Sertraline - my 8 week story
Posted , 130 users are following.
Today is my 8th week on 50mg of Sertraline and unlike a lot of people once they start to feel better, I thought I'd try and give a little encouragement to help you hang in there as it REALLY is worth it. I also struggles to find many people on this 'start up' dose for any length of time so this might help you...
So after the fourth week I felt CRAP. No improvements and just this feeling of helplessness and worthlessness. I would break down at the smallest thing and felt incredibley insecure and unsure of myself.
I kept reading these online forums of people who started feeling better between weeks 4 to 6 and wondered if it was ever going to happen for me...
It literally wasn't until the beginning of the 8th week that I started turning a corner and the anxiousness started to fade and I found myself able to concentrate on something other anylising than how I was feeling. Tasks that I used to enjoy have become worthwhile again and I can honestly say I'm 85% back to my old self.
Right, now side effects: I have been feeling very tired, had lose stools until recently and my sex drive has tailed off somewhat and am having some difficulty orgasming although sex is good but just less often. I also seem hungry ALL the time but I'm fairly active so no weight gain...YET!
So to sum up, this drug takes AGES to work and you'll dispair and find yourself reading all sorts of forums and chats as to the timescales involved, but in my opinion it really is worth continuing for up to 8/9 weeks before increasing the dose or looking for alternative mediction.
I hope you start to feel the benefits soon and I'm happy to chat with anyone with any questions...
Take care,
Rich.
26 likes, 273 replies
danny35895 richard30560
Posted
hi rich
ive been on 50g of sertraline for two weeks and then docs put me on 100g been on a 100g for two weeks now im feeling alittle bit better but im suffering with headache neck ache and sleeping not good burning freling in my hands to do you think i will get better on this because im struggerling with the side affects
thanks dan
jim65165 danny35895
Posted
HI Danny i hope you are feeling well ! i find myself in the same situation you were in 5 months ago. i went from 50 to 100 and i am having terrible headaches and neck aches. i am also having a good day then all of a sudden bay days. Did your side effects go away and if so how long did it take? i cant take this much longer.
thanks
jim
dectec2000 richard30560
Posted
hi Danny i was the very same, it lasted till 6 weeks for me and all the same effects you metioned are gone now except for the sleep this is still effecting me waking up at 3 am and struggle to fall bk asleep , i have read that it can take up to 9 weeks for sleep to settle and i am praying it will, if not i will be asking at 12 weeks to change meds
hope you get well soon
danny35895 dectec2000
Posted
thank you for your reply just dont know how to deal with the side effects and the aching dunno weather its the tablets or f the tabs are working or not but hope to get sum improvement in the next couple of weeks im having talking therapy aswell to try help me just hope all this helps me in the end and theres light at the end of the tunnel
thanks danny
dectec2000 danny35895
Posted
it will help you just need to see it through, the side effects are completely gone for me but it was horrific and i totally undetstand
dont be shy about going to GP i was over every week for first 6 weeks till i started to feel a little better
remember it takes up to 6 weeks for a real difference and that will keep getting better up to 12 weeks
if you are not feeling better at 9 to 10 weeks i would go back to GP he may have to change them dint give up just take everyday as your goal
danny35895 dectec2000
Posted
thank you for your reply just one day im ok then the next day my anixety and panic is bad again dont understand why
thanks danny
dectec2000 danny35895
Posted
totally normal its like two steps forward one step back, well it was for me but rach day at a time, before you lnow it another month will go by it really takes time at least 8 to 9 weeks , stay strong
danny35895 dectec2000
Posted
i hope so because cant stand feeling like this anymore feel sick all the time headache finding it hard to eat losing weight lost a stone in 4 weeks so just hope are get my old self back soon
dectec2000 danny35895
Posted
i was tbe same lost a stone as could not eat but it willget better, trust it will work 4 weeks was probably the hardest point for me it will get better, its a slow process but i promise you the side effects will get better
danny35895 richard30560
Posted
thank you youve been a reel help thanks let u know how i get on thanks again for the chat
thanks danny
c53732 richard30560
Posted
This gives me hope. i did 16 days on 25mg, then last Saturday I upped to 50mg. Side effects of nausea, head disorientation and tiredness are horrendous. Struggling to function but want to persevere. You are right, l spend a lot of time trying to find answers on the internet. Due to see my doctor this morning but getting there is going to be hard even with my husband taking me,
Thanks for taking the time to write this.
danny35895 c53732
Posted
im still affected bye the side efects of it 4 weeks in just hope it changes soon
c53732 danny35895
Posted
Have spoken to a few people today, seems as though it's a good drug but side effects take time to go.
Jane859 richard30560
Edited
thanks Rich, this has made me feel better, i'm on week 4 and feel horrendous!! the irrational thoughts are absouletly unbareable and makes me feel like i dont love my partner and i know i do,id rather not be here if this feelings occur because he is an absolute angel, i hope this passes as this feelings only occur when im anxious!! i hope i get a positive outcome like u? any advice would be much appreciated!
jess80965 Jane859
Posted
it will get better i feel for you because i am also at 4 weeks and feel the same. i have to remind myself that i was on this dose last year and try to remember that it did work and i was like my old self. your partner lives you and of course will support you but i know what you mean it is hard to not feel like a burden to your loved ones.
there is light at the end of the tunnel
Guest jess80965
Posted
hey all! i was switched from citalopram to sertraline 4 weeks ago today. i was on citalopram for years. i keep reading that sertraline takes 6-8 weeks to work, and so i am hoping that is true. i havent stabilized yet and am praying that soon the meds will kick in. any advice or encouragement would be appreciative!
jess80965 Guest
Edited
hi there its hard to remember that it got better for me last year. i think i reduced my dose too soon and so now i am back to square one. trust me though it does get better just take one day at a time, believe me i know it is hard and it is not easy to think this will end but it will. try to read about success stories too and not all the negative posts. i have made a promise to myself to post a positive story when i turn that corner.
hang in there