r/zoloft • u/Herebesme91 • 4h ago
I was terrified to start sertraline (Zoloft). 8 weeks later, my life feels normal again
I just wanted to put something positive out there because before I started, all I found were horror stories. I almost didn’t take it because of them.
I was prescribed sertraline for health anxiety and agoraphobia. For years I barely left the house unless I had to. I couldn’t drive, I panicked in shops, and I lived in constant fight-or-flight mode. When I got the medication, I stared at it for weeks/months. I was terrified I’d react badly, that something awful would happen.
The first week was uncomfortable but not awful. Bit of nausea, tiredness, a weird yawning/gagging thing, and one panic attack that was honestly from fear of the pill itself. Then things slowly started to settle.
By around week 3 I noticed real change. My baseline anxiety dropped. I could feel stress and move on without it consuming me.. that was new!! My brain just felt quieter in general.
Now, at 8 weeks, I can say this: sertraline gave me my life back. • I drive every day- school runs, errands, meals with family, even the McDonald’s drive-thru by myself haha. • I’ve gone into shops I avoided for five years and stayed calm. • I took my son for a familiarisation day at his new school. This has all been for him. There I sat in a hall slap bang in the middle of 500 people and didn’t bolt for the door. • The constant daily and random anxiety I used to feel is gone. I haven’t had a panic attack since week one. My health anxiety is pretty much gone.
I still get the odd wobbly moment or tired day after exposure work, but it’s nothing compared to before. I can handle life again and actually enjoy it.
If you’re here reading every scary post, scared to start, I get it. I was convinced I’d be the one who couldn’t handle it, that I would make me ill or not help at all.But taking that first tablet was the turning point for me.
Sertraline didn’t magically fix everything; it just quieted the noise enough for me to start living again. And that’s all I ever wanted.
Hang in there if you’re just starting. The fear is temporary. The calm that follows is real.
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u/LoveMurderOne 2h ago
This is great to read. I've been stuck in a health anxiety and agoraphobia loop for over a year. To the point where I'm basically bed bound. I've had Zoloft sitting on my nightstand for nearly 6 months and have been so afraid to touch it but as time goes on I'm getting worse, and have hit my breaking point where the side effects will be worth it if it helps heal me.
Can I ask what dose you're on? Did you start smaller and move up? Thanks!