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Much difference between 75mg & 100mg?

Posted , 5 users are following.

kikidee76
kikidee76

Hi there,

I'm on my 9th week of sert (started on 25mg, then 50, now 75) and am just wondering whether to increase to 100mg or not. I'm finding it so hard to determine whether or not I'm better on them. I went to a concert at the weekend and my thoughts were all about anxiety, how I was feeling, etc thru the whole thing. It was a bday present for my husband so I forced myself to stay but eventually left with about 4 songs to go.

So I am kind of left thinking, how can any tablet stop me thinking about any particular subject ie. anxiety? I know it's about boosting serotonin but the overthinking can't be helped surely? I am going to counselling but that seems more focused on dealing with panic attacks, whereas in all honesty, I feel it was the sert that caused my first pa.

Sorry to go on, it's just that it was such a huge decision for me to even take sert in the first place and then an even harder call to stick with it thru all the side effects and now I'm feeling, "for what"? I'm so happy for those who say they feel amazing on it, truly I am, I just want that feeling too.

Thanks for reading x

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Rodga321
    Rodga321 kikidee76

    Posted

    Hi Kikidee, i am a similar to you, its been about 6 weeks for me and am now on 50mg...have not really felt any benefit from it yet, and i also had two panic attacks in the beginning, not had one for 20 years!

    Not sure if this is going to help me really...and i dont feel like upping the dose anymore either...it was a big desision to start taking these and i was hoping for some improvement in my life but as yet nothing...

    Rodga 

    • natalie99981
      natalie99981 Rodga321

      Posted

      Rodga I was at least 6-7 weeks before I started to feel a bit better.   I hope that you start to see some improvement in the coming week.   
    • kikidee76
      kikidee76 Rodga321

      Posted

      Hi rodga

      Thx for replying. It's so disappointing isn't it, I was also prescribed propranolol to get me thru the initial increased anxiety from the sert and I'm thinking I've seen more real evidence of that working. Propranolol really does block alot of the physical reactions to anxiety...but it's the overthinking I need help with.

      I'd read lots of comments on here of ppl saying 50mg wouldn't do much, that's why I went up to 75mg, but I'm still not seeing much improvement. I'll probably try 100mg (after xmas so I don't have to deal with any reoccurring side effects) and have a good stint on that but if I see no improvement again will just try to go it alone and maybe take propranolol when needed.

      Hope you see a change soon, or maybe try another ssri?

  • natalie99981
    natalie99981 kikidee76

    Posted

    Not sure how long you have been on the 75 but my dr said you need to give 4-6 weeks with each increase to get full dose.   If it has been that long then I would certainly look at upping it on Drs advice .. A lot of people are on 150 before they are well again.   

    • kikidee76
      kikidee76 natalie99981

      Posted

      Hi natalie, this is my 5th week at 75mg...so hopefully your dr is right smile Thx
  • michelle79784
    michelle79784 kikidee76

    Posted

    Hi

    I know how your feeling, I feel like that all the time. I have a friend coming over to see us and I'm so anxious about it. The worst thing is he's such a lovely guy so I why do I feel so bad. I know it's hard but don't ever feel bad about been anxious, it's the depression that makes you feel like that. Keep taking to your therapist it really does help in the long run. It gets worse before it gets better but trust me it does help. The fact you can talk someone that isn't so close to you really does help. You can tell them things you may find it u hard talking to your husband about. I'm always here if you ever need to talk. 

    I have now come off sertraline and now taking fluxotine. It's hard to know what to suggest, you have to go what you feel is right for you. I have been off work now for 3wks. I am really teary and emotional. I hate the fact I have no control over my emotions at the moment. Hopefully once the new tablets kick in, I will start to feel better. Fingers crossed. Keep talking it really does help. Take care xx

    • kikidee76
      kikidee76 michelle79784

      Posted

      Hi Michelle and thx for replying.

      You're so right about not feeling bad about it all. I seem to carry a lot of guilt and shame with it for some stupid reason. As if any of us would ever do/want all this cr@p! And on top of that, I'm so f***ing bored of it too...I hate thinking about all myself all the time cos I'm not that kind of person. The same dull thoughts over and over, plus I think if I'm bored god knows how boring it must be for my loved ones!!

      I know I should focus on the fact I lasted 20 songs at the concert and only missed 3 or 4, but instead I think of how awful I felt and is this now the quality of my life. Sorry, I'm probably making u feel worse here rolleyes

      My CBT is currently low level and ends soon so I think I'm going to ask for the higher level next, even tho it kind of scares me. My counsellor said u have to try to learn to bring on the anxiety during sessions so u get to a point where u feel u can turn it on and off, ie in total control. Argh!

      Have u had yr hormones, thyroid etc checked? I think us ladies need to keep on top of all that - no matter how pushy we may seem! My peripds stopped avfew yrs back and my gp tried to fob me off so I insisted on seeing a specialist only to find I was going thru a premature menopause at 36. These ppl get paid very well - by us, so why not pester!

      I hope the fluxotine works well for you... I'll cross everything for you. Keep posting. Wishing u peace xxx

    • michelle79784
      michelle79784 kikidee76

      Posted

      Hi kiki,

      dont ever think your making me feel worse, your not. I find it stops me thinking about my problems. Sometimes it does us good to talk someone who understands exactly how you feel. I cannot understand your therapist saying you need to bring on your anxiety to learn to turn it off. Sorry but I disagree. There got to be a better way to try and control. If you do find something works please let me know. Your right the doctors etc are there to help us and we should never feel bad for asking for it. Even though its not easy sometimes. I am suppose to be back at work monday but I am dreading it, everytime I think about it I could cry. I think deep down I know im not ready to go back yet. Don't know what to do. Xx

    • kikidee76
      kikidee76 michelle79784

      Posted

      I know, I thought that re: what the counsellor said. I've read an awful lot on the subject and have never heard of that approach. I did kind of get the impression she was slightly trying to put me off requesting it anyway as there's a long waiting list already but I definitely will.

      Of course I'll share if I ever learn of strategies/ways to control this...we're all in this together.

      Have u been signed off work by your dr? If so, can u go back and ask for another note? I've found mine to be very helpful in this regard. I think as long as yr showing effort on yr part ie. meds and therapy, gp's and employers are generally supportive. Do whatever u can to take added stress away, yr health's too important xxx

    • Gus41
      Gus41 kikidee76

      Posted

      Just realized that is only for my area. I'm not sure where you live but there are these organisations all over the UK doing great work
    • michelle79784
      michelle79784 Gus41

      Posted

      Thank you gus, im trying. Its really nice to talk to people that understands what im going through. Have found it helpful. Thank you. C
  • Gus41
    Gus41 kikidee76

    Posted

    Hi kikidee,

                  I have only little use and experience of Sert but got told by my Dr that adults on anything less than 100mg is pretty much not going to do what is needed, however the dose does need to be GRADUALLY  be increased. Go to 100mg and see what happens eh?

    Best of luck smile

    • kikidee76
      kikidee76 Gus41

      Posted

      Thx for your reply Gus. Yea I think considering it goes up to 200mg, maybe at least 100mg in terms of working, does make sense. I don't see the point in coming this far with it, investing 9 wks, and ditching it now makes any sense when it possibly could be the little tweak that's needed. Thx again, wishing u well smile
  • Gus41
    Gus41 kikidee76

    Posted

    For me the worst part was having to go back to the GP and constantly keep having to bear my soul and re-open those old wounds, that is why I stopped taking sert.

    Guess I'm not very good at pouring out my heart.

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