changing my sertraline dose?

Hi lauren1206

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Patient

Hi there, I have been threw this myself in the past. If it’s been nearly 2 months taking your Sertraline, it may be best to up the dose. The main thing is to give the meds time to work. have you tried counselling as well? It really helped me.

After a while on the meds i started to feel better. After 5 months I felt more like me. 

Went back to work and another 6 months after, I slowly came off the meds. 

I am on 150 mg  now as the last few years have been tough. But I now have mostly good days. It will get tougher but it does get better. Keep your head up and talk/ write about how you feel. 

It can be a very scary place but you will get threw it. God bless 

 

Hi Lauren

I was in a bad place 15 months ago I originally started on 50 m and after a few months went up to 100m .it does work so hang in there I know when your going through that its not easy.

I also find group therapy and CBG very good also mindfullness helps.

You are not alone . It's ok not to feel ok.

Hi Lauren

I started on 50mg for 3 weeks and when my doctor advised increasing the dosage to 100mg, like you I was reluctant to do so as I had pretty awful side effects.  However, also like you I didn't feel 50mg was working.

You are taking these meds for a very good reason and sertraline is one of the best. How about doing what I did.... I increased to 75mg for 5 days, and when I didn't feel any significant change in side effects I increased to 100mg.  After 10 days of being on 100mg I noticed a remarkable improvement in my mood.

My doctor says she considers 50mg to be the maintenance dose, you will need to increase it to have any real effect.  Also bear in mind that some of your symptoms are probably your condition rather than the sertaline side effects because clearly the sertraline hasn't kicked in yet.

I really think you should increase the dosage.

Good luck.

Hi Lauren ,

I think you should increase your dose . I started on 50mg then 100 and the last 3 months I am on 150 mg. finally the 150 was the right dose for me .

Do not be afraid of the side effects, they only last a couple of days . In the beginning you might feel worse ( only for a few days) and then you will feel a lot better !

You are not alone!

I was first prescribed 50mg of sertaline and started having quite bad headaches (which is common) then my doctor put me on 100mg in my opinion the stronger the dosage the more side effects and stronger they are. I'm only 21 but everyone's different my advice is go back and ask for a more suitable anti depressant that's suited for you, sertaline is such a common med as a starting point but don't be scared of it, apart from the side effects they're there to help you and in the long run they will.. I have days where I cry non stop, feel sick etc but I see a change in myself also so they must be doing something. Trust me though, you're not alone x