1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

5 weeks on Sertraline

Posted , 3 users are following.

Kate32457
Kate32457

Hi everyone smile I've been reading the posts in this forum for the past few weeks and they have really helped me, especially during the first couple of weeks of taking Sertraline where I got bad side effects (big increase in anxiety, dry mouth, headache, loss of appetite).

I'm coming up to 5 weeks on Sertraline now, one week on 25mg then 4 weeks on 50mg. I'm taking it for anxiety which got so bad that from the moment I woke until the moment I went to bed I was in a panic. I also got some level of depression brought on by being so anxious all the time. I've seen some positive improvements such as most of the side effects passing, not waking up in tears every morning or crying randomly through the day and sleeping through the night every night again.

However what I was wondering is whether I will continue to see an improvement from this point onwards or whether it is likely to stay the same? Last week (around the 3 1/2 week mark) I had a really good week but this week not so good. I am not as bad as I was by any means but the anxietys still there sitting on my chest and making me uncomfortable especially when say I am in a busy supermarket or on a train. I want to avoid increasing my dose if I can so that when I eventually come off the tablets I only have to get off 50mg.

Did anyone else see improvements from week 5 onwards without increasing their dose?

Also if anyone needs any advice if they are just beginning to take Sertraline then feel free to ask. Thanks in advance x

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • vanessa45115
    vanessa45115 Kate32457

    Posted

    It's an up and down ride. I've been taking 100 mg for 7 years. Recently, I had a relapse and had to increase my dose to 150. Tomorrow will be the 4-week mark and I've only had 1 great day. I've some good, bad and down right ugly days. One day you think everything's going to be ok and the next could be worse. The good news is that you had a great week, I'd give anything for a great week. You should probably talk to your doctor and see what they think because like I said, the anxiety will come and go until the meds fully kick in...or so I'm told. Every time I have a worse day than the one before, I get very discouraged and I come on this forum and people give me words of wisdom and I find hope again. Good luck and I hope we all feel better soon

    • Kate32457
      Kate32457 vanessa45115

      Posted

      Hi Vanessa, thanks for your reply. I have seen a lot that people have up and down days, with me it seems to be longer periods, more like one week good, one bad. Would you say that the meds would still be kicking in for me at this point and for weeks to come?

      Good luck with your increased dose, I hope it makes you feel better very soon.

  • Bun1975
    Bun1975 Kate32457

    Posted

    Hello. Do you know what caused your anxiety and panic all day? I started prozac a little over 2 weeks ago because of anxiety and panic. I just don't have good feelings about these medicines.

    • Kate32457
      Kate32457 Bun1975

      Posted

      Hiya. It started with a panic attack on a Monday morning of my new job and spiralled from there really to the point where I was in tears constantly and waking up in a panic. I'm not that bad anymore and can hold it together but the anxiety is still lingering and I am still not able to do all the things i used to do because of the constant worry.

      I haven't tried Prozac myself but the way I look at it is anxiety is such an awful feeling that if medication has the slight chance of changing that then it's worth a go! I never thought I would ever be on anti-depressants, I was always a laid back and happy person but these things happen and it will make us stronger. My first two weeks were absolutely horrendous but it does get better with time.

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.