4 weeks Zoloft, no better!

Hi godsservant, I think I've spoke to you before. I've been on sertaline for around 4weeks now. I started on 25mg as I split the dose as I was scared to take it. Took that for 6days then upped to 50mg for 19days then my dr wanted me to go up to 100mg so I did 6days on 75mg and I've been on 100mg for 6days so far. I'm really tired. I had some ok days on 50mg and 75mg but not so much on 100mg. It's only been 6days, how long do I have to wait until it starts to kick in? I see my dr a week on Wednesday. Thank you xx

Haha, while you were writing to me, I was responding to on your thread.

 About 2 weeks, 2 weeks TOPS, honey.

Hang in there!

😘 thank you. I will and thanks for your post. Means a lot xxx

Oh forgot to tell you. Feeling tired is natural. I was sooo tired at the 4 week mark. So get plenty of rest and sleep. Your body and mind need it. 

Thank you GodsServant!

As this is the third ssri I am trying, I'm fed up! Fed up crying myself to sleep, turning down social events & the only thing I get excited for is going to my bed!

My dr reckons if after 4 weeks it hasn't worked then it prob won't but I am slow to respond so part of me thinks I should try to hang on! What do you think?xx

Hi godsservant, hope your ok? just checking to see if you experienced anxiety and negative thoughts when you increased your dose? I've been on the 100mg for a week now and had no change just feel worse, do you think it'll start to help soon just feel I'm stuck like this xxx

Lotty, sorry it took me awhile to respond. Real busy at work yesterday.

I would hang on for 2-3 weeks. You've already gone thru 1 month, so whats 2-3 more weeks to truly see if this med works for you? I know it seems like a long time, but you want to have no doubt in your mind if the drug is not right for you. It took me 6 weeks to start feeling a bit better cuz I was consumed 24/7 by OCD thoughts. 8 weeks to start feeling back to land of living.

So hang on! Stay strong. 

Michelle, sorry it took awhile to respond. Was really busy at work yesterday. 

Yes, I experienced spikes in anxiety and negative thoughts and was all over the place for the first 2 weeks after I increased my dose to 100mg. It was worse when I went to 150mg for 2 weeks. I had what felt like crying fits but no tears to feeling like a zombie in a matter of hours. I was all over the place, not to mention I was so tired and was suffering terrible side effects like neck pain and diarrhea and locked jaws and sleep issues, etc. 

Like I said, you will get better and see light at end of tunnel. Stay positive. Distract yourself with something, a word game on computer or iPad, try to get rest. Give it 2-3 weeks more. You have beaten this before and you will again. 

I hope your meeting with your husband will go well this weekend when he comes over. 

Xxx, sending you big hugs from across the pond. 

Thanks godsservant, means a lot. Well I'm on 8days of 100mg so trying to get through. Just feel worse some how don't know if it's the increase or because my new prescription was for a different brand?? Just want to have at least a few good days so i know it's helping. Hope your ok? Xxx

Michelle, I know it's hard, especially when you're in the throes of it, but give it some time.

Quite frankly, I think you're amazing. I don't know how you do it going to work WHILE taking care of 2 children all on your own WHILE going through an attack. I have no kids and when I go through an attack, I can't do anything - I could hardly bring myself to take a shower or leave the house to go to church!

So it's amazing how strong you are, so hang in there.

Right now I am doing great though - THANK GOD! - I am almost back to normal but I know I get stressed out more easily now than ever before and get tired very easily, too. I have not been exercising (taking walks) like I had intended to, but I had also been trying to get over a terrible cold after a terrible strep throat a few weeks ago. I still have a bit of a sore throat that I hope will go away soon. 

It could be a different generic brand that you're on, but give it some time. I know you are in UK. I am in the States and I use a brand called Greenstone and I make sure I get the same generic brand everytime. Way back in the old days I didn't have a choice I was on Zoloft.

