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Third week on Sertraline

Posted , 8 users are following.

Tlynn1
Tlynn1

My dr started me on 50mg of zoloft three weeks ago. The first couple of days were pretty rough. I was very anxious, and couldn't relax. A lot of intrusive thoughts, which I already struggle with. I've had some days that were not as bad as others. Some moments of feeling like my old self. But I still feel a lot like I did before. I know the medicine won't do all of it, I have to help make myself better as well. Which I am trying to do, I also talk to a therapist, this also helps a lot. I still have all of the intrusive thoughts, and it's just destroying my life. I have never been a violent person, not even close. And these thoughts just make me feel so crazy. They make me sick. I also haven't cried at all, which isn't like me. I almost feel like my emotions are just gone and I hate that. Everyone keeps telling me to not give up on the medicine yet and give it a month. Just wondering if anyone else is or has also suffered this many weeks in and if it got any better, Thanks in advance!

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Pauljdme
    Pauljdme Tlynn1

    Posted

    Hey Tlynn1, it took me a good 6 weeks for the sertraline to reach its therapeutic leve. During that time you may feel boubts of good and bad feelings, then eventually more good ones than bad. It's a bit of a rough road at first. Some folks reach a therapeutic level in days, some it can take weeks even months. Your system needs to get use to the med and that can take time. You may have to give it a couple of months. If any of your side effects get too heavy contact your doc. All the best ☺

  • doris24908
    doris24908 Tlynn1

    Posted

    This is my opinion, Im not a Dr and I think you should talk to him/her or your therapist. To me pills that take so long to work,, I will think twice to continue taking them.

    I wish you luck

                Doris

  • Mumsie_pops
    Mumsie_pops Tlynn1

    Posted

    I too was prescribed 50mg Zoloft after having switched from paroxatine. The first week was not a problem but then WHAM!

    i have irrational thoughts sickness & just a terrible feelin of doom & gloom. I'm hoping in the next 3 weeks I will notice a difference. I've come this far so will continue until I get ian improvement. No gain without pain! Be strong

    good luck & give it another 3/4 weeks. 

    • pamela51740
      pamela51740 Mumsie_pops

      Posted

      Hi I know this post is old but did you get better on sertraline? I'm on my 1st week and I'm not better.

  • Mynameisalyss
    Mynameisalyss Tlynn1

    Posted

    I've been on Zoloft 3 weeks. After coming off of them and withdrawing (not fun). I started at 12.5 now I'm back up to 25. And oh my goodness these side effects are insane. Shakes, dizziness, nausea, increased anxiety. Yesterday was a great day for me but today was horrible. It's so on and off. I can sorts feel the medicine working but I'm not 100% there yet. Any suggestions? I'm assuming you're past this start up phase already and have some encouraging words! smile
    • kim76979
      kim76979 Mynameisalyss

      Posted

      I wish I had some encouraging words! I'm looking for some, myself. Started on a very low dose of Zoloft for the first time in my life about a week and a half ago. I'm now up to 50 mg per night and experiencing no relief. In fact, I feel like I may be worse off than I was before I started! I was hoping to hear from someone who has experienced this and made it through to the light at the end of the tunnel!?!? We need success stories, people. 😉
    • Tlynn1
      Tlynn1 Mynameisalyss

      Posted

      This week has been a lot better. I just feel like myself again. I still have those times where I feel like it's all coming back but I can kind of push the feelings away easier than before. The anxiety is still there.. but also just not as bad. It's been a rough couple of weeks to get to where I am now, but I'm happy that I did. Try to hang in there, I know it's hard.. but you'll be happy that you did!!
    • emma800627
      emma800627 Tlynn1

      Posted

      Hi,

      Ok so have been trough all of this before 3 years ago! Got through it with counselling and Citalopram. Weaned off them a year ago and wham in the last 4 weeks have hit a brick wall.

      Went to see the docs 3 time and then gave up and asked for some meds to help lift me. I have spotted the signs so much earlier this time, but some of my anxiety is raised though thinking about what happened before.

      I couldn't do Citalopram again although it helped last time it took 5 months to kick in properly.

      So a couple of friends recommend sertraline it's supposed to be less harsh on side effects. I'm on day 3, today being the worse of the 3, up and down just feeling really low. I just keep trying to focus on the fact that some meds and CBT will probably help and maybe a longer spell on meds.

      I don't feel like this all day and I don't obsess about it all day like last time. Don't think I have fallen so deep this time.

      So let's see how 50mg goes? Which I believe is equivalent to 20mg Citalopram. I remember the side effects were horrendous last time! I was so determined this time I didn't even read the sertraline drug instructions. I know what it will say, just said to myself if I don't know what the side effects are then I can't have them in my head thinking I am suffering from them!

      Will see how I go!

      Much love to you all x

    • Mynameisalyss
      Mynameisalyss Tlynn1

      Posted

      What week is it for you? I'm approaching week 3. Little signs of improvement but not much. I have anxiety on and off. I'm still so tired. All I ever want to do is sleep. I feel the medicine working in the back. Things that would usually set me off haven't which is good. I just want these side effects to go away. I'm getting restless. I want to feel better already.
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