Sertraline

[Penny93]

Lived with anxiety and OCD for 10 years. GP recently prescribed sertraline but truthfully I’m really scared to start taking it due to side effects. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[Lizzypink]

Hi penny! I was just the same, I’ve been on setraline for nearly 5 weeks, it was quite rough ride for me, but now I’m having more good days, and feel it’s helping, I’ve been advised can take up to 6 weeks to feel full effects, so I’m sticking it out. The side effects are different for each person, I experienced extreme tiredness, yawning lots, and a tremor some days. Also Diarrhea for a couple of days. This passed after a week. I have the odd day where I have a set back, with anxiety as it made it worse to start with. But it’s starting to have good effects. I felt the depression lift in the first 2 weeks.

Wishing you luck!

Lizzy.

[Uldalebristol01]

I’m same as Lizzie just started . Week one was bad with feeling sick and diarrhoea so stay close to home ! Expect that your anxiety may increase before it gets better. Review with your doctor after week 4 to check doesage is correct . I’ve yet to feel less anxious ( I’m on week 5) had a better day yesterday but I’m really hopeful from all the good news stories on here . It’s got to be better than feeling horrendous all the time . Good luck

[MissMog]

Hi Penny, I've been suffering really badly with anxiety and panic attacks and like you was recently prescribed sertraline. I was terrified to start it and spent days crying, but then I figured, I either spend days staring at the box feeling utterly miserable or I take a chance and start them and let me tell you I'm SO glad I did , I'm on day 12 now and have noticed such a difference. I was prescribed 50 mg but did a week on 25 mg then upped to 50 mg. If you've been reading about peoples experiences online then keep in mind, people are more likely to post when they've had a bad experience and not when they've had a good one. I hope this has made you feel better. Good luck.

[Nonnapaula]

Hi Penny, I’ve been on Sertraline for PTSD for almost 20 years,

I take two 100gm a day. It has been good for me. I have tried a few times to drop the dose (with the help of my GP) for a month or so but my anxiety, panic attacks and depression comeback with force! So I’m back on the high dose again.

My GP is looking for a different prescription to see if another one could help - for a change.

Good luck with yours - keep taking the tablets for a while until any side affects go away.