Zoloft/Sertraline--any good outcomes?

[MrKind]

Dr. advised I go on sertraline but everything I've read so far is very negative--anyone have a good outcome? If so how many weeks before you saw it turn around? Starting with 25mg.

[IncognitoC]

I have not had any negative experiences with Sertraline but I’ve not had any improvement with it. On the plus side I have not got any worse. I started on 50mg and changed to 100mg. I’m going to speak with my doctor as I am not sure if sertraline is working for me.

Sorry it’s not very helpful but it’s an honest answer for you.

[SeekingStability]

I felt amazing on it. Who knows why but eventually I couldn't keep it down so I had to stop. But it did help me.

[Midori]

I used to use it; my doctor put me on it for my Fibromyalgia. It helped with the depression side, but not the Fibro pains. I weaned myself off it eventually.

Now I have Arthritis as well, (the perils of growing old!) Who said the O word?! OK, I'm 75!

The only thing I take now is Ibuprofen for the Arthritis.

[Pineapple1986]

Not sure where you did your research, as there are tons of positive comments and outcomes that people shared about this excellent medication. Including this website. I highly recommend doing more research if other people's opinions matter. But everyone is different and not everything works for one person against another. Zoloft is the least dangerous antidepressant/antianxiety medication, it’s non habit forming, with years of research, studies and clinical data. It’s even called a vitamin for the brain rather than a chemical that alters your brain function. The worst thing that can happen is that it won’t work for you, and sadly, you’ll have to move on to some other, more serious stuff…. I have been on this med three times, and three times came off with no problem after depression and anxiety were treated. It's not something you can say about other meds that will tie you for life. It takes about three weeks for full effect. 25 mg is a minimal dose. Expect to go up to 100 at least for full effect. But you should start feeling the difference if you gradually go up in about 3-5 weeks annd if you lucky that this is the right drug for your condition. Again, for the does, that is more than 25. Usually, it goes up by 25 my every 2-3 weeks. Good luck. Read less and listen to your body more. Also it might get worse before it gets better. There is a point where it feels like it makes you more anxious or depressed in a first few weeks. This usually goes away after 3-4 weeks, and if it doesn’t, you either need to adjust the does or need a different med all together.

[wiggity_whack]

Zoloft is the only thing that helped with my anxiety, but I can't take the maximum dose because it makes me more anxious. I have to take just enough. No other negative side effects for me. But everyone's physiology is different.

[RottieFlood37]

I have MDD and anxiety. I took Zoloft/Sertraline for a long time. I started on 50mg and upped to 100mg after a year or more. It was the most effective antidepressant I’ve taken yet. I never took more than 100mg.

Since the fall of 2022 I’ve been experiencing heightened pain all over my body. Not sure if underlying undiagnosed issue or symptom of mental health issues. But my doctor changed my meds and depression is worsening.

I went to 60mg Cymbalta/Duloxetine and then 100mgER Pristiq/Desvenlafax. Personally, I would recommend Zoloft. But it does also depend on how you respond. Every person is different.

My husband and son both have severe anxiety and depression. They take Prozac/Fluoxetine and they and that is their preferred medication. Unfortunately, I do not know what else they tried.

[Figgins42]

25mg is an ok place to start, but I would tell - not ask - your Doctor you want to start even lower than that. Try 12.5mg for a couple of weeks, maybe a month, see how you do. I started low, went slow on Zoloft. I never wanted to be on an SSRI as I had side effects for pretty much everyone I tried. I found a doctor that actually titrated Zoloft for me so I could start on very low doses. I did that for a couple of years then progressed up to 100mg. Been on BRAND Zoloft now for, oh goodness, 17 or 18 years? Went up to 100mg about 9 years ago after some terrible Psychiatrist took me off of it too fast. Several ER trips later, I found an amazing doctor who advised me to go back up which worked.

It does a great job with my anxiety. I realized that for years before I took it, I had some chemical imbalances. My anxiety was major, my insomnia was horrendous. I think Zoloft smooths things out a bit.

No medication is a miracle cure as you know. I would try it especially if you're anxious and depressed. But like I said, start lower than 25mg. You can break those in half.

Any questions you may have, I'm here to help! Good luck. Don't be afraid. Give it a chance and see and if it's not right for you, then it's not right for you.

[Ley97]

Hello, I am 60/ female

Resisted zoloft for a long time but finally started a month ago. First 7 days 25 mg , then 50 mg. I had severe anxiety which calmed down. I am not panicky anymore, much more relaxed. No side effects.