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Sertraline

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carol39655
carol39655

i started on 50mg Sertraline in Oct, but got really depressed just after Christmas and my GP increased dose 3 weeks ago to 100mg. I felt no better, in fact worse so this week my GP increased it further to 150mg. Im still depressed/ anxious and awful thoughts that scare me. I feel so low all the time, can someone please tell me when the meds will start to work. I'm beside myself . Thank you.

i have side effects too, dry mouth, sweats, diarrhoea each week, panics, anxiety, occasional shaky. 

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Blu02
    Blu02 carol39655

    Posted

    READ THIS, hope it helps!

    Post by Jonsti1972 taken from this link:

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/generics-can-they-make-you-feel-this-bad--28893

    "Hello everyone, I just came across this site and thought I would share my very brief story with you regarding Sertraline and Lustral tablets. I have been suffering from depression for nearly 8 years now and have been, over this period, on Citalopram, Cipralex, Sertraline and another tablet which name has escaped me, but it wasn't within the SSRI family. I have been on Sertraline for well over a year now and, like most people I know, I have my ups and downs but have been getting various brands from differrent (and sometimes the same) pharmacy. I was told to try LUSTRAL once by a pharmacist who I worked with in my local hospital and the difference was remarkable. I spoke with my GP who said that there was absolutely no difference between the generic brand and Lustral, and me being me, took the word of a professional who had my health at the forefront of his mind, and I just went back to whatever brand they could provide at the time.....BIG MISTAKE!! I had been dispensed Lustral (just by chance) by my local pharmacy about 3 months ago and I was on top form, but the next month I went downhill again after asking for Lustral, but being told that they could only dispense that brand if it was stated on the prescription. Again I took their word for it and took the generic tablet.....this left me nearly suicidal, I wascold with everyone, reclusive and just horrible to be around....this was very worrying for me as a single father of 2 girls, 10 and 14. I had NO drive, NO passion, NO feeling, NO emotion, NO empathy....I just wanted to spend every day in the house, which I couldn't do as I couldn't afford to be off work. I went back to my GP and explained the whole situation and LUSTRAL was prescribed.....within 2 days I was getting back to my "normal" self....within the week I was like a different man completely. I have been so good recently that I have been able to ween myself down from 150mg to 100mg daily (and this is normally my bad time of the year). This combined with a couple of counselling sessions has given me hope again that I can start to live a more fulfilling life......The moral of the story is.....IF Lustral works for you at ANY stage....DEMAND IT from your GP.....it is only a cost saving exercise otherwise....and what is better....having to demand something (which may be out of character) or potentially suffering the "side effects" of a generic, non-effective brand?

    I hope that this may give someone else some hope out there.

    Paul"

    • cath72993
      cath72993 Blu02

      Posted

      That's really interesting, I've been on Sertraline since November and had been feeling great, anxiety and feelings of panic had pretty much gone.  Went back to the GP for my rountine appointment and she said wait a few more months before weaning off, but when I collected the prescription it was a different brand.  I started the 'new' tablets on Monday (Same dose) but I have noticed the anxiety is a little bit worse, but don't have the night sweats any more.  I thought I should go back to see if I needed to up my dose as it might just be an up/down thing, but now I wonder if it's due to being a different brand.  I will speak to my doctor and see what she says.  Thanks.

       

  • Weeasy
    Weeasy carol39655

    Posted

    Sorry I can't help you but will he following this post as I was prescribed sertraline 50mg today. All I can say is that has already made me feel sick and given me a headache. My doc said to just persevere. Hope you get a break soon xxx
    • Blu02
      Blu02 Weeasy

      Posted

      Hi Weeasy, as it's only your first day then what you will be experiencing are some side effects, bear with it for at least 4 weeks and see how it goes. You can ask the GP if he has anything to help you over the initial period..... I was prescribed propanalol to help me during the first weeks on Sertraline, it worked great 😃

      Hope you feel better soon

    • Weeasy
      Weeasy Blu02

      Posted

      thanks for your reply. I already have propanolol but was told to stop it all and start this. Might give him a call and ask if I can take the 2 together. Did the propanolol help your sertraline side effects?
    • Blu02
      Blu02 Weeasy

      Posted

      Yes the propanalol were a life saver, I was prescribed 40mg twice a day and they really helped the panic attacks I was getting due to taking the Sertraline. I was taking the two together!
  • natalie06867
    natalie06867 carol39655

    Posted

    hi I am 4 wks 6 day in on 50mg of sertraline and like blu I take propranolol along side at the Mo. my first 2 wks were horrible didn't know what to do with myself but gradually things are getting better. last 3 days good and side affects at Mo are changes in sleep a little night sweat but this is so much easier to bare than anxiety so would take these affects over anxiety any day. my gp said to allow 6 to 8 wks to see a noticeable difference so you may have to give this time from your last increase. I hope you feel well soon. ☺
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