Sertraline and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Taking Sertraline first 7 days. I get 50 mg tablets first day, was vomiting, had a headache. I stopped taking them. I decided to try again with a smaller dose, 25 mg, due to the fact I was in bad condition 2.5 years after divorce, alone, stress at work, financial troubles, Christmas here. After 2-3 days, I spot I start to think more rationally, I start to be more confident at work, and I fell asleep straight after I went to bed. Now I have a 25 mg dose, still have a headache, and I'm very tired, but I can survive my day and I can tell I am starting to smile again. I'm very quiet, very pragmatic at work, stress doesn't make me anxious anymore. I started to be depressed a couple of years ago, with small breaks I never have been okay. I tried psychotherapy, exercises, changed my diet, supplements, prayed a lot, and meditated, but even with all that, my mind hasn't settled down. I was in a relationship with a toxic person, and I couldn't finish it. Sertraline makes me see realistically again. I need a couple of months to get back to the normal I was before."

• lil...
• June 15, 2010

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "Stick with the medicine, it truly does take 6-8 weeks for your body to adjust. I take 75 mg in the morning (keeps me up at night with RLS), and my anxiety is under control, and I am able to go on with life and my day-to-day activities. The side effects I had in the beginning of being tired, RLS, yawning excessively... did go away with time, and now I experience none of those things."

• Doo...
• September 10, 2019

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve been taking 50 mg of Zoloft for a year and 2-3 months now. I’ve had depression for a while and only started medication recently. Before Zoloft, I was on Wellbutrin for about a year. I switched after ending up in the hospital. Both made me feel numb, which I guess is better than crying and crushing sadness all the time? Lol. Zoloft, unlike Wellbutrin, has killed my sex drive. I think it helped with my depression, but it’s hard to say. I started taking it after leaving a horribly abusive relationship, so I can’t say for sure if it was the Zoloft that made me feel better. I didn’t have any side effects in the beginning, but for the past 6 months or so, I’ve been feeling exhausted all the time. I’m weaning myself off now because I want to try and feel joy, have great sex, and not be so tired all the time. We’ll see. It’s different for everyone, and I’ve heard many success stories. If it’s gonna keep you here and keep you going, definitely give it a try."

• Goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Three weeks after starting this medication, sertraline, I feel so much calmer, more positive, and motivated. The first couple of weeks were difficult with nausea, intense headaches, eye pain, clenched jaw, dry mouth, yawning, itching, insomnia, and fatigue. However, the negative thoughts ceased almost immediately, so I was able to tolerate the physical side effects. Most of these side effects have gone, with the exception of fatigue. I plan to stay on this medication, as I feel more at peace and have a higher tolerance to stress."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2015

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "After trying a few SSRIs that didn't work (Paxil, Lexapro) and a very bad stint with Remeron (ended up collapsing one night on my 3rd week, all the while my sleep was getting worse). Withdrawals from Remeron put me in a black hole. I nearly gave up. Started Zoloft and Ativan 1 mg for sleep. Headaches, dizziness, and exhaustion for several weeks (could also be the underlying depression), but I finally got stable enough to leave my parents' house and get my life together. Medication didn't really help my sleep (no antidepressant has), but it did help my social and general anxiety. Marked somnolence and felt very apathetic on it. No lows, but no highs. Helped GAD/SAD but not depression. I'm sensitive to meds, and I tolerated this one well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Day 1, I was completely nauseous, dizzy, and sweating. Day 3 now, and not nauseous, but the tiredness is overwhelming as I've not slept in 2 nights. I think I'm anxious because I never wanted to resort to tablets, but I've fought it too long now after a difficult 12 months. I'm sticking it out, having read it will get better."

• sti...
• February 27, 2012

Sertraline for Depression "Zoloft was great for controlling my depression, anxiety, and obsessive thinking. The side effects were not terrible, all but one of them went away in about a month. The ones that only lasted through the first month were: feeling tired and drained as well as an occasional but mild headache. However, the only long-lasting side effect was decreased sex drive, which unfortunately never subsided for me. The drive is still there, it just isn't as intense. This is a great medicine for depression, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts. If you haven't tried it, please do."

