Anybody taking sertraline ?

[XoTina_]

Currently taking buspirone 10 mg for my anxiety and still have really bad panic attacks. I went to a different doctor for a second opinion and he prescribed me sertraline 25 mg but iv read the side effects and it scared me so i don’t want to take it now . Anybody taking or has took SERTRALINE ?

[JAYnLA]

I'm on week 11 and it has helped me. My psychiatrist has me on ativan as well, because the zoloft can be 'activating' at first. Talk to your doctor about this. I have found this medication more suitable than Lexapro. Everyone is different, but I'm happy with it so far.

[XoTina_ in reply to JAYnLA]

I’ll definitely talk to my doctor about it ! Thank you so much 😊

[Reb1]

I think it just depends on the person. I tried sertraline but didn't like it because it gave me bad insomnia. Also, I think it makes you more anxious for a bit, but after a while it calms you down.

[XoTina_ in reply to Reb1]

Thank you ! 😊

[Catwoman2018]

Hi, I've been on sertraline for 11 months now and I wouldn't be without it. The side effects are hard in the beginning and last several weeks, but persevere if you can, it's worth it. I recently increased my dose and no side effects at all. Hope this helps.

[Haynes70 in reply to Catwoman2018]

Hi, What dose did you increase to with no side effects?

[Catwoman2018 in reply to Haynes70]

I went from 50 mg to 100 mg, no extra side effects.

[Haynes70 in reply to Catwoman2018]

I'm only on 25 mg but I'm thinking I need to increase very soon because I still have a lot of anxiety. Did You start off at 25 mg?

[Catwoman2018 in reply to Haynes70]

No I started at 50, was working fine for couple of months and then I needed to increase it as I'd lost my mum and my depression was getting worse.

[Haynes70 in reply to Catwoman2018]

I am so sorry about your mom. That is great you did not have any side effects increasing your dose.

[hypercat54]

Hi every drug has side effects including the one you are one. Even aspirin and paracetomol does but you would take those if necessary.

Drug manufactures have to mention any possible side effect but if you do get any it is very unlikely they will be the severe ones but the common ones which are liveable with.

I take sertraline and the side effects I get are a dry mouth and disturbing dreams sometimes. Otherwise I find they work well for me. You have to give them 4-6 weeks to get fully into your system and you can feel a bit worse until they do. 25mgs is a very low dose - I am on 150 mgs, so you might find they need to be increased over time. x

[Shaymocha111 in reply to hypercat54]

It makes you have scary dreams ?

[hypercat54 in reply to Shaymocha111]

Yes - not usually nightmares though just disturbing. I consider it a good trade off though as sertraline really helps to keep my moods stable and from going too low. x

[Shaymocha111 in reply to hypercat54]

Does it help you stop overthinking

[hypercat54 in reply to Shaymocha111]

Yes.

[Shaymocha111 in reply to hypercat54]

Because every 5 mins I think about death or that it will happen and I’m scared as fuck I can’t focus either

[hypercat54 in reply to Shaymocha111]

The more you think about something the more you will if you get my meaning. Try distracting yourself when those thoughts come ie talk to a friend, read a book etc. Also have a look at mindfulness online as this teaches you to live in the present.

Oh and foul language isn't allowed on here so I would be grateful if you could edit out the f word. Thanks. x

[lourocks in reply to Shaymocha111]

Remember death is part of life we all die all living things do but death is not the end its just a transformation the body dies the soul never dies. Don't worry so much we still will face this one day and no we can't control it or know when but when its time its time so relax

[Shaymocha111]

I feel the same way with the sertraline I have the exact same but take it cus it will calm you down every medicine has side effects you will be okay you may not even get side effects

[jessiejakes]

I tried sertraline and made my anxiety 20 times worse and upset my tummy doctor said it didn't agree with me.but that was just me alot of people get on ok with it.you may be fine with it.i tried 25 mg.

[Hidden]

I'm not surprised with the Buspar....I've read that's very much hit or miss. My doctor has tried putting me back on it several times and I refuse because the side effects were awful. As with any antidepressant, everyone varies. What works for one person may not work at all for another. It sounds like your doctor is attempting a starter dose with the Zoloft to avoid some nasty side effects while your body adjusts. Like many have said, it can take up to 1-2 months usually for the full benefits to kick in. While I'm not a doctor, I would not be surprised to see this slowly worked up higher in dosage after you adjust.

I have taken Zoloft and while it didn't do the trick for me, whatever you're reading in the side effects that scares you is probably just the drug company covering its bases. I put on a little weight and had some male "side effects". I would say Zoloft is on the tamer side of medications. It has shown effective and doesn't have as many nasty side effects. Insomnia, like others have mentioned, is pretty common. I had trouble getting to sleep and would wake up often, mainly at first. It's important to remember and consider that some side effects, after prolonged use, could go away altogether. Most SSRI/SNRI medications, which Zoloft is, can cause anxiety levels to increase for a week or two. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe a short-term medication to help make this transition smoother. That, of course, will be between you and your doctor...and his/her call.

I'm going off on a guess that you might be scared of serotonin syndrome which sounds absolutely awful. As long as you take the medication as your doctor prescribes, the odds of getting SS is really low. I had two medications that mentioned serotonin syndrome and to watch taking others that might impact chemical levels in the brain...and both my doctor and a pharmacist advised that the odds of getting that side effect was still low. This is pure opinion since I don't want to substitute for medical advice. A lot of the medications in this class share a lot of the same side effects, so it's mainly whether it works for you or not. I would think Zoloft at this dose should go fairly well with the least amount of side effects because of the dose. Again, opinion, not medical advice.

