1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

150mg- 200mg will it make much of a difference?

Posted , 4 users are following.

ella45447
ella45447

Hi all,

Currently on 150mg of Sertraline- it's helped to some extent, but still a wreck, no stability, changing day to day,

This is the most my GP is happy with prescribing without a psychiatric sign off, so I have a referral within the month to look at this and to dig deeper to see if it is something else.

I was thinking of up-ing to 200mg on my own to see if it will change things as this is what will probably happen anyway. At least then if it doesn’t work, I can tell the psychiatrist then and get something else, as 200mg is the max.

What do you think, has anyone else up’d their own meds? The constant waiting and referring is too much, I really need sorting out sooner than later as can’t carry on like this.

Please let me know your thoughts/ experiences.

Ella x

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • gingemac1977
    gingemac1977 ella45447

    Posted

    hi there ella,

    i've been on sertraline myself since about jan/feb this year, i started on 50mg, then was increased to 75mg, currently i'm on 150mg, the same as you, how long have you been taking this dose for? i've struggled with depression and anxiety for years, this medication has helped me massively over the months i've been taking it, i don't want to dupe myself by saying it, but what will be will be, i've been 3 weeks without an emotional meltdown, feeling irritated, very touchy and tearful.  i had a good few weeks when i was on 100mg and then all of a sudden hit a wall again and couldn't get myself together, so at the moment, so far so good and i'm just taking one day at a time at the moment. it's very hard, i get anxious about being anxious and having another meltdown but i'll just have to see, but all in all, i've been 80% better on this medication compared to what i was before it.  since i've been taking the 150mg, took a few weeks to settle in but i've seen a huge improvement.  i haven't increased any of my doses without advice from my doctor as you can take too much for what you need, if you know what i mean, always take advice from the pro and even if you did, my doctor only prescribes my enough to last me a full month so she would know if i'd been taking more than i should be.  let us know how you get on and take one day at a time, i've started keeping a mood diary and marking down my bad days to see exactly when i'm feeling this, i have terrible hormone swings so next week will be the big test for me, the week before and after my period are very up and down, therefore, i'm going for a blood test next week to see if it's anything to do with that as apposed to my depression, unfortunately i suffer from both!! :-) life is never easy is it, but feel secure in the knowledge that we are all in this fog together and this site is brilliant for getting help of people you know are going through the same hell as you, very comforting..........take care xx

  • oliver87290
    oliver87290 ella45447

    Posted

    Hi Ella

    I really would advise against ignoring your GP's prescribing; if you are not coping, then you would be much better off going back and telling them that - in the short term thay may give you something else to help take the edge of things. I would not want to alarm you, but you might want to look up Serotonin Syndrome on the web - you can have too much of a good thing. Please - don't take matters into your own hands - seek medical help - remember, if you don't feel safe get to A&E, and take your meds with you. Hope you feel better soon. O

  • Lois1951
    Lois1951 ella45447

    Posted

    Hi Ella,

    I understand only too well! I am having a terrible time with this drug. I have been on it just about 1 month, started at 50 mg, now am taking 75 mg and am now supposed to start taking 100 mg but I am afraid to up it as I feel so sick now.

    I am shakey, nauseous and when I first wake up I sometimes feel like my skin on my arms is burning! I feel so emotionally fragile and overwhelmed by everything.

    I have never felt like this in my life! Like you I just can't go on like this. I have lost faith in doctors and I am seeing a psychiatrist for this Seratraline. Not sure what to do anymore. What kind of reactions are you having?

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.