• Rit...
• September 30, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have GAD, and sertraline turned my life around. For those of you in the early stages, I know it's tough, but powering through is the best thing for you to do. I initially started on 25 mg for 1 week, then had to decrease for the next week (because I'm small and the effects were too much). The first 2 days I felt great, then plateaued, felt super lethargic, and couldn't eat a thing. After those initial 2 weeks, it started to stabilize more, but I had ups and downs. My 7th week, I finally got the full effects of the medication, and my obsessive thinking and anxiety were easier to manage. I'm now over 6 months in on 150 mg, and it is definitely the right dose for me. I don't wake up irritated in the morning, my anxiety attacks have lessened, and I'm able to control stress better than ever before. I gave the meds an 8/10 because it is NOT a CURE. A lot of people think these little pills will cure your mental illness, but it simply helps in managing it. If you are advised to take this medication by a specialist, stick with it through."

• Liz...
• April 18, 2017

Sertraline for Depression "I have Bipolar I with severe depressive episodes lasting up to 16 months. Zoloft was a last-ditch effort to improve my depression; I was formerly on Luvox and found it too sedating and less effective after being on it for over a decade. So far, I have had 15 days without severe depression after being on Zoloft for one month. I think it's working. I am tired, but I am not sure if that is the Zoloft or something else, as I am on several medications for psychiatric problems."

• Tta...
• June 23, 2020

Sertraline for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "My doctor switched me to Zoloft. I was taking bupropion for about 5 months, but it was causing me to be snappy and a lot of anxiety. So he switched me to Zoloft, it's been 3 weeks, and the first week and a half was the hardest. I had nausea, diarrhea, and tiredness. But it went away, now I'm only tired at times but feel way better. I recommend it."

• Sha...
• May 4, 2016

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "Well, I've been taking Zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks, 50 mg, for 7 weeks now, and it does work for panic and anxiety. I haven't had an attack, and my anxiety levels are pretty much as low as can be. My mind feels clearer, and I feel more relaxed and able to concentrate on things again. The only downside to taking this that I have felt is being tired a bit and being a bit lethargic and having less motivation to do anything. Also, I had very vivid dreams, but they can be good, so that's not a bad thing to deal with. Looking to go back to see if I can lower the dose if possible to help with the feeling of lethargy/less energy, but it does what it says, it stops panic and anxiety if you stick with it. I can relax again!"

• Sha...
• May 4, 2016

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "Well, I've been taking Zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks, 50 mg, for 7 weeks now, and it does work for panic and anxiety. I haven't had an attack, and my anxiety levels are pretty much as low as can be. My mind feels clearer, and I feel more relaxed and able to concentrate on things again. The only downside to taking this that I have felt is being tired a bit and being a bit lethargic and having less motivation to do anything. Also, I had very vivid dreams, but they can be good, so that's not a bad thing to deal with. Looking to go back to see if I can lower the dose if possible to help with the feeling of lethargy/less energy, but it does what it says, it stops panic and anxiety if you stick with it. I can relax again!"

• DAT...
• January 28, 2016

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "For the past 9 months, I have had a mixed major depressive/anxiety episode. I have started therapy from the beginning of the episode, which helped me cope for a while, but it was going nowhere. Finally, I went to see a psychiatrist last week and was put on 50 mg Zoloft. Don't know if it's placebo or not, but I'm already starting to feel better. My anxiety level has gone down, and I'm feeling more clear-minded, level-headed, and hopeful. The first 4 days were hell because it was making me nauseated, bloated, and extremely tired and restless at the same time. On day 7 now, and I'm feeling great."

