Sertraline and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Spa...
• June 4, 2016

For Depression "I started taking sertraline about 9 months ago. I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I was having massive highs and lows, psychotic episodes, trouble sleeping all the time, and basically couldn't control my emotions in any way. Life was extremely difficult, but I'd lived like this for so long, I think I convinced myself it was normal. I had some side effects like nausea, my vision became crystal clear, had some headaches, and was tired all the time. I started sleeping like a baby, and after about a month, all the side effects were gone! I'm so calm, and nothing really bothers me anymore. It saved my mind and my relationship. Remember that not everyone will feel the same, so keep trying until you find the one that works for you."

• Sno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I started this medication on 25 mg after suffering anxiety and panic, and at first, the side effects were not great. I had worse anxiety, headaches, was very tired, and had no appetite for the first 5 days, then that all started to ease off. I went up to 50 mg after a week, and I continued to have side effects for a couple more weeks, but not nearly as bad. I’m on my 5th week now on the same dose, and I’m feeling great. My anxiety has almost gone completely, I have no side effects anymore, and I feel like the old me again. I know I have a long way to go until I recover completely, but I’m no longer worrying about stuff, which is great. I hope you get on with this medication and wish you well."

• Aud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2023

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I have had a panic disorder since I was 5. I think they called me a hypochondriac. I would have waves of panic attacks at different times in my life. In my 20s, I finally couldn't handle it anymore and got professional help. Every day I would have a panic attack with chest pains and trouble breathing. My doctor prescribed me Zoloft. I started at 25 mg and now I am at 50 mg. I haven't gotten a panic attack since 2 weeks of taking this. I am so much happier. I was at the point of just crying every time I would have a panic attack because I didn't know what to do. This has changed my life for the better. I haven't noticed any side effects, maybe I'm a little tired more often, but not bad."

• Aky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "36 yo Male. I was struggling with bad health anxiety after a recent illness and also work pressures, which culminated in constant worrying and body checking. Doc advised the sertraline. Never been on this type of med before so said, ok, it's worth a shot. Been taking 50 mg daily, and finally, after 10 weeks, I'm starting to feel like my old self, and it's also made me calmer in social situations! I take mine in the morning after breakfast, I have never had nausea. My first 6 weeks were pretty bad: insomnia, inconsistent bowel movements, bruising, which was a weird one, more anxiety, tingling, etc. I am still suffering from muscle aches and a bit of tiredness, but other than that, I have never felt better! Please stick with it. All I'm worried about now is how to wean myself off!"

• Pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2020

For Depression "I have major/severe depression and have been on a variety of SSRIs/SSNRIs/NDRIs, and sertraline is great, but for a few wrong reasons. The anxiety/OCD/rage was worse than the depression, though. I've been on sertraline (100 mg) for a collective 4 years, and it's pretty much done the same thing: it ELIMINATES anxiety, OCD, and rage/anger issues. It's better than benzos in doing it as well. The problem is what it doesn't do: for me, it had no effect on the depression/mood (which was the point?). Side effects: fatigue (like a zombie), yawning, feeling disconnected, and makes you have terrible quality sleep. If you're a male, it makes it difficult to ejaculate. In closing, I would use this for major anxiety/OCD/PTSD/anger issues, but it doesn't lift your mood. Side effects aside, it will change your life, but please get a sleeping tablet as well."

• Bel...
• October 6, 2018

For Depression "I was suffering from anxiety and depression after my dad passed away, and I also had a miscarriage a few months later. My anxiety was so bad I felt as though I couldn't breathe. I would wake up in a terrible panic every day and didn't leave the house. I had to give up my job as I couldn't think straight. I thought I could manage it myself with exercise, etc., but it was just getting worse, and I felt out of control. My last resort was going to talk to my doctor. I was given 50 mg of sertraline. The first week, I felt very dizzy and tired and had a fuzzy head, but that did go after a week or two. Four months later, I was given 100 mg. It's taken seven months for me to start to feel better, but I can finally say my anxiety is so much better, and I feel like my old self again. They have worked for me, but you have to give them time! They have made me think more clearly and calmed me down. Totally recommend sertraline!"

