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
Crystal520 richard30560
Posted
Hey there.
I'm going on three weeks on Zoloft 25mg and my dr told me I can increase to 50mg when I'm comfortable doing so. I'm worried about side effects. I have noticed lately my anxiety/panic has been increased and I was dizzy off/on today. I also have been taking .25-.5mg of Xanax at bedtime to help because my anxiety seems to peak at night. I take my Zoloft dose at night too because it makes me sleepy.
Just to add I recently had my first baby (5 weeks ago) and I'm going through PPD/PPA/OCD. I have dealt with anxiety/OCD all my life but just recently went back on meds after being off for at least 5 years.
Any advice will be much appreciated:-)
amy96463 Crystal520
Posted
Hi crystal
How do u go have the medication while pregnant & now that you've had bubs like waking for feeds ect
I'm actually in the practice of trying for my 3rd baby & my doctor has taking me off everything to get me ready for pregnancy 🙁
Liana23 richard30560
Posted
Good to hear that you are getting better and thanks for sharing your expreince.
I am taking Sertraline for almost 3 weeks due to my panic attacks...
And it s making me sooooo drowsy, that I literally pass out for 2-4 hours during the day. I can NOT keep my eyes open and I literally get uncoscious. I am on 25 mg. My Dr suggested to start with 25, so that my body gets used to it (as I am very sensetive to med and my body has extraordinary reactions). I am supposed to take 50 mg in the coming week. Does it make you also so drowsy? Is it gonna stay forever like this?
I am taking it at night though...
thanks for your answer and time.
richard30560
Edited
Ok, here we go again...
As I said, I have done 8 weeks on 50mg and felt ok again, then I crashed for a week and again this week I'm feeling something like ok again.
I WAS very tempted to go to 100mg (I still might) but I kept telling myself that this was a blip and that I would be ok in a week or so.
The trouble is when you feel sh*te, it consumes you and there seems like no alternative other than the way you feel at that moment in time.
Now two things seem to have really helped:
1. Seeing a phycariatrist (spelt wrong!)
2. Changing from my generic Aurobindo sertraline to Lustral (the Pfizer brand). Not too sure how relevant that is but I wanted to give myself the best shot at 50mg.
Keep me posted on how you all are,
Rich.
sparrow01 richard30560
Posted
hi richard, please don't feel let down or bad if you increase to 100mg, it's still a normal (particularly for an adult), average 'in the middle' dose to take. i'm personally doing really well on 100mg and am not experiencing any side effects at all (i did at first, but they have now all passed).
sarah62025 richard30560
Posted
Hi Richard, glad you're feeling better again. I was too, but felt sh*te yesterday and today. I'm now on accord (another generic) but think I will go to Drs. to ask for Lustral. How did you get to see a phychiatrist, did dr. refer you or did you go private? (I take it you're in UK/)
Thanks
Sarah.
Liana23 sparrow01
Posted
sparrow01 Liana23
Posted
for you it sounds like a good idea to try 50mg, is that what you are going to do? if your side effects do become too much, go back to your doctor, as you might find that switching to a different med suits you better. there will be lots of options to explore
amy96463 sparrow01
Posted
Hi sparrow01
I'v only been on this medication for 1 week & by day 3 I had an excruciating headache that has only just eased the last 2 days I'v also felt very nauseous by day 5 I was sweating diarreah I'm not eating have very little energy im only on 50mg & just noticed you said you had side effects at first but have now Passed I went back to the doctors thismorning & they want me to stop taking it as of tomorrow I'm a little confused & stressing at what to do this is affecting me big time I havnt worked this week I have 3 kids depending on me & I just can't seem to do anything
What are your thoughts
Amy x
sparrow01 amy96463
Posted
hi amy, have you taken other antidepressants in the past? just wondering if this is the first time for you and the side effects are a totally new thing for you (and havn't experienced this type of discomfort before?)
