I've been on 50mg sertraline for 26 days (nearly4 weeks)

Posted , 5 users are following.

My question is how long does it take to be anxiety free?? I still get abit of anxiety but not as bad as what it was! All my side effects r gone and gave been fir a while now, but I still have anxiety now and again, I just wondered how long it has taken for people??

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Vikki, at nearly 4 weeks I'd started to feel better.... I'm just over 6 weeks now and feel really good but beware of changing brands when you get your next lot, it can have an adverse effect!

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/different-types-of-sertraline--338186

    • Posted

      Thanx for the reply blu, so by now I should start to feel better?? I have had bad flu for over a week so it might be that that has made me take a step bk as for 3 days prior to getting the flu I was feeling great, I will def stick with it but just wanted other peoples  duration of how long it took x
  • Posted

    Hi vikki2303,

    Actually no medication can take away all of our anxiety or depression, but give us a boost in the right direction. Therapy helps along with the meds and teaching ourselves relaxation breathing techniques helps too.

    I know it is tough to change behaviors and thought patterns, but it is worth the effort. I hope you will find your happy medium.

    Regards,

    Dawn

  • Posted

    The sertraline isnt going to completely rid you of anxiety. You will still get a bit of anxiety from time to time. The sertraline is there to get you to a place where you can confront your anxiety issues. Sertraline shouldnt be thought of as a long term solution.
  • Edited

    Hi Vikki

    It can take up to six weeks, but persevere as it does work.  I have been on Sertraline for more years than I can remember and it has the least side effects of any of the anti-depressants.  Only down side is that my feelings are not the same as in a sad film comes on and I do not cry, my husband says I have a swinging brick but funny thing is if film is about an animal I cry buckets!! Not sure what to take out of that.  I wondered if you had read any books on Depression, if not I have a few to recommend to you. The first is titled "The Curse of the Strong", best book I have ever read about Depression, author is Dr Tim Cantopher.  In this book he touches on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a few years ago after having a complete nervous breakdown due to stress at my office, I was recommended by the Job Centre to go see a therapist, I was not keen, having gained my COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills in 2002.  However I went along and it really does work, as in you really can change how you think.   Its all about how your thoughts are constantly racing all day and how you can teach yourself not to do this.  I struggled at first but then managed to master the technique 1) as soon as negative thoughts come into your mind - You change them right away to something which makes you happy.  2) Realise that ok there are things in life which are not perfect, but hey ho there are lots of things which are so good.  I tried to channel my thoughts different ways, a bad thought would flash through my head and straight away I changed it to the day my grandson was born and how elated I felt.

    This may all sound like hard to achieve, but try it it definately works.

    PS to go along with the book on Depression  by Dr Cantopher, get a copy of Dr Stephen Briers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Second Edition.  My advice is to read Dr Cantopher first then progress to the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy book.  Good luck, if it means anything I have found that Depression and Anxiety usually happen to strong and capable people, eg. Mozart the composer suffered badly as did Spike Milligan.  regards rotweiler

    • Posted

      Thankyou so much for your positive reply. It has really opened my eyes to thinking positive when a bad thought comes. So thankyou for that x
  • Posted

    Hi Vikki, I would agree that it took me about 4 weeks to start to feel the benefits, however through the last 10months I have felt better and better as time has gone on, I love Sertraline (Lustral) it is the best treatment I have had and now can do my job better and I am generally much more chilled, I hope it helps you too. Kate

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