Hello, I’m Courtney and I’ve recently started taking Sertraline. (7days so far). I’m looking for some positive stories and maybe some encouraging words as I’m feeling hopeless today. I’d like to relate with others and find comfort in that.
A bit about me, I’ve had anxiety for as long as I can remember. I’ve managed it (as best I’ve could) with a few patches of unmanageable periods. I know that medicine is something I need to continue to be on but never really kept up with it once feeling better. My fault. I am going through one of the worst bouts ever. I feel so hopless at the moment and don’t really know where to turn as no one I know suffers with this. My mind is in a constant loop of worry. I’m afraid something is wrong with me and this will never end. I just need some encouraging words or anything at this point.
Hi Courtney
iv been on sertraline 25mg for nearly a year.
For health anxiety. It all started with acid reflux which can mimic a heart attack, but didn’t know that at the time, then one thing led to another health wise wasn’t getting any answers, I felt life was getting to much to handle so I asked my gp if I could go on sertraline before I went mad. It took a good few weeks before it kicked in, and I’m calmer don’t let things get to me, my fight is back.
its the most awful feeling being out of control.
I know.
I feel for you, give it time to get into your system.
Iv never upped my dose because it’s working for me.
Im 57 and I was hoping that at my time of life things would be easy.
Good luck. If you need to ask anything I will try to help x
Hi Courtney
We are on the same path pretty much , I was talking Citalopran for 5 months but the side effects were awful and although I did start to feel better I ended up having another meltdown so I’m now on Sertraline, two weeks on 50mg and now on 2nd week of 100mg , some side effects but no where near as bad as Cit.
My anxiety has come down which is great , still there but not crippling, still can’t lrave the house or see people but did go for a walk this afternoon, wobbly legs and brain fog but I did it so the Sert must be starting to settle in , it’s early days and most say 6-8 weeks should show a fair improvement and it keeps getting better after that.
Keep going , I will too , we will be well again 👍
Matt
Thank you so much, Matt for your response. Can I ask if you have good and bad days? It almost makes it worse when one day is good and the next it bad.
Oh Julie! I feel like I am waking in your shoes. All of this started with heart palpitations and acid reflux. I’ve worked myself up into thinking I have every disease out there. I had a semi good day yesterday but today I feel like I’m right back where I started. I just sit here waiting for things to get better while a million thoughts run through my head. I can’t seem to bring myself back up.
I’m so glad you’re doing better and found your fight!!! I’m searching for mine at the moment so this is good to hear
Hi Courtney
Tbh I’ve had mainly bad days but was told that with the Citalopran coming out of my system and the Sertraline trying to settle in I would have a rough time which I have yuk !
Uncontrollable crying, irrational thoughts , nausea , exhausted all the time , that’s my body clearing out the old and letting the new find it place .
Today has been the best I’ve felt for weeks, I’m not punching the air or anything and still had to take a Diazipan at mid day but a definite improvement, over recovery we are told to expect good days and bad , trying not to give the bad to much thought , as hard as that is! But eventually there will be more good days than bad .
I hope to start CBT soon which is supposed to really help I’m just not ready for it yet as the meds haven’t settled and I’m still getting manic crying spells but only cried today for a few minutes which is good so many meds are starting to kick in , it’s a tough rocky road but worth sticking with it , it takes time to get back to who we were before, but we’re still there just waiting to come back and we will .
Stay strong and keep taking the meds
Matt
Hi Courtney
I am currently on 50mg of Zoloft and fridag will mark 6 week. I will tell you this. It does get better. The good and bad days are a sign the Zoloft is working. Soon you’ll start having more and more better days. I still have some anxiety and thoughts run in my head but not nearly as bad as it was 3 weeks ago. It takes time to work. Some even say 3 months to fully get the effect. Each person is different. Don’t give up. It’s so hard but please stick to it.
You will get it back, may take a few weeks.
my advice keep a diary on how your feeling every day.
even if you have a good half hour without feeling anxious.
then you will see that they are starting to work.
I don’t know how long I will be on them, but before I started on these it was hell. I don’t think I can cope feeling like that again.
Your not alone, we are here if you need to talk. X
Courtney, I’m sorry your are going through this. I too am suffering horrible anxiety. I’ve been on 50 mg sertraline for 23 days and 25 mg for 6 days prior to that. I’ve had brief moments where I feel a little better but those moments pass and then I feel terrible again. I’m trying to be strong and give the medicine time to work. I know how you are feeling. You are not alone.
We will stay strong together. Thank you for sharing and helping
If you’d ever like to talk, message me. Leaning on someone and sharing experiences helps me and maybe you too.
Thanks so much, Jenna! I’m so glad you’re doing better each day. And thank you for sharing and helping
Paula, I’m so sorry you’re going through this as well. I am right there with you. If you ever want to talk, feel free to message me. Sometimes it helps to share struggles just to knownyoure not alone.
Thank you for replying
Courtney, same here, I had the Anxiety handed to me at the age of 18, the best way to deal with it is to accept it and backup your will power with actions and you will succeed, because we're not going to die from it..... Ask anyone who’s been through it. Remember: this shall pass and we want to enjoy life just like everybody else, any road blocks along the way will work itself out for the best, that's life! The main thing surround yourself with family or close friends and we're here for you....
Thank you so much, Dan! I am trying to be strong and have that mentality. Your words mean a lot.
Good morning! I don’t know if anyone will read this or reply but I’m hoping someone will, I’m just in need to write and communicate with others today. I had a good night last night. Was able to focus on things that were going on around me. Laid with my husband and watched tv while even managing a smile and laugh. I stayed up until 1am because I enjoyed the feeling so much and was afraid for it to end. I then let that fear of it ending, get me into another spiral. It just kept building all night until I was in a full blown attack this morning and my only focus has been how to calm myself down. I’m on day 8 of my Sertraline and keep almost standing here in a tornado of sh** waiting for it to work. Time goes by and I’m still just standing here waiting, worrying, wondering. I feel horrible for my family which also adds to my anxiety. Anyway, please keep your positive stories coming. I have relied on this for the last 2 days and it is my hope.
Good morning Courtney
The fact that you had a good night last night is amazing!! You only have been taking the medication for 8 days. It’s not even fully in your system yet. Give it time and enjoy those good moments. I know how you feel believe me. All I think about is how to get over the anxiety and calm myself down. This morning I woke up with a little anxiety as well. I’m about 6 weeks in. I have gotten much better but I’m def not 100% yet. I have hope.
It’s a amazing feeling.
being able to laugh again and enjoy things together as a couple.
Never thought I would see those days ever again, but I have.
The fact that you had a good night shows that they are starting to work for you.
please don’t get down, think positive and tomorrow hopefully will be another happy day.
And you will have more and more good days than bad
Thank you, Jenna! I’m so glad to hear you’re getting to a better spot. I need that reassurance. I honestly did enjoy my good moment. Keep fighting for your 100% of normalcy and thank you for responding.
I’m so glad to hear you’ve reached that point, Julie!! It gives me hope and it brings tears to my eyes to know that someone who has dealt with this is no longer in that spiral. To many more good days and thank you for replying.