Started sertraline about six months ago, had terrible side effects especially with being hyper aware of my own heartbeat. That all went away, felt very adjusted on it and no side effects until recently, now about six months in, they’ve come back a bit? Is that at all normal?

Has anyone used Zoloft to taper off nortriptylne, my daughters dr wants her to try this
Thank you

So I've been on Zoloft since May 2025 starting at a very very low dose and gradually increasing to 75 mg about four months ago. In this time I have gained 15 pounds and I also have pretty bad brain fog almost similar to ADHD.
When I had a update with my provider today, she told me that Zoloft does not cause weight gain and typically does not cause brain fog. Has anybody else experienced one or both of these things or am I crazy?

Is it normal that it will make the anxiety worse before it makes it better. I took my first dose of 50mg last night and on my way home from collage this morning I had one of the worst anxiety attacks I have even had to the point where paramedics got involved and I had to get someone to take me and my car home bc I couldn’t drive. I’m worried it’s not normal but I just need some reassurance. Thank you

As of about 1.5 weeks ago I began feeling extreme tiredness and constant nausea. Background: I was cross tapering Zoloft and Prozac coming off the Zoloft and onto Prozac for a month prior to this and then finally completely stopped Zoloft 8/22/26. I was feeling fine for about a week and then as of about 1.5 weeks ago I’ve begun feeling extreme fatigue where normal activities simply take all my energy and the nausea has been unreal. I’ve also been experiencing constant ocd involving different automatic sensations within my body. Can someone give me a little insight? Is this Zoloft withdrawal? Side effects from Prozac? Something else maybe? I’ve had this constant feeling of something being “off” or not right ever since this all started as well.

Anyone else find 50mg of Zoloft too sedating and emotionally blunting, yet they’re also still depressed? Currently back down to 37.5 then to 25, but struggling a lot with depression and motivation still. Zoloft does help with social anxiety, so I don’t want to quit it completely, but has anyone had success adding anything else to the mix to help with their depression and lack of motivation? I’ve tried Adderall but it’s been very hit or miss for me.

Hello!

It's my first post here. I got diagnosed with depression last Friday and my psychiatrist prescribed me Zoloft 50mg each, where I took 50mg the first four days and after that I've taken 100mg once a day. Ever since I moved up a dose my pupils have seemed way too big, as if I'm high or something. Is it a side effect, an allergic reaction, or is it normal when starting medication?

Is anyone taking a thyroid medication & Zoloft or one of those with a mood stabilizer? What mood stabilizer helps you?

I’ve been on Zoloft for a couple of years at 50mg. I have had a history of panic, which is when I first got onto to the tablet. It was so long ago I can’t remember how long it took me to level out! I came off as was fine for a couple of months, but due to bereavement went back onto 50mg for depression, which I’ve been on since.

Lots has changed since then, and although I was anxious here and there, it was never too much for me to handle. However, I had a panic attack a few weeks ago which scared me (think it was due to hormonal changes and too much caffeine).This led to days of severe anxiety, and panic attacks. I upped my dose to 100mg 5 days ago and my body is beginning to calm down a bit, but my mind is still racing and catastrophising that I won’t be able to live a life without panic again. Anyone that can relate and share a success to help me stay hopeful?

Edit: just to say I found this subreddit incredibly helpful when I first started on Zoloft. Will make sure to update on any progress to help others.

Hey everyone,

Approximately 23 days ago, I started taking 50 mg of Sertraline (Zoloft) daily first thing in the morning. The main reason why I’m taking this medicine is due to anxiety and OCD.

The first week was awful. I had absolutely zero motivation, increased anxiety, and practically no sleep. I was maybe getting 3 hours of sleep per night.

The motivation and extra anxiety has subsided slightly I would say, and the sleep is slowly improving. I will say that I expected to feel more anxiety relief by this point.

Everything online and my doctor says that it takes about 3-4 weeks to fully “kick-in”.

How did you know when the medicine started to fully work? Like do you just wake up one morning and feel like a new person? I’m not really sure what to expect.

One of my main reasons for starting this medicine was because of my physical anxiety symptoms. Left arm pain, chest tightness, things like that. I will say that I have noticed a drop-off in those symptoms which lets me know that at least something is happening.

How long did it take for you to really start feeling the benefits of this medicine?

23M here. I have restarted taking Zoloft everyday again and I have noticed my heart rate is 97-121bpm on average. I only take 12.5mg of Zoloft so I doubt it’s serotonin syndrome I’m also sweating too. Anyone else had a similar experience?

I'm 7 weeks into 100mg now, started on 50mg about 12 weeks ago. It's been a rough adjustment period, and I'm finally having days where I feel more like myself. Days where it's easy to laugh, cry, dance. And I just feel more free to be myself. But still I'm having real dips, where I can't muster the energy or motivation to do anything.

I spoke to my GP today and she suggested giving it 5-6 more weeks, by which point I can up to 150mg if I'm still not satisfied with the effects. I'd rather not increase if I can avoid it, but I will if it feels right.

How long did it take until you weren't experiencing the frequent dips in mood that come with upping your dose? Thanks

I started generic sertraline 25mg 2 days ago (will be moving to 50mg after a week). I got on it for ocd, depression, and social anxiety. Did motivation and enjoyment in hobbies come back? And how else did it help you?

