My experience taking Zoloft (Sertraline) for anxiety.

Join me in my latest vlog as I discuss my experience taking Zoloft (Sertraline) for general anxiety disorder/GAD - side effects, dose, impact on my life etc.
Disclaimer: this video does not constitute medical or other advice.

[@trinaplants142]

I have been suffering with severe anxiety for years and zoloft is the only one that works for me

[@sophieradford]

It’s the only one I’ve tried but it’s working well for me. Hope you’re feeling well!

[@Ohkeh640]

Insomnia? Night sweats?

[@hfud11]

Dangerous drug

[@lonesomebeetroot3376]

I’ve just started taking 50 mg. 4 days now and I really hate it. I feel like I’ve taken illicit drugs. Just really odd. Very tired, increased anxiety, “jittery”. I hope it all works out. I’m tempted to quit taking it. I’m also worried about side effects such as long term loss of libido.

[@sophieradford]

It took me a few weeks to get used to it but then it was very helpful for me. Everyone is different though. Good luck with it all!

[@ouazzanifarah7876]

Hi, I’ve started Zoloft same day as you. How do you feel? In my case my anxiety has increased a lot. I don’t know if it’s normal!

[@lonesomebeetroot3376]

@@ouazzanifarah7876 honestly I’m feeling really weird still and want to quit taking it. I don’t feel “better” than I did before taking it. I have body jitters often and a deepened sense of anxiety 😬

[@paulgoddard-jm3md]

Thanks for the Video I have the prescription and have been too anxious to take it (the Irony) hoping to start soon I've suffered with really bad anxiety the last few years out of nowhere will start on the 25mg like you to try to avoid any side effects. Thanks Again 👍

[@sophieradford]

I felt the same about starting! Focus on getting through the first few weeks and be kind to yourself, and hopefully you’ll start to feel much better.

[@ramrab8368]

How did it go?

[@beautifulme7]

Zoloft had been amazing for me!! So glad it’s working for you also!

[@sophieradford]

Thank you! It’s great isn’t it. I’ve just increased my dose to 100 mg and it’s working really well.

[@scott21889]

​@sophieradford does it good for you for anxiety? I just got prescribed 50 mg of it yesterday does it help good with it? Just nervous to try it with the side effects but the anxiety sucks.

[@chimeiamv]

This is really reassuring as I've lost a lot of weight down from being obese in the past but I still struggle with my anxiety and depression, now it's gotten bad to the point where I am seeking medication. I still am wondering if the stuff actually does make you gain weight or just increase appetite. It assures me to see that it seems to have been weight-neutral for you, but I'm going to have to see how it reacts to me. I'm not too concerned about the bodily effects though because I'd rather feel normal no matter the cost. Also, your voice was really soothing and pleasant so it reassured me, too.

[@sophieradford]

Thank you for your comment, I hope you’re ok! I was worried about the impact on my weight too but really it’s been negligible and my appetite is back to normal now too - it was only impacted for the first week or so. Really hope things go well for you!

[@Gaz-Stanley]

Thank you for this insight. I've just started taking Sertrailine a few days ago for the first time for severe anxiety & PTSD. I'm hoping I see improvements in my health in a few weeks after seeing many positive reviews. Good luck on your journey Sophie. Gary

[@sophieradford]

Thank you - and to you! I hope it goes well.

[@briandavenport8971]

I’ve been on it for two years. It’s definitely time to move on and taper off it.

[@glossy_aesthetics5805]

I'm also taking sertraline 50mg for depression and anxiety.It's been 6 months and It really helped me to get recovered.Now I'm living my best life☺️

[@sophieradford]

That’s wonderful to hear! X

[@Ohkeh640]

How has it been? Any insomnia? Night sweats?

[@WarrenPeace007]

Thanks for taking the time to produce this video. Very interesting to hear your experience. I started taking Sertraline about 2 months ago. The first 4 weeks weren’t pleasant, but since then I’ve felt much better.

[@sophieradford]

So pleased to hear you’re starting to feel better. My GP told me it takes 4 weeks to start to feel the benefits of the medication, and that six weeks onwards is when you’ll feel the benefits most. Let me know how you get on!

