Hello, I am in a dark place right now. I have started taking 25mg a week ago and I swear it has made my anxiety worse. Has anyone experienced this? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Also, it makes my mouth/throat extremely dry so then I panic because I feel like my throat is closing even though I know it's not. Hoping someone else can give me some reassurance that this is normal and will subside. Any and all help is appreciated!
Hello Megan. This is a common side effect of the sertraline entering your system. And it will subside, it may take a few weeks but it will ease.
It will get better. Calm down. Look forward to the days where you'll feel better. Stay busy. It will increase your anxiety yes. It will take 4 to 6 weeks at least to start feeling much better. Mornings are the worst. Watch something funny. Watch movies. Renember this won't last forever I promise.
Yes, these are common side effects , have a bottle of water with you if you go out for the dry mouth symptoms. Best of luck.
Megan, do read the patient info leaflet for very common and common side effects. You'll see them both mentioned. Good luck
Hi Megan, I suffer from anxiety. My heart races, I find it hard to breathe and I also have panic attacks. I am on day 20 of sertraline 25 mg. I also had increased anxiety at the beginning especially first thing in the morning. I felt very strange and tired but at the same time could not sleep at night. But as the days went on I started to feel better, the anxiety has lifted, its not completely gone but I feel tons better. Everyone responds to meds differently . I called my doctor because I was going to stop taking them and she reassured me that what I was feeling was side effects and to give the meds a chance . I'm glad I did. I've heard many people say 4-6 weeks for side effects to subside and full benefits of meds to kick in.....but if you feel really off call your doctor, otherwise give it more time. Hope this has helped.😊
Andrea
Hello Megan
what you are experiencing is quite normal. Don't worry. Your body has to get used to this medication. I promise even though it sounds ages in another couple of weeks they will have gone. It can take 6/8 weeks to feel normal again. I am in week 5 & it's been horrid but just these last few days I'm feeling the benefits. Look after yourself & get plenty of rest. There is light believe me. Stay strong Megan. You'll get there! X
Hi Megan. Side effects of Sertraline are for the majority of people rather bad before getting better. For a week or two is unplesant for most, a minority don't notice. (Lucky devils). But stick with it, they work, I'm on my third week and the symptoms are less than the first week. So I'm hopeful than another week will bring more relief.
I hope this reassure you, best of luck.
thank you for the reassurance!
You got that right Chris, mornings are the absolute worst! Thank you for your input!
I try not to read them because my mind will read the really bad rare ones and then i'll focus on that. thank you
Thank you for the reply! I'm trying my best to keep trucking through and taking it, but like you said with it affecting sleep as well I have no energy in me to fight the fight. Also, did it make your menstrual cycle change? Idk if this is tmi but I just ended my cycle a week and a half ago and it came back yesterday which is not normal for me. Thank you again
Thank you! Looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel!
Thank you! I really thought I was going crazy and my bf is at his ends witt with trying to help me!
I can't even tell you how much water I have been drinking lol. I swear a case of water has lasted me about 3 days! Thank you!
Megan, I was where you were a couple of weeks ago. My anxiety was off the charts and I felt like I wasn't getting any relief. Then on my tenth day it felt like a weight had been lifted. I still get a little anxious but I definitely see light at the end of the tunnel and I'm running towards it! Best of luck to you!!
I was on Zoloft for 2 years and recently came off of it only to go into withdrawal and go back on. I'm on week 3 right now. It really was horrible at first but I promise it gets better!
There were times I wanted to give up but I promise you the horrible first two weeks are so worth it in the end
Everyone loves success stories like yours. Thank you. X
I'm on day 33 of 200mg.....actually went to a wedding on my own yesterday, but I still have low mood and very little motivation. House jobs are staring me in the face, but doing a little bit of gardening.....subtle changes
I would suggest chewing gum for the throat issues. It helped me a lot durning the first few weeks. Chewing gum and swallowing the spit you produce helps you realize you can swallow. And I had a panic attack when I first started and it does stop once you stop reading these pages. They don't help, just make you more anxious. I'm reading now after a month and it's totally fine, I'm stable lol.