Should I or shouldn’t I advice needed please!!

[Onlyfools84]

Hey I need some advice. I’ve been prescribed Sertraline 50mg by my doctor as my anxiety has got a lot worse recently and I’m struggling daily. I have obviously researched this antidepressant but I’m so very worried about starting it. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place, on one side my anxiety is really quite bad at the moment due to some stressful things happening and it’s sent me into a downward spiral and I’m really trying so hard to get through it but as we all know it’s not easy. On the other side I really am worried about the side effects of the drug as I already suffer with health anxiety so any form of feeling unwell/symptoms freak me out completely. I’m also scared about being dependent on them for the foreseeable future. I just don’t know what to do I really can’t continue every day feeling like I do it’s so hard but I’m scared of the unknown.

I would appreciate any advice and if anyone has any experience with this medicine at all.

Thanks

[Agora1]

Onlyfools84, It's like seeing the life raft thrown out to you as you're drowning but afraid to grab onto it for fear it won't save you and so you keep sinking under.

Health anxiety makes us afraid to take medication because it puts that negative thought in our mind that we may get addicted or have a reaction or at the worse, may not work. The med is only as good as when it is taken out of the bottle. Oh I know, I use to cry to the doctor I needed help, fill the prescription and then put it on the shelf along with the other bottles.

At some point we have to believe and trust that we won't get better until we try doing something out of our realm of fear. I suggest letting someone know when you take the first pill, write down the time and dose of that pill and go on with your day. Sertraline takes every bit of 4-6 weeks to reach full efficacy. The sooner you start, the sooner you will start feeling better. Don't project down the road, live in the moment. The goal here is to getting your life back. We are here for support and understanding. xx

[miarose]

HI; just to let you know, you are not alone on this...I am exactly the same...afraid to take any tablet. even a vitamin, unless I research it first....I took sertraline for 3 days. I felt in a better mood, Only side effect was a headache...so I stopped...silly me...never give them a chance....I took one lexapro, had a great nights sleep...but it give me nausea...again I stopped....I am so afraid of them....please try it...you could start at 25mg..a low dose..thats what I did...it is not going to kill you...if you dont like it after a few weeks you can stop...my GP nearly runs out of the surgery when he sees me coming....He did give me good advice though...you wont know how a med is going to effect you until you take it....dont be put off by the reviews...everyone is different when it comes to meds, my sister is on sertraline for 2 years, no side effects atall...she is feeling much better.no panic attacks, and is always smiling..I am just a coward...please dont be like me..xxx.

[Steffie24]

Hi I started taking 50mg sertraline 2 1/2 weeks ago. I take it when I go to bed and I haven't really had any side effects apart from feeling a bit tired the first week. They do seem to have calmed me down a bit.

[Rubynoodles37]

I am exactly the same and I know deep down they would really help me (my anxiety and health anxiety is sooo bad ATM!) but I'm so scared of side effects. However, my friend started taking them about 3 months ago, initially she had a few headaches and indigestion but is now a different person, she's so much happier and relaxed, makes me feel like grabbing the bull by the horns and going for some too!

[Annmarie86]

Hi there I’m on same ones and I just started it on Monday and take my anxiety away I just take propanol with it and makes me a bit ease Xxx

[Davidatp]

Hi, I was on Sertraline for about a year and had no side affects at all. The only reason I decided to get off of it is because it really wasn’t helping me. I would say give it a try. If it doesn’t help or causes problems you can always stop and go another route. Good luck and God bless.

[Jeff1943]

Onlyfools84, let me tell you, anxiety about taking anti-anxiety medications is just another symptom of anxiety.

You can survive and recover without meds but if your anxiety becomes overwhelming then a course of meds is the right thing to do.

You say you're worried by the side effects. What side effects? You're taking Sertraline not arsenic. It was thoroughly tested before being licenced for use. All those side effects they print on the leaflet are remote possibilities and most people who experience them do so because they are expecting to experience them - because they're anxious.

You say you're worried about becoming dependent on them. Why? You're taking Sertraline not heroin. When the time comes to come off them you will taper off them slowly reducing the amount gradually over a few weeks.

So I say take the tablets and enjoy the respite from suffering that they will surely bring. And use this period of relief to read a good self-help book about anxiety or investigate a talking therapy that's right for you.

[TheBlackdog]

Hi there

I have been taking Sertraline 50mg for approx 9 weeks now. They seem to be working really well. It took about 4 weeks for them to properly luck in and I had some worsening anxiety symptoms for a week but didn't last long. All good now. The only thing I have is a very dry throat but I put this down to a recent sore throat that everyone has had pretty much in the uk! So crack on and see how you get on. You will never know otherwise.....

[autumnthebrat2]

I tried it and it and had very little side effects. My wife is an emergency room nurse and she didn't have any start up side effects either. Give it at try, it may give you relief which will help you manage your stress or issues in a calmer manner.