On Sertalie 5 weeks tomorrow

Posted , 4 users are following.

Real heavy weight anxiety started this time last year. Battled through but gave up 7 weeks ago and started on Sertraline 5 weeks ago tomorrow. 50 first week, 100 next three and a bit and now on 150.

Suffered with anxiety all my life ( 52) but whats crazy had the biggest battle of my life 5 years ago with cancer , large number of ops , chemo, radiation treatment. My last two Ct scans i was not able to attend the results as just so anxious .

Anyway 5 weeks in and still feel awful and have not been out the house.

it will work in the end , will it ???

kevin

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    everytime you increase the dose you have to reset the clock so to speak and every increase will possibly give you side effects again.

    I feel you are increasing your dose too often and need to wait 4-6 weeks on one dose to see if you start improving.

    I'm on day 6 of sertraline 50mg and my anxiety is the worst it's ever been so well done for sticking with them for so long

    • Posted

      thanks , only following GP instructions, He is coming to see me at home on Friday , will discuss ( if i can, as feel so lousy)

    • Posted

      I know exactly how you feel its bloody horrific isnt it. hopefully he will be able to give you something to help the anxiety until they settle for you x

      most people on here will tell you to stick to your dose longer but if you feel better listening to your gp then do what they tell you. hopefully somone will be along soon who has a bit more experience than me and will be able to give you further support and help x

    • Posted

      that's ok no worries. most of what I've learned has been through people on here so if you do need advice dont hesitate to ask.

  • Posted

    Hi Kevin, it will work but you have jumped through the doses quickly so your body and brain have not been able to adjust. This medication is not like a pain killer, oh god it still hurts, ok here take more! The sooner some Dr's realise this then the better it will be for their patients. However it is what it is for you now and as potatoghost has said it is up to you if you want to go with what your Dr has advised, personally I would go back down to 100, stay there for 6 to 8 weeks and then assess how things are. I hope you find some kind of relief because it sounds like you have been through enough already

    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply. Difficult to know what to do ,just want to feel better.

  • Posted

    Hi Kevin,

    I'm just past week 5 and the anxiety is starting to ease up. I was stuck inside too but have been going for bike rides recently. It does get easier. I'm not where I want to be yet, but others have said it can take longer to feel fully well. I have tried to stick with 50mg, although I was tempted to up the dose when I couldn't see any improvement. Hopefully 50mg will be enough for me, but if you feel you need to up the dose go with what your doctor says. I agree with others, anxiety is a side effect with each dose increase.

  • Posted

    Well GP came round and had a good chat. He felt i should be seeing improvement by now ( perhaps i am , but dont think so) . wants an update in two weeks. Did explain that the mind games are horrid ie think you can see the future and what can go wrong does in your mind. Also he was not persuaded that dose increases in effect reset side effects ie increased anxiety.

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