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sertraline when to increase ? help x

Posted , 5 users are following.

rachel62244
rachel62244

Iv been on sert 3.5weeks and im loads better then I was with pnd and anxiety where I was a total state but I still get anxiety which makes me lighthead and awful sad Dr spoke of increasing to 75mg but this scares me too as I increased fluoxetine awhile back and it was hell!!!!! Should I wait 50mg out and how long for? I don't feel depressed a bit low at times but the anxiety dizziness is not nice and the headaches it causes.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Hollyworrier19
    Hollyworrier19 rachel62244

    Posted

    I am in the same boat as you, want to increase as still finding things difficult. If you do increase, let me know how u get on.
  • clarkio
    clarkio rachel62244

    Posted

    Hi just to say headaches and dizziness can also be side effects of Sertraline.  In general people think it takes about 4-6 weeks for the dosage of Sertraline to really start taking affect.  Often people report an improvement quickly within the first few weeks and then dip again slightly before the drug starts kicking in properly.  Whether this is placebo or peoples different pharmacology is a matter of debate.

    I personally would say 3 1/2 weeks is still a bit early to consider increasing.  You say you are feeling better than you have so I would give it a few more weeks and see how things settle down.  If like me you have suffered for a long time with anxiety then a few more weeks does not make a huge difference, paticularly as you are feeling a bit better anyway.

    Forn info I started on 12.5 mg and worked my way up gradually in 12.5mg increments (a quarter of a 50mg tablet).  Currently taking 87.5mg which is 1 3/4 tablets which is 5 months after starting on 12.5mg.  I tend to take it slow with SSRIs as they can make me feel a bit loopy. But I am feeling so much better than before I started Sertraline, would say I am 95% better.  Will probably end up going to 100mg (if only for the convenience of only having to take one pill).

    Only other thing I would say is try not to worry too much, be happy that you're feeling better than you did, it's a sign the drug is working for you and in time it should make you feel completely better again.

    • rachel62244
      rachel62244 clarkio

      Posted

      Thank you. I yes before I was a state I couldn't function at all. Iv had enough though of going forward then been pulled back. I just want to be me. I feel spaced out all the time but I think its the anxiety rather then the meds. I think I should wait 6weeks as long as it doesn't get any worse
    • rachel62244
      rachel62244 clarkio

      Posted

      Can u ask when u felt better. They work quick for me but I'm stuck at this point now where its not improving no further
    • clarkio
      clarkio rachel62244

      Posted

      Of course, started to feel a bit better after 2 weeks and then a slight dip around week 4 and then started to gradually and progessively feel better from there.  Still had some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, but they just didn't bother me mentally as much.  It's like the pills had switched off my minds high alert switch.

      Would say it wasn't until I'd been on 75mg for 3-4 weeks or so that really started to feel the physical symptoms starting to go as well.

      Suspect you may well need to go up to 75mg or even 100mg to get rid of your anxiety completely but if things are tolerable at the moment I would counsel just taking things a bit slower given how long Sertraline seems to reach full effect.  Just my opinion though of course.

      But as I say try and see the positives as well, you feel better than you did so there;s no reason to think the pills wont work for you and in the meantime try not to fret too much about side effects etc.

      All the best

    • rachel62244
      rachel62244 clarkio

      Posted

      I just want it over iv been through hell since 32weeks pregnant now iv a 12week old baby. Fluoxetine worked but when I dipped after the birth they increased it and I turns crazy !!! So I'm scared of increasing the sert. I hope its a dip and not the start of the bad to come ! Glad your feeling good smile
  • rosemary44014
    rosemary44014 rachel62244

    Posted

    Hi Rachel,

    lim on 50 mg of Setraline,.. And still getting awful night panic attacks and awful nightmares and sweating..

    just wondering, if I should get my go to increase the dose, or to quit altogether.. 

    Live been on it for 3 months..now.

    but wish I was feeling better.. 

    • rachel62244
      rachel62244 rosemary44014

      Posted

      3month does sound a long time. If no improvements at all I'd try a new med if some but not enough I'd increase if it's been 12weeks x
  • Ditty
    Ditty rachel62244

    Posted

    I started sertraline 50mg, on day 3, and I have to admit, I kinda like the feeling, it is like a mellow relaxed feeling. I am thinking of increasing to 100mg after one week since I can tolerate the side effect quite well, so as not to loose the side effects then get them again further down the when increasing again.

    Is that weird it's only been 3 days and I like euphoric the feeling I'm getting? Or could it just be a plocbo effect?

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