Things do get better!
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi everyone,
I haven't posted on here for a long time because i have really been concentrating on myself and getting better but I wanted to come back and let people who are in the early desperate days that things do get better! I've been on sertaline for 11 weeks, 2 weeks on 50mg and 9 on 100mg. Before taking this medication I was having a lot of intrusive thoughts about death and how there was no point in living anymore etc. I took 6 weeks off work and was seeing a therapist to treat my anxiety and depression. If I have any advice it would be to please be kind to yourself, don't bog yourself down with thinking you will never get better because you will! and if you feel like it's not working go back to your doctor and please discuss this! By no means is this a quick fix, slowly but surely you will start to have better days and more positive thoughts, be able to do more things you couldn't do etc. I would also advise not to just rely on this drug, please try and see a trained professional who can teach you how to manage your thoughts and feelings, it's really important. The way I look at it, if you broke your leg and they offered you an opperation to fix and also physio then you would take it. You would also take time off work to rest and get your strength back. Mental health is exactly the same so please, keep in touch with your doctor, keep talking, see a therapist, indulge in self care and you will get there just like I am, day by day, getting stronger! xx
2 likes, 16 replies
c53732 Kay12321
Posted
This is good to read as l am just starting week 9 on 50mg and struggling. l have had some better days but it is bad at the moment.
Kay12321 c53732
Posted
aww I'm sad to hear you're still struggling. Would you consider going back to your GP and upping to 100? Don't sit and wait around to feel better if 50 isn't working very good after 9 weeks. No harm in trying it out! x
kimberley69393 Kay12321
Posted
Hi Kay12321
thats giving me hope thank u i was on 50mg. for just over 4 weeks then was put up to 100mg 6 days ago can i ask when u upped ur dose did u get more side effects and are you still suffering from them and what side effects did u get for upping ur dose sorry for the questions.
thank u x
Kay12321 kimberley69393
Posted
Hi, I got the starting side effects again for around 2/3 weeks so I was really anxious and would say I was more depressed when i upped the dose before it leveled out. I still suffer with waves of nausea every day that last a few minutes but nothing else. So don't panic if you do start to feel more down, that's what happened to me xx
sandi77808 Kay12321
Posted
Great advice Kay - my daughter had the same experience - it’s hard to see that you will get better when it does take a while but she was her old self again in 13 weeks. It's gradual but you will recover!
Kay12321 sandi77808
Posted
so glad she is feeling herself again! Half of the battle is accepting it takes time but you will get there! xx
c53732 Kay12321
Edited
Now almost end of week 10 on 50mg. Doctor wants me to stay on 50. Had some better days and l was feeling confident that things were improving but yesterday and today, really nauseous and feeling quite anxious. l have read that this happens but it is so difficult to cope with and get through. This website and other peoples experiences do help.
Kay12321 c53732
Posted
This is definitely normal. We all have lapses and bad days that's normal life! Things such as lack of sleep and eating certain things may trigger your anxiety. Could you try and make a diary and see if there is a pattern contributing to your bad days?
c53732 Kay12321
Posted
Thanks Kay. l have been keeping a diary of night time and day time but not really able to pick up any patterns. l don't sleep well although that is improving but still having the odd really bad night. Over all there have been some better days but still days when l can barely function.
Kay12321 c53732
Posted
be kind to yourself. It really does take time, and take into account everything thats happening in the world right now! It's pretty hard to focus on getting better and to surround yourself with people and things you love because of all that's going on, so i'm sure once this has started to ease it will help your recovery!
matt18802 Kay12321
Posted
Hi Kay, how long did it take for you to feel better? im on it for intrusive thoughts. been on 50mg for 12 weeks and 100mg for 1 week. all i can think is that im never going to get better and enjoy life again
Kay12321 matt18802
Posted
I promise you that you will get better Matt. I didn't feel the proper benefit of 100mg for maybe around 4 weeks! It definitely increased my anxiety in the meantime too but that isn't to say that it will do the same for you. The good thing to remember is that this medication is in your system already so you will be slowly getting there! It is so gradual you won't wake up and feel better all of a sudden, but you will start to slowly have better days, less intrusive thoughts and enjoy things more. I promise you though, I thought I would never ever feel better but it happens and life becomes more enjoyable again:)
c53732 matt18802
Posted
HI Matt. will be interested to read you reply. I have just spent 2 days with these same thoughts about ever getting better.
Kay12321 c53732
Posted
c53732 Kay12321
Posted
Thanks for this.