Sertraline and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sie...
• January 15, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "I have been on Zoloft 50mg for about 6 months now. I got on it because I could not control my anger. I would go from okay to completely angry in just a matter of moments. Everything and anything would set me off, and I couldn't control it. So, I went to the doctor and he put me on Zoloft. I have lost close to 40 lbs since being on the medicine because I have no appetite anymore. I do not feel like a zombie, instead, I am able to control my anger better. I still get upset and angry, but I don't lash out like I used to. I feel like I have control of my life now."

• Clo...
• February 6, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "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."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

Sertraline for Depression "This drug changed my life. I feel better than I ever could have imagined after starting Zoloft. I had suffered with depression, unmedicated, since childhood. Finally, I got a doctor who would give me the antidepressants I needed. I was started on 25 mg for the first week, then 50 mg. I've been on 50 for 5 months now and so far so good. I've noticed drastic changes in my mood and my stress levels. Things that would've sent me into a panic attack before now only get me mildly stressed. I don't have random crying fits anymore. I'm not angry. The main side effect I had upon starting was no appetite. I felt nauseated every time I ate and had no desire to eat either, other than just to stop feeling hungry. That lasted about a month. Other than that, I haven't experienced any negative side effects."

• Kit...
• June 21, 2017

Sertraline for Depression "20-year-old female, prescribed 50 mg for major depressive disorder, social anxiety, and just overall generalized anxiety. Been on 50 mg for 3 months now. Side effects were minor, which consisted of insomnia, loss of appetite, and nausea, though they subsided within the first few weeks and I now experience none. I love Zoloft! I can live again! I'm laughing and going out with friends, not laying in bed all day. I can finally breathe, my surroundings seem so much brighter, I don't harbor hate anymore, I'm me again. More ambitious and creative like I was before I fell into this self-destructive path of depression two years ago. I no longer have the desire to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. I wish I got on Zoloft a long time ago."

• Vic...
• July 21, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "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!"

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

For Anxiety and Stress "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!"

• msr...
• December 15, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "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."

• Ivy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Where to start! I had been diagnosed at 55 with GAD, had it since I was 7. I am now 60. I had a meltdown in mid-September, akin to a breakdown. I wanted to die, the hole was so deep and dark. Doc prescribed me sertraline and over 3 weeks increased dose to 150mg. Believe everything you read about this drug, the side effects were horrific: mind like a washing machine, intrusive thoughts, grueling insomnia, no appetite for 8 weeks, diarrhea, sweating. I truly thought there was no way out, and because you don’t have a GP on speed dial, reading and rereading forums about this drug to comfort me in the knowledge that it works… Good news! It appeared to kick in, for hours at first, then a day here and there, nothing permanent, but I found myself humming to the radio or watching the Telly with no intrusive dark thought. For me, it did take the 12 weeks, and if you are willing to persevere, it is truly worth it… you’ve come this far reading my experience, you can do it!"

• I...
• December 7, 2012

Sertraline for Depression "I started using Zoloft on Wednesday the 5th of December 2012. Today's date is the 8th of December 2012. Four days, it has only taken four days for me to feel like a new person. I have been on it before, therefore I know what side effects to expect. Everybody is different, but I suffered from loss of appetite, headaches, nausea, feeling a bit dizzy, lower back pain, and trembling hands. This only lasts for a week or two. I used to cry for no reason (even at work), snap at my partner for stupid things, I was paranoid over everything, socially scared (I always wanted to stay home). I haven't cried since being on Zoloft, nor snapped at my partner. I am a new person now. I'm so happy and look forward to my new life. 100/100."

• JOa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2019

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I started having severe panic attacks and anxiety attacks, and I was diagnosed with depression as well. They started me off at 25mg of Zoloft for my first month. The first week was... interesting. My anxiety initially got worse and my appetite was gone. I also felt so tired and exhausted, it sucked. But after the first week, I’ve felt AMAZING. I went from having so much anxiety and constantly panicking to not having any panic attacks at all. And my anxiety is very minimal. There are some days I’m not even anxious at all. I’m just super calm and mellow, it’s great. They upped my dosage to 50mg to see how I would handle it, so I’ll update this after a month of 50mg. But so far, Zoloft has positively changed my life, even though the first week taking it sucked."

