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10 weeks on 50mg

Posted , 8 users are following.

john15630
john15630

Hi all

10 weeks on 50mg setraline and I'm glad to say that I think they are starting to work as the last 3 days I have felt some what normal again and have hope for the future. Not getting too excited just yet in case I take a backward turn but so far so good.

Be strong fellow sufferers as hope is on its way to you all x

2 likes, 36 replies

36 Replies

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  • cheryl41638
    cheryl41638 john15630

    Posted

    Hi John, I have been on Sertraline for 4 years 50 mg, and have just upped the tablets to 100mg as my anxiety has come back.  I am on day 7, and feel so tired, shaky, no appetite, and stomach issues. I felt bad when I first went on them, and don’t feel as bad this time but still feel like everything is a struggle. Any advice 
    • john15630
      john15630 cheryl41638

      Posted

      The setraline can take it's own time to work and seemingly different for all people , some 3-4 weeks others 5-6 and others as myself 10 weeks . All I can say to help was I too had all the side effects you are all listing plus a few more on top . Days where I couldn't face going out the door or seeing anyone sometimes could barely stand . As I hit the 10 weeks mark I found a massive difference and feel ok and able to face the world and looking to plan the future. From experience this will be a long way from your current thoughts and you will be sat there thinking you will never get better. You will get better and get back to enjoying life again and these meds will cure you but please be patient and get thru the days as best you can . Always here for support .

  • diana_17326
    diana_17326 john15630

    Posted

    John—your post has given me such hope. I am so grateful I found it.

    I just passed 8 weeks on 50mg, and I still feel pretty awful. It’s been up and down for weeks now, and although the worst of the increased anxiety and panic I had in the first 3-4 weeks has dulled a lot, I still have the intrusive thoughts and the panic and the fear.  Bit of background here— I was on Sertraline 75mg for 4 years and it was great for me (I came off Paroxetine and straight onto Sertraline without hardly any increased anxiety). Anyhow, this past summer, I had gradually dipped to 25mg because I thought I was able to come off them. 3 months later on 25mg; I relapsed into pure panic and anxiety. I had to take time off work and also have had to take Ativan to sleep. Today marks 8 weeks and 2 days on 50mg. It’s been up and down, but today and last week were really bad (although it was last week that I went back to work, so it could be that too). Should I go up to 75mg or give it a couple more weeks? My doctor says to take Ativan when I need it to sleep, and then we can reassess when the meds start working. I just don’t know what to do, I’m panicking that these meds won’t work and if I go up to 75mg I’ll just get the increased anxiety side effects all over again, and I can’t handle that with my job. Please help!

    • jenna324
      jenna324 diana_17326

      Posted

      Diana 

      You should just like me . I am at 6 weeks and I still don’t feel like myself. I have anxiety on and off, no appetite and also need to take a Xanax to calm myself and to eat! I can not for the life of me eat a thing when I take Zoloft and I thought by now that side effect would have gone away. I am going to give myself another 2-3 weeks on 50 mg and if I still have the on and off anxiety ( which I think is causing my appetite to be horrible) I am going to increase. Perhaps increasing to 75 won’t be so bad for us since it’s only a 25 mg increase. I think the up and down feelings are normal until the Zoloft really settles in our system. I’m here for you if you need to message me or talk. 

    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 jenna324

      Posted

      Thanks so much Jenna! Glad we are in this together smile its comforting to know there are others out there on this crappy roller coaster! I’ve had good days, so I think it must be working, just not fully yet. Everyone is different, so maybe like John, we’re slow ones! I felt pretty great a week ago, but then bam—right back here.  I’m taking comfort in knowing that it may take a while, but eventually it will work, whether on this dose or higher, because it has worked for me before. Hugs. I’m here to chat anytime as well! ❤️
    • jenna324
      jenna324 diana_17326

      Posted

      Yes Diana 

      It has worked for me as well before! I was on it about 2 years ago on 50 mg and it changed my life. I really wish I never got myself of the meds. I have hope that they will help me again. Let’s see how we feel this week. Is your appetite back completely? Do you still get anxiety? Mine is the worst in the morning/ afternoon but in the evening I am back to myself. It’s so odd lol

