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How long to give sertraline?

Posted , 2 users are following.

Lotty30
Lotty30

I have been on 100mg sertraline for 5 1/2 weeks and although I feel a little better, I am nowhere near where I want to be. I have increased anxiety at times and spent a weekend in tears, when is this going to end? Have I given this dose long enough and should I increase or switch altogether?!! This all started in June when I was struck down with a bad virus and have not felt the same since.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Tonyag
    Tonyag

    Posted

    Lotty hang in there with the meds. I often pray to God to help me recover quickly. He always keeps his word. Read Psalm 91 if you have access to a BIBLE. When we experience these evil things God wants to help is out of it. Talk to him like you talked to me. Let me know what you feel

    like. Tonyag

  • rob74885
    rob74885

    Posted

    Hi Lotty, 51/2 weeks is a long time that you havent seen a big change. I also stuck it out on 150mg day in day out for 4 weeks hoping things would change. I also suffered from increased anxiety, and felt very down. Then yesterday I went to my Doctor and told him I could go on feeling like this and he changed me to Seroquel. So what I am trying to say is you have given sertraline long enough, time to get another opinion, your Doctor has a duty to help you. Let me know what happens. Rob
  • Lotty30
    Lotty30

    Posted

    Thanks guys for your replies, very comforting. I have been told it can take 6-8 weeks before they work for some people so Im not sure if I should hang tight for a week or two??? I have been on them before at 50mg and was so happy!! Life can be tough sometimes, tired of not really feeling emotions like I used to, my poor bf has been amazing but not sure how much more he can take!!
  • rob74885
    rob74885

    Posted

    Hi Lotty, 6 to 8 weeks is a long time. But if you set yourself a time limit, for example say set yourself 8 weeks and you are still not feeling much better then talk to your doctor on changing to new medication. This means you will have to go through another 2 1/2 weeks of hell. Talk to your bf and tell him you have a serious illness, and that you need his support especially during the next 3 weeks. But, if you start feeling like you cant cope, cant get up, face the world, thinking suicidal thoughts then go to your doctor as soon as possible. I sympathise with you, depression is a terrible affliction, and in my opinion worse than any other disease. The inner pain is too aweful. From what I can make out you have been strugling since June, and maybe the 50mg just sorted out the underlying depression. Maybe from then you should of been treated with stronger meds. If you seeing a GP, then its time that you see a Psychiatrist. 100mg is a high dose, but you still have up to 200mg to play with, but most dont prescribe more than 150mg. There are better and more effective forms of medication on the market, but at a higher cost.Look after yourself, Rob
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