[@kaleahwilliams3862]

Did anyone experience lip moving like a lil twitching

[@sophieradford]

@kaleahwilliams3862 not with my lips but I know what you mean about twitching! I think it’s quite usual on SSRIs.

[@simondean3945]

Lovely update. Very glad to hear that things are on track!

[@sophieradford]

Thank you!

[@nmacog]

Thank you for this. I have just started on 50mg today. I really hope it helps as I have hit rockbottom

[@sophieradford]

Sorry to hear that and I hope you start to feel better - it’s an awful feeling when you’re anxious isn’t it. Hopefully the medication will help you as much as it helped me. Let me know how you get on.

[@jlexusjlexus8214]

I'm at the point where my attacks almost make me black out. Is that the case for you?

[@Ohkeh640]

How has it been? Any insomnia? Night sweats?

[@nmacog]

I've been OK with it to be honest, 8months in it is really helping with my mindset - I do exercise every morning before work 45mins rowing or exercise bike which is also helping mentally@@Ohkeh640

[@Joe-fg5zz]

Thanks for the video, I've been considering going on anxiety medication for a while and was unsure. This has helped. glad you feel better ☺️

[@sophieradford]

Pleased to hear it! I was unsure at the start too but it’s really helped me.

[@maryissound]

Zoloft is an anti depressant not an anxiety med

[@samanthakilkenny3357]

Thankyou for telling us your journey. I have a prescription for anxiety and want to start, I was thinking of booking 2 weeks off work to do this, I wondered have you been able to work/ function through the side effects? I'm worried 2 weeks might not be enough, I have a very busy job that needs full commitment? Thanks again.

[@sophieradford]

My pleasure! I remember feeling exactly the same. I’m a lawyer and was worried starting the medication would impact my work, but in fact I was mostly fine. That said, my GP told me that some people do ask for leave when they start taking Zoloft.

[@sophieradford]

I hope you feel better soon.

[@MissNevaeh2023]

I’d definitely advise taking a couple of weeks off work, I couldn’t really function in the same way and each day was different. For me, the headaches, the shakes, the anxiety and lack of appetite tapered off after 2 weeks. Document how you feel each day so you can see your progress as the days go on.

[@sophieradford]

Yes, good advice. Documenting how you feel is really helpful.

[@goldenhourkodak]

Just took my first dose a few hours ago. Very nervous but this video helped. Too many scary stories online about awful side effects.

[@sophieradford]

I hope you start to feel better soon! It really helped me but I know we’re all different. Good luck with it all.

[@Aggie85]

I'm picking my prescription up today. Very nervous as tried ssris before with disastrous effects😬

[@goldenhourkodak]

@@Aggie85 So far I’ve had virtually no side effects. No relief from anxiety though either.

[@sophieradford]

@@Aggie85 wishing you the best of luck - I hope you feel better soon!

[@sophieradford]

@@Aggie85 I hope it goes well for you. How are you doing?

[@raptrz_]

I took Zoloft for 4 years of my life and it really helped. But i stopped taking it for 2 years now, and my anxiety is so bad ive decided to take it again after seeing my doctor. Im taking 50mgs now, but have just woke up from sleeping, shaking with anxiety. It felt as though the inside of my body was shaking, kinda like a pins and needles feeling. Has anyone else had this?

[@sophieradford]

sorry to hear you’re not feeling very well - I’ve not had that feeling myself but I read somewhere that anxiety can make you feel like you have pins and needles sometimes. I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

[@rayme1975]

That happened to me, it's like an uncontrollable spasm. It went into a full panic attack after this things have settled down a lot more since then. Still having a few side effects but I think I'm close to getting them under control.

[@macgore1953]

Im on day 7, my anxiety is bad or worse, so you're saying this will go away? In time

[@sophieradford]

Sorry to hear your anxiety is bad or worse - it was the same for me when I started but it got better in a few weeks. Hang in there. I hope you’re ok

[@Ohkeh640]

How has it been? Any insomnia? Night sweats?

[@Ohkeh640]

Damn did it get better???

[@catandthemoon]

I use to take Setraline and night sweats / insomnia is common. Not pleasant but common

[@k.a.9397]

Thanks for the video and thanks a lot for the people who are sharing their experience in comments section.

