1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

Help! Sertraline for 4 weeks...

Posted , 4 users are following.

ella02879
ella02879

Hi all, 

I’m in need of some serious reassurance.

I have been taking 50mg for a month. The first 2 weeks were horrendous and ended up having to go home to my parents and be babied by them.

The third week, although constantly checking my mood, I had some relief.

However, this 4th week, the anxiety is not too bad but the depression has returned in full force.

I guess I would love to know your stories and wether this is normal.

It is such an isolating illness.

Thank you,

Ella

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • heather50974
    heather50974 ella02879

    Posted

    Yes it sounds totally (unfortunately) normal. What are you doing to get your mind off your mind? When I was in the first horrendous six weeks of Sertraline I took up yoga, saw a therapist, took a pottery class, ....anything to try to help myself feel better. At the 8-9 we mark I turned a corner and suddenly wasn’t obsessing about how I was feeling every second of the day. It is true that although the anxiety may quiet down the depression can get louder. Keep on going along and you will get there I promise. I started Sertraline 10/21/17 and I have felt great for a while now. It all levels out and you become you again. All my best.
    • ella02879
      ella02879 heather50974

      Posted

      Hi Heather,

      I really appreciate this, thank you!

      I have joined the gym and been going to classes which I have seen some benefit from.

      However, as I am a student I have a lot of free time (half term) at the moment. This defiantly doesn’t help. 

      Worried I’ll be like this forever. I know that is just the depression talking. It just feels very real.

      Thanks, 

      Ella

  • lawrence71261
    lawrence71261 ella02879

    Posted

    I'm in the same boat. I am going into week 6 and having similar problems. I, like many on here, have had to take some anti anxiety meds to help cope. At the moment I tend to have a reasonable day followed by a shocker. I'm persevering though given most people on here say it's worth it in the end. You're so right about it being isolating, you feel too bad to get out and do the things you enjoy, a vicious circle. Keep strong & we'll all get through this.

    • ella02879
      ella02879 lawrence71261

      Posted

      Hi Lawrence,

       Thank you for the reply! We are all going through this together.

      Do you have both depression and anxiety? My anxiety has calmed but this almost makes it worse as I don’t get anxious when I have negative thoughts making me worry that I truly feel them rather than just being anxious I will. If this makes sense.

      Thanks! Hope you feel better soon!

      Ella

    • lawrence71261
      lawrence71261 ella02879

      Posted

      I do have depression and anxiety, yes. At the moment the meds are making both worse. I see you're managing to get to the gym - that's brilliant. I'd love to go to the gym, but I just feel too rough at the moment. Another vicious circle! Keep battling, & keep giving updates.

    • ella02879
      ella02879 lawrence71261

      Posted

      Hi Lawrence,

      How are you feeling today?

      I’m still not feeling too good but slept!

      Ella 

    • lawrence71261
      lawrence71261 ella02879

      Posted

      Hi Ella,

      Good to hear you slept. Sadly I woke up at 0330 this morning. As if the days aren't long enough when like this! I think the insomnia is the thing I hate the most. Still, I had a doctors appointment this morning, & it was good to talk about it, so felt better for that. She was surprised I was still having side effects 6 weeks in, but these forums have shown me that's very common.

      Let's keep strong!

    • ella02879
      ella02879 lawrence71261

      Posted

      Hi Lawrence, 

      Sorry to hear you didn’t sleep! Let’s hope for a better night tonight. 

      I’m glad talking to your doctor helped, did you up your dose or remain the same?

      Ella x

  • Coolhandnico
    Coolhandnico ella02879

    Posted

    Hi Ella,

    Are you on any other medication?

    I’m finishing up week 2 right now and my major symptoms seem to have subsided. The insomnia isn’t nearly as bad and the anxiety attacks/depression waves I do get don’t seem nearly as bad because I’m able to control my thoughts a little bit better and confront my problems as opposed to that instantly run away feeling. I think that’s something we have to exercise early on with this medication so as we feel better our will gets stronger. However, I’m also the kinda person that has severely sprained every bone in his body on different occasions and refused to go to the doctor. I am worried that this feeling small feeing of relief is temporary since it’s still early on. Keep us updated. Feel better.

    • ella02879
      ella02879 Coolhandnico

      Posted

      Hi Coolhandnico,

      My insomnia and appetite returned after 2 weeks and I was having good and bad days. I was able to leave the house. However, I appear to have gone backwards a little. apparently this is normal and at least we both had some effect! I may need to go up or wait it out longer. Will keep you informed. My anxiety is reduced, it’s just the lingering depression and horrible instructive thoughts. 

      Thanks,

      Ella

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.