    • diana_17326
      diana_17326

      Posted

      My appetite is back, but it comes and go depending on when I’m feeling anxious. When I have to go to work and am alone, I get really anxious and don’t feel like eating. It’s up and down. Basically I feel a lot better when I’m with people, but as soon as I’m alone, I panic and start worrying I won’t be able to fall asleep. 
    • jenna324
      jenna324 diana_17326

      Posted

      Yea same . I can’t eat when I’m anxious at all.  I think 5 weeks is still early on for you to feel 100% yet. Some of us take longer to adjust to the medication than others ( me being one of them) 
    • john15630
      john15630 jenna324

      Posted

      Jenna .

      They WILL work again stay positive it's not much longer for you now x

  • debra34304
    debra34304 john15630

    Edited

    Hi John I’m on wk 5 of 100mgs of sertraline. I’m still aving slight panick attacks and still not feeling like myself at all. Do u think it’s still early days yet? And will I get bk to my normal self. Thanx john🌹

    • john15630
      john15630

      Edited

      Please please please be patient . I wouldn't increase the dose just yet as 50mg will work in my opinion . If i can get better then you all can as I had sooo many bad days stricken with panic anxiety and HATED being along . I was even scared to have a bath in case I drowned . Keep the faith and keep talking . If u click on the little box u will get me directly as sometimes I miss your posts when you probably need me the most x

    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 john15630

      Posted

      Did you have any good days before you felt better? I just feel like it's so up and down, and as soon as I start feeling a bit better, I'm right back to panic and anxiety again. I just can't imagine ever feeling like I did three months ago... blissfully happy and not a care in the world. 

    • jenna324
      jenna324 diana_17326

      Posted

      I think the up and downs are a sign that the medication is working. And soon enough those good days will be much much more. It’s like an emotional roller coaster and we are just going along for the ride till we finally are at the end and feel so much better. Ugh I know the feeling. 
    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 jenna324

      Posted

      I sure hope so! When I'm with my hubby or friends I am distracted and feel pretty decent--then as soon as I have to go to work and be on my own, I start freaking out. Such a CRAPPY roller coaster lol. 

      Also, not sure where in the world you live, but I haven't seen sun in almost a week, so I think that's also contributing.... sigh... 

    • jenna324
      jenna324 diana_17326

      Posted

      I’m in California actually. So I’ve seen some sun but it’s been cloudy too. That can definitely be a tribute to it! I also don’t like being alone and I used to enjoy my alone time. I think this will

      Also get better as the medication sets in our system. Don’t give up. I wanted to so many times and I still have days where I feel so down but I know it’s not going to just be butterflies and rainbows over night. These forums have given me hope and helped me to continue with the medication.

      Mind you, I was also in Zoloft a few years ago and it did wonders for me! I never had bad thoughts, never had anxiety attacks, and I was overall happy. I have faith it will work again and it will work for you also!

    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 jenna324

      Posted

      Haha awww nice. I'm in Toronto, Canada and it's like a snowglobe. We're constantly snowed in and it's blizzarding lol. I used to LOVE when this happened because I'd just cozy up by myself with a cup of hot choc, but now, being alone is hell. Like you said though, that's part of the anxiety and once the meds fully kick in, hopefully things will go back to the way they were. You sound so much like me; for three years, I was in pure bliss on Sertraline. That makes it worse I think, because I start to panic thinking that I'm never going to feel like myself again. But I know rationally that's not true, because a) we're still adjusting and b) we're still on a small dose, if we need to increase, then we do. It's not like we've maxed out. Also, what dose of Sertraline were you on before when you were at your best? 

    • jenna324
      jenna324 diana_17326

      Posted

      Exactly. It worked for us the first time it will work again. Cuddling up and watching a movie was so great when I felt good. We will get there. I was actually on 50 mg when I was at my best. My doc wanted me to up to 100 in a week and I never did. I stayed at 50 and it was prefect for me. That’s the dose I am at now. I don’t mind increasing if I need to. Like you said, it’s not like we are at the max. 
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