Sertraline for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 5)

• Pringle
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

"This medicine is new for me (1 week). Yes, after 1 week, I can honestly say I can feel the effect. I've been on a few medications, but this one is for me. I feel so calm and a little less nervous. I can read in peace. Before, I felt all four sides of my head were reading a different story at the same time. I just knew I was going crazy. I can concentrate. I feel fear-free. I'm even starting to think I can drive again, but one day at a time. After three years of this and not being able to even walk from my house to the corner, I can say thank you Father for touching the hands of my doctors to choose finally a medication that works for me. I pray each day I will come closer to being me again. From where I'm sitting, the road looks clear. I'm feeling happy once again. I will stick with this for as long as it takes for me."

• LUCKY...
• July 8, 2013

"After suffering a bereavement and going through menopause, I suffered anxiety attacks. I continuously felt stressed, had the shakes when I woke up, and heart palpitations. All in all, life was bad. Eventually, I asked my doctor for help. He prescribed SERTRALINE (one week 25 mg, second week 50 mg). The first 2 weeks I felt as though they weren't making any difference, but after the third week, the shakes and palpitations stopped. Now, nearly three months later, I feel so much better in every way. I sleep better, enjoy my life again. I would recommend that anyone trying sertraline not to give up after the first two weeks if you don't feel any benefit; it does take a while to get into your system. As for side effects, I haven't had any."

• joesg...
• December 7, 2009

Zoloft (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."

• TomX
• June 17, 2024

"Can’t remember a time with no anxiety - childhood - terrible panic attacks. I’m 69 and until 2024 tolerated situation. But then I had some CPTSD issues that really surprised me - crying a lot of the time - and relationship my wife (things bad - now worse) and I thought best go for medication. Sertraline 50mg 35 days ago. Anxiety almost disappeared within an hour after pill. Wish I’d done it before. Some nausea, no other side effects, bar some tenderness of intestinal area later. Hard to believe. Some anxious moments first week, but I’ve never experienced calm like that in my life. Thanks Doc! Downside: sexual disfunction: numbness and unable to orgasm but marriage saved despite that. Too higher dose for my sensitivity? Experimenting reduced intake. Hope to recover sexual function and keep taking pills. Lucky it worked so quick - saved my life. My advice: don’t delay like I did."

• Scottie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

"Started Zoloft 15days ago and have been having a tough time with the up and downs. The past two day’s 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 its the process as it 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 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 nothings is as bad as the place I was at — I look forward to happy days again. Stay strong"

• Alfie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 10, 2019

"I have been taking sertraline 50 mg for three years. It has changed my life. I still get periods of anxiety, but this tablet allows me to be more in charge, and I can refocus and stay in control. If I have to take it for the rest of my life, I will, as it has been life-changing."

• anxie...
• 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."

• Roxy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2019

"I started on these about 3 years ago due to my anxiety with driving, then in Jan 19 found out I got cancer which still has totally floored me. I've gone from 50 mg to 100 mg with side effects; weird dreams, however if my doctors didn’t up my dose, god knows where I'd be now. I’m just living for the moment now and without these meds think I'd be long gone. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I’m glad I have. It's helping me through my battle."

• Paulo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2018

"I've noticed that the vast majority of negative reviews are from people who took this for 1 day to 2 weeks. For most people the side effects are minor or non-existent if the dose is started low, which is what I did. After week 5, I am just now starting to notice that I'm not constantly obsessing, stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, and negative. You can have major life-changing epiphanies and realizations about yourself and how you got yourself into this state of mind/emotion in the first place. Anyway, I don't feel cured or extra happy. It's almost like I forget to get stressed and anxious, and when I remember, I decide if I want to or not. I'll continue on for 3 months and report back then. Good luck. Don't let anxiety keep you from improving your life. This can help. Don't worry about the bad reviews. Start slow if you're worried and it'll be fine."

• Tricky
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

"Well I’ve been on escitilapram for many years without much success- switched to Sertraline 4 weeks ago, starting at 50mg now up to 150mg and I am feeling great - no side effects at all - I am feeling normal, sleep is so much better, no doom and gloom feelings, mood has lifted. I give this a 10/10 for me."