• Mor...
• July 9, 2021

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "My friend recently lost her child, and as a mom, it hit me very hard. I constantly worried and had irrational thoughts that something would happen to my daughter. I couldn’t drink caffeine or work out. I felt anxious, shaky, dizzy, and I had palpitations all the time for nearly three weeks prior to starting Zoloft. I could not do anything that I normally did without anxiety, my heart racing, and panic attacks nearly every day. I felt hopeless and heavy, as though I would never get out of my funk. I started taking Zoloft around two and a half weeks ago. Initially, I had terrible nausea, belly pain, shakiness, light-headedness, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. That has slowly subsided over around one and a half weeks. My appetite is still not back 100%, but I am so much happier, no panic attacks in over a week. Slowly, I am feeling more like myself and as though the wall between myself and the world has lifted. This medication takes time and patience, but it is so worth it. God bless!"

• Sia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2023

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "If you are experiencing horrible side effects at the beginning of taking sertraline, PLEASE keep going, please fight through it! It will get better! You do have to help yourself too, though! I forced myself to eat even when I lost my appetite, I had lots of fruit and veg, cut caffeine out, ate lots of fish, and made myself exercise daily. The first two weeks were horrific, I was worried I wouldn’t survive it. I’m now on week 8 and so glad I kept fighting. Please stay strong and please keep going! Don’t let the bad reviews put you off."

• bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "Please give this medicine a try. I have had some mild anxiety since my 20s, and after I had a child and now I'm in my 40s, it got pretty bad to the point where I would have a panic attack in my car every day, and I developed a fear of driving. I also had very bad health anxiety and ended up in the ER for a panic attack. I was very scared of taking any prescriptions because of all the horrific reviews, but panicking in my car was no way to live either, so I decided to try Zoloft. The first 2 weeks, the side effects were rough: nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, dry mouth, but the anxiety was getting better from day one. I started with 25mg and worked myself up to 50mg. The side effects pretty much subsided after week 3, and now I feel great."

• Aaa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Probably like many of you, I was ready to give up on this medication, but hey, it was worth it. Feeling like a zombie for a week, constant headache, shaking, paranoia, hungover, no appetite. On day 9, I woke up in the morning and felt like a new person - happy, full of joy, joking, so much laughter. I’ve been missing being my old self. I felt like my life started again. Give it a go! Good luck and stay strong."

• Ang...
• January 5, 2016

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I promised myself I would share my experience after I gave it at least 5 months and especially if Zoloft worked. I was so afraid to take it for reasons I read such as bad side effects. Well, I suggest to start low. I started out at 12.5mg, half of the 25mg, and I did have side effects for 5 days: nausea, no appetite, and night sweats. After 5 days, that part was over. I noticed around 3 months that my panic attacks and anxiety were almost gone. I have 2 young kids and I spent so much time worrying, scared of passing out behind the wheel or in grocery stores. I am feeling a lot better now, just living my life and enjoying my kids. I'm grateful for Zoloft, it really does help."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Started Zoloft 15 days ago and have been having a tough time with the ups and downs. The past two days have been bad with lots of anxiety and shaking, with lots of crying on the floor. The doctors warned me of these symptoms and encouraged me to be strong, and that it will get better with time, and to trust the process as it's balancing me out. I’m not having suicidal thoughts anymore, so that’s a relief. My appetite has surely decreased, although it seems that smoking a little marijuana helped me with that, but I would prefer not to have to smoke to eat. I should feel grateful that I’m actually feeling something again, even if it hurts, because nothing is as bad as the place I was at. I look forward to happy days again. Stay strong."

• Cee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I checked this page weekly for good reviews for about a year as I was too scared to start sertraline! I would constantly check reviews and forums obsessing over side effects. My panic and anxiety attacks took over my daily life with heart palpitations, tension headaches, intrusive thoughts, weight gain, and a general low mood. I hit rock bottom and finally reached for the tablets. I started off on 25mg for 2 weeks then increased to 50mg. I felt a bit drugged/spaced out the first few days with a loss of appetite and unable to sleep the full night. My anxiety lifted after around 4/5 weeks and I have never felt better, my mood is much more stable and I am sleeping well. Please, if you are reading this like me, take the tablets!!! They do work after time and I am finally looking forward to the future ☺️"

• ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 30, 2014

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I had my first panic attack in June 2013. Thought I was going to die. Had them every day after that. I couldn't go anywhere or do anything because I was so dizzy and scared. I went from June to September with no medicines. I was suicidal so I tried meds. First two days I was a zombie, no appetite. I felt weird but not like a panic attack weird. I could tell a difference. I have been on my Zoloft 25ml since September 2013 and I am 97% better. I have my days where I feel weird but if you have severe panic attacks like I did, you will know that even feeling 5% better would be nice, so 97% is amazing! This medicine saved my life."

