Experience reports on the drug Sertraline:
Sertraline User Reviews, Experiences
Posted in Nervous system
Reviews, Experiences, Questions
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I have been taking sertraline for about 2 months now. After initial side effects, I am now feeling better than ever. I can only recommend it. For those who have strong side effects at first: Stick it out, it’s worth it! In the first 2 weeks I had various side effects such as: Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea. After 1-2 weeks the side effects subside.
My GP prescribed me sertraline after I consulted her about various physical symptoms as well as severe panic, fear of illness and death. These stressful feelings occurred during a particularly stressful period in my life. After a few conversations, she diagnosed me with an anxiety disorder.
I started taking sertraline at 25 mg for a week, followed by a dose increase to 50 mg. In the first few days, I felt a significant initial worsening of my previous symptoms – panic, worry and anxiety increased significantly in the short term. In addition, various physical side effects occurred, including restlessness, trembling, gastrointestinal complaints, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, paresthesia, headaches, teeth grinding, forgetfulness and even a feeling of alienation (derealisation). However, thanks to the many positive testimonials I read here, I was able to remain optimistic.
About five weeks later, the side effects finally disappeared. It takes patience, but when the effects of sertraline kick in and the side effects subside, you are rewarded for persevering. I enjoy doing things again that I haven’t been able to do for years, I feel emotionally stable and like I used to – completely normal and my personality hasn’t changed.
I have been taking sertraline for three months now and am very satisfied.
I took sertraline for 6 months. First 100 mg, then 50 mg and finally I stopped taking it. I took it for my depression and it helped me very well.
But after a while I felt like a zombie. I had no feeling at all, I was completely numb. I didn’t care about anything.
But the worst thing was the Qt Long syndrome and my cardiac arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation. I was no longer able to exercise. I felt dizzy all the time, I was floppy and had this extreme palpitations. I’m glad I got that stuff out of my body.
After just 2 months I felt a drop in sexuality, my libido was gone.
I also had more tremors sometimes couldn’t even hold a cup or spoon and had a very pronounced tremor
I took the drug sertraline in phases for months or years. When starting on 25 mg (and with each increase in 25 mg increments), I had diarrhoea for about two to three days and a slight restlessness, but I didn’t find this disturbing as I knew the medication would soon kick in.
With the ‘standard dose’ of 50 mg, a more stable, positive mood clearly set in after a few days, coupled with tiredness and frequent yawning
During a hospital stay, I was put on 75 mg; after another crisis, I was put on 100 mg.
At this dosage, I was lax and indifferent about this condition.
50-75mg was the best balance between benefit and side effect for me.
Hey,
I wanted to tell you about my experiences with sertraline. First of all, I took this medication a few years ago and it was hell! I had all the side effects listed on the package leaflet. Then it was discontinued.
Now, a few years later, a second attempt… my depression and especially my anxiety worsened so badly that my job was on the line and my social life really went down the drain. All I could do after work was go home and sleep. Then my GP recommended that I start a second trial. I started with 25mg (because I was so scared of the side effects) and have since increased to 200mg. I have to say that this time too there were side effects at the beginning and with every higher dosage (always in 25mg increments). After a little over 8 weeks I finally have my life back! It’s not that I don’t notice anything of my anxiety disorder anymore…there are good and bad days, but overall it has become much less and I dare to go outside again and can do everyday things. I no longer notice anything at all about my depression. My drive is 100% there and I am so grateful that I dared to make this second attempt. Of course, on bad days you quickly fall back into old patterns, but that’s why I’m also seeing a psychologist. I would like to encourage anyone who is as incredibly afraid of side effects as I am to give it a try! You certainly have to grit your teeth on some days and even today I have to encourage myself every day to get out of it, but it’s so much easier than before!
Try it out, stay in contact with your GP and psychologist and above all…be patient!
All the best for you!
Orgasm problems, increased longing to die, watery stool, bloating, no desire to socialise, if reduced or discontinued: desire for revenge and fever,
probably due to sertraline
In my experience, the psychiatrist didn’t give a shit about my observations and went through with his standard programme. After I expressed scepticism several times, I am now supposed to look for another psychiatrist.
