Sertraline and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2023

Sertraline for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been a person with high-functioning anxiety for a good portion of my life, but in February of this year, my anxiety reached its peak. I was having anxiety attacks that were lasting for days. I had high blood pressure, constant nausea, trembling, racing thoughts, racing heart, and wasn't able to sleep. After my third major anxiety attack in 3 weeks, I finally sought help from my doctor. I was prescribed Zoloft (25mg) and Propranolol (20mg). The first week was very bad. All of my previous symptoms were amped up. If it wasn't for the reviews on this site, I would have stopped. But I've pushed myself to keep going and I am now almost 4 weeks in and feeling a lot better. I still have issues. My biggest one is the tension in my jaw, which gives me headaches. I haven't been taking Zoloft for that long, so I'm holding out hope that this gets better. My advice to anyone starting Zoloft is to keep at it, even if you don't notice anything right away."

• 0x0...
• July 12, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered with anxiety and depression for over 30 years. Due to past events, I've recently suffered a breakdown and tried numerous medications. Mirtazapine made me into a zombie and I put on 20 pounds. This, to me, was pure poison and did nothing for me but make me drowsy, ache, and become more depressed. Then came Duloxetine... day 4 and my heart rate was so fast I was close to passing out. I stopped taking them and my heart rate returned to normal. Then came, from what I can only describe as my savior, sertraline. Within days of taking it, the 'black cloud' felt like it was lifting. Within a week or so, the fear and dread in the pit of my stomach was no longer there. What I couldn’t usually deal with, I could now tackle. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t a 100% cure, but I am beginning to see the light again. I’m not as emotional, I feel more together than I have done in years, with absolutely no side effects, no weight gain, no headaches, with a more positive outlook."

• ALD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2023

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I was just like all of us on here looking through the comments, scared to death to start. I have had panic disorder, anxiety, and OCD issues for the past 5 years. I could not drive far, I never went to social gatherings, stayed home for work, and made every excuse for why I could not drive to the office. At one point, I could not even walk my dog down the street. I was always at the doctor's and the emergency room. I have been in therapy for 2 years. I finally gave up my tactics that were not working and started Zoloft. I was originally prescribed 50 mg, and I was supposed to titrate up to 100 mg. I started at 12.5 mg. I stayed on that dose for 3 weeks. I had awful side effects, and you will too. I was so tired and had awful headaches, nausea, and diarrhea. The worst part about it was it made my anxiety and panic go through the roof. I am now on 37.5 mg, and my anxiety and panic are almost gone. Take it. It’s going to suck at first, but it will change you for the better."

• Twi...
• November 5, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "I've been on Zoloft for 2 months for depression and anxiety. The reason I don't give it top grades is that I don't have anything else to compare it to. Started 1 week on 25 mg and then moved to 50 mg. The first two to three weeks, the side effects were the same people describe: headache, tiredness, stomach issues, death thoughts, lack of appetite. After that, the first sign was no more tears, less anxiety for eating, my emotions went away, social anxiety too, fear and death gone too. Calmness, ability to focus on the now, lower PMS, ability to focus and interact. Some days are still hard, but it takes less for me to cope with them. I didn't know life could feel this way. Side effects: lower sex drive and return of big appetite and weight gain."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2013

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "When I first started taking it, I had a lot of side effects, like nausea, sleepiness, insomnia, muscle twitching, decreased sexual interest, headache, nightmares, a need to move my legs, and others I can't remember, but I was desperate to get rid of the anxiety, so I persisted. Most of the side effects went away after several days. I still have the leg movement and insomnia, but it's manageable. It took about 5 ½ weeks before I noticed any effect when I feel happier, like I can't even think in a depressed way, and I can talk to people online with ease. I still panic about being outside with strangers everywhere, and conversing one-on-one is still hard. But now, after 6 weeks, my doctor has increased my dosage from 50 mg to 100 mg, so I'll see how that goes."

