Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi everyone I've been on sertraline 4 weeks and 1 day....the first week 50mg then 100mg but the past 2 days I upped it without doctors permission to 150mg, I just feel like they aren't working very well...should I go back down to a 100mg and wait a while longer to ee if they work?
0 likes, 9 replies
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natasha74961 pamela51740
Posted
I don't think you should take them there not worth it they have stripped the life out of me been on them nearly 3 years I've got more depression and tired I have gained weight cause I'm fatigue all the time I'm going docs tomorrow get some boost in my life ..... But not everyone is the same see how you get on with them x
UK-Rose pamela51740
Posted
Hi Pamela,
I would say to wait, it doesn’t seem like your giving your increases enough time to work before jumping onto the next... each increase needs a minimum of 4-8wks time frame to work, your actually keeping yourself longer in the side effect loop by not waiting. (Each increase technically takes you back to Day1 in the side effect land)
I know it’s frustrating with all the waiting around for that ‘aha’ moment... but its the waiting it out that will get you through.
You will get there🌹
Jacquiski44 pamela51740
Posted
Hiya, I would go back and speak to your doctor before upping any dose. The meds do take a while to work. I was on 50mg for four weeks, I didn't think they were working so doctor upped to 100mg after a few weeks I was feeling so much better. They do take time.
kerryhs pamela51740
Posted
Me personally, I was on 100 for 4 weeks then upped to 150. I got some side effects but I feel much better anxiety wise so im putting up with them. I would check with your doctor to make sure its ok cause like the others have said maybe its to short a time on the 100 to have the proper benefit.
Keep going, it will get easier x
pamela51740 kerryhs
Posted
kerry56645 pamela51740
Posted
Hi Pamela
I've been on sertraline for 12 months, the drugs can take 4 -6 weeks to work. I started on 50g upped to 100 , 4 weeks after with doctors advice, after 6 months on 100 approx i upped to 125g with doctors agreement which I have been taking since. You should give at least 4 weeks until you upp the dose and do it with your doctor the pills do take a while to work and the side affects can take a while to subside you will feel worse before you feel better. If anything I would reduce to 100 and get in touch with your doctor, make them aware and then see how you go in the next 6 weeks. If your dose is too high this ca have a negative affect also x good luck and the drug has literally changed my life it worked for me but you need to give it time and ensure you do it properly xx
pamela51740 kerry56645
Posted
Thanks kerry x I've been taking 150mg for 3 days, so would it be OK to just drop to 100mg in the morning? I've been lucky because I haven't got any side effects of sertraline, I just feeling so disconnected from myself and reality (I've been like this since early September ) my anxiety is really bad, the only thing sertraline has done so far has stopped my panic attacks, I just feel very weird, I don't feel like myself, it's freaky and scary, I'm literally living in hell in my own body every second of every day! I am happy for you that it has changed your life 😊😊😊😊 I just hope it will do the same for me 😯
kerry56645 pamela51740
Posted
Hi Pamela,
I think the best thing you can do is call your doctor and have a chat to them. It will be fine to reduce your dose, it's only beeen a few days at 150. Feeling weird will be the side affects if already your anxiety has reduced then it's started to work, the improvement kind of creeps up on you you won't all of a sudden feel better, you will feel a little better gradually. I found it really helped me to make notes on my phone, the feelings and thoughts I was having. When I had an anxiety attack etc.. I would then review my notes every week, I found that gradually I was writing down less because I felt better. Then I would read the notes and think Jesus I was really ill when I wrote that. I'm sorry you feel so bad at the moment but you have made some really positive steps to feeling better. You will get better you just have to give it some time Hun . Take one day at a time in the knowledge that you can only continue feel better each day. I know this sounds like crap advice especially when you feel desperate and all you want is to feel better but try and eat well, get some exercise even if it's just walking and be kind to yourself, use the group to discuss any concerns or how you are feeling , it really helped me to know I wasn't the only one xxxxxxxxx
pamela51740 kerry56645
Posted
Thanks kerry so much, I was feeling all like that before taking sertraline, I was on citalopram for 7 years and it pooped out and that's when I got horrendous side effects! My doctor is rubbish, I changed surgeries the other week and went to see my new doctor, she didn't give a crap, she said what have got to be anxious for, go and live your life she might as well of laughed at me in my face! Anyways, I do a lot of exercise, drink a lot of water, I eat oily fish and veg and fruit everyday, I don't drink at all 😊😊😊 but I started smoking again because of my nerves, I did quit 2 years ago, I will stop again! I will just have to be patient. I too have a journal I write in everyday, I write down the times and feelings. Hopefully the sertraline will start working soon ?