I was just prescribed Sertraline starting at 25mg for OCD. It has been sitting on my kitchen table for the last 3 days as I am terrified to start taking it because of the horror stories I have heard about side effects. I know it affects everyone differently so there’s no way of knowing until I start to take it. I also suffer from Health Anxiety which is feeding into my fears about this medication & making it so hard to get out of my head about it. Just looking for a pep talk & some motivation from anyone out there that can help share their positive experiences
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corgilover22
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That's actually a really low dose. I've been on sertraline for about 15 years and have found it really good. The only side effect I really have had is a slightly runny nose. And I'm on a really high dose - 300 mg a day.
I can't promise that you won't have side effects - but that's something that you know already. But it can make a real difference to OCD.
I know just how you feel, though. It can be scary to start on medication if you don't know what effect it will have. Antipsychotics can be prescribed in low doses to boost the effects of antidepressants like sertraline - and having been prescribed one called sulpiride some years ago, I put on weight (about 35 pounds). I came off it and the weight gain stopped, but a few years later it was suggested I try another called aripiprazole. I hesitated, read lots about it, hesitated some more - and then took the plunge! It has really helped - and hasn't made me put on weight. So I do know where you're coming from in hesitating about the sertraline.
Remember that it takes 4 - 6 weeks to start working properly, and you may not feel great to begin with. But also remember that if it really doesn't suit, you can still come off it.
I have been taking Sertraline for over a year now. I take 150 MG a day, and as far as I can tell it does help with my Depression and OCD. I tried many other drugs and did have unwanted side effects.
I can totally relate to medication anxiety. It can feel really scary to start a new medicine for me and my tendency is to want to look up all of the side effects repeatedly and ask for reassurance.
It was very difficult to start my own OCD/Depression medication for that reason.
Ultimately, I had to make the decision to embrace the uncertainty and lean into what I really wanted, which was to get better!
What would it look like for you if you were able to sit with that uncertainty?
Thank you so much for your reply, it was really what I needed to take the plunge & lean into that uncertainty. I feel like I’ve overcome a massive fear of mine. I know it’s only day 2 but I can already notice such a massive change in the way that I’m thinking. The side effects aren’t fun & had a really touch time sleeping last night with CRAZY CREEPY dreams but I’m hoping those subside over time. Otherwise I have so much energy & feel pretty good! I’m hoping it’s only up from here.
YAY!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad I was able to help in a small way and I'm SO PROUD OF YOU!!!I hope you continue to do well on your medication and on your recovery journey.
I felt some immediate relief with my medication as well so that's not unheard of.
Thank you!! I had an initial 2 days of almost feeling “high” which was amazing… but then all of a sudden I find my mood hitting an extreme low through out the day or randomly wanting to cry. I’m trying to not over analyze my mood but that’s something that I’ve been noticing & is making me a little nervous that it’s going to make me depressed?! The OCD thoughts are back… but it’s only day 3 so I’m sure the medicine is just doing it’s job but it freaked me out a bit as I didn’t see many people talk about mood changes in the beginning.
This page is great for learning about the medications often used to treat OCD and how they work including side effects.
If you have concerns about the mood changes I would reach out to your prescribing physician. They would be able to help adjust or change your medication if they feel it's necessary
I just noticed your post here. I've been taking 25mg sertraline for10 years. I have noticed very vivid dreams when taking this medication. It has helped my OCD symptoms but sometimes the dreams are so clear I confuse them with reality.
Hello! I actually just recently started sertraline and I felt the exact same way that you are feeling. I had been on prozac for years, but I just found that it was not helping much anymore so my psychiatrist suggested switching to zoloft. I had heard terrible horror stories as well and I also have health OCD along with harm ocd so it was very hard for me to convince myself to start taking it. I am taking it now and we upped my dose to 50 mg. Both 25 and 50 are low doses, but I do like it so far. I am unsure if I need to up my dosage again.
Thanks for sharing! How long have you been on Zoloft for? I don’t want to jump the gun, but I’m only on day 2 & have already noticed my OCD thoughts disappear & my head is just so clear. I have had some side effects that would normally send my health anxiety over the edge… but so far I’ve been “fine” with them. I’m on the 25mg to start & am liking it so far. How do you know when it’s time to increase?
I honestly felt the exact same way when I first started it. I felt like I was magically better, it was very calming but strange because everyone says it takes 4-6 weeks to notice anything. I couldn't tell if it was the placebo effect or if it actually started working immediately. I was on 25mg for a week and then I went to 50 mg and now I have been on 50mg for about 2 months. I still feel a little better than before, but not was good as I felt when I very first started it.
Very interesting! I hope you continue to feel better have you had any creepy dreams? They freaked me out last night & am worried they will continue every night… I also felt very restless but couldn’t fall sleep & normally I never have trouble sleeping
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