Sertraline for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Danis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 30, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "Life saver. Few side effects initially (increased depression and anxiety, decreased appetite, insomnia and agitation), no side effects long term. Push through those horrible first two weeks. At week three my depression was GONE, agitation completely gone, panic attacks gone. Some general anxiety, But that subsided after a couple of months. I was on this medication for a year, and got off it with little to no withdrawal symptoms. I STRONGLY recommend starting as low as 12.5 mg for a week, then 25 for a week. Cut the 25 mg tablets in half. This eases those horrible initial side effects, especially anxiety and agitation. Big hugs and high five to all of you anxiety/depression sufferers out there. You can and you Will get better!"

• KeepC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2023

Zoloft (sertraline) "Let me start off by saying loud and clear: it can make things worse before they get better for some people. I knew that going into it, and although this was my first experience with Zoloft, I had previously experienced this with a different SSRI. I started at 25 mg for 1 week and then increased to 50 mg. By the 2-week mark, I woke up and realized that I felt okay for the first time in a while... I didn't have the racing heart, racing thoughts, anxiety, dry heaving, and general feeling of impending doom. Each day after that got better, and I'm only 3 weeks in. This medication can take up to 6 weeks to work. Please be patient and stick with it, and know you're not alone. Anxiety can be so isolating and terrifying, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Zoloft pulled me from the panic I was feeling daily related to health and general anxiety. The first 2 weeks, my anxiety got worse, and I had zero appetite and lost a lot of weight, but things are regulating now."

• Winnie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I have suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks for almost 13 years. Literally every day, I was anxious from the time I woke up until I went to bed. Racing thoughts, constant anxiety, and at one point, I would hardly go out in public fearing a panic attack. Zoloft has changed my life COMPLETELY! No more racing thoughts or anxiety! Feeling like a normal person again and actually enjoying life and even laughing! Took two months to start feeling full results. Main side effect was sleeping all the time and loss of appetite. Highly recommend!"

• Happy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 1, 2017

Zoloft (sertraline) "Zoloft changed my life completely and I feel 'normal' pretty much all of the time. I was too phobic to try it and for 15 years I suffered. I wish it didn't have to happen that way. I started literally on 6.25 mg so afraid I'd get ill. Went up to 12.5 then 25 and so on. I'm now on 150mg and have had zero side effects. If you're like me and phobic of meds, start on a baby dose. Even when the doctor looks at you weird, just do it your way for you. You want the lowest effective dose anyway, right? Start small and tell yourself this will help and not hurt you before you take it. Each day it gets easier. Best wishes for a better life."

• Wilba
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "I've been on sertraline for just over 7 weeks. I started out on 25mg, then 50mg, and then worked my way up to 100mg. I had every side effect going, but I did not give up. I suffered from severe anxiety, could not leave the house, and my husband had to take time off work to look after me. But now, I am nearly back to my old self, going out. If you are just starting out on sertraline, please please give it time to work and hold on in there. It will get better."

• Ziety...
• September 14, 2018

Zoloft (sertraline) "If you're reading the reviews and thinking how scary Zoloft sounds, or thinking maybe you shouldn’t take it, then you are like I was 6 weeks ago. THIS MEDICINE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE ALREADY. I’m on 50mg and may increase to 75 due to some nervous thoughts and occasional sensations of panic, but it is nothing like it used to be. Before Zoloft, I wasn’t able to leave my house. I was having severe panic attacks multiple times a day. This medicine started working for me at 25mg 2 weeks after starting it. The doctor increased it to 50mg and this week I’ve noticed a huge difference. The only side effect I had was nausea and upset stomach at first, and then again when I increased to 50mg 2 weeks ago. Other than that, I just feel better. Please give this medicine a try if you want a shot at a somewhat normal life. You owe it to yourself to put the fear aside and try to get better. Do this for you. I did, and I was terrified to try it, but I’m so, so happy I did."