• CB10
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2024

"3 weeks on 50mg Zoloft, nearly quit twice. Today, I actually feel a positive difference, which is faster than predicted. Long may it last! I'll check in again next week. Happy thoughts, people. My rating is as of now, let's hope it goes up!"

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

"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."

• Anoish
• November 9, 2015

"Suffered quite bad anxiety for a number of years but tried every herbal remedy, acupuncture, etc. as I didn't want to go on meds. After the initial common side effects that lasted a few weeks, I began to notice subtle changes. After a few months, I feel great and wish I'd done it sooner. I spent a long time being like a bag of nerves doing the most everyday tasks, i.e., grocery shopping, work, etc. I'd have palpitations, shakes, fight-or-flight feeling, along with constant I.B.S. I get a very odd 'off' day, which isn't nowhere near as bad as before the meds. Overall, I feel the best I have done in years. I can now do normal things without thinking I'm going to have a panic attack, socializing more, don't get ill so frequently, and generally have more energy."

• EliJame
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2023

"If I can give you advice, stick with Sertraline for at least 3 months. It takes time to work. I've finally reached a point where I can talk about my experience, and I feel 90% better! I've always had anxiety, but over the years, I've also been diagnosed with OCD and intrusive thoughts. In the last 5 years, I lost a parent, lost a loved one to cancer, and made a major move. Then, I had a baby, and my anxiety skyrocketed! Along came depression. I was having panic attacks with a long list of other symptoms, including dizziness, headaches, hypervigilance, etc. My doctor prescribed 50mg of Sertraline. The first month was HELL! I had every side effect possible. I couldn't do anything. It was REALLY bad. Many times, I thought of giving up, but then I read reviews here and kept going. After weeks, I had a good day here and there and bumped my dose to 75mg. I felt okay but still had really bad days. After 4 months, I upped my dose to 100mg. I feel amazing. No more symptoms or side effects. Believe me, it WILL work."

• ReeBa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 9, 2015

"I started taking Sertraline 11 months ago due to anxiety caused through major life traumas and problems but work tipped me over the edge. I felt like I was unable to smile, function, talk, and walk some days. Horrible feeling, so I went to the doctor and started treatment. No side effects, and after 2 weeks, the black cloud lifted from my life! I can't tell you how brilliant I feel. I'm generally happy, calm, and do not overreact anymore. I do not plan on coming off this medication at all... I am 52 years old."

• thigk
• April 30, 2014

"Prescribed Mirtazapine for 18 months for mild depression. I started panicking and depression worsened. I became hyper-anxious. I was lucky to get a different doctor when I turned up hysterical at the surgery. He took me off Mirtazapine and moved me gradually onto sertraline. It was horrific. I couldn't eat or sleep, I paced for hours in circles. For 12 weeks, I was a suicide-focused, unstable, shaking, retching mess. I lost 2 stone. I was given a pre-set dose of diazepam and lorazepam at intervals throughout the day. My husband or mother shuttled me backwards and forwards, so I was never left alone. Gradually, we built up the dosage of sertraline to 200mg and stopped the benzos. I don't feel anxiety or depression, I feel fantastic, confident, energetic, and happy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2024

"Trust me and stick with this medicine. I was completely destroyed back in December and January, having no hope in life. I was suffering from panic attacks and anxiety 24/7. I was extremely reluctant to even try medicine but then eventually, that was my last resort. I thought I'll be on the lowest possible dose of 12.5 mg but that didn't help at all. Now for the last 2 months, I've been on 50 mg and my life is back. I still have spells of anxiety but they aren't 30% as bad as how it was in December. It saved my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2024

"I had to come on here and write a review because I wish I saw this when I was first taking it. I have been taking sertraline now for about 2 years and only on 50mg. Despite being on a low dose, when I first started taking it, I experienced the worst side effects ever. I had zero appetite, couldn't eat, didn't dream, couldn't sleep, had night sweats, feeling nauseous, shakes, my anxiety became even worse than before, I had emotional blunting, racing thoughts and generally thought I was going mad. I also had sexual side effects, where I had no sex drive and genital numbness (I am a female). HOWEVER, although this was so difficult, I stuck to it because I was desperate for some relief from my panic disorder and anxiety and had tried everything else. I am so glad I persevered with this medication as I never knew that I could feel 'normal'. The sexual side effects took the longest to go, about 6 months, but they are gone and my sex drive is completely normal and my life is so much better!"