• Dan...
• December 10, 2015

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. I'm 33 years old and have a son. I would panic every time he wasn't with me. I would think of the craziest 'what ifs' that could happen. I got to the point I couldn't even drive on the highway because I might get into an accident. I was prescribed Zoloft at 25 mg for six weeks... I felt nauseous for a couple of days but was fine. Then I was put up to 50 mg for another six weeks. I was really tired and my anxiety spiked, but I stuck it out. Now I'm on 100 mg. Have been for 2 weeks. Not a single anxiety attack. I feel less tired but still get sleepy throughout the day. My son can be at school, out swimming, or doing other kid things, and my mind doesn't head straight to horrible what-if thoughts. Yay!!"

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2019

For Depression "I wanted to share my experiences with you all, particularly people who are starting out on Zoloft. I was suffering from anxiety-based depression, and Zoloft has hugely improved how I now feel. I have no or very little anxiety, I guess it’s gone from a 9 out of 10 to a 0/1 out of 10. My mood had lifted considerably, from a 2/3 to 7/8. I am on 50 mg per day, and I have been taking Zoloft for just over 3 months. The only downside is I find I am often quite tired. I take it at night, but I think I will switch to the morning to see how I get on. The side effects in the beginning are horrible, primarily increased anxiety, but please stick with it, they do go away."

• Rcj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 27, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on sertraline for a year and a half now. When I started taking it, I was battling anxiety to the point of it ruining my life. I was tired all the time, crying, not sleeping, depressed, irrational fears. Sertraline helped. I started taking (1) 50 mg pill every morning. I started to feel better about a week later. Initially, I would take it right after breakfast, and almost immediately, I would feel super tired and dizzy and would have to go for a 15-20 minute nap. But that went away within a month. I would still feel dizzy afterward but would just take it easy. About 8 months ago or so, I switched from taking it after breakfast to taking it before breakfast, and the dizziness side effect went away, which was a great discovery. Overall, this has helped me a lot. I still have emotions, but my lows are less low. I feel more myself, and it feels really good to be able to work 40 hours a week and still go out after work and live a normal lifestyle again. :) Age 27."

• Nat...
• August 1, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Zoloft for almost 5 months, and I can honestly say it has saved me and made my life brighter in so many ways. I was really struggling with GAD and panic attacks for about 3 years before I began and was struggling to cope, which felt very isolating. Zoloft has made me feel more at ease, I feel more productive and motivated every day and far less irritated and impatient, to just name a couple of the benefits. I wish I hadn't waited so long to start (I was afraid of side effects), but I'm happy to say I'm feeling so much better. The side effects are difficult, I won't lie, for me, they lasted about a month. I mostly just felt tired and spaced out and not very hungry. They do disappear, however, and it's so worth it."

• cam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2014

Sertraline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been taking Zoloft for just over 2 years for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. At my worst, I was on 150 mg, and this held me quite well, I was determined not to be on the full 200 mg. Initially, the shakes and the tiredness bothered me, but not as much as how I felt when I missed a dose. On every increase, I would have a day or two where my mind and mouth raced. This provided a few giggles. A huge improvement from crying and refusing to leave the house. Combining therapy and medication has helped me get my life back. I am now on the decrease as the masses of weight I have put on in a short period of time, my least favorite side effect, regardless of how much I exercise and how good my diet is. Just keeps adding on. Now 50 mg daily and doing well."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I was taking Citalopram and had the initial doses there from 10 to 20 to 30 mg for GAD. I'm not sure what triggered the anxiety, but alcohol definitely makes it worse. I hated Citalopram, as it often left me lethargic and made my anxiety worse. I have been on Sertraline for about 6 weeks, and I did notice an initial improvement, but now I feel like my anxiety is taking its toll again. I am currently taking 50 mg, but I'm unsure whether to increase to 100 mg or switch to a different SSRI. Please, can people share their views with me? I'm a 24-year-old male, and I'm eager to get on with life, but it just feels like my anxiety is the elephant in the room. Thank you in advance, and good luck, everyone."