• Anndiva
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "Zoloft saved my life and my marriage. I am so grateful to the doctor who put me on this 9 weeks ago. A few side effects at start-up, but that went away in a matter of days and it has been smooth sailing since. Tons of energy, up early, great sleep, and I'm not binge eating. I've even lost 8.5 lbs. I was skeptical at first and hated the fact that I needed medication for anxiety and depression, but I'm really glad I gave it a shot. For now, I will continue on this medication."

• Alchemy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

Zoloft (sertraline) "For me personally, it takes some time to start working, but on the other hand, it is a life saving medicine. I am the best version of myself on Zoloft. Although I hope that one day I will be able to be that on my own:)"

• comac...
• August 26, 2018

Zoloft (sertraline) "There were a thousand times in the first two weeks that I thought about throwing this away. I'm SO thankful I stuck it out. The side effects in the beginning are pretty bad. Makes you MUCH worse before you get better, but then suddenly it's like the clouds part and the sun comes shining through, and you're better than you even knew you could get. I never knew I could live a life this free of anxiety and depression. I actually didn't know the depth of how horrific I was feeling until Zoloft fixed me. I feel AMAZING now! I'm just confident and calm. I have ZERO panic attacks, and I'm just excited about living. If you've just started taking them, just gather all the inner strength that you have and soldier through those first two weeks. If you feel like you cannot make it through the side effects stage, ask your doc for meds that will help you get through. Best of luck to all of you!"

• JOano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "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."

• Michael
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 12, 2023

Zoloft (sertraline) "Have been on Zoloft for 20 years. I had panic attacks for 35 years before taking this medicine. Have had maybe one or 2 panic attacks since taking this. It has changed my whole life for the better. I have experienced no side effects."

• Morgan
• July 9, 2021

Zoloft (sertraline) "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 workout I felt anxious, shaky, dizzy, and my had palpitations all the time for nearly 3 weeks prior to starting Zoloft. I could not do anything that I normally did without anxiety, my heart racing, and panic attacks nearly everyday. I felt hopeless and heavy and as though I would never get out of my funk. I started taking Zoloft around 2.5 weeks ago. Initially I had terrible nausea, belly pain, shakiness, light-headed, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. That has slowly subsided over around 1.5 weeks. My appetite is still not back 100% but I am so much happier no panic attacks in over a week. Slowly 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!"

• Winnie
• March 5, 2016

Zoloft (sertraline) "It's been over a year now that I've been on Zoloft. I take 200 mg a day, and I still cannot believe how much my life has changed/improved!! I am 36 years old and had been suffering from severe panic attacks, anxiety, and agoraphobia for almost 15 years... it was a complete challenge to get to work and even imagine a day without the feeling of anxiety from literally the time I woke up until I went to bed. I wasn't enjoying life at all, I was just existing. I had absolutely no control of my own conscious!! I finally decided that I had to try a prescription or else I would let this take over what little life I had completely! I started Zoloft on 25mg and worked up to the max of 200mg over about three months. It was the best decision ever!"

• Troy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2024

"Promised myself that I would come back after a couple of months on sertraline. I can say the first week was terrible. No lie, sweaty, on edge, and always on the toilet, and felt like my anxiety went full turbo. After day 8, I could relax and start getting back into a normal sleeping pattern. I was forcing myself to eat as I had no hunger at the start and lost 8 kg. I felt like it was starting to work and take me back to pre-meds. I'm currently into my 3rd month and I can say this totally works. You just need patience and let your body adjust to the correct levels prescribed. I feel better than I ever have, and I'm not worrying if I will get another attack, or what triggers may happen to cause panic/anxiety. I can function better with my family and kids. I'm not getting worked up at my job and snapping anymore. If you're reading this in your first weeks, believe me it will get better. Don't look at day to day, but rather week to week, then month to month. Stick in there. You will be better!"

• Ann
• August 20, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "I really hope to help someone out there suffering with this nightmare called 'Panic Disorder'. I suffered for the last 2 years with debilitating panic. My dad died of cancer two years ago, and one week later my son got very ill. Needless to say, I had a nervous breakdown, and ever since then panic ruled my life, which led to depression and agoraphobia setting in. I was scared to death of SSRI's and suffered needlessly for 2 years. Two weeks ago, I went to a Psychiatrist, he prescribed me Zoloft 25mg to start for 2 weeks then up it to 50mg. I am also taking 0.5mg Xanax twice a day. I have to say I feel great! Not a single panic attack since the 3rd day of taking med. I also am way more social and sleep a thousand times better! Thank you Zoloft!!"

