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24 Days On Sertraline. Was doing well, now very low. Why?

Posted , 5 users are following.

liz54943
liz54943

Hello

I have posted this on the general depression forum, but someone mentioned I'd be better putting it here.

Hello

Started taking sertraline 24 days ago for anxiety and low mood. The first 5-6 days were Hell, anxiety was much worse and lots of physical side effects. My GP had to give me beta blockers to help take the panic away. I was desperate to stop but I stuck with it.

I started to notice an improvement from about Day 10 onwards, and Days 16 - 21 were much better. Felt more like myself, felt clearer headed and started to feel a real loving connection to my husband again (one of the worst symptoms of my anxiety/depression was that I suddenly felt nothing towards him, and wanted to leave him).

I was starting to feel I could look forward to things again, and was starting to enjoy doing the little things which had stopped bringing me any pleasure, thanks to the anxiety/depression.

But for the last 3 days I feel I'm almost back at square one. I feel very low inside, and hopeless again. Just like before, when I look at my husband I just feel anxious and that I never want to see him again. Basically just all the same old crap that made me realise I needed ADs a month ago.

I don't understand what's happening, or why the sertraline is acting like this? How can I trust its effectiveness if it can start to work and then stop again?

Does anyone have any advice, and has anyone else felt like this?

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • julie393
    julie393

    Posted

    Ohhh where's my reply gone
  • julie393
    julie393

    Posted

    Try not to beat yrself up. It's yr mind playing tricks and altering yr thought patterns

    U r not alone by having feelings like this towards yr OH

    Perhaps you need to have yr meds checked to see if uvr in the right dose. Perhaps it cld b increased by yr gp

    Make an appt tomorrow and tell gp how u feel, don't put up with feeling low

    Sertraline really helped me

  • Yorkshire
    Yorkshire

    Posted

    Hello, it can take 4-6 for them to work properly so hang in there. I started feeling better in weeks 3, had a really good week and then week four felt really low again and had physical symptoms of anxiety back. I was really disappointed as I thought I was better. I continued and I was back to me in week 5. I've done 7 weeks now, I still have odd low/anxious days here and there but nothing like it was. I can still function and continue with my day. Distraction works brilliantly!

    How many mg are you on? Like Julie said, you may need it upping so talk to your GP.

  • liz54943
    liz54943

    Posted

    Thank you both so much for replying. It's very reassuring to hear this set back has happened to other people. It sounds like I've followed the exact same pattern as you Yorkshire. Week 3 was good for me, but going into Week 4 I became very low again the anxiety was back.

    I'm only on 50mg but I'm very reluctant to increase because I cannot face the thought of the increased side effects again. The first 5 days on 50mg was absolutely evil.

  • Yorkshire
    Yorkshire

    Posted

    I agree! The first week was awful. I'm on 50mg too and would like to stick to it.

    Some days I can wake up and feel anxious still (depending on what's happening in my life) but some good advise I was given was try carry on with your day as it may not even last all day; maybe just an hour. In week 4 I was getting myself worked up from the disappointment of feeling so low again.

    I truly feel so much better now. I have mild side effects e.g. Teeth grinding in my sleep - but that is so much better than feeling ill with anxiety & low mood!

  • liz54943
    liz54943

    Posted

    Thank you Yorkshire, it gives me hope that you recovered again in week 5. I must admit that I always seem to feel far more anxious when I first wake up, and my hands feel shakey. It was one of the first symptoms which made me realise I needed to see a GP. But once I'm up and about, it gets better.

    To be honest I can cope with any of the phsyical side effects - I've had the jaw clenching, the yawning and the upset stomach. But what I can't bear is the very low mood, and the feeling that everything is hopeless. And I HATE feeling so negative and anxious toward my husband, it's horrible.

  • liz54943
    liz54943

    Posted

    Thanks Julie.

    Did you feel the same way about your husband?

    • chuck41879
      chuck41879 liz54943

      Posted

      I know it been awhile since you've been active on this thread but how did things turn out for you? I'm currently and the same boat and looking for reassurance. 

    • kelly01270
      kelly01270 chuck41879

      Posted

      Hi chuck, how are you feeling now? Im on day 16 today & i feel terrible😢 Really fuzzy headed.. sicky & just feel zombied out.. just feel drugged up! I never felt this bad last week! Is this going to improve? X

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