Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi again everyone, I have been on Sertraline for 8 weeks now... 3 on 50mg and 5 on 100mg. My depression is a little better with less ruminating thoughts and my appetite is back but I am still experiencing heightened anxiety. Did anyone else experience heightened anxiety for so long after starting Sertraline?
Thanks, Ed
0 likes, 15 replies
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chris80549 Guest
Edited
Hi Ed
Like you I did get some improvement , like you started 50 then up to 100mg. after 18 months still not good, I was offered to up or try different meds,
Now on Venlafaxine and a lot better.
Trial and error process.
Good Luck
Guest chris80549
Posted
Thanks for the reply Chris, that is funny, I was on Venlafaxine for about 10 years, it worked well, but unfortunately I think it stopped working last year and my symptoms slowly crept back in. Tried increasing the dose but that didn't work. Watch out for early signs of your symptoms returning and treat them ASAP. I didn't and I regret it now! First signs were irritability and low tolerance to stress. Hope you stay well. Thanks, Ed
chris80549 Guest
Posted
Thanks Edd,
I struggled for 40 years and probably if I look back even as a child, hiding it, until I couldn't any more. been on about 4 different meds over the years. And so far this is the best one, although I only started it 23rd Sept.
Im 72 now so
if I get 10 years I will feel thats good. I now want to enjoy my last few years.
Did you know Venlafaxine is a drug that has Seratonian and dopamine.
Sertraline only has Seratonian up take.
Go back to Dr or Mental Health practioner, Im sure there are other drugs similar to Venlafaxine or better.
My Surgery has just set up a dedicate Mental Health Practioner who can issue prescriptions and seem to know more about Mental Health Meds than general Dr.
He was very knowledgable.
On Sertraline I felt a bit better but still very anxious and first couple months side effects really bad. Dr said it usually get worse before better.
Then a family upset knocked me back to bottom.
So I saw Mental Health Practioner and started Ven.
sitting one day after about a month , it was so strange I just felt something lift in my head.
I hope you get sorted and well soon.
Try googling what drug is similar or better than Venlafaxine.
Sorry this is so long a message. I just want to help anyone going through this health prob. wish it was as simple as a broken leg.
Love, light and Healing to all our fellow suffers.
P.S. Forgot to say I paid for some Hypnotherapy/Psychotherapy , she gave me a meditation tape, lovely to help relax and get your thoughts in order, but not as good as Ven.
Guest chris80549
Posted
Thanks Chris,
Sorry to hear you struggled for so long before you got any help. That sounds awful.
Yeah you’re right Venlafaxine works on more neurotransmitters but I was taking it at a low dose, 75mg, where apparently it mainly just works on Serotonin. I tried Mirtazapine which works on more neurotransmitters but it just made me wired! There are some other similar drugs which I will ask about when I see my doctor on Monday.
I hope you continue to make progress and get better
All the best,
Ed
chris80549 Guest
Posted
Hi Edd.
Not sure thats right that 75mg only works on Serotonin.
Because Im only on 75mg, which is two 37.5 and feel a lot better, however, he did tell me if I needed I could take an extra one , . and Max does is 300mg.
I tried Mirtiizine made me too sleepy.
Wishing you well.
Guest chris80549
Edited
There have been several studies that show at 75mg it only affects Serotonin, my psychiatrist was of the same opinion. I would avoid 2 x 37.5 and switch to the 75mg extended release capsules. As the drug has such a short half-life this prevents the peaks and troughs during the day. Get well soon, Ed
chris80549 Guest
Edited
yes, My mental health practioner said they are extended release and to take the 75mg in the morning, but Iv been experimenting myself but he said I can take 3 a day if needed. As 3 is still a very low dose just about 100mg and max is 309mg.
Iv started 23rd Sept so not long.
I very hopeful with this drug, so far so good.
Thanks for coming back to me
Hope you get good results .
Chris
BulldozerMcr Guest
Posted
Of course! Even after 13 weeks! Still early days, it could take more than 12 weeks to level on same dose! It is death slow! I feel I need one more life to wait it out.
BulldozerMcr Guest
Posted
Hi Ed!
Is it much better for you now?
Kind Regards,
B.
Guest BulldozerMcr
Posted
Hi Bulldozer, I am getting better but it is quite slowly. I found that Sertraline, especially the 100 mg, gave me the shakes so about a month ago I switched to Vortioxetine which seems to be pretty good so far. How are things with you? Best wishes, Ed
BulldozerMcr Guest
Posted
Thanks for getting back to me so quick! I am still struggling bad after 8 weeks on 100 and thinking on switching to another med, thanks for the idea, I will look it up, might be better than Sertraline for me too. Good to hear you are improving, get well son! Best wishes!!
Guest BulldozerMcr
Posted
In what way is it not working? Are you not feeling better? Or getting bad side effects?
If it was going to work I think you would see improvement in 8 weeks. You have given it a really good go. If it is making some difference, but you're not completely better, you could consider upping the dose. If it is not working at all, I would try something else.
Get well soon!
BulldozerMcr Guest
Posted
It makes me so ill
Guest BulldozerMcr
Posted
Sorry to hear that mate. That sucks. I would look at switching if the side effects are bad.
c53732 Guest
Edited
2 weeks for me on 25 and 4 weeks on 50. Have just had a couple of better days, not so nauseous or tired but anxiety bad, brain seems to be working overtime. Am told this is normal for sertraline and anxiety does get worse before it gets better. Also told by the pharmacist that sertraline can take longer to work than other antidepressants. People with experience are encouraging me to keep going. Doctor also says to keep going. Hope you can persevere. Best wishes.