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Sertraline - going from 50mg to 100mg in 5 days. Can I go back to 50mg?

Posted , 5 users are following.

ChrisBoyne767
ChrisBoyne767

Hey everyone, I know I put a post earlier but I've got another question. So I started taking Sertraline last Tuesday which was 50mg that wasn't too bad side effects wise and I was just carrying on. But then the doctor put it up to 100mg on the Saturday, which I think now that I'm suffering with really bad side effects was way too soon. So, is it okay to go back to my 50mg because I really can't handle these side effects of 100mg. At least for a little while longer.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • sue74917
    sue74917 ChrisBoyne767

    Posted

    Hi Chris. How were you feeling on 50mgs and why did you Dr put you up so quickly?
    • ChrisBoyne767
      ChrisBoyne767 sue74917

      Posted

      I believe he put me up because of the fact that my anxeity is really bad and needed a stronfer help but I don't know tbh. I now feel worse taking 100mg instead sad

    • sue74917
      sue74917 ChrisBoyne767

      Posted

      Far be it that I should say that something a trained medical person has told you is wrong but it seems to me that less then a week is not long enough to see how you are going to react or how they are going to help you, increased anxiety is a start up side effect, it may have been more prudent to let the 50 dose settle before seeing if an increase is needed. This sort of medication does not have one size fits all. If you are feeling so bad that you need to go to the hospital then yes I would go back to 50 and speak to your Dr asap. Really hope you can get this sorted and feel better soon
    • ChrisBoyne767
      ChrisBoyne767 sue74917

      Posted

      Thanks Sue, I'm just gonna go back to taking 50mg now because 100 really is too much for my body to handle. I'll take some Diazepam in the morning to help the side effects.

  • Guest
    Guest ChrisBoyne767

    Posted

    Gosh, that seems rather a rapid increase? 

    My GP told me that Sert can take up to 12 wks for full effect to be felt. I would be wary of going up to 100mg so soon. 

    It may we worth having another chat with your prescriber to discuss. 

    You have the option of sticking at 50mg for a few weeks to see how feel at that dose, then going up to 75mg daily for a few weeks before upping to 100mg (if you need that dose). 

    Hope this helps, and good luck x 

    • ChrisBoyne767
      ChrisBoyne767 Guest

      Posted

      Yeah I'll probably email doctor or my neurologist and ask can I go back to 50mg because of my current state etc. Should all be okay, I'm just thinking of going hospital right now. But Thanks for your response smile

  • whodareswins
    whodareswins ChrisBoyne767

    Posted

    I'm certain Chris but I'm no professional, my GP wanted me to go from 50mg to 100mg last week but prescribed 2 x 50mg just in case I couldn't handle it and so I could simply return to the 50mg. As it happens I split one of the 50's in half to make 75mg, the 25mg rise was plenty and I'm still suffering. A 25mg rise for others is nothing but we are all different. If you had been on 100mg for say a year and were coming off them you may possibly drop to 75mg for a number of weeks to reduce the withdrawal symptoms, you haven't been on them long enough to worry about it. The increase in dose so rapidly does seem excessive, perhaps if you had been on them before with little side effects. I was definitely told 8 weeks at 50mg before a rise, I've read quite a few posts were people have gone up in 25's or even split them in half. My view is, why rush it on the way up, you will likely suffer more and wont know if the dose is too high or unneeded if you don't give each dose time to work. Probably more likely to be put off by the side effects and throw the towel in early imo.

    • ChrisBoyne767
      ChrisBoyne767 whodareswins

      Posted

      Yeah he definitely didn't think what he was doing so I'm going back to 50mg as that was enough for me to handle and gonna take diazepam to deal with the side effects. Mental health sure ain't easy. But thanks so much anyway x

  • Guest
    Guest ChrisBoyne767

    Posted

    I would ditch the 100mg dose, and drop back to 50mg whilst you wait to see your prescriber.... 

    This rapid rise does not suit you, the side effects will be awful. 

    If/when you do begin to increase, I would suggest 75mg as an interim dose; you may find it enough for you. 

    My GP prescribed a low dose of Diazepam (2mg) to help me with the start up sid effects to take 'as required' only. It really helped me. Perhaps you could your prescriber about a short term px of this ? 

    Hoping you get sorted x 

    • ChrisBoyne767
      ChrisBoyne767 Guest

      Posted

      Hey, yeah that's what I'm going do start taking the 50mg again. Then take Diazepam (2mg as well) to deal with side effects as that's what I have been given as well. Probably will work out the best for me. Honestly these side effects have been horrible tonight, I can't wait for them to vanish. But thanks so much x

  • lynn67615
    lynn67615 ChrisBoyne767

    Posted

    My doctor is adding 15mgof mirtzapam to help with the anxiety. I have been on 50 a little over 2 weeks
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