Please take it one day at a time, hours if you have to. When I went through this, I found lots of comfort soaking in baths cuz my neck pain/stiffnes was killing me. I also took lots of walks to help with the anxiety. Xxx

Thank you for your kind words godsservant x I know it takes time, I just want to see some improvement even just a glimmer of hope. Yes I'm trying to taking every day as it comes. I pray I will get there soon. Thank you for your support means a lot. Yes I've been getting baths before bed most nights to try and relax me plus I've had a pain in one side of my shoulder/back too. Yes I will see how I get on with this brand and if Ok I'll try and stick to the one I'm currently on. I'm glad your doing well and it's working well for you again xxx

Also, this is a strange med in the sense that you suffer on it for awhile and it's like one day out of the blue you are no longer in that thick fog of your mind, of your panics and anxiety, of your black hole, so hang in there. Michelle, I have also been praying for you, and I know you will get better. 

Thank you godsservant that means a lot. I've felt a little better today but more anxious the last few hours. I got a text before from my husband to say he was busy in work and can't make the weekend and he'll try next week so who knows. My daughter was upset as she's not seen or heard from him since left but her friend is around at the moment so she's ok xx

Michelle, well, he needs time and perhaps you need time, too. So perhaps when he sees you, you'll be a lot better - and so will he.

Regarding being anxious, that happened to me too as I started getting out my attack, waves in a day, so that's a good sign. Also, what time do you take your med? I take first thing in the morning, when I wake up. You may want to play with this. Have a relaxing weekend! Xxx

Yes perhaps gone very distant though will just see how it goes.

Hopefully it'll start to improve soon. I take it in the morning about 8:30/9. Thank you, you too xxx

Yeah, let me know, well, if you feel like it. I'm here to talk if you need to. This illness is so horrible.

Xx

Thank you godsservant means a lot xxx

Michelle, you have been on my mind! How are you doing so far this weekend? 

Hi godsservant, I'm ok thank you for asking. I had an 'ok' day yesterday which was nice, woke up anxious again this morning and abit low but I know that is to be expected. How you doing? Xx

My husband and I got into a huge row last evening. He is having difficulty accepting the fact that I have a condition. Last evening I wanted to go out for dinner and he wanted to stay in. I just mentioned that he always makes the decision for us to go out or stay in, and I have always done it for him, even when I feel the complete opposite. I said just once I want him to go out because I want you go out, and then he went ballistic. He has anger issues. After he yelled and screamed, and we bought up separation, then he left to see his therapist. In the past whenever we have a huge fight he leaves the house and return hours afterwards. But last night I knew he had a therapist appt, he had told me before. His therapist ended up spending more time with him. He left at around 5pm and didn't get back till around 8:30pm. 

The thing is, neither of us want to separate because we are both devout Christians, and it's sad that we each want the other to initiate separation because we can't make this decision because God will hold that person accountable. In the end, I decided to be the strong one and said we should give couples counseling another try and if that doesn't work then I will initiate it. But I want to give it one good darn attempt because I want to be able to answer to God someday.

After his appt, he came home cooled down and said before we go to couples counseling, give him some time with his new therapist. He's seen a therapist since we're married but had to quit her in Nov because she no longer accepts his insurance and then we went on a long trip and then his new therapist got sick last weekend.

And so, I am glad he saw his therapist last evening and I will give him some time with his therapist. Meanwhile I have seen my new therapist twice. 

If his new therapist doesn't doesn't work, then we will do couples counseling and then if that doesn't work....goodness. But I don't think neither of us is going to easily give up on our marriage without a good fight. 

Today is churchday. It is the wee hours here in States. 

I am glad you had an almost normal day yesterday. This is the process of getting out of it. An inconsistent day, I call it, but each day a bit more ups than downs, and soon, you'd be back to your normal self. This is the time to reduce stressful situation, events and people, and just surround yourself with things of comfort, food, clothes, nice smells, I love lavender!, things you enjoy, a scone or mashed potatoes, etc. 

When you start to get out of your attack, you'll start to feel less anxious but more depression, low moods for a week or so, but hang in there. 

Oh godsservant I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. It's good you have a plan and are willing to work at your marriage, that takes a lot of strength. I think mine is actually over. I hope you get through it so differcult when we are trying to deal with the anxiety and depression too plus relationship stresses.

Yes I was pleased I had a good day yesterday too, I know I will still get bad days but trying to stay positive. Thank you for your positive comments xx