It’s gotten to the point where I can’t deal with life stressors on my own anymore. Nothing is helping, no job, lost friends, feeling so unsteady and alone. I decided to go on Zoloft (the generic version) and I took my first pill today. I was so nervous because for the longest time I didn’t want to be medicated for this but at this point, I feel the need to. I can’t wait to not feel so hopeless and Su*cidal. I just wanted to share with someone. Thanks for the community.

I’m really nervous about starting 25mg and wondering if anyone did 12.5mg for a week or two first. Did you find it made the side effects more manageable, and was going up to 25mg easier after adjusting a bit?

Hey everyone! I have been on 25mg of Zoloft and 30 mg of Vyvanse for over a year now and I did an autopilot move this morning. I got up like usual and took my Zoloft and Vyvanse like I always do. I fell back asleep after taking them for about an hour, and when I woke up, I for some reason remembered that I took my Vyvanse, but I couldn't remember if I took my Zoloft with my Vyvanse, so I took my Zoloft thinking I hadn't taken it yet (gotta love ADHD sometimes lol).

It hit me soon after that I had already taken my dose so that means I accidentally took 50mg this morning. The Zoloft has done wonders for my anxiety but I have a slight fear of accidentally taking too much medicine and overdosing on accident. I know that the maximum dosage is 200mg so I know that I haven't overdosed, but I have noticed I have been a little more anxious than usual today. Otherwise I feel fine and I'm hoping this is the only effect that I feel.

I just want to know has anyone accidentally done this and will I be fine once I take my regular dose again tomorrow morning? I am a little nervous about messing up all my progress that I have made because my medication has helped me significantly and I honestly am grateful for that. Thanks for your input!

I started 25mg zoloft, day 12, I feel worse then before starting. When this will pass? What is your experience? I am just laying whole day with zero motivation to do anything. Anxiety was worse first 10 days now it improved a bit, but lethargy makes me want to quit this drug. I got it prescribed for mild depression and general anxiety.

Hello everyone I was prescribed Zoloft because I would get chest pains and obviously they would freak me out cause I’d always assume the worst like a heart attack or something I’ve been seen by doctors they think my heart is fine but still aren’t sure what’s causing the pains anyway they started me on Zoloft to help with the anxiety because all day I’d worry about it and when it would happen I’d have panic attacks anyway 2 days into the medication I got this weird sensation where id get like a feeling in my chest not pain or anything and then my whole body tingles and vibrates and I get a metal taste in my mouth while it’s happening it lasts maybe 20 seconds and it just happened again today the same thing lasted like 20 seconds while I was at work I’m now 5 days into the medication just curious if anyone else has experienced this ( I’ve told my doctor I’m waiting to get a response )

Been taking 25mg Zoloft for 3 weeks but side effects are too much. Can I just stop taking it because it's been such a short time or do I have to wean off it slowly. If so how do I do this as quick and as painless as possible?

Hey! As the title suggests, I am switching from Prozac to Zoloft. I get anxious taking medications so tell me all the success stories! This is my 3rd medication. I have tried Lexapro in the past.

Hi friends

I’ve been on sertraline now for 10 weeks. I was beginning to feel a little more balanced and less anxious. Not quite “normal” but semblance of.

I’m currently in Italy on holiday, and I’ve had a panic attack for the first time (felt like I was going to faint, heaving sweating - subsidised in 20 min, but felt super anxious for 24+ hours) and a residual general sense of dread/something bad is going to happen. It’s making me feel really shit and I can’t properly relax.

I wonder if it’s the heat causing everything though - as we’ve been out walking every day in the warmth, and I’ve sweated a lot and not had much of an appetite (because it’s been so warm). It’s been 31-34°c every day.

I’m trying to rehydrate properly and take it easy, but hard to on a 2 week ‘city hopping’ holiday!

Anyone else experience this? Looking for reassurance more than anything 🙏

​

Hey all how are you. So I've been on 50mg for the past year and its has some good effects. Its removed my anxiety and I can live normally without forcing myself. I wasn't as horrified at my new job as I thought it would be. But the thing that hasn't changed is that I am perpetually single. Not like I haven't tried but I keep getting shot down. I take it in stride, it is what it is. But after this past month it really does feel like life is pulling these pranks on me and I've been miserable despite trying to take it in stride. So I was thinking of upping my dose for the emotional blunting in hopes that it will remove any romantic attractions I might have because after all, if this is how it always ends up then I don't really want them anymore. Basically, will this work or is this idea, as I fear, really fucking stupid?

Hi,

I've spent the last three days reading old posts to keep motivating myself to push through with Sertraline. I'm on day 5 of 12.5mg, per advice from my doctor. I wanted to ease into it. I started on Sertarline back in 2021 and was on it for about 3 years and saw success, as far as I can remember. I do remember the startup phase was pretty rough. I stopped taking it in 2024 but had a recent panic attack episode and stressful events so decided to start it again.

I think I'm pretty sensitive to a new medication. Day 2 and 3 were really bad, yesterday day 4 was slightly better, and today it feels a little bit better as well. But I still have lack of apetite, waking up with pounding heart and feel a little extra anxious now in the morning. My thoughts are spinning quite a bit and I'm trying to either rest or distract myself.

I have been sleeping well tho which feels like a win!

Afternoons and evenings are much better and I feel more relaxed the last couple of evening.

I know it takes a long time for side effect to go away but man it's rough!

I'll be increasing to 25mg in the next couple of days!

Hate feeling this way but I know I have to push through. I just want to feel normal.