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Side effects of increasing Sertraline dose?

Posted , 13 users are following.

natalie71566
natalie71566

Hi all,

I started having very bad anxiety about 2 months ago. My doctor prescribed Sertraline. He wanted me to take 25mg for a week, then up dose to 50mg. I started feeling better and just stayed on the 25mg for a few weeks (with doctor’s approval). Then I started having anxiety thoughts again, and felt a weight hanging around me from time to time. So, doctor and I decided to go ahead an up the Sertraline to 50mg. The first week was fine, a little dizziness. But over the last 9 days, the anxiety has started to creep back. Today was the worst. So many thoughts circling, I’m really unable to control them. All I want to do is sleep and find it hard to even do the simplest things like eat or do the dishes. Is this normal? Is this the anxiety returning before it gets better? Do you think it means that Sertraline isn’t working for me? Thank you for your support and guidance.

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • ashleyrocks910
    ashleyrocks910 natalie71566

    Posted

    Hey Natalie,

    Unfortunately it is common especially when increasing your dose,  but it usually subsides in a few weeks.  I know a few weeks can feel like a life time.  I am currently going through the same thing.  It does get better though.  There is a Sertraline forums group on here that has been extremely helpful and comforting when in need of reassurance.  You can check my profile if you need help finding it.  Hang in there!  This too shall pass.

    • natalie71566
      natalie71566 ashleyrocks910

      Posted

      Thank you Ashley! It’s so good to hear that increased anxiety is common. I reposted this discussion on the Sertraline board. Thank you for telling me about it. 
  • Dawn1208
    Dawn1208 natalie71566

    Posted

    Hi Natalie I'm going through the same increased to 100mg last Monday and was fine the first few days but crippled with anxiety since Friday. I also can't eat and struggling to look after kids family have been great just wish the anxiety would go. I even reduced my dose to 75mg to see if it would help as I'm really sensitive to medication and had no anxiety starting it. All the post say it's normal so hang on in there. Feel free to keep me updated on how your doing. It's good to read some posts as you know your not alone experiencing this

    • natalie71566
      natalie71566 Dawn1208

      Posted

      Thanks for the response. It really does help to read about others experiences. I’m sorry to hear about your current struggle. Hopefully reducing to 75mg will help. It is so defeating when even the simplest things we used to do everyday seem insurmountable. Sounds like we need to give the medication more time. We  can do it! 
  • saychia_23805
    saychia_23805 natalie71566

    Posted

    Hi, i was put on 25mg 3 weeks ago. Terrible anxiety, diarrhea and crying. Dr just increased to 50 4 days ago. It seems that side effects are creeping back up. Is this normal and if so, when will it end?
    • emma43065
      emma43065 saychia_23805

      Posted

      Hi, how are you doing with this now. My husband started Sertraline around 18 days ago, his anxiety got worse then settled down, he increased to 100mg on Tuesday & today woke up extremely anxious & emotional

    • dominic11763
      dominic11763 saychia_23805

      Posted

      Give it time it will subside and stop, but everybody is different. Mind side effects lasted for a couple of days, but I took l-theanine to subside and get rid of it.
  • emma43065
    emma43065 natalie71566

    Posted

    Hi, how are you doing with this now. My husband started Sertraline around 18 days ago, his anxiety got worse then settled down, he increased to 100mg on Tuesday & today woke up extremely anxious & emotional. 

  • sarah41379
    sarah41379 natalie71566

    Posted

    How are you feeling? Did the anxiety subside? What dosage are you on now? :-)
  • darren84
    darren84 natalie71566

    Posted

    hi im on sertraline to. i started at 25 mg for a week which was ok then inceased to 50. the side effects really knocked me about for the first month then the side effects went away but the health anxiety did not. ive recently been increased to 100 mg and again the side effects were bad but only lasted a few days. im not really sure on sertraline yet as i havent been on them long and all meds take time to work so my advice is try and stick with it and see what happens( i anything is worth a try to stop anxiety). i hope you feel better soon and start enjoying life
  • dominic11763
    dominic11763 natalie71566

    Posted

    I've been using l-theanine to subside or get rid of the side effects of these antidepressants. I am currently on sertraline 50 milligrams. I take minds in the morning. I've been on it for almost a month and I feel great.

    • dominic11763
      dominic11763 monna93589

      Posted

      I-theanime minimize the side effects of sertraline. The ratio is you taking 50 milligrams of Sertraline well you take half more of that which is 100 L-theanin

      My doctor prescribed me 100 milligrams of Sertraline so I took 200 milligrams of l-theanin and I didn't feel the effects at all.

      Google l-theanin.

    • monna93589
      monna93589 dominic11763

      Posted

      I did and bought it but in the bottle it says not to use with antidepressants. Also couldn’t fun anything about it helping with side effects. If you have a good link then please pm me. 
  • noelle_17920
    noelle_17920 natalie71566

    Posted

    Hi Natalie

    I started Sertraline 25mg for anxiety disorder ...after 5 days I had a night from hell with side effects of horrendous panic attacks and excessive sweating. It terrified me, even though I knew from previous experience that this could happen.

    My gp then suggested I increase to 50mg (therapeutic dose) which I did

    5 days ago...side effects of panic attack has just reoccured...hopefully the drug will settle down now.

    Also taking Propranolol 10mg as needed to help anxiety...this has helped too.

    Keep going , it will get better...I promise you! It can take up to 2 months in some people , for your body/mind to fully adjust (happened to me) xxx

    • Flowerfairy2018
      Flowerfairy2018 noelle_17920

      Posted

      Hi noelle17920, I am on both of these meds that you are taking, but I keep breaking down. Dr has upped dosage but still feeling the same x
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