if you do need anitdepressants (if you have had depression and anxiety for a long time), then i would say you should keep going on them because your body will get used to them, but it can take a few weeks to settle in and to adapt to them. the 'feeling worse before feeling better' really is a pain, as most of us here already know
if the side effects are unbearable perhaps you could just take 25mg for a couple of weeks and only go to 50mg when the side effects have eased down (if you have the need to increase at all)
you said the doctors recommended you come off of the sertraline; what did they have in mind, were they thinking of trying you on something else (something similar or a different type of med?)
perhaps you can let us know a bit more about your history (long term depression and anxiety or just a sudden phase?), and also if you have taken similar meds in the past (and if so, how you got on with those?)
tan87651 richard30560
Posted
Hi Everyone I am new to these forums but i want to tell my story, I got married to the man of my dream ( cheesy ) back in april i had the worst anxiety symptoms leading up to the wedding!!! Just nerves that everything would be perfect and it was!!! When we got maarried the anxiety just left me!!
but we have just bought a house and are currently waiting for the keys and all of a sudden the anxiety is back.... Doctor gave me diazepam and sertraline 25mg i did for three weeks it was terrible then 50mg for 2 weeks week one of 50mg was fine started to feel normal again but this week has been terrible i actually had to get an antisickness injection to stop me throwiing up!! Appetite is basically gone!! Currently living with in laws so i am really just looking for some reassurance!! Do i stop the tabs or stick with it? The doctor has said it is situational and will pass but that is sooo hard to accept when you feel terrible... mornings are unbearable!! Please advise x
cherry123 tan87651
Posted
Hi..I would hang in there if I were u...I'm on 50 mg a day for last 2 weeks & the anxiety in the morning is horrible..but I was on Setraline (Lustral) a couple of years ago & eventually it did work..It got me thru my mother's death altho I don't know how good people would think that was..I did feel numb & like I wasn't grieving properly. I slowly came off it about 2 years ago but am back on it now as unfortunately my alternative for the anxiety is alcohol..is it true that it depends on the generic tablet that u get??? I'm prescribed Lustral but got Sertraline..I thought generic just meant a cheaper version of the popular named med..any comments about any of the above greatly appreciated!!
tan87651 cherry123
Posted
Thanks Cherry,
Sorry to hear about your mum, are you using alcohol as a coping mechanism? I know nothing about the tablets i'm afraid!! Its a horrible journey but good to have someone who understands to talk to! My doctor doesn't seem overly concerned as getting married and buying a house are both huge events so hopefully she is right!!! Wishing you well xx
julie98500 richard30560
Posted
Richard,
I know you wrote this a while ago, but I am in that horrible 4-5 week period. Your story made me feel so much better, as I am feeling hopeless at this point. I'm praying every day to start feeling like myself and stop the all-day shaking and anxiety. I wonder every day how much longer I can go like this. Thank you for some encouragement. Right now, even 70% of feeling like myself sounds amazing.
Jmk49a87 richard30560
Posted
Thank you for posting your journey. I am starting week 6 on 100mg of Zoloft, and still am not feeling myself. I was feelung very upset being that many say they feel great afyer taking this for 3 or 4 weeks.
I know the Zoloft is working because my anxiety has lessened a lot. The depression is what is pulling me down. I really want to feel better, and was beginning to think the dose needed adjusting. Since reading your experience, I will give the medicine a few more weeks.
PaulMar Jmk49a87
Posted
Hi all,
I started at 25mg and worked my way up to 175mg. Started 150 7 weeks ago. I was on 150 for 4 weeks and then jumped to 175. I was on 175 for 3 weeks and then my anxiety began to get worse. I couldn't bear it anymore and went back down to 150mg. I do feel encouraged that it could take 8 or 9 weeks so I will hag in there.
In the meantime I've been taking 125mg Trazadone which is helping me to sleep and I also take 6mg diazepam. The diazepam is supposed to relieve teh anxiety but I don't feel anything. For years I was on clonazapam and lorazapam as needed and it helped me a lot until I hit tolerance. I'm using dizepam to try to taper off benzos but I'm waiting for Zoloft to start working for me so I can feel better. The last 5 years have been horrible.