dr prescribed sertraline today but having read the threads on here I'm scared to take it !!

[sewandsew]

I'm functioning and sort of coping but my anxiety levels are heightened at the moment. The GP thinks I'd benefit from 50mg of sertraline daily. I took citalopram about 10 years ago for a short time but nothing since then....I was fine on that.

Having read the side effects from this board and that I will probably feel worse than I do now , I'm reluctant. Plus, having the GP telling me they would be the best drug for me and that I'd feel much better soon and then the Boots pharmacist telling me I might get a surge of energy and then might feel terrible if I came off them and that they are addictive I am now unsure what to do...

[susanann]

I agree with puddle, you need to give them at least 4 weeks to make a difference. If you come off them you need to do it gradually, the doctor will explain the process to you. Dont Worry! Good luck

[Hangingbellyofbabylon]

sertraline is great - really good at knocking anxiety on the head. I've been on it for 4 years now - throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. On 50mg no side effects to speak of, on 100mg I did get really tired. I'm on 50mg now and it's fine. I have come of them but after a few months I felt the anxiety coming back and I just though 'hey, I don't have to live like this'. I'm prepared to take a low dose for the rest of my life if it allows me to live a happy life. I'd have no qualms on using an inhaler for my asthma so have no issues with taking Sertraline. You may well feel grotty at first, if it's unbearable you need to go back to the GP but I think it is worth giving it a go. I had most of my anxiety at night time and my GP told me to take it just before bed which really helped.

[sewandsew]

I took it !!!....but thought that I'd take just 25mg for the first few days (we've got a busy weekend ahead and I didn't want to be either too zombified or nauseous) so I'm testing it out. Took it with some breakfast and then did the school run, saw a friend and have been outside. Have been headachey all day and very slightly spacey but ok....and didn't feel as on edge as yesterday. That may of course be placebo affect but I don't really care. I have gone to the docs as my anxiety hadn't spiralled too much out of control yet but I could see it going that way...I really didn't think I was helping anyone not going to the docs, not least myself... I think I'd rather feel a bit spaced out than anxious for a while, plus I'm not working at the mo. I try to get food etc organised for kids and us when I'm feeling better so that nothing ends up being too stressful altho' my appetite has gone too....