Sertraline for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 4)

• Dylan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2023

Zoloft (sertraline) "Unlike a lot of people on here, I was lucky enough to avoid having really any anxiety at all up until about 5 months ago when I suddenly started suffering from the worst health anxiety you can imagine. Every single day for 3-4 months was miserable, all I did was think about my health and check my heart rate and google my symptoms nonstop. I started (Zoloft) at the start of April, and let me tell you the first few weeks were hell. Headaches, nausea, increased anxiety, you name it. I read these reviews every single day only focusing on the ones with positive reviews and just reading everyone say it eventually gets better was what kept me taking the medicine or else I would have stopped but I’m so glad I didn’t. I’m now on about week 7 and I feel better than I have in the last 6 months, most days my anxiety doesn’t even cross my mind now (and I’m on a very low dose of 50mg). You got this!"

• Belle
• February 4, 2016

"Normally I would never write a review on a drug, but I've had such a positive experience with sertraline that I really want to help others with my experience. I've always suffered with severe anxiety & low mood, particularly in winter. I had a rough time with my PhD not going to plan several months ago & started to feel worse and worse, feeling anxious and panicky all the time. After cbt failed to work, I finally agreed to try sertraline. I was terrified of taking drugs, terrified of side effects and feeling worse. Started on 50mg, had a little nausea and anxiety but not too bad. After 3 weeks my doctor upped me to 100mg. 3 months later & my anxiety has almost entirely gone & my mood is always good! I'm so happy I gave this drug a chance!"

• Sue
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2020

"After years thinking about it I’ve suffered with stress and bad anxiety. After the death of my sister I hit an all time low , I just went from bad to worse with moods anxiety at its highest anger and thoughts of hating my self so much. After talking to help lines I rang my Doctor who prescribed 50mg . I was scared of taking tablets but even after 3 days I could feel an improvement in my mood and anxiety. After 2 weeks the doctor decided to up mine to 100mg. I’m now on 3 and half weeks and can honestly say I wish I’d of gone onto these meds a long time b4 now. I feel like a slight feel of being in a bubble that’s only way to explain it but I’m hoping things stay good ,"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2024

"I had to come on here and write a review because I wish I saw this when I was first taking it. I have been taking sertraline now for about 2 years and only on 50mg. Despite being on a low dose, when I first started taking it, I experienced the worst side effects ever. I had zero appetite, couldn't eat, didn't dream, couldn't sleep, had night sweats, feeling nauseous, shakes, my anxiety became even worse than before, I had emotional blunting, racing thoughts and generally thought I was going mad. I also had sexual side effects, where I had no sex drive and genital numbness (I am a female). HOWEVER, although this was so difficult, I stuck to it because I was desperate for some relief from my panic disorder and anxiety and had tried everything else. I am so glad I persevered with this medication as I never knew that I could feel 'normal'. The sexual side effects took the longest to go, about 6 months, but they are gone and my sex drive is completely normal and my life is so much better!"

• Clo
• February 6, 2020

"I have decided to help myself. Today is my third day of Sertraline at 7am every morning: Weird lump sensation in my throat coupled with sicky feeling in tummy. I've totally lost my appetite by midday, forcing myself to eat. By midday I'm yawning a lot, a pretty tired and achey. By evening I am sleepy and drowsy. The main thing above all that I have noticed is that I feel flat, which is not a bad thing at all. Just days before I went on these meds I was constantly crying, shaking, wanting to my life to be over. I couldn't have a moment to myself without thinking negative thoughts. I had some bad news this morning from my energy provider which would normally send me into melt down, but I handled it with calmness. Very surprised and proud of myself. Bottom line: I'm bracing myself for side effects to worsen, but fingers crossed they don't. Right now they are certainly manageable and I'm glad I didn't let the reviews put me off."

• Happy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2015

"I am a 29 year old female and I have never taken a drug in my life prior to being prescribed 25mg of Sertraline (Zoloft). I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic attack. One of my panic attacks happened while I was driving to work and I was just scared to death to drive ever since for almost 6 months. I did a lot of research prior to making this drug. I was horrified of side affects and getting addicted to the drug. Long story short, I have been on this medicine for two months now and it has completely changed my life. I can drive now without fear and I feel great again :). This drug has completely changed my life. You do not have to be on it forever. Please, talk to your doctor and give this medicine a try. Take care!"