Try not to look too deep into the pamphlets as much as just be aware so you're ready. Much like Googling an issue, it's easy for us to overthink this and the side effects can be scary. If you can, give it a shot and see if it works for you. Again, opinion only, I think it's a tame dose and a fairly well received medication. If you have any questions on it or maybe need a little info before jumping it, I would call your doctor or pharmacist and share your concerns. They have all the right information to give you the best answers to anything that might be holding you from taking it.

I hope this helps and I truly hope it's the solution for you. Best wishes and hope you get to feeling less anxious ASAP!

[XoTina_ in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much ♥️

[Amrinlama]

I would request all the quitter don’t get panic just make busy urself by thinking too much and continue our daily life basis

Nicotine is the thing that gives you brain fog

Drink a lot water than usual and mouth hygiene is very important

[greatmokarran]

Hi, yes, I am taking Sertraline. The initial effects were bad, but it kicks in after about a week or two. Be prepared for a couple of sweaty nights whilst it kicks in.

100 % definitely worth the wait but the thing is to wait for it to work.

[Elfje]

Difficult

If the anxiety get worser normally a doc give a benzo till the anti depressant do his work

If the anxiety not is related on your depression than both so or your anti depressant and a benzo

Or if the sertaline is not ok for you than you must talk too you doc

I have a anxiety panic disorder I refuse any anti depressant because I had too bad reaction

Stay strong and talk too your doc ❤️

[XoTina_ in reply to Elfje]

Thank you ❤️

[Elfje in reply to XoTina_]

My pleasure 😊

[TP114]

Taking 50mg sertraline per day.

Be ready for amped up anxiety for one week or so when starting it. Had 3 strong panic attacks in the first week that were so unique and anxiety inducing I had to call a doctor to help calm me. After about 2 or 3 weeks attacks stopped and some minor anxiety remained. Almost all physical symptoms gone but still slightly anxious about my health on week 4

[Janie03]

I’ve been on sertraline for years. 100mg a day and seem fine. No side effects but then everyone is different. Have you tried citalopram? I’ve never heard of buspirone

x

[XoTina_ in reply to Janie03]

No i just started having these panic and anxiety attacks a few months ago so my doc gave me buspirone 5 mg cuz i didn’t want to take Xanax. So it really didn’t help so he up it to 10 mg but i still having the attacks .

[Jessie8]

Hi,

I am currently taking 25mg! I have been taking it for 1 week. The first few days were pretty awful but today I feel much better than I have. Not sure I like it tho so may ask for another type x

[SEME425 in reply to Jessie8]

Wait no... my husband is on sertraline and he is on his first week too.. his doctor said the first two weeks was going to be bad.. and this is why this medication is given a bad name... however he said after the two weeks he’ll feel better

[Schmecks]

I’m currently taking it but it took me 2 years to try it as I was also afraid of side effects. In my experience taking it has definitely helped, hasn’t 100% cured me but I’m getting out more than I use to and feel a bit more daring to try things. The first 2 weeks I felt a little strange, my throat muscles felt weird and I would get bouts of tiredness but these affects did wear off.

Before taking sertraline I told my doctor I was really scared about taking it and she was really understanding and talked me through what I may feel but also gave me confidence in taking it. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about it.

I kind of thought to myself if I never try it then I never know if it could help and if after a couple weeks you don’t like it you can try a different type.

Hope this helps x

[fallenwing]

I'm on sertraline 50 mg and it helped me with my anxiety. It stops me from over thinking and from panicking about leaving my home.

[Teggyherms]

I’m on week 3 because Escitalopram had awful side effects for me! The only side effects that I had gotten so far was a slight dizziness, forgetfulness, and sometimes a mild headache. However the dizziness has gone away! I’m told that the rest of the side effects will also diminish with time. Unfortunately it does different things to different bodies. You just have to be aware that what you are feeling is just a side effect and not to get more anxious about it. It has done wonders for me on just 3 weeks

[art62grammie]

I have been on Sertraline 6 years now. The lowest dose given to anyone is 25mg. I am taking 75mg daily. It has worked great for me all these years.

[lyn21]

I took it for 5 years several years ago and it worked wonders for me!

[Blondegirl]

I started taking Sertaline 28days ago. First week was hard increased anxiety but you can get through it. Every day brought a different side effect.

Now at nearly 4wks it has died down. The overthinking has calmed down.

This morning had the worse panic attack I’ve ever had but I have been worried about a certain event coming up.

Hope this helps x

[Hidden]

Yes

[SwingOnTheSpiral]

I was prescribed 50mg Sertraline about a year ago for my depression and social anxiety. I didn't experience many side effects, and I think partially because I was just so low to begin with, it couldn't really get worse than that. About a month later, I noticed some suicidal ideation and ultra depression. My doctor upped it to 100mg. I've been better with this dosage and have been on it since June 2018.

[ruth1988]

I'm on day 4 of taking Sertraline for depression and panic attacks. I was prescribed 50mg but was scared to take them so I've been taking 25mg. I took my first one in the morning and felt awful all day - intense headache, increased anxiety, palpitations, sweating and dilated pupils. So since then I've been taking it just before I go to sleep and it seems to work better, I manage to sleep OK and wake up with just a headache, dry mouth and fatigue. Much better than the first day. I think I'll aim to increase to 50mg after a week. I still get scared to take one every night but it hasn't been as bad as I expected!

[Strawberry1229]

I honestly had to stop taking my buspirone.I was on 5 mg and kept going up and the more it kept going up the more I stopped feeling like myself and end up just giving in to the bad in my head. They mixed my prescription with sertraline starting at 35 mg and had to stop taking that too.