Sertraline for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 4)

• Ada...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2023

"I took Sertraline last year for anxiety with an element of PTSD due to the suicide of a family member. As seems common on here, the first few weeks were really tough. I had the common side effects of nausea, increased anxiety, twitchy jaw, etc. After about 4 weeks, that began to settle, and around 5-6 weeks, the full effect kicked in, and it was amazing. I said to my wife that my mind became a very pleasant place to be. I was able to just lie on the sofa with a smile on my face and just feel happy to be there. I felt more like myself than I had in years. More happy, more settled, and not at all emotionally deadened. If you are thinking of trying them, I would wholly recommend you do, I wish I had sooner. The first few weeks might be tough, but once you start on them, then help is on the way. When the full effect arrives, it will be worth every bad day a thousand times over. Don't give in to despair, you can do it."

• Blu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2024

"I started sertraline about 8 weeks ago now. The first week, I was on 25mg and felt amazing. The second week on 25mg, I had some tough mornings and was increased to 50mg two weeks after starting. After this, I felt absolutely horrible, every morning, I was filled with complete dread and a lot of intrusive thoughts. This website is really the thing that kept me going and had me hold onto hope. I had some tough medical issues that are still going on as well. All I wanted to do was sleep all day and watch TV. After 5/6 weeks, the mornings got progressively better and I was doing better at night. After 7 weeks, I am a completely changed person. I feel like my life just began. Honestly, I have a new lease on life, and I feel I can manage health challenges better as I am more level and conscious. I think I've been depressed for years, and I am finally seeing a way out. I believe I used to live life in the back seat, allowing things to happen to me, and now it feels like I am leading."

• Goo...
• 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."

• Clo...
• February 6, 2020

"I have decided to help myself. Today is my third day of Sertraline at 7 am every morning. Weird lump sensation in my throat coupled with a sickly feeling in my tummy. I've totally lost my appetite by midday, forcing myself to eat. By midday, I'm yawning a lot, pretty tired, and achy. 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 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 a meltdown, 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."

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

"After years of 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 myself so much. After talking to helplines, 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 a half weeks and can honestly say I wish I’d gone onto these meds a long time before now. I feel like a slight feel of being in a bubble, that’s the only way to explain it, but I’m hoping things stay good."

• 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."

• RBa...
• 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 panic. My GP advised me to start at the 50mg dose! The side effects 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 a chance."

• One...
• 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!"

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2023

"I recently suffered crippling panic attacks and anxiety to the point where I couldn’t leave the house. After months of going into a downward spiral, I asked my doctor to put me on sertraline. I knew to expect some side effects, and oh my goodness, nothing could have prepared me for the first two weeks on this medication. I experienced every single side effect: nausea, low appetite, insomnia (still have that now!), tingling, worse anxiety, sweating profusely, trembling/shaking, and peeing all the time. I felt awful, at one point, I wanted to stop, but reading the reviews on here kept me going. I’m so glad I stuck it out, and now I am 6 weeks in, and most of the side effects have gone (only insomnia remains, and it’s mild!), and I feel back to my old self on 50mg. I am so relaxed and happy every day, and what used to worry me doesn’t anymore. I would say to anyone suffering through the first two horrendous weeks to stick it out, IT DOES GET BETTER!"

• Vic...
• 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 linear, so expect to be up & down & do not be too hard on yourself. By week 12, I’d say my anxiety had 95% gone, but I was left with periods of low mood. The doctor 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 weeks now, and I am a different person to where I was at the start. I still get waves of uncomfortable emotions, but find meditation, exercise, sleep, & a good diet help massively!"

• Hap...
• 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."

• Ano...
• February 5, 2022

"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 losing my mind. On top of sheer panic, a dry throat, a tummy that was swirling 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 have to start somewhere, and it won't happen overnight. Please stick with the program, you will most probably experience insomnia, headaches, trembling limbs, and a feeling of the worst panic and runaway thoughts ever. But after a couple of weeks, you 'will' start to see your sunshine again."

• msr...
• 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 try 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 dizziness or nausea. 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 there are so many bad reviews and they had me scared. But you’ll never know until you try it for yourself."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2024

"Game changer, BUT be prepared that it might make your depression worse for 2-4 weeks. It made me feel terrible and affected my sleep, but reading the positive reviews on here helped me continue. And I've never felt so good in my life. I can't believe I put off taking medication for the last 20 years. I exercise, work on my mental and physical fitness, don't drink alcohol, etc., but still always battled anxiety and worry. These tablets have 100% stopped these worries!! Amazing. I'm now 3 months in."

• bes...
• 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 an 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 that my brain is realizing I'm starting to feel good again and that my anxiety is also gone."

• Dyl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2023

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!"

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

"Sertraline is life-changing. I took this in 2017-2018 for postnatal anxiety. In a constant state of panic, I wasn’t sleeping, vomiting, having really irrational and powerful thoughts, very teary, and thought my partner would leave me. In September 2019, I had a breakdown following my mum's 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 physically 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!"

• hap...
• 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."

• Ama...
• 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 psychiatrist. 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 phenomenon?"

• giv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 27, 2023

"I, like others have mentioned, relied heavily on the comments section of this site when I was first starting to take Sertraline (Zoloft) a year ago. The first couple of months were very hard and being able to read other people's journeys was one of the things that helped keep me going. I'm leaving this review to say it's improved the quality of my life immensely and if you are just starting out, you aren't alone, and it's going to get better. The first weeks and months were like a rollercoaster of bad days mixed with very blah days. I had increased anxiety and felt that my OCD went from bad to....really, really bad...when I first started out on the medication. My doctor warned me that it would be a bumpy ride until my body started leveling out and getting used to the Zoloft. Slowly, after a few months (I'm being vague here because it really is different for everyone), I started to feel, well, more normal. You will too. The process isn't easy, but it's worth it. You've got this."

• joe...
• December 7, 2009

Sertraline "I started having panic attacks and anxiety coupled with mild depression. I have been on Zoloft for 10 years and have always taken 50mg. It has literally saved my life. I had gotten to the point I could not leave my house and had run out of stores and restaurants on several occasions. I used to snap at my kids, but the medication leveled out my moods and cured my panic attacks and has worked very well for me. I highly recommend it."

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

"Sertraline really works. I was having severe GAD after trying to stay off of 50 mg 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 Drug.com sites often when I felt bad, so I thought I would give back to help someone else."

• anx...
• June 26, 2019

"Anxiety has plagued me since childhood. I had been to the emergency room and various doctors with different illnesses but the underlying cause was always stress. It affected my whole life, how I performed at school and work, relationships, and self-esteem. I finally hit rock bottom 3 months ago and went to my doctor for help. I am not sure what would have happened to me if I hadn't been prescribed sertraline. My previous experience of antidepressants wasn't good but only because I couldn't handle the side effects. This time I made the decision to stick it out. The first 6 weeks were tough at times, I had headaches, felt dizzy, and nauseous but it was worth it. I am only taking 25mg as I know it's all I need. I actually don't recognize myself and the things I can do now that the anxiety has gone. I am calm, relaxed, and don't overthink things, it has truly changed my life. I feel like I have to pinch myself constantly because things are going so well."

• wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2025

"I started on these meds when I got a promotion and had to deal with a really tricky team. My anxiety was through the roof. I felt I was in fight or flight mode all the time and couldn't be myself at work. After 3 weeks, I feel more chilled, more confident and can be productive at work again. Sometimes we need a little help. Life's hard and we don't all make enough serotonin to deal with it. I needed a top-up, and I feel myself again."

• Suz...
• 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!"