I have been on 50 mg of sertraline for just under 4 weeks now. I also take Propranolol 10 mg, up to two tablets three x per day which is meant to help reduce symptoms of anxiety. The side effects I have suffered throughout that time have been diarreah, increased anxiety, intrusive thoughts (constant), panic attacks, loss of libido and just feel spaced out at times. I take my sertraline in the evening as I find I can sleep through side effects (what ever suites you). Mornings are bad for me as I wake up anxious. I spoke with my GP today and they have advised that I move up to 100 mg on both Sertraline and Propranolol which I am a little nervous about considering the side effects on 50 mg Sertraline and 10mg Propranolol. Please any helpful information i could do with as today is the worst day i have had!!
Hi again, I know I responded to your post before, again I'm sorry you are struggling. I would increase if your doctor advises it. My doctor wanted me to go to 100mg and I waited and now I wish I would have sooner. To be honest the first 7 weeks or so for me were a rollercoaster! Some days I would feel better and some days I felt horrible still! It takes a long time for the medication to work well. My advice is up the dose as your doctor has prescribed, maybe its the extra you need to get you where you want to be. Good luck!
Hi,
Thank you for your message! I took my first 100 mg last night so we will see how I get on! Anxiety is through the roof atm and intrusive thoughts also. How long did it take for you to get full benefits from sertraline? just need some reasurance?
Good for you, increased anxiety is a side effect when you first start sertraline and sometimes when you increase the dose so that should pass. I've been on it for 11 weeks but I just finally got to a therapeutic dose for me. I've been on 100mg for 3 weeks today and I feel great. I just started feeling the difference a couple days ago. I wish I would have listened to my doctor 10 weeks ago when he advised me to go to 100mg but I was scared to. Hang in there! You'll get there. I was in my darkest moments when I started sertraline and I couldn't see the light! I thought I'd never get better but I did!!!
Hi Tina,
So glad your feeling better! Have you found that sertraline has helped you with your thoughts a lot? and how long do you think after dose increase side effects will settle?
Hi Robbie, thank you and yes it did help with my thoughts it took about 3 weeks for that. The extreme side effects lasted 2 weeks. I still have some mild side effects that I'll gladly take over panic and anxiety. I know it's hard and one day seems like forever but you'll get there it just takes time unfortunately. Like I said before I never thought I'd get there! But I did and you will too! Hold on to hope!!
Thank you Tina that gives me a lot of hope. Being stuck in your mind and having constant anxiety is horrendous! I feel like I am just living in a dream. The Propranolol I take takes the edge of the anxiety but its still present. One thing ive noticed is our minds like to hold on to negatives and the worst possible outcome of things! The more you react to them the stronger they get.
Yes that's all very true! It helped me when I googled intrusive thoughts and it said it's normal everyone gets them at some point and it's not a reflection of who you are! Try to brush it off when they happen if you focus on it they are worse! I know it's easier said then done! I will check my notifications daily, please reach out if you need to, I'll be here! You got this!!!!
Thank you Tina! it is so reasuring to know that you have been through this and came out the other side. Your words have a lot of meaning to me.
I was on this site all day before just looking for reassurance! I know how it feels, I promise you'll get there! I never would of thought I'd be someone giving advice, but here I am proof that it gets better!! Are you in the UK? Most people on this site are lol, I'm in the US! Anyway keep fighting! You'll be better soon and look back and see how strong you were to go through the hell that is starting sertraline!!!!!
Yeah I am from the UK, I am also on this site everyday just clinging on to any words of positivity I can! Yesterday I had a really bad day and just thought to myself to end my suffering, I managed to brush that feeling away and trust the process of this medication. I just wish I had my life back without this constant fear and worry in my mind of what ifs in scenarios and just horrible thoughts that just arent me as a person! This is the hardest thing I have ever dealt with in my life
I was exactly the same way! Wanting my life back so bad! Thinking I'll never get better! My son is the reason I made it! He needs me! I used to wish my days away and couldn't wait for night time as the only peace I had was sleeping! I suffer from extreme anxiety and I started having panic attacks, they were terrifying!!! It's all gone now, I still have some slight anxiety but nothing like before, I'd say I'm 85-90% better. If I have to I'll up my dose again! I finally believe in the medication!
Another word of advice only search positive sertraline stories. I would reread the same ones everyday because it helps knowing that other people were as low as us and they made it!
Yeah that is what I have been doing just reading all positive reviews and success stories to try keep myself at some sort of positive state. I have a son also and I feel as though I am not being the best daddy I can be with the state I am in. God willing I get better tina cause I really am banking on this!
Also I am so so happy your better for your son!!
You will get better! I feel like the negative stories people put out there about sertraline (we call it Zoloft in the US lol) are due to them not giving it time to work and suffering through the side effects. For some people it works quicker and they don't have side effects. That is not the norm I feel. I was so jealous of those people lol. Also you have to find a dose that works for you and unfortunately that takes time! I was unlucky and had every side effect you can probably have! I went through hell for quite awhile in the beginning! Try and be patient I know it's hard but you're doing great!!
Yeah I have seen quite a few people putting reviews up after only a few days and weeks telling people to stay away from Sertraline / Zoloft which I don't think its helpful given that it needs time to settle. I have always read the positive ones to try keep me positive and to give me hope. You don't understand how it makes me feel just being able to talk to you about this and hear your words of wisdom. Not going to lie I am really struggling.
And I was struggling too and that's why I come on here! I try to respond to everyone who is struggling on sertraline. ❤ I am here and you are gonna be fine and have your life back soon!!! I will always respond to your messages! You aren't alone!!!
Thank you so much Tina! I never thought I would feel like this in my life. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Hearing you will always be there to reply to me is so reassuring. God willing I come out the other side I will defnitely be active on here to help people like you are helping me. God bless you Tina
I never did either, those were my darkest days and I really wasn't sure I'd make it so rest assured I know exactly how you are feeling! And like I said I'm proof that it will work! I always questioned will the Zoloft work for me and comparing myself to others who have taken it but everyone responds differently but YOU WILL RESPOND!!
Thank you, that's why I'm here! I will help you as much as I can with reassurance always! I promise you will get better!