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Sertraline advice

Posted , 5 users are following.

KatieJ70
KatieJ70

I've now been on Sertraline for about 12 weeks (50mg for 8 weeks then 75mg for 4) and disappointingly I have had no improvement in OCD/anxiety. I am reluctant to increase the dose as if it doesn't help it will just be harder to come off. Can anyone please tell me if they had no improvement before increasing to more than 75mg or should I of felt a small benefit already if Sertraline was going to help me at all. Thanks.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • bob28956
    bob28956 KatieJ70

    Posted

    I'm not expert yet as I've only been on 50mg for 4 weeks, but since you've technically only been on a new dose for 4 weeks I believe you should maybe wait another 2 weeks to see if you get the full effect.

    • KatieJ70
      KatieJ70 bob28956

      Posted

      Thanks for replying, I will give it a few more weeks and see..
  • Hoopz
    Hoopz KatieJ70

    Posted

    Personally I felt dreadful most of the time until I reached 100mg. I did feel improvement as far as panic attacks stopped but my anxiety was horrendous. I also had very low energy to the point where I would feel like I couldn't breath after doing the most basic things....baths/ showers were horrific leaving me on the floor wrapped in towels doing deep breathing before I could get dressed. I however persevered and slowly upped my dose to 150mg. Wow!! What a difference. I'm not 100% but am back at work after being off for about 8 months. I myself went through all the side effects ..the worse probably being uncontrollable diorrhea in the mornings..yuck! This was so bad I ended up at the hospital having a colonoscopy..Which was clear!!

    The big question is " Do I increase or decrease" it's difficult ..all I can say is that 75mg is pretty low. I would increase and see how you feel after a couple of weeks. If it works you will be so glad you carried on. Speak to your doctor and good luck

    🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

    • Jax91
      Jax91 Hoopz

      Posted

      Hi hoopz,

      Good vibes from reading your post, I have times when I keep thinking is it worth it. I have been off work for 3 and half weeks now, but if you managed to go back after 8 months I can see that I will go back at some point too.

    • KatieJ70
      KatieJ70 Hoopz

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, I've had stomach problems too.. I will probably up the dose after next doctors appointment in a couple of weeks. Like you say It will be worth persevering if it helps eventually and I may need a higher dose.

  • Hoopz
    Hoopz KatieJ70

    Posted

    Increase really slowly. 25mg at a time. Some people on here seem to have doctors who think it's ok to increase people far too quickly which can be god damned awful as far as side effects go.. I do not suffer from OCD although I caught myself washing and lining up my mother's fridge magnets once when I was on 75mg !! not sure if that counts.

    Seriously this is a very slow working drug and the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like months. Especially if you are off work

    Here is a list of things I found useful whilst trying to reach the light at the end of my tunnel. I apologise if any of these things sound obvious.!!

    1. Increase slowly

    2.Eat

    3. Sleep....if you can't then ask doc for phenerghan..won't leave you drowsy the next day.

    4. Paracetamol if you have headache/pain...NO IBUPROPHEN

    nb...apparently no Sudafed either.

    5. Take med at the same time every day

    6. Try to go outside..even if its just into the garden

    7. Practice deep breathing...Google

    " How to stop a panic attack in 3 minutes"..it's amazing and it works

    8. Get your bloods checked..Especially for vit D...again interesting Google reading on the effects of vit D deficiency.

    9. Exercise...( I'm rubbish at this)

    10. Watch some comedy..back to back Vicar of Dibley and Absolutely Fabulous helped me more than you would believe. ..LAUGHING IS VERY GOOD FOR YOU....and crying.lol

    11. Drink tons of water

    12. Cut down on coffee..esp at night

    13.keep reading and posting on here.

    14. Ask for counselling. I had some phone counselling cos I couldn't leave the house.

    15. Write a To Do list every day and try to cross things off. Can be little things..ie..sort out sock drawer lol..if you don't achieve then put on the next days list.

    May the force be with us all..you will get there..anxiety is a terrible illness and unless you've suffered with it it's very very hard to understand.( even some doctors!!)

    🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

    • KatieJ70
      KatieJ70 Hoopz

      Posted

      Thanks for all the tips, I am or have done all of them.. In regards to Vit D, I've just had an expensive private blood test done through a nutritionalist to check Vitamin levels Etc so hoping something positive will come from that, I am able to work still otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford it.. Thanks again.

    • joe41529
      joe41529 Hoopz

      Posted

      Hey Hoopz, I'm just jumping in to say thank you for that list, I'm sort of in the same boat as Katie, and you have some great suggestions that I am going to try!! 

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