• Tab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking Zoloft for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety for going on 5 months now. The first two weeks taking it were genuinely the worst two weeks of my life; all I could do was sit in bed all day, every day, and even that was too much for me. I completely lost my appetite, lost 15 lbs in two weeks. I constantly had diarrhea, an increased heart rate, anxiety 100% of the time. Week 3 came around, and I felt a shift start; things started to get better, slowly. By week five, I was able to do things I hadn't been able to do in years! I've had pretty bad anxiety surrounding making phone calls my entire life, and now I don't! Not every day is totally great; no pill can guarantee that, but my life feels livable again. I promised myself that if Zoloft worked for me, I'd come back to this website and write a review. During those first two weeks, I used to scroll through this website for HOURS, and reading positive reviews is what got me through it."

• Kad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2024

Sertraline "I used 20 mg Lexapro (escitalopram) for 3 years, but I believed that it stopped working after 2 years, so I talked to my GP, then switched to Zoloft (sertraline) with a rapid tapering off. Started with 50 mg for the first week. This transition skyrocketed my anxiety for the first couple of weeks and I lost my appetite, but then started to feel better each week slowly. After being on 100 mg for 5 full weeks, I felt my anxiety and depression reducing slowly but surely. Please try to be patient and give the medication at least 6-8 weeks to see real benefits. Don't check your symptoms daily, focus on weekly improvements. I know how hard it is, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel! All the best to you all."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2015

Sertraline for Depression "I've been on Zoloft for 3 months now. Initially, I suffered from side effects such as shivering, loss of appetite, drowsiness, and insomnia. These symptoms lasted for about three days. I was scared at first and planned on trying another medication for anxiety. However, I called my cousin who is a nurse, and she told me to try cutting the pill in half. I took my cousin's advice and cut the pill in half, taking only 25mg a day, which works really well for me. I'm 5'4, 130 lbs. I no longer suffer from anxiety. After taking Zoloft, I realized that I was suffering from depression. Zoloft alleviates my anxiety and has greatly helped with my depression. I now feel happier and more motivated to do things right away without procrastinating. Life-changer!"

• ano...
• February 2, 2014

Sertraline for Depression "I'm 16, and over the course of a few months, I started becoming more and more depressed and anxious. After trying a few other medications along with none at all (only therapy), I started taking Zoloft as it has helped others in my family. The first 10 days (started at 25mg) were horrible - suicidal thoughts, no appetite, headaches, and terrible anxiety. But once I hit 2 weeks, I felt so much better. I'm now 6 weeks in and on 75mg. I feel amazing, still get headaches but I'm not sure if it's related. I feel almost 100% myself. I'll give it a few more weeks and see if I need to maybe get to 100mg, but honestly, this medication saved my life."

• She...
• October 8, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I have had anxiety for the majority of my life, recently been diagnosed a year or so ago. Started Zoloft around the same time. Now, in no way has this 100% fixed my entire life. Instead, what it helps you do is get past the initial panic of anxiety and view things in a different perspective. I also have received counseling and with that gained tools that have helped me deal with my life. The first few days of taking this drug at 25mg, I felt almost euphoric. I had a constant splitting headache for the first two weeks, decreased appetite, and horrible cotton mouth. Two weeks in, I upped to 50mg and around that time most of the side effects went away. I found also, for me, that taking it at night was the most effective and I can finally fall asleep and stay asleep. I am now on 100mg of Zoloft once a day and have been on this dose for about nine months. My anxiety, irritability, and depression are way improved and I owe it all to this medication."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 16, 2015

Sertraline for Depression "I think Zoloft for me is great. The only downfall I have with it was headaches. They started right when I began taking Zoloft daily. They were intense and hurt like hell. Lasted about 2 weeks. Then bam, they were gone. I took it at night before bed. I thought they made me tired. Since I've been on it, I've lost about 20 lbs. I don't have the munchies at all & honestly I have to tell myself to eat because it curbs my appetite. I don't feel bloated like I did on Lexapro, that's why I switched. Zoloft really works for me and I'm on a low dose. Headaches suck the first few weeks but what a difference from Lexapro. Everyone's different."

• Esw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2014

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered with generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder since I can remember. I got prescribed these at 50mg 3 weeks ago. The first few days I got a horrible cold nausea feeling in the pit of my stomach. I had no appetite and I noticed straightaway that it took me longer to orgasm. 3 months into them, I still feel anxious, but for the first time since I can remember, I was able to present to a group without shaking, losing my voice, and my heart beating rapidly. It almost feels like a small weight has been lifted which gives you that control back over my thoughts. I was able to say 'put your best into it. You will be fine' and I believed it. This is only a small step to overcoming my anxiety but this medication has helped me a lot."