Sharing my experience with Sertraline for anxiety

Treatment and medication
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Over the past 10 years I’ve had episodes of sustained anxiety that has impaired my day to day function especially sleep and concentration and at times even socially.  More recently I’m sure I had a panic attack at work.  Work has always been most of my stress.  The therapist said I’m experiencing  a burnout from years of job stress.  For the first time I’ve started a SSRI - Zoloft.  

The GP started me slowly since I am hypersensitive to most meds.  25 mg x 10 days.  Side effects were insomnia and mild GI upset.  Increased to 50mg- insomnia got worse and  experienced extreme surges of adrenaline day and night with physical anxiety/chest discomfort.  I also had 2 days of low mood with dark thoughts.  The initial side effects lasted about a week (mood was back to baseline).  I knew to stick with it as most people suggest it gets worse before it regulates and targets the impairing symptoms.

 The GP added amitriptyline 10mg at bedtime for sleep.  Never had sleep issues before this.  Was taking the Zoloft at supper time, switched to morning and that has helped the sleep too.

Stayed at 50mg for 5 weeks.    Sleep better but not great.  Anxiety better but still there.  Increased to 75mg 2 days ago and OMG I slept right through the night and my anxiety is almost nil.  I plan to stay at 75mg and see how it goes.  Gp thinks 100mg may be best dose for me.

If you have serious anxiety that is impairing your life then my advice is to try Zoloft and persevere through the side effects and in 6-10 weeks you will be on your way to living your best life!

I’m also exercising, doing yoga and meditating and I now have the energy to look for 

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Thanks for your post Tammy i can so relate to all of it right down to the same side effects iv been on 50mg for nearly 8 weeks and seem to have reached a bit of a brick wall no real improvement for the last two weeks im going to the docs on wed hoping to increase to 75 im just hoping all the nasty side effects dont come back with the increase but im willing to go with it as it virtually saved my life 🌹🌹🌹

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Hi Sue,

Those nasty side effects present when our body is adjusting to the medication.  It’s too bad that happens but it’s worth it to recover and get back on track with a healthy life.  With 8 weeks on 50mg I expect at 75mg’s you’ll see improvement from that “brick wall” feeling.   My GP believes 100mg is an average therapeutic dosage.  Please keep us posted on how’s you do at 75mg’s.  Best of luck! 

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Yes i agree im willing to put up with the side effects again definitely i will keep you posted yes you too xx

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My last line of the initial post was....I now have the energy to look for a new job and restore a healthy work-life balance.   To anyone struggling, hang in there it will get better

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Thanks for sharing~! Your story sounds alot like mine.

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I’d be interested to hear about your experience Skysee.