Sertraline for 4 and half weeks
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi all, like others, just looking for reassurance. Started taking generic Sertraline 4 and a half weeks ago. I started on half a 50mg tablet for a couple of days, then split it into small pieces 3 times a day for a couple of days to reduce the side effects. I worried I wasn't getting a therapeutic dose, so took a full 50mg tablet since then. 4 and a half weeks in I still feel anxious. I read somewhere that a higher dose can be effective sooner and then you can reduce the dose. Wondering whether to up the dose. Any help appreciated. Thanks.
0 likes, 31 replies
jGloucs
Posted
Yes! It's awful to think that feeling more anxious is a sign it's working. I couldn't eat much to start with and had to force every mouthful down, it also tasted terrible. That went after about 3 weeks. I read that once appetite returns and sleep improves, even if still anxious, it shows tablets are starting to work. Sleeping wasn't so much of a problem. Still have anxiety but just hoping it will reduce.
Potatoghost jGloucs
Posted
how bad is your anxiety? is it more physical or mental?, or both?
I've also heard that sleep and appetite should improve first if they are starting to get into your system.
it's still early days so hopefully this is you on the mend now and it starts getting a bit easier for you. day 4 now and I'm struggling pretty bad . it's mainly the increased anxiety x
jGloucs Potatoghost
Posted
It was the mental anxiety. When it eased a bit, I tried to tell myself it was just the tablets making me feel worse. That worked sometimes. Yes, 4 days is early but, as I said, looking back, I think they did start working but maybe not enough to notice. As you've been on other ad's you may be quicker to improve.
Potatoghost jGloucs
Posted
definitely feels like I'm not improving at all so I dunno if being on another Ad would help. I wish that was the case.
looking back what positive changes have you noticed?
it is hard to tell isnt it but might make you realise that no matter how slow improvement is coming to you x
how you feeling today?
jGloucs Potatoghost
Posted
Felt more anxious last night, but found things a bit easier this morning. I sit around too much so decided to clean. It's mindless and can stop me thinking. The positives were that things just got ever so slightly easier. The churning stomach and anxious feeling in my body subsided. I think improvements are hard to notice because we just want to be better. As it's day 4 for you the extra anxiety is almost certainly the tabs. I just had to sit it out and wait. Doing small menial jobs helped.
Potatoghost jGloucs
Posted
do you have anxiety and depression or just anxiety?
it's sometimes to only thing you can do to keep your mind off it is keep busy.
I'm trying to keep busy but keep having spikes of depression and anxiety and that's when it's difficult.
that's good that things are getting slightly easier for you and hopefully it wont be long and you will be feeling a lot better. the sooner the better hopefully. and it's still pretty early days for you so should get easier and easier.
mornings are the worst normally.
I feel a bit better in the evenings but it's a tiny tiny amount.
jGloucs Potatoghost
Posted
Anxiety, not depression. Yes, keeping busy can help but it's sometimes so difficult. I found it very difficult to feel motivated, and I'm sure that was the tablet. I found anxiety worse a few hours after tablet, it then seemed to ease a bit.
I hope the tiny amounts in the evening continue for you.
Potatoghost jGloucs
Posted
does your anxiety make you teary or lower your mood at all?
do you have anything to help the anxiety like a benzo or beta blockers?
jGloucs Potatoghost
Posted
It's so hard to know what is the tablets and what is me. I think a lot of the feelings are to do with them. Same with you and the anxiety. I'm sure it's the tablets. I haven't felt teary, just frustrated and sometimes I get very angry, thinking the anger will motivate me. I haven't had anything for the anxiety. I wasn't offered it. How are you today? Any slight improvement?
Potatoghost jGloucs
Posted
if you do struggle dont be afraid to ask for a beta blocker to help with fast heart rate and shaking or a benzo to help calm you when things get tough
it's good it hasn't lowered your mood getting angry is pretty common with anxiety so dont let that worry you plus if your tablets side effect is worse anxiety then that's bound to happen.
no improvement yet, still feel crap but thank you for asking.
how about you?
jGloucs Potatoghost
Posted
I think there has been some improvement. I pushed myself to go for a bike ride. I'm still sitting too much. When you feel some improvement you just want to be completely back to normal.
You must be nearly a week in. I do hope you see a bit of improvement soon.
Potatoghost jGloucs
Posted
I know that feeling too well of wanting to improve.
getting out and keeping busy is good but dont be too hard on yourself just sitting because you need to rest aswell. it's important to find both.
day 5 today and still dropping but have to keep cracking on!
jGloucs Potatoghost
Posted
How are you doing today? I tried to be more active gardening yesterday and think I slept better for it. I do hope you're starting to see some improvement, if only a little bit.
Potatoghost jGloucs
Posted
today is day 7 and honestly I'm still dropping rather than seeing improvement. my mood is very low and anxiety really high. struggling a fair bit. they do say it gets worse before it gets better though.
how are you feeling, any improvement yourself yet?
Potatoghost
Posted
apart from sleeping better, that's a good sign x