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Nearly on week 6 of sertraline feeling worse

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chelsea54783
chelsea54783

hi guys ive been on sertraline 6 weeks on tuesday 2 weeks on 50mg and nearly 4 weeks on 100mg, feeling like a bit of a lost cause the anxiety and intrusive thoughts have got a lot worse and worsened low mood, is this nornal has it happened to anyone else or is it time to change meds? even my psychatrist doesnt know what to do so that doesnt fill me with hope either has anyone else got any positive outcomes from being worse at week 6?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • karin88115
    karin88115 chelsea54783

    Posted

    Hi. Yes, week 6/7 were horrendeous for me too. Seemed every side effect came back. But I have an amazing doctor and she prescribed valium to get me through those rough days and so I wouldnt give up. Around week 10 I thought...wow..I actually am feeling not too bad and by week 12/13, I really felt like I had turned a corner. Im now 9 months on sertraline and just crusing along beautifully. Still have the odd anxiety and considering I do suffer from severe panic disorder....a few little blips are to be expected. But honestly, I look at what I went through...numerous hospital visits with uncontrollable panic and anxiety, not leaving the house, not being able to drive, totally unsociable. Now I really can do anything. I just came back from housesitting in New Zealand. So please, dont give up. it does take a long while. theres no quick fix. its a very very slow working drug. But looking back at my journal.....week 6/7 ...well, I dont even like to think about it...it was bad. BUT it gets better. believe me. Being patient is so hard but keep telling yourself that every day is a day closer to feeling so much better. all the best x

    • chelsea54783
      chelsea54783 karin88115

      Posted

      thank you so much Karen thats definately something i needed to read this morning after seeing a lot of negative forums etc, i think it made me feel worse and started to think should i change meds but if it took you 10 weeks i think i need to push through again, i do have valium which does help tremendously but im scared i will never have days without needing to take it! what did you do week 6-7 to get through the awful tough time, im currently lying in bed not sure what to do! thank you for the reply xx

    • karin88115
      karin88115 chelsea54783

      Posted

      hi. yes i was put straight onto 100mg unfortunately. I think the doctors in the hospital got that wrong. I stuck it out for 12 weeks. the side effects were brutal. then i dropped to 75mg and stayed there for a month then down to 50mg. All being supervised by my own doctor. felt fantastic on 50 so thats where i am now. Everyones magic dose is different and it took a while to find mine. I get slightly anxious every now and then but just normal stuff. and no panic attacks for months. I would make myself get out of bed each day. very hard to do. Did lots of knitting, colouring in, things to keep me motivated, Would sit outside in the sun and meditate. Its not a journey i ever want to go on again. But you will get there. Promise xx

    • chelsea54783
      chelsea54783 karin88115

      Posted

      did you feel no better after 12 weeks on 100? just thats what i am on and i too feel like its a bit too much but its hard to tell whether it is or whether its just taking me a long time to feel better or whether i need to increase it even my psychiatrist doesnt know because its all trial and error did you do all of that for 12 weeks pushing yourself? i feel with mine i have to be constantly moving and agitated i cant keep still xx

    • karin88115
      karin88115 chelsea54783

      Posted

      Hi Chelsea. No I felt a lot better but the only side effect that was lingering was the lightheadedness and dizziness and I really struggled with that. Stopped me from doing a lot of things. So my doctor said reduced to 75mg which I did with no trouble at all but still had dizziness. So went down to 50mg and it was...boom..like magic....dizziness totally gone. So to me, 50mg is my magic dose. But I know some people need more. I never had depression. Just a severe panic disorder that hit me out of nowhere. Ended up being hospitalised 3 times with it. I am 64 years old so they were worried about the age/health/heart thing. But honestly, I really do feel pretty damm good right now. I tried CBT for a while and it helped me, especially with driving. But I just plodded along, getting through each day. I used to sit outside in the sunshine and do colouring in books..the ones by Johanna Bansford are wonderful. SO theraputic. And I also did enough knitting to clothe a small country!!!!! But work out what it best for you. It may take some time. Are you also on the Facebook Zoloft support page? It helped me so much. I dont think I coud have got through it all without the support of the friends I had on there who were going through the same thing.

      I hope today is a good one for you. Each day is getting closer to feeling better. x

  • Dazfoxy530
    Dazfoxy530 chelsea54783

    Posted

    Hi, the sert takes a long time to work, I can honestly say about 12 weeks for me. I was too really bad though, ramdom panic attacks, chest pain derealization moments. Get booked for cbt too that will really help. Mine is just starting next week after a 4 month wait NHS. Keep fighting on, you will get better.

    • chelsea54783
      chelsea54783 Dazfoxy530

      Posted

      thank you Daz did you find that it made you feel worse initially? what did you do to cope during the 12 weeks? some days i cant even get out of bed! im on the waiting list for cbt hoping to be seen in the next few weeks thank you for your response!

    • Dazfoxy530
      Dazfoxy530 chelsea54783

      Posted

      Well my anxiety was so bad it was a job to know what was anxiety or a side effect. The doc gave me a short dose of zoplicone to help sleep and then diazepam. Then thankfully the sert started to work. I had to push the doc for diazepam but it helped through the worse.

    • chelsea54783
      chelsea54783 Dazfoxy530

      Posted

      thats what my psychiatrist said he doesnt know whether its a side effect or the anxiety ive just came out of a mother and baby unit was in there for 9 weeks in total, feel no better infact worse so it looks like im going to have to ride it out! what dose were you on? thank you

    • Dazfoxy530
      Dazfoxy530 chelsea54783

      Posted

      Hey, I started on 50mg back in December 18, then upped eventually to 150mg. Once you get the right dose

      And it settles, you will feel the benefit

      Its just a long rd, but hang in there. 😊

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