• Bau...
• April 15, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "I have constant mid-level depression and have also self-medicated this with marijuana. Helps a lot, but only if you smoke all the time. So, I decided to go to the doctor, and right away he started me off with 100mg Zoloft. I just tried this for the next month. The first 2 weeks, my emotions were uncontrollable: happy, sad, angry, numb, energetic, then tired. So then, after the 2 weeks, I didn't feel depressed really, but didn't feel happy either-just a neutral feeling. So, I stopped and decided medical marijuana works better for me."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2021

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "Zoloft is amazing! I read through these reviews a million times before I started Zoloft. I was so anxious about taking meds, I put it off for 2 years, but my anxiety and panic got so bad I knew I needed more help! Counseling and chamomile tea could only do so much. I started taking 25 mgs of Zoloft in the mornings, but I was so tired after I couldn’t go to work, let alone drive there. The side effects were pretty crap for the first week. On day four, I was so emotional I cried literally all day, not kidding, 8 hours straight of crying uncontrollably! I was tired, and I felt dizzy and just off, kind of like my brain was in a bubble. It was a chore to make myself take it every day, I had to psych myself up! After a week, I started taking it at night. After two weeks, all my symptoms stopped, I was far less anxious! 8 weeks in and I haven’t had a panic attack or been overly anxious at all. Zoloft changed my life. I’m a better mum, friend, and partner. I’m actually happy and enjoying life!"

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2011

Sertraline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Best thing that has ever happened to me. I suffer from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. At first, I wanted to stop taking it because the side effects were too much, as in tiredness and nausea. Once I had been taking it for a month and a half to 2 months, I have no side effects and I have a significantly better quality of life. I take 100 mg and I slowly increased and found it was a good spot for me. For a while, I had the shakes and it bothered me, but those are gone now too and I have been on it for about 5 months. With therapy and Zoloft, I am a much happier and less anxious person. Keep trying and keep taking the medicine. It's worth it, I promise. I am 19."

• amh...
• September 26, 2019

Sertraline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I had been on and off Lexapro for years for generalized anxiety disorder. I had weaned off of it when I became pregnant with my 2nd child. Three weeks after giving birth to her, she was hospitalized for viral meningitis for three weeks. I never left her side, and the experience scarred me. My fear of germs/sickness was always with me. I even had panic attacks driving into the same city where the hospital stay was. I had started back on Lexapro, but it made me so tired, so I ended up stopping again (no one needs to feel extra tired with a toddler and newborn!). My beloved PCP convinced me to try 50 mg Zoloft. At first, I took it at night (because that’s when I took my Lexapro), but I would wake up in the middle of the night, wide awake with a nervous/anxious/can’t turn my brain off feeling. I switched to taking it in the morning and have never felt better! She upped my dosage to 75 mg, and I feel like I am me again. Not some paranoid mom that freaks out over any sniffle, cough, sneeze, etc., my children may get."

• MIS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Been on this sertraline for about 3 months, and it has definitely helped with my co-morbid depression and anxiety. Day to day, I'm much more stable and able to focus on other things opposed to my emotions spiraling all over the place. If there's something that I find particularly triggering, however, it doesn't do much to dampen the immediate response. Also, my impulsivity is still an issue but now taking shape in binge eating opposed to self-harm. That said, the difference has been big and positive for me. Some of the side effects are not pleasant (lethargy, nightmares, no libido), but there are probably worse."

• Lau...
• November 13, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "I had social anxiety and depression and some OCD thoughts, but on Zoloft after the first day taking it, I had a clear mind, and I feel free and in control of my life. Some side effects, though mild for me, were feeling tired on the first day only and not being able to fall asleep at night, but overall no side effects over here. But I am only on day 2."

