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Sertraline don't be scared it works with the right dosage.

Posted , 81 users are following.

ilda1982
ilda1982

Hi all, for nearly 3yrs I was on sertraline, at the beginning it was awful. Dizziness, lack of interest, mood swings tired loss of appetite throwing up headaches and so on. I started at 25mg till we found the right dosage for me and that was 150mg. At this stage I was ok no anxiety, no panic attacks no fear no suicidal thoughts none of what I felt before. All of that was gone. I was me again. I felt good. When I started I was 58kg went down to 42kg had to wear kids cloths. Once I found the right dosage and started feeling good again I had everything back including my weight. Last year because I was feeling good I decided to stop it. My Gp told me it was too soon but I heard so much about the tablets I just wanted to stop them.

After a few wks I realised was to soon and asked my Gp to put me back on them. So I'm back on them and this time I went up very quickly. I started straight at 50mg then 100 then 150 and back to 200mg. I promise you it's worth going through all this side effects because after you will feel good again. This is my positive story to all of you. I really really hope it works for all of you as it did for me. Any questions please ask I will answer. Best of luck to all of you stay strong fight don't give up your friend ILDA xxx

29 likes, 230 replies

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  • Dadoo
    Dadoo ilda1982

    Posted

    I can't tell you how good that feels to hear!!! Went cold turkey from 40mg of flouroxtine straight on to 50mg of ser. Never been so scared😕my nerves are shot to pieces. Headaches.jawache.tension pain in my neck back and shoulders and my sleep is all over the place!! I am on week 3 and today is the first day I felt not normal but not as anxious. I can't wait to get to were your are!!!! Thanks for sharing.xx
    • ilda1982
      ilda1982 Dadoo

      Posted

      Hi dadoo, I'm sorry I haven't been here for a long time to reply to all of you. I've lost so many things this past months and went through a lot since Christmas...but glad to say I'm back and if I can help anyone I'm here. I will be on most of the time to answer.

      Xxx ilda

    • emma800627
      emma800627 ilda1982

      Posted

      Ilda,

      Your story is a inspiration for many on here. I am 3 weeks in on Sertraline 2 weeks at 50mg 1 week at 100mg. What a difference a week makes. I was a wreck this time last week.

      Have been through the anxiety/depression situation before 3 years ago. My recovery was slow due to Citalopram. It worked eventually but took a very long time. Thought I was ready to come off them but almost a year later back to the panic.

      Decided to try setraline this time and although the side effects are still hard mainly morning anxiety and nausea They are much kinder than Citalopram.

      I am hoping to start CBT in the next few weeks.

      I have had some bad days but I survive them and just kind of think if it's a bad day just get through and start again tomorrow because not not every day will be bad. I know that because I am starting to experience some more good.

      Having being through this before I know that it does get better and eventually your life returns to normality.

      Take care everyone x

  • susan20486
    susan20486 ilda1982

    Posted

    Hi,  I was on paxil for 20 years and it just stopped working.  I am changing to zoloft.  Just finished up the paxil and I am on 100 mg.  I still am having many panic attacks, ibs and crying jags.  How long does it take to start and feel better
    • CG1964
      CG1964 susan20486

      Posted

      Everyone is different, but from what I have experienced myself and read here on this forum, your symptoms are normal and they may unfortunately get worse before they get better.  I am 27 days @50mg of Sertraline and I still have all those symptoms, though not as bad as a week ago.  I am determined to give this dosage 6 weeks to work before I consider an increase or change to another medication.  My GP agrees that timeline is reasonable.

      How long have you been on the Sertraline?

      Did you start at 100mg or ramp up the dosage over a period of time?

      Hope this has been helpful.

