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Sertraline 50mg Week 3 - will it get better?

Posted , 4 users are following.

AX23
AX23

I've been on Sertraline 50mg for 3 weeks now and although there is clear improvement in my ability to go about daily life, I can't help but feel disheartened by the fact I'm still having lots of downs with the ups. I got diagnosed with GAD when my anxiety reached an all time high 3 months ago. Over the past few weeks I have probably had around half the days as 'good' days, so to speak, where I've felt comfortable, relaxed and happy, but after every few good days, I then seem to have a few bad days - I feel sad, anxious again and end up staying in bed. I know it's only been three weeks, but I thought the Sertraline would have settled in my system now? It's making me think I'm not compatible with this medication if I'm having so many ups and downs. It's hard to ignore the negative thoughts and feelings on the bad days I must admit. Any advice or personal experiences would be appreciated. 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • rstep04
    rstep04 AX23

    Posted

    Im on week 2 and having no good days so I think stick with it I'm fed up with switching so going to stick with it but feel absolutely terrible from the minute my eyes open at 5am every morning
  • Guest
    Guest AX23

    Posted

    Stick with it for 3 months at least; sertraline takes weeks for a dose to take full effect on body physiology (it isn't like an aspirin where the medicine itself is the cure); However, I think from experience you should consider psychological support or counsiling also, as this drug is only one part of the solution, usually.

    Are you able to discuss this with your doctor also? I know some are better than others.

    • AX23
      AX23 Guest

      Posted

      I have had a 6 week course of CBT which just came to an end this week, but I'm now realising I probably need some longer term therapy so I will most definitely be looking into that. So you would say the ups and downs are a normal part of the process then? The annoying thing is, is that I know myself it'll be a tough old time adjusting but it's just sometimes hard to think that way when in the middle of a right downer! Thanks for your responses, they are truly appreciated.
    • Guest
      Guest AX23

      Posted

      It is so hard to offer much other than support. Everyone starts on SSRI's for different reasons, and results and side effects are different. Personally I've even found differences myself with starting at 50mg, then up to 100mg, almost like a completely different drug and side effects, then down to 50mg after 1 1/2 years and now to 25mg and side effects gone and still feeling good.

      Even with that (success?) still not sure what caused or helped the good feelings? I think just stick with treatments, communicate with your Dr. and family/friends, and give some time for med changes to work .. but if anxiety is just too much, there are other short-term options to help with that. This helped with me, a short term 4 week on clonazepam was a life changer, and managed to keep positive after weaning off that. Keep at it, you're not alone.

    • AX23
      AX23 Guest

      Posted

      Well support is more than enough. I know I've never been so grateful for so much help, so much so that it's changed me into a much more appreciative person. 

      Thank you for the help, I hope you continue beating your anxiety! 

  • angela2014
    angela2014 AX23

    Posted

    Give up now, stay in bed, or if it's too late, take as long as you need to get off the damn stuff.... It is OK, to be a normal human, and take weeks out, now and again.  Distract yourself, every little thing you do will be hard, Pamper yourself.  Get over the feeling you have to fit right back into society and "act normal"... take time out.  Go to any groups you can drag yourself to.  Be kind to yourself. Apologies.  Been on the merry go round of drugs for 18 years, and now realise how addictive they are.  Give up before you start.  Or else in 18 years you will end up in bed, with a bigger downer than now, suffering all the illnesses that come with these drugs.  
  • clarkio
    clarkio AX23

    Posted

    I had the exact same symptoms as you, GAD which would be ok for about 4-5 days and then would dip down again for a similar period.  This went on for months whilst trying Mirtazapine.

    Switched to Sertraline about 7 weeks ago and have slowly upped to 50mg which I've now been on for 4 weeks.  It's definetly helped me.  I would say about weeks 4 - 6 were where I really felt it was starting to work to the point where now I'm having any really bad days and the days where I do get a touch of anxiety it's more of a annoying physical symptom than anything else.

    I would say I'm 80% better and I'm giving it until the New Year to see if I think I need to up to 75mg or 100mg.  Why don't you try the same, you say you've felt some imrovement so why not give it to the New Year and see how you feel then.

    When it works it's such a relief to have your mind step down from it's state of high alert constanttly checking how you feel.

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