• Beach...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

"I have suffered with anxiety and severe depression for years. I had tried group therapy as well as one-on-one sessions with a psychiatrist, but it was not much help. I would sit at a meeting or in a class and look normal, but I would be going crazy inside with my thoughts racing out of control, and this would last nonstop for days. It also made social situations extremely difficult. My doc put me on Sertraline first at 25 mg and upped it to 50 mg after a month. Except for a bit of nausea, I had almost no side effects, and after about three weeks, I started to notice some subtle changes. I've been on it going on four months now, and I feel like a new person! I'm much more in control, and my days now are calm and much happier. If you can relate, please try it."

• MikeBE
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2022

"I'm 44, and I've been taking Sertraline 50mg for a full 9 weeks now for severe general anxiety and panic attacks. In October I started to suffer from periods of anxiety, which expanded to the point I was suffering 24/7 by beginning of December, so I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, and eventually couldn't work anymore and got panic attacks. I've been taking 50mg from the start. - Week 1-2: Side effect hell, in bed all day, morning anxiety, better in the evenings; - Week 3: Better moments started earlier (afternoon); - Week 4-8: Ups and downs, this instability seemed to last forever, hope was fading; - Week 9: Started to work again, although I was not really feeling 100%; - Now: Finally I feel great again! Super happy last 3 days! No 'like a switch' moment for me, but a gradual fluctuating improvement. I had read about being patient, so I was. I saw my doctor every two weeks, and as I was experiencing some positive effects, he didn't want to up the dose prematurely. Hope this helps."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2016

"Starting this medication was the best thing I could have done for myself. I struggle with anxiety and depression, and I also have premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Sertraline has helped me cope with all of them. I haven't been this mentally stable and clear-headed for a very long time - maybe never. I can make decisions without agonizing over them, experience new social situations, do new things, and life seems so much more manageable. All of the hurdles in my life that seemed insurmountable before are now obstacles I know I can climb over. The only side effect I've noticed is a little bit of dry mouth, and I started to noticeably feel the effects only about a week or so after taking it."

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

"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."

• LoveL...
• December 24, 2016

"I was suffering with anxiety with constant running thoughts and feeling overwhelmed. I did 1 on 1 counseling sessions then took the next step by trying medication. I've never been prescribed medication nor taken anything even if I have a headache. I was started on 25mg once a day and now have been on it for about 4 weeks. I must say this has been one of the best choices I have ever made. I immediately felt relieved from anxious thoughts and stress. I am more calm and can think clearly without worrying. At first, yes, I experienced very moderate side effects like blurred vision, light sensitivity, and fogginess but it takes time for your brain neurons to adjust. I would say after 4 days of taking it I felt fine. I finally have my life back!"

• Rou
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2022

"I waited 3 weeks to pass to share with you my review. I suffer from severe depression and anxiety and PTSD (sexual violence). I started with 25mg then now I'm at 50mg here I share my diary with you "Day 13 What a drug, I won’t say I already love it cause if we are going to talk about change then this is really a life changer. Sure I made some mistakes and drunk meanwhile a couple of times when it’s better not to, but damn life is back again and that was me opening my arms for a few seconds to say Hi. Now I’m back on the track and yeah it’s so great to feel air in my lungs, now I can worry about real problems, now I can prepare for the future optimistically. The journey is still going on and this is only the beginning." Wherever you are keep fighting, give those pills a chance and be patient, I know it's tough but you'll be okay. I went through all the side effects btw but now I'm fine. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK"

• Pablo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2019

"Been on sertraline 50mg for a week, would just like to help some people who have been suffering from the side effects. I'm a 40yr old male who Iwas very reluctant to start this medication but the anxiety became overwhelming. First of all I must stress that everybody is different but for me the first 4-5 days were horrendous. Nausea dizziness insomnia heightened anxiety took 3 days off work BUT on the 6th day started feeling better now it's the 7th day and all side effects have pretty much gone apart from some tinittus. Hoping the tablets will work in the long run but hope this will help you if your struggling initially with the side effects. Good luck your not alone x"