• Barba...
• January 20, 2015

Zoloft (sertraline) "My entire life, I have had problems with severe anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and portion control. (In other words, I ate to make myself feel better.) I was not overweight. I also would have obsessive-compulsive disorder thoughts for days, weeks, or years about events that did not even matter. After taking Zoloft for two months, all of my conditions as listed above have ceased to exist. I do not feel the need to eat all the time, I do not have OCD thoughts anymore, and depression, anxiety, etc., have disappeared. It honestly brings me to tears thinking about suffering like I have for the past 22 years. Thank you, Zoloft."

• Kim
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

Zoloft (sertraline) "I started taking Zoloft on July 19th 25 mg. No real side effects felt a little better within 24 hours. On the 4th day a little diarrhea. Today is July 30th. Feel pretty calm and happy no over thinking things good so far."

• Lauren
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2018

Zoloft (sertraline) "I am 21. I have taken this medicine for 6 months. Here’s my story. 7 months ago I was having severe anxiety, with panic attacks and some mild depression because of it. I just wanted to feel better. I read review after review because I was scared to take an antidepressant, since I wasn’t depressed, and because I’m a natural person I question everything. All I can say is try it. There will always be negative comments on any medication. This one saved me. I started on 25 mg, it wasn’t enough. It took 6 weeks to feel 100% and week 1 my anxiety was worse (didn’t know that was possible). I hope this helps you all because I was that person searching for what ifs."

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

"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 fortunes obsessing over side effects. My panic and anxiety attacks took over my daily like 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 ☺️"

• Brendan
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2023

Zoloft (sertraline) "Well y’all, I’m here to tell you it gets better!!!! Stop looking up reviews, and negative side effects, and asking everybody about the medication and just take it. Now I will say the first 2-3 weeks for me were horrible. I didn’t sleep, didn’t eat, and was pacing back and forth all day praying that one day this horrible state I was in would one day go away. But in the 3rd week, it was slowly getting better and I was slowly making my way back out into public and loving my life again. I know it is hard right now and you feel like there is nothing to make it better, but take it one day at a time. This will be the hardest 2 weeks but it will be worth it in the end. Stay Strong."

• Cassidy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2023

Zoloft (sertraline) "My anxiety and panic came out of nowhere. I was terrified, but I knew I needed to start an antidepressant, so I was put on Zoloft. As with others, I promised I would come back and leave a review. I read ALL the reviews. Stop reading them. You're gonna be okay! Give it time to work. It gets better! I'm on 3 1/2 weeks and am feeling so much better. The first weeks were rough!! Increased anxiety. I had to take Xanax in the morning and at night. Now I'm off of it and just using the Zoloft. My anxiety and panic are gone. So thankful for Zoloft!!"

• Gimp
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2014

Zoloft (sertraline) "Suffered from anxiety most of my life, then around 23 suffered a panic attack which caused me problems until my late 40s when my doctor put me on Zoloft. Huge turnaround. Zero anxiety. While I don't think I'll ever forget the fear of panic attacks, I haven't had one since, and can do most things I used to be afraid of, Long Bridges, Elevators, etc."

• Angie
• January 5, 2016

Zoloft (sertraline) "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."

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

Zoloft (sertraline) "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."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2013

Zoloft (sertraline) "Just like you, I was reading these reviews a few months ago when I finally made the decision to give medication a try. I hope this review helps and gives you comfort. I've been on 50 mg for seven weeks now. Started at 25 mg for the first seven days. The first two weeks saw a spike in anxiety, just like I figured. But I stayed with it, and I'm so glad I did. I had a pretty intense panic attack the first week, but I noticed something: I didn't stress out about having another one like I usually do. By the third week, the panic attacks and panicky feelings were pretty much gone. I've also noticed that my mood has lifted, and I can fall asleep much better at night. This is my first SSRI, and I really regret not seeking help sooner."