Sertraline, week 11 and I don’t know if I can stick with it!
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi,
Started sertraline 11 weeks ago. 25mg for the first 2 weeks, then up to 50mg for week 3 & 4, now done 7 weeks on 100mg. I have had all different side effects during this time especially when my dosage was increased. Can someone please give me any hope or encouragement that the side effects will eventually subside? I'm ready for giving up on sertraline.
Thanks
Louisa
0 likes, 10 replies
c53732 louisa17108
Edited
hi Louisa. You have my sympathy. l am only just starting week 4 (2 at 25mg and 1 at 50mg). The side effects aren't pleasant but people say to keep going because it will work in the end. l am having a really bad day, have been curled up in the chair feeling dreadful and yet yesterday l felt well and pottered about all day. Have you been back to your doctor, maybe the 100 mg dose is too much. l have friends who stay on the 50 dose. Hope other people will respond, l am always glad to read anything that gives encouragement. Best wishes.
louisa17108 c53732
Posted
I have an appointment with my psychiatrist next week hopefully he will reduce it back down. Thanks for replying.
Eliaimee1970 louisa17108
Posted
Hi Louisa
I was on 25mg back in August and i was experiencing stomach aches but i cut them in half and now i start on the full 25mg . why you are taking all these MG within 7 weeks i feel ok i also take Ativan .5 mg . i think you should take 25 for 4 weeks and give it time and then increasing slowly .
louisa17108 Eliaimee1970
Posted
I am following my psychiatrist's advice but hoping to go back down to 50mg when I see him next week. Thanks for replying.
Eliaimee1970 louisa17108
Edited
Hi Louisa
I was on 25mg back in August and i was experiencing stomach aches but i cut them in half and now i start on the full 25mg . why you are taking all these MG within 7 weeks i feel ok i also take Ativan .5 mg . i think you should take 25 for 4 weeks and give it time and then increasing slowly .
charles61038 louisa17108
Edited
Louisa,
I agree with C53732. Did you do okay on the 25 mg? I was given the 25 mg to start. A little rough in the beginning, but after 2 - 3 weeks I was much better. A little antsy and anxious for about the first couple of hours after taking it (mornings). Then I was okay. My doctor told me that 50 mg was the regular adult dose and he upped me to that. Actuallyit seemed like that was too much. I was feeling much worse after starting the 50mg ... I got heart palpitations, bad headaches, bad depression and anxiety. I would wake up in the mornings curled up in a fetal position and not want to get out of bed. I'd be okay after I did get out of bed. After 2 weeks of this, I decided to cut back to the 25 mg... and after a few days I was pretty okay again. I tried to up the dose by cutting one in half and taking the 1 and a half to make 37 mg. I tried that for 2 weeks and then went to the 50 again. Again, I didn't feel right. Sort of displaced... so I went back to the 25 mg and it seems to be fine. I had the antsy anxious feeling for the 1st hour or so, then it would pass. Now I have been on the 25 mg for about 4 months and I don't get the antsy anxious feeling anymore at all. I thought I guess I am just a light weight when it comes to meds. But my doctor told me that everyone is different and if the 25 mg is working - stay with it. So I am. I am 6 ft. 4 and weigh 196 lbs, so it's not like I am a small person, but the 25 mg seems to work ok. It you did okay on the 25, maybe go back to that for a longer period and see how you do.
louisa17108 charles61038
Posted
I was fine on 50mg going to go back down. Thanks for replying.
BulldozerMcr louisa17108
Posted
Hi Louisa!
Did you go back down to 50? Has it gotten better?
Only asking because Ive been struggling bad on 100mg
Thank you
Regards,
B.
louisa17108 BulldozerMcr
Posted
Hi B,
Yes I am back down to 50mg. Side effects are all gone except severe headaches (that could be from reducing). I feel calm and more in control so less anxiety although I am having a major depressive slump at the moment and do not want to engage with anyone. Not even my dog who is usually my life line. (not a good sign)
Hope you level out on 100mg, I wish I had stuck on 100mg for 12 weeks instead of 7 weeks and given it time. I might try again, I am not sure what to do?
Best Wishes
Louisa
charles61038 louisa17108
Edited
Louisa, since you went back to the 50 mg. give it a while for you body to adjust to that dose. Then try cutting one of the 50's in half... take one 50 and the half so that you can try 75 mg for a a couple of weeks or so and see how you do on that... then maybe increase to the 100. Everyone is different when it comes to meds. I started on 25 mg and did great. Then my doctor told me that 50 was the regular adult dose. When I went to 50, it was too much. I went back to the 25 and a while. Now I am cutting one in half and doing 37 mgs... so far so good. Then I will increase to the 50 again and see how that works out. Good luck.