    • ilda1982
      ilda1982 susan20486

      Posted

      Hi Susan I only started feeling better when I took 150mg and 200mg. And after that I was myself again regards Ilda xxx
  • susan20486
    susan20486 ilda1982

    Posted

    8 weeks ago the psychiatrist started to wean me off paxil and start zoloft.  the first two weeks paxil astayed at 37.5 and I took 25 of zolft, felt great.  then she slowly started the paxil decline and ncrease of zoloft.  i have been off the paxil for 1 week and on 100 zolot.  my panic attacks are worse than when i started to see her. and every digestive happening even normal starts an attack.  she lets me take .25 of xanax to help.  says that this is normal when increasing the zoloft.  the panic she claims will level off.  i know she plans to increase again but i am at an awful place.  i just wondering if anyone else is like this.  not hungry, never get a whole nights sleep.  thanks for any advice
    • CG1964
      CG1964 susan20486

      Posted

      I have lost 15 lbs and not had a full nights sleep since i started on the Sertraline 7 weeks ago.  I am now trying to eat small meals whenever i feel the least bit hungry and i'm using guided meditation to help me get to sleep.  when i wake in the night i only lie in bed for 20 minutes and if i can't go back to sleep i get up and read using minimal light - no tv or screens because that is too stimulating.  when i'm tired again i get back into bed and can at least rest until morning - sometimes i even fall back asleep.  The panic and anxiety is worse in the mornings for me, though it comes back during the day - UPs and DOWNs - i'm trying some focused deep breathing when I feel it coming on - seems to help some.

      I also have a good cry every morning in the shower and that seems to release some of the anxiety for a while - though i look like hell afterwards so have to wait until after the kids have gone to school - they must be wondering why I'm in my pyjamas so late these days.

      hope this has helped.  ask anytime, there are many people in this community that have experienced the same thing you are going through and are more than willing to share their advice, encouragement and support.  WELCOME

    • susan20486
      susan20486 CG1964

      Posted

      Thank you so much.  That's pretty much how I feel.  I wake up around 4 am and do the same as you but I do take a xanax.  I don't feel like eating either.  I do like a small comfort food like noodles or pound cake.  The working of my intestines early morning wakes me up with panic.  I have read that there is a big serotonin connect between the gut and brain.  How long have you been on zoloft and what mg.
    • CG1964
      CG1964 susan20486

      Posted

      I have been on Sertraline/Zoloft for almost 7 weeks.

      the first 21 days @25mg which did absolutely nothing and just made me very ill with the side effects.

      Now the last 27 days @50mg where i have experience the same side effects all over again, but also some intermittent periods of feeling normal.  

      I have a self-imposed goal of waiting 6 weeks @50mg to see if the meds work before considering an increase or change in medication.  So 2 weeks to go!  I have an Ativan prescription for when the panic is overwhelming, though I have only used it 5 times in the last 2 weeks during the day when I have to take care of my family - so that's not too bad.

      I'm happy to chat anytime and compare stories and share experiences and encouragement.  I have found this forum to be an invaluable source of support and inspiration and I hope you can also gain strength and hope from your experience here.

    • Gonzalez
      Gonzalez CG1964

      Posted

      Hello, i was womdering did you experience any itching with this med im on sertaline 25mg a day it's been 4 weeks and i noticed it about a week ago?
    • CG1964
      CG1964 Gonzalez

      Posted

      No, I did not experience any itching with the Sertraline.  Headaches, muscle pain, lack of appetite, nausea, insomnia, increased anxiety, but no itching.

      I would be interested in knowing if at 4 weeks you are noticing an improvement in your condition, are you feeling back to normal for at least parts of the day?  

      Have a better day tomorrow than you did today.

    • Gonzalez
      Gonzalez CG1964

      Posted

      During the 2nd week i felt somewhat ok, i was able to manage but at the 3rd week i found myself crying again but was able to pick myself back up now at the 4th week im somewhat ok but i struggle with my day, it takes me hours hours to motivate and still deal with high and lows through my day
  • susan20486
    susan20486 ilda1982

    Posted

    This is a great board and it sure feels good to connect with others so you know it's not just you who's experiencing a lot of symptoms and panic.  Glad to be aboard!  Sue
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