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Dose increased from 50 to 100 and feel worse

Posted , 7 users are following.

ang27952
ang27952

Hello everyone.

ive just joined up today to try and get some advice, if that's ok.

i started sertraline in May for depression...50mg. Very few side effects and my mood improved tremendously. I had energy and no longer felt like a slug. Still didn't really want to go outside in my free time, but felt better at work. However, had terrible trouble sleeping...especially waking up throughout the night...some nights only 2 hours sleep etc. Doctor upped dosage to 100mg, which I started 11 days ago. On the first day, was so full of beans I cleaned the house top to bottom. Still don't want to go outside. But...last 2 days low mood has returned and no energy...been in bed most of today. I am sleeping better at night. I guess my question is, will my mood improve again...should I just give it more time? And will my energy come back? I loved being in a good mood again, and I am gutted that I feel worse after upping the dosage. Thank you in advance x

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Minicoop31
    Minicoop31 ang27952

    Posted

    Hi there, they do say u will feel worse before u feel better which is not really want u want to hear when u feel crap already! I started on 50mg then went to 100mg but felt it was to much so I went to 50mg one day then 75mg the next day and kept going like that. I felt the first 2 weeks was the worst but I'm still feeling not my self yet. If u are not feeling great speak to your doc. It all just seems to take so long when u feel rubbish. Xx
    • ang27952
      ang27952 Minicoop31

      Posted

      Thank you for replying. Might give it  the 14 days then make appointment if no better, seeing as though first 2 weeks were worst for you. Thing is, I really felt great on 50mg....was just not sleeping. Hope you start to feel more like yourself very soon x 
    • Minicoop31
      Minicoop31 ang27952

      Posted

      If u felt better but it was just the sleep that was the problem could the doc not have advised you on somthing that could of helped with that? It's seems a shame to go back to feeling crap after you have gone so far in feeling better. Hope you can get it all sorted. And thanks I hope I feel my self again soon to! X
    • ang27952
      ang27952 Minicoop31

      Posted

      If I do go back, will suggest something along those lines. thanks, Minicoop31! X 
  • e37242
    e37242 ang27952

    Posted

    Hi!  It sometimes takes a while to get the dosage right.  Don't give up with your doctor adjusting levels and maybe changing meds.

    That being said, most of the people On this forum have finished taking an antidepressant and are struggling with the strong side effects withdrawing. That is our agony. Doctors don't tell you about this. It's not exactly addicting but has withdrawing side effects often more serious than the presenting problem you started with.  Look up SSRI Discontinuance Syndrome and be informed.

    • ang27952
      ang27952 e37242

      Posted

      Thank you. Doctor says I have to stay on them for at least a year, as it is my second episode...refused ADs during the first, as I had heard lots of stories. However, glad I went on them, as 50mg made me feel much more my old self. Will do as you say and get informed, but don't want to come off just yet x 
    • e37242
      e37242 ang27952

      Posted

      Whatever your doctor says.  I was on 50 mg for many years. Good luck 😊
  • Tezes
    Tezes ang27952

    Posted

    I stuck to 50 mg and have been good on that dose, they can distrupt your sleep pattern so I took them at breakfast time which helped. A pharmacist will advise on best time to take them to limit the effect on your sleep. Upping the dose doesn't make sense if you were ok on 50, surely a higher dose will affect your sleep more ?

    good luck

    • ang27952
      ang27952 Tezes

      Posted

      Doc said lack of sleep could either be the sertraline...in which case stop....or the depression...in which case increase dose. I take mine at breakfast too. Hoping it will sort itself out, or, as Minicoop suggested, go back and ask for 50mg and something to sleep.

      thanks for the advice...happy they working for you x

  • Minicoop31
    Minicoop31 ang27952

    Posted

    I also take mine in the morning after food. I have to agree that upping the dose does sound a bit odd as u were doing so well on 50mg. If it was me I would speak to the doc. I think I should just move in to my docs I'm in there so much asking things! Lol xx
  • karen261
    karen261 ang27952

    Posted

    hi ang

    did you say taking 100mg sertraline from taking 50mg of sertraline makes you sleep better. cos im on 50mg of sertraline been on it for 2 years, was ok for about a year and a half, now im not sleeping on it, am taking zopiclone to help me sleep. im sure you will better on it soon. hope you do.

    • ang27952
      ang27952 karen261

      Posted

      Thank you, Karen. Yes...sleeping better on higher dose but mood and energy worse. Finger crossed it'll straighten out. Is zopiclone good?
  • diane42874
    diane42874 ang27952

    Posted

    Hi, I've had a similar problem to you. I was on 50mg for 3 months that took the edge off my depression but, g.p thought I needed to increase to 100mg as this is the 3rd bout of depression. Felt great for the first two weeks and then really bad anxiety hit hard. I was on the higher dose for 6 weeks when I had to see a different g.p who said straight away the dosage was too high and reduced it back down to the 50mg which was 2 weeks ago.  I felt alot better within days and this is my first week back at work and I've coped although I'm tired { I had 7 weeks off work }. So maybe have a word with your g.p about the dosage. 3/4 weeks ago I thought i would never get out of the big black hole but, I feel like I'm on an even keel. I,m also sleeping better now although I still have amazing dreams . I also take my medication in the morning and always have done although it takes me a little while to get going. Anyhow goodluck and I hope you feel better soon.
    • ang27952
      ang27952 diane42874

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice Diane...think going back to the GP is the best idea. Glad you are feeling better x 
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