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3 weeks and 5 days still not working

Posted , 5 users are following.

rooney_10
rooney_10

Hello everyone my name is rooney  I have this social phobia for about six years now and it is getting worse ever day. ..I am feeling very depressed and anxious about everything  even when I am surrounded with my family and I cannot talk with any strangers due to lack of confidence and I always felt that everybody is watching me and laughing at me ... my age is 20 still lack confidence due to everyone including my friends make fun of me ... everyday I seems like drowning.... but today I cannot neglect the thoughts of suicide out of my mind . So 

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • rooney_10
    rooney_10

    Posted

    So my doctor recommend  sertraline 50 mg used it for 3 weeks and 5 days so still not getting better what should I do
  • david49878
    david49878 rooney_10

    Posted

    Hi,

    I don't usually reply to these or even have time to read them anymore, but I do care about others who might even consider suicide for a moment because it is not something to seriously consider, especially for the reason you noted. I mean, think about it a moment. there are so many people in the world who do not have social skills for whatever reason. I would venture to say it is even close to, if not, NORMAL more often than not. I had this problem for many, many years and guess I still do to some extent because I dislike crowds intensely and much prefer smaller groups with common interests. And don't give up on Sertraline helping, but I can also tell you it has never made a tremendous difference in improving my social skills (I have been on 150mg a day for YEARS, and while it helps my anger management somewhat, I am not sure it does much else to be honest...I much prefer alprazolam if I am going to face a dreaded situation).

    I would advise you to reconsult your doctor and honestly tell him/her you are not responding as well as you would like to the medication. There are other meds (and docs), and we are all different and our systems, brains, etc. can react differently to these medications out there.

    Lack of confidence can be conquered, believe me. I used to be the shyest, most awkwardly social guy I could think of, and went on to be a highly-successful commander in the Army of all places, an award-winning reporter and author, and even a speechwriter for one of the most well-known people there is (I shall guard his privacy, and mine for that matter at this time).

    Since I do not know you or your circumstances, it is tougher to say much, but I do know this absolutely: you seem to be an educated, caring, and decent human being and there are LOTS of people in the world who would love to know people like you. Based on your experiences, you may think that is hard to believe, but I can assure you it isn't. In fact, a change of scenery may be more important than any med if your environment is the problem. It doesn't mean you are the problem.

    Meds do take time if they do work, but they might not be of much use if there are still too many negatives in your life right now. Please give yourself a chance. When you emerge from this phase of your life, and you will, you will never regret having done so. I know. I'm 63 and have been through more than most people could begin to comprehend, including war, wounds, cancer, depression and institutionalization. All the crap a good person willing to persevere and surround himself with good people will be beaten away, I promise you that.

    Be strong , and don't be afraid or ashamed to to ask for help. Most people need help in this world.

    Dave

     

    • rooney_10
      rooney_10 david49878

      Posted

      Thank you dave  for your reply much appreciated so can I ask you one more question how much weeks does sertraline would really started to kick in I am on 50 mg for 3 weeks and 5 days thanks hoping for your reply
    • david49878
      david49878 rooney_10

      Posted

      I think I started feeling better after about two weeks, but that was a lonfg time ago. I was actaully taking it for depression, am thinking one of many (Army) docs (they always change) started me on 50 mg, not sure I ever took just 25, but I was a lot older than you when I started. Ha..as a highly-decorated Vietnam vet and there at your age, I probably needed some meds then...but not really, I wouldn't have been very alert to anything and that would have possibly been deadly. Anyway, I digress. The feeling was good for perhaps a few weeks, but faded because I had other problems I guess, mostly resentments, and I even dropped off taking it for years on my own, but my situation didn't improve. I still maintain that, for me, it does little to nothing against depression (which is a tricky and bad disease..but conquerable). I stay on it now because I can get very angry sometimes if I get POed, easy to do with all the craziness out there (extending right up to the highest levels, as you probably know)..but bottom line is, surrounding yourself with good people, a real purpose in life (and you have tons of time) and good activities are IMHO a much better route than meds.
    • Guest
      Guest rooney_10

      Posted

      Hi Rooney,

      I was in similar situation. Firstly - it can and does get better. Hang in there, you are not alone.