• Mia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2023

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "This really has saved my life. I had a breakdown in January and was in a really bad place for over a month. I had panic attacks almost daily and couldn’t leave my room without experiencing extreme paranoia. I was going to drop out of college, break up with my long-term boyfriend, and move back home. I started taking this and within two weeks felt like myself again. I feel so much better. Still have some issues, of course, but Zoloft combined with therapy and meditation has been a game changer. I was nervous about side effects, and for the first two weeks, my stomach was pretty messed up, and I had bad headaches. But it all cleared up after two weeks. If you feel you really need it, give it a try. I’m so glad I did."

• Jac...
• July 14, 2008

Sertraline for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "For the past few years, I felt like I had a little demon sitting on my shoulders. The irritability and anger were bad enough to interfere with my daily life, work, and relationships. When I began taking Zoloft, I suffered severe headaches and fatigue. However, my doctor had warned me this would happen but would go away. Eventually, the side effects did disappear. I have to say that I did experience a total relief from the irritability."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "The first few weeks were rough. Nausea, feeling strange...unsure when to take it. Started at 25 mg for the first week, then up to 50 mg. I found for me I had some insomnia if I took it at night when I first started. So I took it in the am for the first couple of weeks. I tried again to take it at night and had no issues. I take it at 8-9 pm. Still on 50 mg. I've been taking it for 3 months now, and sertraline WORKS for anxiety, depression, and OCD. I had major social anxiety and OCD. Push through the first few weeks, they aren't great. Headache, nausea, some insomnia is what I felt. Feeling okay now! Sleeping great, feel much more stable. Not constantly 'checking' things. Feel a lot more comfortable in certain social situations too. I plan on staying at 50 mg."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2012

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I started taking Zoloft about three weeks ago. I have noticed various symptoms. I grind my teeth quite a bit, which brings on headaches. I yawn constantly, and I am always tired (even if I have eight hours of sleep). I have not experienced any weight gain as yet or any other symptoms associated with this medicine. I used to have panic attacks every second day, and I have not had one since I started taking Zoloft, which is a great outcome. I did get a bit panicky in a social situation two days ago, though I was able to control my emotions, so I didn't have a panic attack. So far, so good."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After years of therapy and trying basically every non-pharma treatment (supplements, meditation, cold showers, exercise, etc.), I finally decided to try sertraline for my anxiety, which was increasingly interfering with my daily life (mild depression as well). Started at 25 mg for about two months before my doc bumped me to 50 mg. I feel like a new person, truly a miracle for me. I can enjoy life again, am sleeping better, relationships have improved, and I can handle stressors so much better. Had some mild symptoms upon starting: mild headaches, low energy for about two weeks. Some difficulty orgasming for maybe two months. Now, happy to report I have lots of energy, sexual performance back to normal, and I didn’t gain any weight as I was afraid could happen. If anything, my weight has stabilized or gone slightly down since I don’t eat to cope with anxiety or stress anymore. Truly grateful to have made this step. Oh, and no blunting of emotions, I still feel a full range."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Where do I start! Ok, so I, like many, have had different degrees of anxiety my whole life. I changed jobs 2 years ago, and my new boss and manager made my life very difficult. The anxiety was out of control, and a horrid pattern, as well as the unexpected attacks, happened over and over. I struggled on for 2 years, using beta blockers to hide my physical symptoms. I became so exhausted with it, I just felt my life was over. I went to my doctors, and they put me on this medication. Side effects for me were headaches, I couldn't eat and felt a little jittery, but I can honestly say, I would choose that over the anxiety any day. It's changed my life. My advice for anyone suffering: get help, don't feel ashamed, it happens to the best of us."

• mat...
• April 8, 2012

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "After 1 week of loose bowels and strange stomach noises/sensations, week 2 came and the jaw clenching/teeth grinding sensation in my temples started. Along with throat pain and suicidal thoughts, it was tough to stick it out and stay on, but I did. I started on 25 mg, then up to 50 mg, then on to 75 mg by week 3. Things got better around then. I still felt anxious, but the medicine was blocking my physical response that my body would produce from stress and anxiety. I would get chest pains, stomach pains, head pains all the time, got checked out by every specialist under the sun, and I'm a healthy 31-year-old man with normal or better than normal heart, brain, lung, and organ function. It was all in my head, and Zoloft stopped my suffering."