• Jackz...
• May 10, 2017

"This medication saved my life I suffered with severe anxiety and panic attacks. I became really down because it had taken over my life and it was a daily struggle. After two days the medication stopped my panic attacks but also made me very tired and zombie like I didn't want to do much. However after about 2 weeks this stopped and I got better I improved each week. After a month I went back to work and now I am 6 months down the line and pretty much back to the old me anxiety free ❤️ I know this medication effects everyone differently but for me it changed my life all for the better. Just give this medication a chance because it might be horrible at first but there is a light a the end of the tunnel guys. I hope this can give some faith."

• Shail...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2021

"I started sertraline 50mg 6 days ago and feel horrible, panic attacks, anxiety is horrible. Nausea and all I want to do is to be in bed. I continue reading the forum to give time for the medication to work but I really can’t take this feeling any longer. I’m taking it in the morning and was thinking of switching to pm but I’m afraid to get this horrible feeling in the middle of the night"

• msrmz
• December 15, 2020

"I have had major anxiety for about 3 years now and I was hesitant about medication and went to therapy. I decided to tried it because I was feeling way too overwhelmed. First, I tried half of the dosage which is about 15mg. I took it at night because some of the side effects were dizzy or nauseas. I woke up the next morning and felt good. High energy and joyful. I began to feel some side effects like low appetite and mild headache 1 or 2 times. It really just helped to lower the physical symptoms of anxiety. I changed my dosage to the full pill now of 25mg. It definitely helps me throughout the days. I take it in the morning now, the side effects for me are very little to none. I might get a headache here and there. But I feel like I get the most “out of it” taking it in the morning. I have been on it for about 3 or 4 months now. I just wanted to come on here because so there are so many bad reviews and they had me scared. But you’ll never know until you try it for yourself."

• Goodv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2019

"I've now been taking sertraline for 8 weeks and it continues to work well for me. The only residual side effect is fatigue however, the doctor explained that this may be due to the reduction in stress/anxiety and less reliance on adrenaline for energy. My relationship with my partner has improved in every way, I have more patience with my children and am less irritable. I'm also less stressed at work, more confident and positive. I'm possibly a little less obsessive also. I've started to think about setting goals for the future and feel that life is worth living."

• Pete
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2019

"Last year I suffered a period of anxiety for the first time in my life. This followed an incident that left me feeling anxious. I developed severe insomnia and literally could not sleep for over 6 months. My anxiety transferred to anxiety about not sleeping which exasperated the situation. I literally tried everything to help, but nothing worked. It became so bad that I did consider giving up and ending my life. Finally I met a different doctor who listened and prescribed Sertraline. Initially for the first two weeks it was tough and sleeping didn’t improve...but then it started to turn around and I found myself finally sleeping again. I took Sertraline for 6 months before tapering off slowly. I am now completely back to my old self, sleeping brilliantly and feeling great. This medication saved me it really did. Fully recommend"

• RBano
• February 10, 2021

"So here goes... I started taking 50mg of sertraline exactly 1 month ago today for the treatment of anxiety and stress I’d wake up during the night sweating trembling and feeling totally out of control with panick, my GP advised me to start at the 50mg dose ! The side affects were horrible! Insomnia, trembling, dry mouth and increased anxiety!! I pushed through the first few weeks and it totally paid off ! I’m about 75% back to my normal self after 1 month Please give it chance"

• Anony...
• February 5, 2022

"Hi all, I'm 53 and been battling anxiety since I was in my twenties it all started one day out of the blue with that dreaded feeling of fear and that things didn't make sense as if I was loosing my mind on top of shear panic, a dry throat, a tummy that was swishing around like a washing machine. To top it all off was that awful feeling of how frightened I was and that something awful was going to happen to me. So along came sertraline 50mg and my journey of getting my life back. These tablets are life savers but people treating anxiety has to start somewhere and won't happen over night, please stick with the programme you will most probably experience insomnia, headaches, trembling limbs, and a feeling of the worst panic and run away thoughts ever but after a couple of weeks you "will" start to see your sun shine again."

