Sertraline. One week in.
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi. I posted last week after starting on Sertraline and was shocked at how quickly I felt the effect. I am wondering if there is an optimal time to take it as I'm just not sleeping at all and if I'm honest, feeling much worse. Completely wired during the night and up and down during the day. I understand that it's common to feel worse before you feel better, but I've now started having panic attacks when I go out in busy places. The supermarket seems to be the worst.
I'm due to go and see my GP today, but I'm concerned from what I've read, about increasing the dose too quickly. Any advice gratefully received.
0 likes, 5 replies
karin88115 Ollie124
Posted
how long have you been on it now?
Ollie124 karin88115
Posted
Only a week. At the moment it's the lack of sleep that's bothering me most. I feel i'm not able to organise my thoughts and think rationally.
Theanxious1 Ollie124
Posted
one week in is very early days. the first couple of weeks tend to be horrendous. see what GP says but i wouldnt increase dose for sure its way too soon. 6 weeks minimum is what you should be waiting and sometimes GPs arent very good at saying wait and see they will want to offer something but i really think a dose increase aftwr a week with all you current side effects wouldnt be great idea
sorry youre having such a bad time. it really is tough i know. best of luck with it all
michele75304 Ollie124
Posted
Hi, Ollie
I had a difficult time with the fog head and fatigue. It was like one long panic attack for 9 days. I was only taking 25mg once a day. Went to doc and got the okay to quit. 2 days off of the meds and I feel great. Going to try a more natural approach. I'm going to a therapist and trying yoga and meditation.
I want to live my life feeling the way I should. Not drugged up!
Best of luck to you. Take care.
whodareswins Ollie124
Posted
My advice is to leave it 6-8 weeks for your first dose to kick in then go up in 25mg. Leave it 4 weeks there after between dose increases. I tried going up to 75mg from 50mg and it wasnt happening, new side effects and felt awful so gave up and stayed at 50mg. Its not perfect but Ive made some big lifestyle changes and being having CBT which is helping. Dont be in any rush to jump up the dose scale, many on here are on high doses but i bet most away from the site manage with 50mg. Definitely take the meds in the morning if you are struggling with sleep, if you get drowsy in the evening take just before bed, i use a pill box (weekly)as i take other meds for my thyroid, it stops that have i, haven't i taken it and is a useful reminder if its on the side when you come downstairs. The insomnia is perfectly normal and can last weeks, I'm still suffering with it to a degree and its nearly 3 months in. A few sleep tips, no mobiles or TV in the bedroom, the bright light stimulates the brain, keep to a sleep schedule (same times), exercise but not too late in the evening, try reading, i wouldn't go down the booze route its a slippery road but many do. I took zopiclone the first few weeks to ease the side effects.
Don't worry about the panic attacks, perfectly normal, for some its the first time they have ever had them which is ironic but thats A/D's for you. My anxiety went off the scale on start up and i thought it was already maxed out, i had a long list of side effects but that was the worst, hellish is an understatement. Good luck.