• Its...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2019

Sertraline for Postpartum Depression "First off, don’t stop taking Zoloft. I learned it the hard way. I suffered from postpartum depression (PPD) severely after I had my son in 2009. I was hospitalized for 2-3 weeks. Zoloft did give me side effects the first couple of weeks, like headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, panic, and diarrhea. It felt like I was a zombie the first 3 weeks. My PPD gradually subsided the 3rd week. I weaned off of it when my son was 3. Fast forward 2 years later, I went through a rough patch and needed to be on Zoloft again. Then again, I tapered off of it after 2 years. Then I had another child 10 years after 2009, and my PPD came back, so I’m on it again. So far, I’m trying to pull through this tough time again. Zoloft has helped me plenty of times, and I hope this will help someone that is going through PPD."

• 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."

• Gab...
• November 16, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I was suffering anxiety, panic attacks, was super stressed, and had a light depression. Three weeks ago, I started on Sertraline 25 mg and instantly felt better. No anxiety, I felt happy for the first time in a long time, and I had energy and the desire to actually go out and do things. I was blown away by the effect it had on me! I had a few side effects, such as nausea, no appetite, headache, tinnitus, a pulsing sound in my ears, muscle twitching, and sometimes just felt weird. But I still felt so much better. However, after a week on 25 mg, I increased the dose to 50 mg. The day after, I felt depressed and very anxious, and more tired than before. It was devastating after a week of feeling great. The side effects got less with time, and on day 15 on 50 mg, I woke up and felt happy! No anxiety, just happiness and calmness! I'm now on day 18 with 50 mg and still feel great. The only side effect that's left is the muscle twitching, and for me, that's a small price to pay for feeling happy and calm again!"

• Cra...
• April 29, 2014

For Depression "Well, I was gonna write a lot, but apparently there's a character limit. So I guess we get the short version. Was on Paxil, after a while on it, it made me have extreme outbursts of anger, constant depression, etc. Psychiatrist switched me to sertraline (started at 50 mg, by the end of 2 weeks, I'm at 200 mg). It's so wonderful. Reminds me of when you have a procedure, that first oxygen stuff. They give you that, just takes the edge off everything. First couple of days had nausea and diarrhea. Was worried this would last, but didn't. Longest side effect has been headaches, which are easily handled with ibuprofen. The goods easily outweigh the bads, and this medicine has helped me in more ways than I can explain."

• Mic...
• October 8, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Sertraline is the best thing to help anxiety. I’ve suffered for 10 years without knowing I had anxiety. I would buy all different kinds of over-the-counter medication and home remedies, and nothing worked. Thought I had IBS, I didn’t. Then I thought I had a brain tumor with all headaches, and I didn’t. My anxiety and stress made me worry more about my health until I went to the doctors, they prescribed sertraline. I’ve only been taking them a month, and while the first 2 weeks were horrible while they got into my system, I feel the best I’ve ever felt. I have more energy, fewer headaches, minimal worry about everyday things. Sertraline is fantastic. I’m on 100 mg and feel great. If anyone who has anxiety, I strongly recommend that they try this medication."

• Lnj...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 16, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I have taken Zoloft on and off for almost 17 years now for general anxiety accompanied by the occasional panic 'attack.' With my doctor's guidance, I have gone on and off as my level of anxiety has changed. For those of you just starting, I can tell you that the initial side effects can suck. Even though I’ve gone through this before and know what to expect, it’s still hard every time. Headaches, upset stomach, sleeplessness, elevated anxiety, and just generally spaced out. It’s not fun. I feel for all of you just starting out. But stick with it, at least through the initial phase. It gets better and can have a positive impact on your life. Obviously, this medication isn’t going to be for everyone, but work with your doctor, let them know how you're feeling. They will tell you if the side effects are normal or not. And just remember, it’s not easy for anyone."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2023

For Depression "I normally would never comment on forums, but for this, I feel I have to. I started taking sertraline 25 mg and gradually up to 100 mg 4 months ago, and I was wary of trying it after trying others and having awful side effects. All I know for sure now is that if I was not on it, I would not be here now. After being diagnosed with 2 rare conditions that there are no cures for and spending 8 months in the hospital, I hit my lowest point. I was angry, crying constantly, and had no motivation at all. I met up with friends at Christmas for lunch and broke down. I came home and cried for 2 days, luckily, I have great family and friends who came to my doctor with me as they were so worried. I was recommended to try this one. At the start, I had pounding headaches, but I stuck it out, and they cleared after 10 days. I have become more relaxed than I have been in a long time. Going out for a drive or a walk every day as much as I can manage and finally ready to try to live my best life possible."