• amy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Sertraline saved my life. If you’re thinking about it but too scared, just know that the side effects in the first couple of weeks (headaches, low motivation, tiredness, etc.) are so worth it when you begin to see the benefits. After 4 weeks, the side effects had completely subsided, my anxiety and panic attacks significantly reduced. By 6 weeks, my depression had lifted. Now I’ve been on them for around 3 months, and I feel like I’ve got myself back. I haven’t had a panic attack for over a month when I used to have them daily. I’m so glad, after putting it off for too long, that I eventually tried meds."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2019

For Depression "Sertraline. I am just starting week 3 of this medication. I went through a bad breakup, and after 7 weeks of no sleep and no appetite, I sought help from a doctor. The first 2 weeks on sertraline have been tough, shaky, and tiredness mainly. My sleep is a little better, but I still have no great appetite. I have lost 14 lbs in the last few weeks. The drug, 50 mg, has helped my mood so far, and my stomach has stopped churning, which I am grateful for. The mornings are the worst, I have to drag myself into the shower, but I find I improve as the day progresses. I just want to get back to my normal chatty self, as I have two kids and a job to hold down, so I can’t afford to be unwell. I am hoping week 3 and 4 will see further improvement."

• Mon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "I started taking Zoloft in October of 2011. Although it has helped me tremendously with anxiety, depression, and severe mood swings, it makes me very tired and withdrawn. I've gained 20 lbs since October 2011! I haven't seen a lot of reviews with this type of side effect for Zoloft, but I know I'm not overeating to that degree. I've gained 3 lbs since my doctor visit last week. My doctor lowered the dosage by 1/2. But needless to say, the weight gain is more depressing than anything."

• Clo...
• April 21, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I was originally worried about taking sertraline, as my friend had been taking them and suffered really bad side effects. The first few days were rough, I felt very tired, sick, and dizzy, much like a bad hangover. But over time, I have found sertraline to be really helpful. I no longer wake up in the middle of the night having a panic attack, and when I think about the stresses in my life, I no longer obsess and worry over them. I'm currently on 150 mg, and they do make me very sleepy after the first few hours of taking them, so I find that for me it is best to take them before bed! Don't be scared to try this medication! If you do have any side effects at first, don't be put off, it will get better!"

• Jea...
• March 26, 2015

Sertraline for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was put on Zoloft to regulate my moods as my hormones were very off-kilter with extreme highs and lows. The medicine started taking effect within a week, and now I feel very calm and relaxed all the time. The only side effects are that it leaves me extremely tired, and also with a bit of cotton mouth."

• Whi...
• July 10, 2019

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Zoloft for almost two weeks now. First time on an antidepressant. I was nervous starting it due to what I heard about side effects. My anxiety has gotten bad, and every day is a struggle. When I started taking Zoloft, I did notice right away side effects. Mainly, my arms felt really warm right after taking it for the first few days. The first few days, my stomach was pretty upset, nauseous, dizzy, tired, and weak. I was in bed for 3 days. After a few days, my symptoms got better. I feel a lot better. My stomach is still a little sensitive, and when I wake up in the morning, I’m a little shaky, but it goes away. I still feel pretty tired, but I am noticing a change in the way I feel. My anxiety is starting to decrease, and I am starting to feel more normal. I gave this an 8 due to only being two weeks. I’m seeing positives so far, but I know I still have a few weeks to go until the drug completely takes effect, and as of right now, my anxiety is still there. I am hopeful for the future, though."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2025

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started sertraline on the 22nd of November. I felt like I lived in total fear for no reason at all, it had been building up over 18 months. The first week, I felt nauseous, had no appetite, and extreme tiredness. After the first week, the nausea disappeared. I was just left with no appetite and tiredness, which lasted about 3 weeks. At 4 weeks, my anxiety felt slightly better, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. At six weeks, I felt brilliant. I went to bed one night and realized I hadn’t worried all day or had a panic attack, which is such a strange feeling, and that’s when I realized they were fully working. My side effects weren’t as bad as some I had read. I could still go to work, I just had to eat basic food and sleep a lot! The side effects are worth it with how I feel today. It isn’t a quick fix, it takes time, but it’s definitely worth it."