
I'm on 150mg and it switches off the the analysing everything to the ninth degree oh and then replacing with another conodrum to be getting on with.

Thank you x It really is isn’t it - I admit, I’m not doing anything pro-active and I should be - agree with needing to battle it, I had CBT a number of years ago but definitely haven’t put it into practice on a daily basis

I have come back to this post to re-read all the encouraging messages you’ve sent me after a bad night of anxiety and no sleep! My anxiety gets really bad at night as I am having trouble sleeping and I get myself really worked up in the hours before bed. Also had a really bad stomach last night. I really hope this all resolves itself 🤞really not feeling very positive this morning and quite upset 😥x

Sorry to hear this @Sleepy21im struggling as well. I did sleep but feel exhausted and got to hold it together to do my job. Sort of what started me off! Have you tried meditating before bed?

Sorry to hear you are struggling as well - Hopefully we feel the benefits soon! That’s what I keep holding onto and is keeping me going! I don’t do any meditation - do you? Thanks, I will have a look and see what there is in an app. I hope your day at work is ok - so tough having to keep going when struggling x

I keep posting on here as I am trying to keep it together in front of kids which I am finding immensely challenging - please any tips to keep going through the rough side effects? Feeling so low and anxious and lack of sleep really doesn’t help x x on day 7

Following as my son has just started on 50mg. I think this is day 8 or 9.

I’m desperate for him to start feeling better. The first few days have been rough. It’s upset his stomach, affected his sleep and given him night sweats. Plus he feels very low.

Please can it kick in soon?

A couple of days. I respond very well to it.

minimal side effects that might honestly just be perimenopause.

Sorry to hear your son is struggling - I completely understand and I hope things improve for him soon. I have had many of the same side effects x

I am really hoping I respond well to it soon 🙏

Thanks. It’s horrendous. I am so anxious about it all, that I might need it too.

I hope you start to see improvement really soon.

@Sleepy21i haven’t had any this time but last time I remember a really rough day where I was crying and sort of rocking. My DD was 7. I just told her I wasn’t feeling well. The sleep is hard. I find some down time with a book if you can or even audio, some meditation, lavender candles. Writing down what’s going on in your head. Hope you feel better soon

Thank you - going to try those things tonight, fingers crossed x

I feel fortunate I haven't had any darker thoughts than usual and I cannot get an upset stomach. I don't feel any better yet, but I'm only on day six today.

I started last night. I've previously been on a low dose of Citalopram but stopped that a few months ago.
Have been really struggling so trying Sertraline.
Woke up to nausea and I've noticed trembling.
I was reluctant to get back into taking anti ds but bit the bullet

Sorry to hear you’ve been struggling. I noticed I’ve had that too, mine felt like an internal trembling sensation. I had some nausea at the start but it seems to have passed, hopefully yours will soon too

Im sorry to hear that you’re having a rough time-I really do understand how you’re feeling. For me, the start is always like this but it has always settled. Also, increasing my dose never has the same effects as when starting from scratch so don’t be afraid to increase your dose, if needed. Much love xxx

Thank you - messages like these are what is keeping me going xxx

The first couple of days I took it I really had to push myself to continue with it. I would expect an increase in anxiety. Not everyone has it but I do believe it’s very common. Try to push through because that stops very quickly and like others have said you’ll slowly realise things just seem less intense. I was worried about feeling numb or different on it, but it’s not like that at all. It just takes the edge off that really hard to live with anxiety. Good luck OP.

About two weeks for me. At first I felt awful though, please please please have someone in standby just in case you need support. When I first started taking it I actually really felt like I might end up hurting myself, it is the only time I’ve ever felt like that, fortunately I had the ability to call my mum to sit with me. Make sure you have someone you can reach out to if your husband is at work or family are away etc. you likely won’t need them but better safe than sorry.

I will say though that it worked wonders for me and that it has done for many people I know.

My understanding is that it will take about 4 weeks to have an impact. This is due to the serotonin not being re absorbed so it can build up within the synaptic space.
When these levels build up you should hopefully feel some effect.