• Oneha...
• June 7, 2014

"I have suffered from SEVERE PMS for years. I am a very positive upbeat person. I hate the fact that my PMS caused me such stress. I couldn't think clearly, would fly off the handle and nothing. My husband and children felt the effects of it each month. I just wanted to run far far away and jump out of my skin. I couldn't handle it anymore. After explaining this to my PCP, she thought Zoloft would help me. Advised me to take 25 mg for 7 days, then increase to 50mg. I'm not kidding you, after 2 days I saw a huge change. I finally had energy! It has been 2 months now and I never increased to 50mg. The 25mg did the trick! I no longer have PMS. I think clearer than I have in years. My mind doesn't race. I'm calm and I have my life back. Thank God!"

• Victo...
• July 21, 2019

"I'm on 50mg of sertraline for panic anxiety & low episodes. The first 2 weeks were horrific, I suffered badly with side effects, increased anxiety, foggy, loss of appetite, struggled to leave the house , HOWEVER by the end of the 2nd week things started to improve. HANG IN THERE! Over the next 10 weeks, each week I was gradually getting a little better. Recovery is not lineal so expect to be up & down & do not too hard on yourself. By week 12 I’d say my anxiety had 95% gone but I was left with periods of low mood. Dr suggested I try upping to 100mg I’ve been taking 100mg for just over 2 weeks now, there was fogginess again & a slight increase in anxiety which was hard but at the end of the 2 weeks the fog lifted & I’d say I am feeling better & the increase in dose was totally what I needed. It’s been 14 wks now and I am a different person to where I was at the start. Still get waves of uncomfortable emotions but find meditation, exercise, sleep & good diet help massively!"

• Suzie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2023

"After Covid, I struggled to adapt to life again - panic attacks, which then spiraled into non-stop anxiety and agoraphobia. I couldn't eat or sleep at all, and couldn't relax. I was completely consumed by worried and anxious thoughts, and an overwhelming feeling of fear. So, I went to my GP. She prescribed 25mg of Sertraline for the first two weeks. Even at a low dose, my side effects were horrendous. Like many others, I had awful nausea (especially in the morning), increased anxiety, and horrific vivid nightmares. After 2 weeks, these side effects started to lift - the last thing to go was the nausea and morning anxiety. She increased my dose to 50mg after this, and after a week of 50mg, my life changed. I woke up one day with no anxiety, a feeling of peace, and months later, this has lasted. I'm on the waiting list for talking therapy, but in the meantime, reading books by Claire Weekes has definitely helped. Sertraline has saved my life. Stick with it for a few weeks, I promise it gets better!"

• Happy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2019

"6 weeks in. I used to go to bed each night and go through the list in my head of regrets, guilt, embarrassment, health concerns basically anxiety in a nutshell. I would torment myself with all these bad thoughts and worries. This caused me severe insomnia because I used to work myself up so much. I started sertraline 25mg for 4 days then 50mg daily. The only side effect experienced is weird dreams and waking up sweating. 6 weeks in and I have stopped caring about all the above worries and can sleep well. It's like magic, hard to explain, all of a sudden I can just move on from the bad thoughts and rest easy"

• Maz
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2019

"I've suffered from anxiety and probably depression for most of my adult life. I have started on meds just a couple of times, but usually stopped taking them after a few weeks because all they did was make me tired and zombie like. Sertraline has been a completely different experience. The first week I felt nauseated every day, but found I slept better than I had for years with no groggy after effect. Within a couple of weeks I went from a person who felt overwhelmed by nearly any household task to a person who was hoovering, polishing, cooking and cleaning and enjoying every minute of it. I have more energy, I have had no negative thoughts in the six weeks I've been taking them. At 54 years old, I feel completely sane and balanced for the first time in my life."