• Mum...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2017

Sertraline for Depression "Took Zoloft for depression and anxiety and was on it for about six months. It absolutely helped, and I felt less anxious almost immediately. But I stopped taking it due to increasing negative side effects. I have learned through my journey that other people's experiences of these kinds of meds are no real indication of how it will be for you personally. But sometimes it helps to share. Just take everything with a grain of salt. Zoloft negatives: constant yawning, the first three days you feel so unwell you think you'll never be okay again. Also, inability to have an orgasm, which lasted about three months, and then I was fine. Serious vertigo that got so bad I had to stop taking it. Tried venlafaxine and Prozac with better results."

• Izz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2023

For Anxiety and Stress "Suffered from anxiety and bouts of severe depression for many years. I’ve been taking citalopram for around ten years now to manage my condition. The past year my anxiety seems to rocket out of control. I had my dose of citalopram upped a couple of months ago to 40 mg only to feel worse to no difference. After feeling hopeless I went back to my GP, and they started me on sertraline - now just over two weeks in, and wow it’s been tough, to say the least. I am feeling exhausted, loss of appetite, am super anxious, feel like a zombie, and am severely low/depressed. I’m going to try and push through this as I’ve read so many positive reviews on here to say it does get better and is worth it! Thank you for your words of encouragement - none of us are alone in this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on sertraline for three days now at 50mg. I feel like I'm high, which is nice to some respect. Although, I haven't been able to leave the house much, and I have had to cancel plans. I have had some horrible thoughts these first few days, which will hopefully ease as the week passes. I hear the first few days are the worst. I have been very, very anxious and in a very low mood. Experiencing fatigue and tiredness, dizziness, sickness, headaches, and insomnia. I am sticking with them for now, hopefully, the symptoms will pass soon."

• Maz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I’ve been battling insomnia and anxiety for years, did everything I could to avoid the medication, finally had to give in and try something. Dr. started me on sertraline 25 mg for 7 days, then up to 50 mg. The first 5 days were awful! Anxiety and insomnia were worse than ever before, had tremors, headache, and diarrhea, didn’t sleep for 4 days. By the 6th day, I started to notice an improvement. On day 8, when I upped the dose to 50 mg, same bad side effects for a couple of days and complete exhaustion. BUT, at the end of the 3rd week, I noticed a big improvement in my anxiety, and I switched to taking it at bedtime, which helped with the exhaustion. At the end of the 5th week, I started feeling a little bit anxious, so my Dr. upped the dose to 75 mg, and I have to say, after 2 weeks at 75 mg, I am feeling so much better!! Enjoying life, sleeping better than I have in years... so glad I stuck with it, even though the side effects were so bad in the beginning."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2020

For Depression "Suffered with mild depression for as long as I can remember, was on sertraline for a good couple of years maybe 2 years ago, worked well. Just started taking them again a month ago, and the side effects are not good, faint, headaches, tired, etc., all the time. Tied between trying to hang on as I have read some start to feel better 6 weeks + when your body fully adapts to the sertraline, but on the other hand, wanting to come off them so I don’t feel like this and thinking that the less time they are in my system, the better for coming off them again. Been reading up about different batches, and these are definitely different from the ones I had previously."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2022

Sertraline for Postpartum Depression "Take this med! I promised myself I would come review this if it worked, and wow, does it work! I never realized how much I sabotaged my life before because of the anxiety I had on a daily basis. Anxiety had become a normal feeling for me. I had some severe postpartum depression that set in about 7-8 weeks post-baby. I had lost interest in everything, couldn’t connect with my baby, couldn’t sleep, was just wishing away time. I decided to see a psychiatrist, and she prescribed Zoloft. I expressed my fear for this medication, and she made me a plan to start at 12.5 mg until I could move on gradually to 50 mg. The first week was tough. My brain felt heavy, I had insomnia, was tired… But after the first week, all side effects disappeared. I'm one month in, and I am living life again. I’m enjoying everything, I am no longer anxious, I’m sleeping, I am enjoying motherhood, I am just a brand new person. Wish I had taken this medication years ago."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on sertraline a couple of times now for anxiety and OCD. I have also been on citalopram, clomipramine, venlafaxine, and fluoxetine in the past. Sertraline seems to agree with me more than the others. I am currently on my 8th week of 200 mg. 50 mg didn't really do much for me, 100 mg was slightly better, and 150 mg was slightly better still. Each time I increased, I had a slight increase in side effects. That was until I increased to 200 mg. Wow, the side effects have been pretty bad: huge increase in anxiety, panic, bad thoughts. I was very much considering stopping them. I also take propranolol 3x40 a day, but they only helped a bit. Literally, overnight the other day, the side effects went away and the calmness is slowly coming over me. The OCD isn't dramatically improved, but the anxiety is definitely improving. I was so close to giving up on them, but I'm glad I didn't. Oh, and I take them at night as they make me very tired during the day."