      Sertraline works 2 ways.. first it slows the rate your body absorbs seritonin and this works fairly quickly making more seritonin available to your which should help with your mood. However, the second function is with more seritonin available, your body will develop more receptors and this is a longer process.. several weeks (6-).

      If your anxiety and depression are feeling overwhelming, in the very short term you doctor could possibly suggest something temporarily such as a benzo or other fast acting hypnotic, just for a couple weeks to calm your mood and give the SSRI a chance to work. Downside is these types of drugs are quite habit forming, and are a bit of a monkey-on-your-back to stop so short term only is best and then sertraline/Zoloft longer term. Don't suffer in silence.

      I had similar anxiety and found that writing down very specific points on paper, and walking into your Dr. office and literally saying "I am nervous to talk about this, but I need to tell you that..." and literally read your points one by one like you are giving a book report.

      I was at 50mg for 8 months, but for first 4 weeks was also on clonazepam (a benzodiazepine) which really helped with the social anxiety, but has a downside of making you very sleepy and also short term memory issues. Then went up to 100mg sertraline and stabilized there for a few months and now, 18 months later, I am slowly (...SLOWLY) tapering off the sertraline.

      You could even add to your list to ask you physician if there is a mental health therapist or a counseller they could recommend for you to talk to. Anxiety can be worse in your head then once you get it out. Try different things. Best wishes  -  know this anxious feeling is common and normal and everyone has it to different levels.

    • rooney_10
      rooney_10 Guest

      Posted

      Thank you Warren for your reply I want to know if you get 100 percent normal or even 80 percent back with your confidence or being able to face people with sertraline use for six or more weeks  so how did you feel after the six weeks of sertraline re ply me asap  hoping for your  cooperation as I am on 3 week
    • Guest
      Guest rooney_10

      Posted

      I actually kept a journal day by day, with the meds I was taking and how much, and how I felt. After about day 5 I was feeling so much better, like a weight had been lifted from me, however in hindsight, this was a result of the clonazepam more so than the sertraline. However, for me, it really helped me "remember" what it felt like to be open and not anxious, and generally feeling neutral (not necessarily jumping up and down happy, but certainly not in the pit of depression or apathy).

      From research though I know how bad benzo's can be (NO BOOZE!!!), so I tried to get off them asap, and so after about week 4 I tapered off them and even then it was very very hard. They are very compelling to take but by then the sertarline was working better and having gotten over that hump of pend-up anxiety it seemed easier to keep that feeling. Hope that helps.

    • rooney_10
      rooney_10 Guest

      Posted

      Thank for your insight so what do you think I continue sertraline for six weeks them see what happens next . I am consuming on 50 mg dose as my doctor suggest you should foe eight then see if we could change it or up the dose
    • Guest
      Guest rooney_10

      Posted

      Sounds like you have a good doctor. Hopefully sharing on these forums and hearing you are not alone helps too. Depression and anxiety can be very lonely but you would be surprized how understanding people can be if they know what you are going through. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone can be a comfort.
  • jayne10080
    jayne10080 rooney_10

    Posted

    Hi rooney really sorry that you are feeling so low but things will improve in time. I have been on sertraline for many years until I reached the max that is 200mg a day. Like you I was given 50mg and thought wtf these are not helpful, then the dose was increased and I felt a lot better generally. Obviously pills don,t take away all our problems and anxieties but if you be offered some CBT (cognitive behavioral therepy) the two working alongside each other is very beneficial. There is always a way to see through the fog..sometimes you just need someone to reach out and turn a light on...Good Luck jx
  • scott8888
    scott8888 rooney_10

    Posted

    Hi there dont worry you will get there just hang in there and advise you to not up your dose untill 8 weeks and thats only if 50mgs doesnt work but im sure it will. It took me around 8 weeks for my confidence to come back so it is a lenthy time 
    • rooney_10
      rooney_10 scott8888

      Posted

      Thanks for your response Scott  as  I have already finish my third week so I want to ask question when will you able to see real result or medicine to really starting to kick in hoping for your reply ...and last thing you said you have gained real confidence with the 8 weeks so I have feeling little relaxed I hope sertraline  works as he did on you...
    • scott8888
      scott8888 rooney_10

      Posted

      Around 7 weeks for me i started to notice big things then 8 weeks was the same. Ask your doctor for propanalol to help you through this stage as it will stop you feeling do tense in social situations untill you see your meds kick in
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