• Tdi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "First day done... I can't sleep, I've almost been up for 24 hours straight. I'm too excited and cheerful and happy. I have been laughing with my husband to the point of tears. Oh man, does it feel so good and so freeing to let loose and be me again. Slight headache, which I always had before, plus I'm dehydrated. Not much of an appetite. But honestly, I feel great. Normally, I would get angry about little things, but today I honestly don't care to use the energy to be upset. I'm so optimistic about this medication."

• Hap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 13, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Was dubious about taking medication for years, but after having the worst panic attack of my life and becoming too anxious to function, I thought it's time. Got prescribed 50 mg Sertraline/Zoloft back in May and have never felt better. I honestly feel like a teenager again with no worries and am able to easily brush things off. I never thought I'd be this well again. I'm so content with life now! It's almost as though my brain isn't able to hold on to a thought for long, and then I just forget what I was even thinking about, which is fine by me! If you become desperate like I was, don't hesitate to try these tablets! :) Oh, and FYI, the only side effect I got was headaches, but give me a headache over a panic attack any day!"

• SCa...
• February 25, 2020

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I started having panic attacks and anxiety about physical symptoms I was feeling and trouble sleeping, which were actually caused by anxiety in the first place. My doctor prescribed me 10 mg Lexapro. I took a 5 mg dose for 3 days, then raised up to the full 10 mg dose. I felt awful all of the time with headaches, nausea, dizziness, more panic and anxiety, and would get fatigued in the middle of the day. I also started having tension in my neck and shoulders. Because of these new developments, I was given Zoloft instead. Once again, I had side effects like headaches, nausea, and brain fog, but they are not as bad. I did feel bad the first week, but things are getting better. While I still am nauseous and still don't sleep until my alarm, it isn't as bad. I have more focus, which I didn't have prior. I'm hoping that if I stick with this medicine, my sleep and phobia control will improve. I have a follow-up for 2 weeks from now to see if we might need to raise the dose from 50 mg to 100 mg."

• Lou...
• August 6, 2019

For Depression "I’m a 23-year-old female. I feel a bit scared right now, and I’m struggling. I was taking 50 mg of Zoloft for a while, and I wasn’t feeling any effects or feeling any better. I’ve been taking 100 mg of Zoloft given by my doctor for 2 weeks now, and I’m experiencing some crazy side effects. I can’t sleep, feel sick, really low, tearful, have a bad stomach, dry mouth, headaches, and a really foggy head, feeling worse than ever. I’ve read some comments, and I see a lot of people experiencing this at 2 weeks. I really hope it goes away as I’m going to stick it out. There are a lot of positive comments, which have made me feel a little more at ease with these symptoms."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2025

For Panic Disorder "Like most of you, I was terrified to take this medication. I have been dealing with agoraphobia and panic attacks for years. It finally got to the point where I was sick and tired of living a life of doing nothing. I wanted to be able to go out and have fun, and especially travel. I was prescribed 25 mg, but started at 12.5 mg to try and avoid side effects. I was on 12.5 mg for 3 weeks, then 25 mg for 6 weeks, then 37.5 mg for 1 week, and finally I am on 50 mg now. I had absolutely no side effects at all besides a headache for 4 days after going from 12.5 mg to 25 mg. As for my anxiety and panic attacks - the anxiety is still there, but it is manageable. I think if I go up to 75 mg I will feel a lot better, but for now I am on 50 mg and feel okay. Starting this medication was really difficult for me, but I'm glad I did it. I wish I had started it earlier. I am taking a flight in the next 3 weeks, and instead of dreading it, I am excited for it!"