• PTS...
• March 9, 2010

Sertraline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I started taking Zoloft 8 weeks ago. I was extremely stressed out and was suffering from PTSD due to a bad car accident. After about 1 1/2 weeks, I really noticed a difference. Not stressed anymore, but I do feel a bit zombie-like. I also have a problem with memory and focusing. Also really tired at night. Overall, right now, I guess it is worth the trade-off. Also have intestinal issues, but hope it will go away."

• Zoz...
• September 15, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Went on sertraline about 20 months ago. Started on 50 mg and gradually upped to 100 mg. Had a few side effects to start with. Dizziness (which I was getting with anxiety anyway), tiredness, and nausea. Stuck with it, and after a few weeks, they passed. They were fantastic for me, really helped. Could feel the anxiety and anger, but it seemed to go away or never really surface. Unfortunately, I thought I was okay after a while and came off them without asking my doctor, and the anxiety has come back, so I'm starting again today, pm 25 mg. I hope they help as well as they did the first time."

• Sli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Diagnosed with catastrophic anxiety and severe depression. I started on 50 mg sertraline. The first week was horrendous! Panic attacks, diarrhea, vomiting, migraines, no appetite, tiredness, heavy depression, and strong suicidal thoughts. After 9 days, I entered a euphoric state that lasted 3 days with total insomnia before stabilizing. The increase to 100 mg saw all the side effects again. I'm actually losing weight as I am exercising heaps because I now want to. I have pretty much lost my sex drive, and ejaculation is significantly delayed, but it's better than me feeling suicidal! It's not a magic pill, it will mess you up before you get better, however, it will give you the chance to change ways, patterns, and lifestyles to improve yourself and deal with your baggage. I wanted to stop in the first week, but glad I didn't... take care of yourselves and each other and also seek the assistance of a psychologist."

• Tox...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2014

Sertraline for Depression "I started to develop depression around puberty. Over the years, it became more and more intense. Some days I would cry and have to leave school. Around two years ago, my doctor put me on 50 mg of Zoloft. The first few weeks were a wreck, I had terrible nausea, was tired all the time, could barely eat, and some days I would experience a zombie feeling. After the Zoloft started to kick in, the side effects subsided. I went through bouts of not taking it, and then I would feel bad and start taking it again. Every time I went back on the pill, the stomach pains increased to where I would eat once every other day. Since then, I have been put on a new medication that I hope starts kicking in. All in all, Zoloft was amazing if you stick to it."

• Sca...
• March 1, 2022

For Panic Disorder "After 6 months of constant panic attacks due to PTSD, I turned to my last resort, sertraline. I was prescribed these tablets after a horrendous Christmas Eve, and the list of side effects left me crying. Terrified of the increased anxiety I would face within the first weeks of taking them. My first two nights on these tablets were HORRIFIC! Throwing up, racing heart rate, severe dizziness (almost a drunk feeling), intense flashbacks. This is normal! I had 4 weeks of mild side effects after two horrific nights… 4 weeks of feeling lightheaded, extreme tiredness, and hot flushes. I am on my 7th week of the tablets, and all my side effects have gone, and I feel AMAZING! I cannot remember the last time I had a panic attack! I’m planning trips to festivals, shopping centers, London, all things I never would have dreamed of doing! PLEASE STICK WITH THEM! They are your ticket to getting your life back! Quick tip: Take iron tablets to reduce dizziness!"