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4 weeks on sertraline ( zoloft ), still feel heightened anxiety, unmotivated & sometimes depressed

Posted , 5 users are following.

sz02311
sz02311

Wondering if this is normal on 50 mg at 4 weeks today? Moving into my fifth week tomorrow. Taking it mainly for my anxiety. 

Doctor suggests to up the dose or have me on lexapro instead. 

I get waves of feeling down and with more anxiety. I feel like my concentration is a little better and all the other side effects faded away, but not sure if this is the right medication for me as others have felt better by now. 

I need some reassurance and I’m tired of feeling like this. Any advice will help. 

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • brenda53218
    brenda53218 sz02311

    Posted

    Hi Suz, 4 weeks is really not enough time to feel the full affects of meds. It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks, and some people takes longer while others not so much. I am on 50 and my 13th week. I do feel better but if the stress level is up than my anxiety comes up. Don't get me wrong but this med really is helping me. I might have to up it to 75, but thats ok. I would rather go through the side effects than deal with how i felt before the meds. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.😇

    • sz02311
      sz02311 brenda53218

      Posted

      Thank you Brenda for your response and support! This gives me a lot of reassurance that I’m on the right path. It’s just so interesting how some people respond so quickly and effectively than others to sertraline. What do you feel like now that you feel a lot better? Do you feel more motivated to do things or less fearful, etc? Thanks again. I’m happy to hear your better! Let me know how 75mg turns out, if you decide to up it. 
    • brenda53218
      brenda53218 sz02311

      Posted

      Oh my , I am more energetic, don't need a afternoon nap. . I no longer fear shopping because of so many people. Then again I'm not much of a shopper but at least I can go if I need too. 😎

    • sz02311
      sz02311 brenda53218

      Posted

      Hey Brenda, Now that it’s been 5 weeks today- I’m doing better with the heightened anxiety side effect. However, I’m SO tired and my appetite came back full throttle! Also, I keep clenching my jaw- did you have this too? I’m waiting until that 6 to 8 weeks or more to feel less depressed and have more interest in doing things. I hope it’s working.  
    • brenda53218
      brenda53218 sz02311

      Posted

      Hi sz, glad to hear you are doing better, and yes I seem to clench my jaw sometimes, usually at night. I have an appt this coming Monday . My doctor wants to evaluate and than go from there, but I'm sure he will increase my dosage. It seems like I'm plateaued so an increase is probably in my future. Its just one of those things you have to go through until you find the right dosage. So I'm sending angel blessing to you that you will overcome this nasty predicament that many of us have. 😇

  • demi48809
    demi48809 sz02311

    Posted

    I’m on week 4 as well , I’ve felt a lot more possative with these tablets and other people have seen a change , I still have my bad days like today I’ve just felt so emotional and spaced out as if I’m not really on this earth but you get through it just do something to take your mind off it or just think to yourself “I will get through it , it’s just a bad day” try and deal with things as best as you can My dose is 50 as well and I honestly feel so possative a just with the spaced out side effects as well hope it goes ok x
    • sz02311
      sz02311 demi48809

      Posted

      This is great to know as I can relate; I do have ok days and not so good days as well. It’s good to know I’m not alone while going through this transition period for the better. I’m glad to know you’re feeling more positive Demi! I, too, feel spaced out and especially my short term memory isn’t the best- like there’s a block in the way of remembering what I was going to the store for. I hope that clears up too and hopefully it’s not a permanent side effect with sertraline. At 4 weeks with sertraline- It seems like I’m better when I’m around people rather than staying home doing the same routine, like it’s helping with the social anxiety part, but I still have that lingering mild anxiety floating around in the background. Hopefully that makes sense haha. Thank you for your response- it helps me. 
    • sz02311
      sz02311 demi48809

      Posted

      Hey Demi, Now that it’s been 5 weeks for the both of us- how have you been doing? I’m doing better with the heightened anxiety side effect. However, I’m SO tired and my appetite came back full throttle! Also, I keep clenching my jaw- did you have this too? I’m waiting until that 6 to 8 weeks or more to feel less depressed and have more interest in doing things. I hope it’s working.  
    • demi48809
      demi48809 sz02311

      Posted

      Hey had a good day just told my tablet and got the scared feeling a little bit but other than that I’m ok x
  • Blondey
    Blondey sz02311

    Posted

    Hi Suz,

    I really know how you feel, I was  on 50 mg for six weeks with horrundus side affects. 

    The GP put it up to 75 mg however I could not tolerate it. He told me to go back to 50 mg but I just couldn’t cope anymore with the serverty of the drug.

    Going cold turkey ,taking a Diazapmam in the night for a week. Then just plain vitemins until I see the Health Professional. 

    Good luck to you and I hope the medication works for you..

    I’ve never ever known a drug like it.

     God bless you for the further.

  • PopWop
    PopWop sz02311

    Posted

    I increased to 100mg after 3 weeks and felt much better about 10 days after the increase.  I would stick with sertraline rather than changing and up the dosage with your doctor's advice.

    • sz02311
      sz02311 PopWop

      Posted

      Great to know! Thank you! I might have to do the same thing after 6 to 8 weeks, if it doesn’t do much. 
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