Paroxetine no longer had a good effect, so it was phased out in a day clinic. I then tried sertraline. It was at least better at 50mg than without anything. Subjectively felt, because I couldn’t really perceive any positive things either.
I mentioned to the doctor about 2 months ago that it wasn’t working very well. I was told to increase the dose to 100mg…
That plunged me into a crisis, I had strong suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, very heavy sweating. The people around me also said that I had changed. You’re supposed to give the medication time, but it hardly got any better after 4 weeks. I no longer take it and will never try sertraline again!
what did i get myself into, a pretty horrible medication during the first 14 days only stomach cramps and after it had its full effect came the visual disturbances including tinnitus, couldn’t go out anymore because everything was so bright had flashes of light in my head and in front of my mind’s eye, then stopped the medication and went through the absolute lowest point of my life…
I had trouble sleeping while taking the medication and after stopping it I couldn’t sleep through the night anymore I still have visual disturbances like excessive floaters and that after 3 months of stopping it, if I had known what I was getting myself into beforehand… I’m glad I’m no longer taking it, god knows what else would have happened.
God knows what else would have happened.
The worst experience I had on sertraline was in a large crowd…I could only concentrate on the background noise and not at all on the people I was actually talking to… it was like having a bad drug trip / standing completely next to me… it reads funny but it’s not, after I stopped taking it I squeezed the entire contents out of the blister pack and dumped it in the loo, it’s just sick how much it changes your perception I’d rather keep my hands off the stuff, there were also hallucinations as if the walls had a static noise, palinopsia was also added to the mix overall I have to say that taking the stuff is no life, I’m now taking quetiapine for the anxiety. … actually wanted to take sertraline to process my trauma but got a completely new one. Just sick of this stuff.
In any case, the stuff taught me to value my health and not to ruin it with such sick stuff… Funnily enough, I became a chain smoker for a while after stopping.
Since taking sertraline, I feel like a new person. The depression is gone and I can finally enjoy life again. There are a few side effects, but nothing I can’t handle. Definitely a game changer for me!
For the first two days in particular, my body felt strange. I was shaking so badly that I couldn’t even write anything on my mobile phone, I was sweating profusely, restless and always on the move. I had slight basic nausea all the time but it wasn’t really bad. But I was also totally motivated, did a lot of things with friends and just had an incredible amount of energy overall. All the symptoms quickly subsided and I am very satisfied.
At the beginning slight side effects such as headache and tiredness after 2 weeks I felt great. When the dose was increased I also felt tired, but after a few days everything was fine again. My skin has also improved and my anxiety and worries are no longer so severe. I’m so glad I tried it. Paroxetine had made me too tired.
After coming off, an unpleasant dizziness lasts for hours especially when I meditate or do sport. I feel like I’m in a washing machine.
So, I would now like to share my experiences after 4 weeks and also give an update in the future. I avoided SSRIs for 1.5 years, at one point I was in the vortex of anxiety for so long that I had forgotten what it was like to feel normal. Sport, good nutrition and relaxation techniques saved me at first, I was able to cope with everyday life again with great effort, but I still fell into a low again and again until I really had no other choice.
Initial side effects (approx. 2 weeks on 50mg): soft stools, headaches, daytime tiredness and rapid exhaustion, lack of appetite, dry eyes, sleep disorders, restlessness/anxiety (the increase in drive intensifies the underlying illness a little, it is essential to create a calm atmosphere and remain hopeful).
The side effects only occurred from time to time and were not constant.
After 2.5 weeks, the first improvement, after 4 weeks the panic has decreased a lot and I can work much better with the anxiety. Interestingly, my libido is currently higher than before. I feel almost like I did before and am very optimistic about the future. It has saved my life.
My experience with sertraline over the last six months has been a journey of ups and downs. Initially, I suffered from nausea and insomnia, which almost made me stop treatment. However, after a few weeks the side effects subsided and my mood began to improve. I became more active, more social and felt less burdened by my anxiety. Despite the initial challenges, I’m glad I persevered. It wasn’t a magical solution, but it helped me find a more stable emotional ground.
Depression is actually no longer present when taking the medication. Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder are greatly reduced, but not completely gone.
Side effects were/are digestive problems and occasional restlessness, similar to drinking too much coffee, but not unbearable. My long-term side effect is a greatly reduced libido and even occasional erectile dysfunction.