• Ivy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2019

"sertraline is life changing. I took this 2017-2018 for postnatal anxiety- in a constant state of panic, I wasn’t sleeping, vomiting and really irrational and powerful thoughts, very teary and thought my parter would leave me. September 2019 I had a break down following my mums death. It started with anxiety which I couldn’t shake and before I knew it I was in a constant state of panic. I didn’t eat, was gagging, vomiting and pysically shaking. I couldn’t look after my daughter and was scared to be alone, sleep and wake. I thought I had lost my mind. The first week on it was hell, although I was prepared for this. I was taking Valium and had someone with me. I started to have small breaks from panic. Then by week 3/4 I was really coming out of a dark place- mostly functioning and present in the moment, enjoying my family. On week 5 I had a bit of a wobble and upped my dose to 75mg from 50mg, and now in week 6 I am feeling 90% well. Please get help and take your medication. You do not have to suffer!"

• best...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2015

"This drug has made me feel normal again. What's better is because I was suffering from anxiety which I never thought would get better I'm now even in a better mood than a normal person. I had a unpleasant onset of this drug which made me feel very sick and strange for the first two to three weeks and after the third week I noticed that this drug has improved me. If you have anxiety this is the perfect medicine for you it actually makes you feel normal again and slightly better than normal. I am still feeling everyday getting better probably due to the fact my brain is realising I'm starting to feel good again that my anxiety is also gone."

• Bulld...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

"Hi! I have been on Sertraline 50 mg for a bit more than 3 weeks. I feel soooo sick and depressed not sure if it will work for me or not. I've been suffering so much, I wasn't even depressed before, I started to take this med for anxiety, but it makes me extremely depressed, with lots of intrusive thoughts. Hope it is just a side effect which will go away soon?! Is there anybody out there who had similar experience and got better with time? please give me some hope! :("

• happy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2023

"My life has been changed for the best. The first few weeks were rough. Week 1-2 I was having stomach issues, sleep trouble, and just a general yucky feeling. Week 3 I was feeling some change, but nothing too drastic. Week 5 I felt AMAZING. I am playing with my son, I am enjoying my life, I feel a constant feeling of happiness/calm. I am noticing it has helped me focus, since I can now hear myself think. My brain is no longer clouded with constant voices of worry and fear. I am on 50 mg and I have no plan of increasing as I feel like this is working perfectly for me. I read these positive reviews to help me through, I hope I can help someone do the same, and I hope it works out for you, so you can enjoy your life in the best way."

• Feelg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2019

"Sertraline really works. I was having severe GAD after trying to stay off of 50mg zoloft and take no meds that I was taking for 10 years prior. I couldn't eat or sleep or watch TV. My dose was slowly raised and after a few weeks on 200 mg I feel normal and calm again. Also another thing that helps me is the Positive Affirmations app. Highly recommend it! I used to check this drug.com sites often when I felt bad and so I thought I would give back to help someone else."

• Amazed...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2014

"I have ALWAYS suffered from anxiety and depression. It has been my experience that meds often do not act "typically" when I take them, so I was wary of sertraline. I started out with 25 mg per day from my psychiatris. When he prompted me to increase to 50 mg, I did so, and experienced the "zoned-out" feeling of unreality--not scary--just distracting. When I stay at 25 mg per day, I feel normal. Anxiety is at a minimum, and depression is manageable. I feel fortunate and blessed. I just wonder why such a low dose for me has such a huge positive impact. Anyone else experience this phenomenom?"

• Pringle
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

"This medicine is new for me (1 week) yes after 1 week I can honestly say I can feel the effect I've been on a few medication but this one is for me, I feel so calm and a little less nervous, I can read in peace, before I felt all four sides of my head was reading a different story at the same time I just knew I was going crazy, I can concentrate I feel fear free I'm even starting to think I can drive again but one day at a time, after three years of this and not being able to even walk from my house to the corner I can say Thank You Father for touching the hands of my Doctors to choose finally a medication that works for me, In Jesus name I pray....Amen I pray each day I will come closer to being me again from where I'm sitting the road looks clear, I'm feeling HAPPY once again I will stick with this for as long as it takes for me"