Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi anyone who will listen,been on sertaline for over 5 months now,last 8 weeks 100.It has helped a little but not much im still anxious depressed unmotivated,I really dont want to be this way.Do i up my dose?Do i change meds do i carry on with this dose i just dont know what to do anymore any advice anyone
0 likes, 21 replies
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BulldozerMcr lee48631
Edited
I am no doctor but Ive read on many threads that when it helped somewhat it will work. If you have come this far dont give up! Can you talk to a psychiatrist? Most GPs don't have a clue..
lee48631 BulldozerMcr
Edited
Nope no access to phychiatrist might ask for one at next docs appointment,done cbt for 8 sessions didnt help.It has definately helped anxiety a bit,Not touched depression at all.I think i will work my way up slowly,if it has to be 200 then so be it.My doctor said because i have suffered with anxiety/depression for many years it will be a longer process.Just need my drive back how r u getting on with it.
BulldozerMcr lee48631
Edited
I am exactly the same like you. After 12 weeks on 50mg and 4 weeks on 100 mg still struggling. Today was horrible again, depression, fog head, feeling sick all fckn day long, Previous days evenings and nights were better at least but today even the night is crap, still feeling like sh*te and its 11.00pm, I feel like I am not getting anywhere. My GP is total useless, no idea how can I decide if I have to go up to 150 or switch to another medication. I am totally freaked out now, I feel I have no help and no hope.
lynn67615 BulldozerMcr
Posted
down to 25 sertraline started vibryd today 5 mgs
BulldozerMcr lynn67615
Posted
Keep us posting please. I think I will have to switch to another med too, tomorrow makes 5 weeks on 100mg and in the last couple of days its just getting worse and worse.. Losing hope 😦
c53732 lee48631
Posted
try to keep going, it is supposed to be a good drug and you have done well. upping the dose might help. l use my pharmacist to get advice, they are experienced and have knowledge of other people who take these drugs.
lee48631 c53732
Posted
How u getting on yourself with it all?
c53732 lee48631
Posted
Not great. Just had a bad day, anxiety seems to be getting worse but l understand that's a side effect and just have to cope. Taken a couple of diazapam today which have helped. Just keep thinking have to give it time and hope the side effects will eventually go. It's not easy.
c53732 lee48631
Posted
Awful this morning. Horrendous nausea and feel disorientated. Going to up dose to 50 for a few days to see if that helps. want to keep going but it is so hard. Any improvement for you?
GodsServant lee48631
Edited
Hi Lee,
I know it's a tough time right now and I too have been through that. If I were you, I would stay on this 100mg for 2 more weeks and see if it helps you more. If not, then I would go to my GP and see it my GP wants to up my dosage. From personal experience, I can tell you it's worst to switch from one med to another kind. It actually took about 3 months for me to feel the full effects of sertraline, so please hang in there and give it some more time. Usually, if after 3 months, you don't feel better, then it's time to explore other options.
I know it's hard so take it one day at a time. Hang in there!
BulldozerMcr GodsServant
Posted
I am about 4 months in. Cant decide what to do, I feel this medication is not helping me at all. I upped my dose 4 weeks ago to 100mg, others are saying its still early to decide to go up again or switch to another med. I am freaked out thinking on switching. I see so many sertralin users who are much better by this time. No idea what to do. My GP doesnt have a clue about antidepressants and wouldnt give me a referal to a psychiatrist. I feel I am trapped.
GodsServant BulldozerMcr
Edited
Hi Bulldozer,
You'd have to stay at 100mg for up to 3 months to feel its full effects. If I were you, I would give it another month. Why won't your GP give you a referral to a psychiatrist? What are you taking this for? Anxiety/OCD/depression? That's what I'm taking it for.
Sometimes the problem is that you have been on this med for 4 months, but the 3 of the 4 months your dosage is minimal (25mg or 50mg daily) because you're slowly titrating to a higher dose. You need to stay at a consistent dose that is strong enough for you for a certain amount of time to experience the full effects.
Do not feel trapped. But I know how hard this period is - it's always the uncertainty, isn't it? Is this the right med for me? I always feel like this when I get back on this med. Give me one more month. Hang in there and find ways to be gentle with yourself to find little moments of relief.
BulldozerMcr GodsServant
Posted
Thank you for taking the time for replying me!
Ive been taking this med for severe anxiety.
Yes exactly, uncertainty the worst thing. It would be much easier to take all of this hell if I could be sure its worth it. But my progress compared to others seems very poor, I think I should have a lot of good days, but its very very rare for me. Evenings and nights are a bit better, but normally I struggle badly during the day. It makes me more hopeless.
GodsServant BulldozerMcr
Edited
Been there myself. I was on a vacation of a lifetime and in my gorgeous hotel room I was wondering if I could hang myself with the curtains. But here I am today, 100mg daily, and living my best life yet. So, if anyone is ever a testament to recovery, I guess I could be on the poster for it. So, do NOT give up hope.
Just always remember: This too shall pass.
I was the same like you. Each day was crud and knowing you'd have to do it all over again the next day. But strangely enough, and I don't even remember how, it was nothing drastic, but then somehow one day you woke up and realized it's gotten better. Since evenings and nights are a bit better, I'd have to ask when you take your med. This has an effect, too. I used to take it at night and was sleepy in the morning and I am a morning person. So I take it in the morning and it works better for me with anxiety through the day.
BulldozerMcr GodsServant
Posted
Thanks very much! I really needed that! I take my med before bed.
I am on the 5th week on 100 mg, still not much improvement. I wanna wait until week 8 and go up 150 if still not better. What are your thoughts on that please? Is it worth to try going up if I dont have any good days at all, or it means this med just not working for me?
Its so good to see someone who went through on this feels happy now. Thank you so much for taking the time for replying me!!
GodsServant BulldozerMcr
Edited
I would suggest you do that. Besides, you will know if 150mg is too high after awhile because you start to feel very happy and high energy, and at that time, you can taper it back down to 125mg for a couple of weeks and yet taper it again to 100mg. But yes, I do recommend taking it in the morning. You see, I didn't take it at night because I was thinking, if I were asleep I wouldn't need to deal with the stress of daily life, so that's why I take it during the day, so the med would release slowly thru the day and help me deal with the anxieties o the day. Even if this is factually untrue, at least it helps me psychologically. 😃
No worries, I've been there and it's a miracle and a gift to be here today, so whatever I can do to help someone else going through what I had gone through and what I may go through again someday (one never knows). Cheers!