Should I up my dosage?
Posted , 4 users are following.
So I've been taking Sertraline for about two months. I was started on 50mg then upped to 100mg. After a month or so I started to feel great, back to normal. It was amazing. However after about 3 weeks of feeling good, I fell back into depression, it actually started from having a negative thought. Just the one but it set off a chain reaction. I went to the doctors and he gave me a series of Beta-Blockers, but they seem to be useless. Still anxious and depressed.
My question is should I go back and get a higher dosage? Or ask for a different SSiR?
Any advice would be perfect.
0 likes, 5 replies
rj73132 dudetheuber
Posted
Hi,
I'm at the three week point on 50mg of Sertraline and starting to feel much better with few side effects now.
Just wondering if the negative thought was the reason for going up to 100mg or did this happen afterwards? How long since you increased?
As you have had some benefit from the Sertraline I would stick with it a little longer as you can increase further if needed and see if that makes you feel any better.
Also, you haven't mentioned if you are having any counselling of any kind? I've started cognitive behavioural therapy and this is quite helpful for identifying negative thoughts and behaviours, and how to reverse a spiral of negative thinking.
dudetheuber rj73132
Posted
Oh thank you for the reply!
Yeah after about 3 weeks it started to kick in for me too. I actually haven't been having any side effects except from occasional stomach cramps.
It was just natural progression, my doctor thought it was for the best, I actually don't know why he upped my dosage.
I will stick with the sertraline, it definitely helped for a time, I'm just worried that my negative thinking will prevent them ftomorrow working.
I've signed up for the NHS iapt, free counselling. I'm also considering paying for full on therapy. I'm going full on. However I don't have the finance yet. But it's definitely the way I plan on going.
It does give me hope, you saying that the counselling has worked for you, so thank you 🙂
rj73132 dudetheuber
Posted
No problem at all, it's early days for me yet and still have my down moments! My GP has given me a repeat prescription to go up to 100mg if I want to after week 4, I'm still undecided about whether to risk a short period of more side effects to see if I can improve the benefits I'm already experiencing.
I signed up through my local NHS iapt and that came through within a few weeks. I have had only a couple of CBT sessions so far, but even just having that in my calendar each week gives me a little lift. If you haven't heard back yet and want to start something, there are some relatively inexpensive books on CBT that you can get hold of to get you started on the ideas. Even better if there's a friend or family member that you can work through this with and bounce ideas off of.
philip49799 dudetheuber
Posted
Even if you need to take out a loan for therapy (including hypnotherapy) I think you will find it worthwhile. However, take your time and find a top person with a long track record.
If you are doing iapt (is that on line or a talking therapy/) then don't go for Counselling at the same time as you wont know which is working for you (although both may be of course).
I'm really hoping that I won't have to take Sert for ever and am able to use my 'therapy strategies to fend off the 'black dog'. All the best buddy.
Phil
GodsServant dudetheuber
Posted
Personally I think you need to give more time at this new 100mg dosage. From what I know, it takes this med much longer to treat depression than anxiety and OCD. If you give a few more weeks and you still don’t see any benefits then you might consider upping your dose. Please work with your doctor on this. Take care.