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Sertraline for 7 weeks

Posted , 9 users are following.

paula91469
paula91469

Hi All,

I have been on 50mg sertraline now for just over 7 weeks and whilst my symptoms have got much better, I still only feel about 60% back to myself.

My appetite has come back and sleep has improved but still not where I want to be.

I have a doctors review on Friday and was possibly going to increase slightly to 75mg just worried of repeating the awful side effects again.  Does anyone have any advice?

I also had my 1st CBT session last week so I'm hoping this will have a positive effect on my recovery too.

Thanks,

Paula

2 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • ella02879
    ella02879 paula91469

    Posted

    Hi Paula,

    I’m glad you’ve found the medicine for you! It sounds like an increase would be a good idea, however some don’t even notice any positive impact until 8 weeks so maybe wait a little longer! I too will probably increase. My doctor doesn’t seem to think you can due to them only coming in 50 and 100 but I’m going to split them I think. I too had horrible side effects! 

    We are all in it together smile x

    • paula91469
      paula91469 ella02879

      Posted

      Hi Ella,

      Thanks for replying 😊!

      How long have you been taking them? I'm so worried about an increase because I had the most awful side effects for the 1st 4/5 weeks. I will speak to the doctor on Friday and see what she thinks.

      I think your right they go up in 50's but seen a few people saying they just half 1.

      Good luck ? xxxx

    • ella02879
      ella02879 paula91469

      Posted

      Hi Paula,

      I am on week 4 but have had family members taking Sertaline and I am a training clinical psychologist so have some knowledge.

      How did you feel at 4-5 weeks? Worried as I still feel awful!

      Thanks,

      Ella

    • paula91469
      paula91469 ella02879

      Posted

      Hi Ella,

      I started to notice improvements in the side effects after about 5 weeks but up until that point it was just awful.

      I couldn't eat or sleep, my anxiety was so much worse and I was so nauseous. It's so horrible but it does pass so just stay strong smile. 

      I just want to feel like my normal self again and I am getting there but just feel like a slight increase will give me the extra push. xxx

  • sue54078
    sue54078 paula91469

    Posted

    Hi Paula im nearly at the same stage as you im at 6weeks on 50mg and im getting reviewed in 2 weeks so the 8 week mark im 50% better so i think il be increasing too but my side effects were dire too so im apprehensive also xx
    • paula91469
      paula91469 sue54078

      Posted

      Hi Sue,

      Thanks for replying.

      Yeah it's the thought of going through the horrible side effects again, I'm hoping if I go to 75mg 1st then 100 it won't be as bad 🤞!

      Good Luck ? xxxxx

  • Phil1980
    Phil1980 paula91469

    Posted

    Same here ! Just over 6 weeks and much better but not quite myself. My dad is a GP and still says it’s early days and believes it takes a little longer on smaller doses ... makes sense ! 

    I’m waiting till week 9/10 to review otherwise it maybe harder to ween off ? Good luck everyone 

    • paula91469
      paula91469 Phil1980

      Posted

      Hi Phil,

      Thanks for replying.

      I have definitely noticed an improvement but same as you not where I want to be. I'm so worried about increasing the dose but I will speak to the doctor on Friday.

      Good luck to you too ? x

  • john15630
    john15630 paula91469

    Posted

    I been on 50mg for 15 weeks and mostly feel ok but have some bad days so got 100mg up dose off the doc today so same as bit nervous of the side effects .
    • paula91469
      paula91469 john15630

      Posted

      Hi John,

      I'm glad your doing better and I hope the 100 mg gets you back to 100%.

      It is scary though isn't it? The 1st 4/5 weeks when I started were just hell and I don't want to go through that again. Xx

  • jenna324
    jenna324 paula91469

    Posted

    I was on 50 for 8 weeks and then upped to 75 because like you I was only feeling about 60% better ( maybe less) . I did not get any side effects when I went to 75. I’ve been on 75 for 2 weeks now and I feel better but still not where I want to be. If needed I’ll up to 100 mg.
    • paula91469
      paula91469 jenna324

      Posted

      Hi Jenna,

      Glad your doing better 😊!

      So did you not experience any additional side effects at all then? I'm so worried about it because of the initial side effects.

      How long you going to give the 75mg a go for? Xx

  • shelby38652
    shelby38652 paula91469

    Posted

    Hello, I had awful side effects for a while when starting but when I increased I never got any side affects, I hope it’s the same for you!  But sometime I can take up to 12 weeks for the full effect to work! So I’d speak to your GP and see what they say! Also CBT is great, I felt great when I finished all my sessions! 

    I hope everything goes well for you! 

    • paula91469
      paula91469 shelby38652

      Posted

      Hi Shelby,

      Thanks for replying 😊!

      I hope so too because the 1st 4 weeks when I started were hell, did you not have any additional side effects at all then on the increase?

      How long have you been taking them now ? Do you feel back to yourself?

      I'm really hopeful with the CBT, the therapist was so nice. How many sessions did you have? X

  • lizzie28782
    lizzie28782 paula91469

    Posted

    Hi think you have been on 50mg to long if I were you I would up to75mg now it's in your system you won't have side effects then give it a week and go up to 100mg there should be no nastys to worry about and if your lucky like me you will be fine and feeling much better and back to normal , Good Luck

    • paula91469
      paula91469 lizzie28782

      Posted

      Hi Lizzie,

      Thanks for your reply and I'm glad your doing well 😊!

      How long did you take 50mg before you increased? X

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