[@angelawilliamson6765]

Day 2 on 25 mg sertraline I have a headache Sleep affected although I've never slept good anyway. Nothing other side effects have appeared as yet.

[@sophieradford]

I hope you start to feel better soon! Good luck!

[@bigcooks2526]

How about side effects ? I’m first week in feeling like I’m on mdma or some type of drug , I want to feel sober

[@sophieradford]

Any side effects I felt definitely reduced after a few weeks. I certainly felt like I had so much more energy when I started taking the medication but my GP said that was normal and that it would reside (which it did). Hope you start to feel better very soon!

[@bigcooks2526]

@@sophieradford I reduced the dose , instead of 50 mlgrm, I start taking 25/ half of the pill , second day , I start to feel much more sober , and started to feel some benefits, started working out as well , thank you , I’m healthy and sporty men, didn’t like the feeling of being intoxicated, but start feeling better

[@sophieradford]

So pleased to hear it!

[@Ohkeh640]

How has it been? Any insomnia? Night sweats?

[@StephenCraig22]

Very useful thank you. Just started day 3 headaches and not sleeping, good to know that this eases.

[@sophieradford]

Yes they both eased for me within a few weeks. I hope everything goes well for you. I’ve been taking Zoloft for over a year now and am actually now reducing my dose, so any questions please feel free to get in touch.

[@Ohkeh640]

@@sophieradfordwhy are you reducing?

[@Ohkeh640]

@@sophieradfordmany have insomnia and sweats on Zoloft

[@Moonlotus1992]

Did it help anyone else sleep?

[@Ohkeh640]

It causes insomnia for many

[@sarahwilliams8630]

Just started back on zoloft. My depression and anxiety is controlling my life. Ive put this off for so long. But its time i take control again!!

[@sophieradford]

Wishing you the best of luck! I hope you start to feel better soon. Let me know is you get on x

[@Hezzey]

Those mind/thought pills are no good for human beings. My suggestion would be to not take pills because of your thoughts. I am a man rapidly approaching old age, and I am very aware of what those things do to a person and I would say they don’t do a damn bit of good .

[@sophieradford]

Thank you for this - really helpful to get different perspectives!

[@Moonlotus1992]

I just started taking it today. My doctor prescribed 25mg of Zoloft. To help with my anxiety/PTSD and increase sleep for me.

[@Ohkeh640]

How has it been? Any insomnia? Night sweats?

[@Moonlotus1992]

I felt drowsy and this helped me nap. Lol. I'm hoping it'll help me sleep too.

[@Ohkeh640]

How has it been? Any insomnia? Night sweats?

[@irishgirl1753]

I had to stop insomnia got worse

[@sophieradford]

That’s sounds very difficult, insomnia is awful. Hope you’re feeling better now?

[@guyfawkes4404]

I took my first 25 mg at 3 pm. I was awake the whole night tossing and turning. Day 2 I slept but kept waking up every hour. This is day 3. Hopefully I can sleep as I feel drained/light headed.

[@sophieradford]

@@guyfawkes4404 I hope things start to improve for you soon! It took me a little while to get used to the medication but it was worth it to bring my anxiety down. Good luck 🤞🏻

[@guyfawkes4404]

@@sophieradford This is day 4. Had blood test at 9.15 am. I felt like a zombie walking to the doctors. Felt better once I came home. More relaxed but still have a foggy head. 3 pm will be day 5. Going up to 50 mg after 7 days. I dread to think! I'll keep updating.

[@sophieradford]

@guyfawkes4404 The first few weeks were hard for me too but I did start to feel better from week 3/4. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[@swanny64]

Just started it 4 days ago, fingers crossed, have been on Celexa and mirtazapine before. Celexa worked well for 12 years, then didn't. have a lot of health anxiety so i'm hoping it helps

[@sophieradford]

Wishing you the best of luck! I hope you start to feel better.

[@Ohkeh640]

How has it been? Any insomnia? Night sweats?

[@evanskipper5324]

😍

[@rich7331]

get to the point....

[@reflux043]

Don't be an arse! You know there's a fast forward button! Try using it.

[@mindcache5650]

Also struggling with your hair.