Withdrawal symptoms manifest themselves in mild irritability and even unfounded aggression, but also unfounded joy and ecstasy. Moderate emotional fluctuations.
Pure horror!
Makes you addicted and aggressive. No matter how you feel when you try to stop the medication, you reach the lowest point of your life. The medication brings out the worst feelings of your life and there is nothing that helps. Coming off was 2 months of horror for me and everyone around me
I have had my challenges with sertraline. It helped me to some extent, but the side effects were too intense for me. I experienced severe headaches and found it difficult to rest at night. After much deliberation and discussions with my doctor, I decided to switch to a different medication. Everyone is different, so what doesn’t work for me might be perfect for someone else.
I have currently been taking sertraline at a dose of 50 mg for exactly 4 months. As I read here that some people despaired after a few days, I thought to myself that it can only get better for me over time.
Compared to my panic disorder, the side effects of the first 6 weeks are marginal (diarrhoea, motor disorders, tiredness, dizziness, nervousness, anxiety).
However, these have all subsided.
I have the ideal drive and can sleep like a baby without disturbing my daily routine.
The panic is almost non-existent.
However, I must emphasise that I am also undergoing psychiatric outpatient treatment at the same time.
I think behavioural therapy is essential and it helps in many areas.
All in all, I think I’m lucky to have found the right medication in combination with therapy.
I am optimistic.
I am calmer and no longer as “depressed” as before, but I have become totally emotionless. I can hardly laugh, cry or be happy any more. And a total loss of libido. I don’t feel so comfortable with the medication overall.
I was sceptical when my doctor prescribed me sertraline. But now, three months later, I am incredibly grateful for it. My anxiety levels have reduced significantly and I find myself much more balanced in my day-to-day life. Sure, the first few weeks were a bit rough because of the adjustment, but it was worth any discomfort. I would like to say to everyone out there: don’t give up! Sometimes it takes time to find the right treatment, but there is hope.
A strong, very bad change in the already existing depression. It was severe. Physically, apart from loss of appetite and restlessness, it was okay, but there were thoughts of quitting my job and even suicide that weren’t there before! After about 12 days, I suddenly felt better, even better than before. I can’t say whether this will last. Many people take sertraline and it’s not a problem, I started a trial with sertraline two years ago and stopped it for exactly these reasons, it really scared me what would happen to me. For many people it has a harmless positive effect. I would advise others to do it under medical supervision. I really suffered and don’t yet know whether the stable condition will last. But you have to draw attention to this initial aggravation and take it seriously!
I might not have given this medication enough time to work. I’ve been taking it for only two weeks, and my doctor did mention that the first week could potentially worsen my anxiety. Consequently, I was instructed to take half a 50mg tablet during that initial week. Well, during that first week, I felt terribly unwell—nauseous and disconnected. It almost felt like I wasn’t even on this planet, and the fatigue was overwhelming. To avoid any issues while driving, I took the medication at night. However, my sleep quality suffered, and I started experiencing headaches.
In the second week, the nausea persisted. I hadn’t eaten much except for dry crackers, and then I developed diarrhea. I felt incredibly shaky and needed to lie down frequently. Additionally, I’ve been feeling quite depressed. Frustrated with feeling awful, I reached out to my doctor. The idea of continuing to take these tablets while feeling so terrible and having it impact my daily life just wasn’t acceptable. I was informed that it might take two weeks or more for my body to adjust, but honestly, I’m tired of feeling lousy. So, I’ve gone back to taking half a tablet. I’m considering switching to a different brand to see if that makes a difference. While I understand that this drug works wonders for some people, I seem to have drawn the short straw and experienced every possible side effect. I’m hopeful that I’ll start feeling better soon because this anxiety is severely limiting my ability to live my life.
I took this medication for approximately 7 weeks. At first, it seemed beneficial, but it led to the development of angle closure glaucoma. One morning, I woke up with severe pain in my left eye, which was noticeably red. This condition persisted for about four days. I consulted the medication guide for this drug after picking up another prescription and found that antidepressants, including sertraline tablets, could lead to certain eye problems. Consequently, I discontinued its use and my eye condition improved. While I felt the medication was aiding my depression, it caused a problem that made it impossible for me to continue taking it.