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8 weeks on Sertraline advice

Posted , 8 users are following.

Bo99634
Bo99634

Hi guys

First of all i just want to say thanks to all those who have posted in other threads. I've been lurking and following this forum for the past few months and your replies have been very helpful.

I started on 50mg of sertraline (25mg for first week) mainly for bad anxiety (possible GAD) which was affecting my sleep and appetite to the point where i was struggling to eat. After 4 weeks there was little improvement, maybe 10%, and so my doctor increased the dose to 100mg. Now, 4 weeks later, i've seen something of an improvement. Sleep and appetite is better and the anxiety is less as i feel more calm in general. The downside is my depression feels like it's gotten worse. Has anybody else had similar affects where their anxiety improves but depression worsens? I don't know if its just that i'm more aware of the depression because the anxiety has lessoned or what. I'm seeing my Dr again tomorrow and i'm not sure what to tell him,. Shall i ask to stick with 100mg, ask to up the dosage, or suggest trying a different medication?

Thanks for reading, any advice would be appreciated.

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • rachel81023
    rachel81023 Bo99634

    Posted

    ive just started my sertraline jouney 4 days in, whilst withdrawing from venlflaxine 
  • caroline02334
    caroline02334 Bo99634

    Posted

    Hello Bo, my depression kept the same so the doctor prescribed another antidepressant to run along side the Sertaline, only a small dose but it's made a difference, Sertaline is used mainly for anxiety so it would make sense for those who are suffering from anxiety also depression to have a little extra help. Please let me know how you get on at the doctors xx
    • GillH35
      GillH35 caroline02334

      Posted

      Hi Caroline..interested to hear your gp has also prescribed an anti depressants..whilst I was tapering off venlofaxine to go on Sertralene ..the low dose of Ben and 50 mg Sertralene seemed to make me feel normal...thankfully this was over the Xmas period.however my gp told me that I shouldn't take both!!!! I will ask her on my next gp visit...this for this x
    • caroline02334
      caroline02334 GillH35

      Posted

      Hi Gill, any news from your Doctor?

      I forgot to say the extra SSRI is called mirtazapine 15mg

      Did I read right? Your doctor will not give you anything to run alongside Sertraline? Or did your doctor give you a benzodiazipam?? Sorry I'm a little confused 😕

      I hope your okay xxx

    • GillH35
      GillH35 caroline02334

      Posted

      I went to see a nurse practitioner who specializes in anxiety/depression..this was actioned by my gp...my understanding of his advice was I continue to take a reduced dose of venlofaxine..whilst introducing 50mg of Sertralene..which I did throughout December,..however when I went to my regular gp for further prescription, she was alarmed and said I shouldn't be taking both...so I struggled and only took 50mg of Sertralene...I managed to see my gp for a 5 Minute consult,she uped the Sertralene to 100mg...but as I have realised its like starting from scratch...I am back to see her on the 7 th April...I think I need something alongside to help my depression....I was on 225mg of venlofaxine before any changes..if I don't get any joy I will ask for another referral x thx
  • dodo81786
    dodo81786 Bo99634

    Posted

    Hi Bo , I'm on 100 mg since January 2016

    Due to anixity and depression I can defenetly see improvement but not 100% myself . I will Sudgest to stick with it more it takes for some people up to 6 weeks to see difference . For me it too 10 weeks Hahaaa I know it's so long but that what happened .

    You can tell your doc exactly what you feel and the doc will see what is good for you .

    I shall see my doc after 2 weeks .

  • glenn85919
    glenn85919 Bo99634

    Posted

    If I were you, Bo, if the depression element is not too unbearable, give it another couple of weeks at 100mg. It might just need that litle extra time to work on the depression. It's obviously benefitted your GAD up till now. Steady as she goes. If you're still uncertain after the extra two weeks then maybe it's time to consider increasing the dose. The increase comes with a repeat of the side effects as if you were taking the medication for the first time - as you probably know. Run with it. Let it settle, and see how you feel. It's always a game of patience and sometimes gritting your teeth with these SSRIs. When they work it's worth. Try something else if it doesn't. But go the extra mile. Good luck, Sunshine.
  • Bo99634
    Bo99634

    Posted

    Thanks guys. The depression side is bearable for now. I suspect the best course of action then might be to stay at 100mg for another month or so and see how things go. It might be the case that another ssri alongside sertraline might help. I didn't have any side effects when i went from 50 to 100, although i had the side effects for the first few weeks when i started at 50mg.

    Thanks again, i'll let you know what the Dr says tomorrow

    • Kara88
      Kara88 Bo99634

      Posted

      I too started on 50mg and then after 4 weeks got bumped up to 100mg I feel when I was on 50g my anxiety (GAD) and the way I felt was on top form. But now afew weeks into the 100mg my anxiety has had it ups and downs but my depression has been unbearable and had been thinking some deep and dark thoughts at times. Am starting to think do I need an higher dosage or some total different meds how did you get on at the docs?
    • Bo99634
      Bo99634 Kara88

      Posted

      This sounds exactly the same as me. I told the Dr my anxiety had calmed down a bit but my depression had gotten worse. After a brief chat he suggested upping to the next dose of 150mg. When are you due to see your doctor next? Perhaps try 4 weeks at 150 and see how you get on.
    • Kara88
      Kara88 Bo99634

      Posted

      Am hoping to get an appointment in the next two weeks so will defo suggest it to my doc. Hope it works for you good luck.
  • Bo99634
    Bo99634

    Posted

    Hi guys

    So the doctor decided to up my dose to 150mg and come back to see him in a month. He thinks, as there was some improvement from 50 to 100, another 50 will hopefully make it better. He suggests the depressive element might improve too on a higher dose.

    Here's to hoping there's an improvement

    Thanks guys.

  • Allen52507
    Allen52507 Bo99634

    Posted

    I have been on Zoloft 50mg, and Clonazepam for a little over a month. I never had Anxiety or Panic Attacks until the doctor gave me Lorazepam , then they switched it to clonazepam to tapper it down. I had the complete opposite from the Zoloft, made my Depression worse, couldnt eat, felt like a Zombie, I kept telling them its the Zoloft but they still want me to take it. So, I took it upon myself to lower it one day to .25mg felt a little dizzy. Now Im on day 3 without the zoloft and feel great. Should I keep going? I take Vitamin B Complex and It has helped alot. Never been depressed or had Anxiety, until all of this. ANY OPINIONS
    • caroline02334
      caroline02334 Allen52507

      Posted

      Hello Allen, may I ask why your doctor prescribed Sertaline / Zoloft if you did not suffer with depression or anxiety? Unfortunately the side effects of any SSRI are pretty bad, a month would not have been long enough for you to see any benefit, the non eating, depression, anxiety are just a few of the side effects but this would have got better.As for weaning yourself down to 25mg it's a bit quick, I'm only scared you may come down with a bump and be worse. I'm also hoping this will not be the case and you can sail through weaning yourself off the meds, really you should be doing this with the aid of your doctor.

      I hope your better soon xx

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