Just starting 50mg Setraline today ..

[SANick]

I have suffered anxiety all my life and none more so that in the last 10 years (im 29) but i've always wanted to avoid taking medication after reading alot of negative comments online. About 4 years ago I tried fluoxetine and after 1 week I feel so bad, worse than ever in fact that I stopped right there.

So my GP has now said I really should try setraline, and I have to try something because I can't go on like this. I've been unemployed for 10 years and very rarely socialise and if I do I have to get stupid drunk first.

Can anyone who's on this enlighten me as to how exactly they will make me feel? Will I feel worse before I feel better on these aswell?

I suffer severe social anxiety and OCD.

thanks

[SANick]

2nd day placebo?

I was actually strolling around oustide today(Yes outside, thats pretty big for me!) and almost felt sort of happy. Surely the tablets can't work this quick? It's strange but I never considered myself depressed, yet walking around today I realise that only a depressed person could just pretty much sit and not leave the house for 10 years.

I still have my reservations, I have read so much negative stuff about this drug, especially coming off it. I'm also worried about long term problems they may cause?

argghh stuck in limbo here.

[Gareth]

I've been on Sertraline for 5 weeks and feel that they are starting to take effect. I remember the first week and it felt odd that there was a brief "high" for a few days, but for me this wore off quickly. I hear this is common with this drugs because of its rapid effect on the dopamine system in the brain.
Expect the drug to take several weeks, maybe as many as 6 weeks, to start to work properly for you. For me the side effects have been manageable, the worst one is sweating buckets whenever I exert myself, and some stomach issues which died down after the first few weeks, and a little bit of insomnia (only a few nights).
This is one of the main drugs used for anxiety nowadays, and has been known to be extremely effective, so give it a chance.
Gareth

[SANick]

I've been on Sertraline for 5 weeks and feel that they are starting to take effect. I remember the first week and it felt odd that there was a brief "high" for a few days, but for me this wore off quickly. I hear this is common with this drugs because of its rapid effect on the dopamine system in the brain.
Expect the drug to take several weeks, maybe as many as 6 weeks, to start to work properly for you. For me the side effects have been manageable, the worst one is sweating buckets whenever I exert myself, and some stomach issues which died down after the first few weeks, and a little bit of insomnia (only a few nights).
This is one of the main drugs used for anxiety nowadays, and has been known to be extremely effective, so give it a chance.
Gareth

Thanks for the information Gareth.

I still have my doubts, I keep wondering if i'd be better off on Xanax or something that is just to treat anxiety as I believe that's my main issue. But it's good to read that this could be effective and hopefully 'cure' me. I probably was feeling a big of a placebok effect this morning because usually just leaving the house is difficult enough for me, but as I walked around my village this today I almost felt happy.

One thing that is worrying me though is the negative stuff i've read about the effect of alcohol when taking Setraline. I am braving a holiday with a few friends next month and drink will definitely be on the cards. Is it really as dangerous as some say?

[nicola1980]

my sister drinks in moderation whilst taking sertraline, she doesn't get absoutley off her face but enjoys a drink with no problems at all, they suggest you steer clear of alcohol whilst the meds are getting in your system and settling but after that drinking in moderaton should be fine!! hope you have a nice holiday xx

[SANick]

my sister drinks in moderation whilst taking sertraline, she doesn't get absoutley off her face but enjoys a drink with no problems at all, they suggest you steer clear of alcohol whilst the meds are getting in your system and settling but after that drinking in moderaton should be fine!! hope you have a nice holiday xx

Thanks for the advice, and I shall try. Most times I go away with mates i've got absolutely stupidly drunk just to try and face the social situations but hopefully on these tablets I won't feel the need to

I am feeling a bit funny though, yes it does feel like a 'high'. Hope this doesn't mean a comedown looming.

[Ingenious]

Quite a few people report feeling better almost immediately. It's not thought to be the medication as such but maybe the fact you have taken a positive step towards recovery. But who cares if you feel good? I wouldn't worry about it being temporary either. Sit down and consider this is how you should feel and this is the feeling you'll get more often than not now.

There's no black and white answer about alcohol because it affects us all so differently. The thing to do is take it very easy the first few times so you can find your own level and limit.

[SANick]

Quite a few people report feeling better almost immediately. It's not thought to be the medication as such but maybe the fact you have taken a positive step towards recovery. But who cares if you feel good? I wouldn't worry about it being temporary either. Sit down and consider this is how you should feel and this is the feeling you'll get more often than not now.

There's no black and white answer about alcohol because it affects us all so differently. The thing to do is take it very easy the first few times so you can find your own level and limit.

Cheers, and well I naturally worry alot and so i'm concerned this good effect may not last but your words are encouraging

[SANick]

Doesn't look good regarding alcohol, I had just 5 cans of beer at a anniversary last night before being met with a awful migraine that still lingered this morning.

[alfredo1]

Gareth - your post about the high for a few days is spot on. I've just upped my dose to 125mg (was on 50mg for 2 weeks, then went to 100mg for 3 weeks). So yesterday i felt euphoric, like nothing could touch me. Then today i woke up bang. Anxious, depressive/negative thoughts. So frustrating.