Two weeks in, not sure if i should carry on.
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hey
After dealing with anxiety for all of my adult life, I decided that I needed a bit of extra help.
I have been on 25 mg of sertraline for two weeks and I am finding it hard. I have been experencing increased anxiety and panic attacks, the smallest things seem to have turned into the biggest issues.
However, during the second week, the increased anxiety (which is still there) has slighly deminished. But I still dont feel very good.
I had spoken to my doctor, she said that after 3 days If i still had side effects, then sertraline was not for me. I told her that I had read and reaserched into the drug and that some people take a couple of weeks to get rid of some of the nasty side effects. She then told me "well, you probally know more about it than me"....So.... its not really like I can turn to my doctor for advice.
I don't want to be taking something that will have a negative effect on me, or just makes me feel even worse with no upside.
I just want to get on with my life, I had hoped that sertraline would make a big difference, but I cant see past feeling rubbish atm.
Any advice, hang in there? Up the dose? Quit taking it? Really hard to deal with anxiety, panic and intrusive thoughts.
0 likes, 7 replies
a-new-day will4009
Posted
sheesh....general doctors.. also known as 'jack of all trades, masters of none'. and then they get defensive just because we are not as dumb as they think and are capable of reading information and other people's experiences on the internet
first thing i would do is change your doctor (because she thought the side effects of ssri's should diminish after 3 days. clearly she is clueless in the mental health department so you should move on to another doctor as luckily some of them are pretty good with mental health matters)
my (unqualified) advice is, you should give sertraline more time as it might be ideal for you and would be a shame to stop before it has had a chance to get working properly
when the new side effects from taking 25mg (increased anxiety) has settled down you should consider moving to 50mg (which for an adult is most often the starting dose)
there's a good chance you will experience some new side effects each time you increase your dose, but they should settle down so try not to let it get to you and try to keep busy during your recovery (going out as usual or if you dont go out much, watching tv shows boxsets or reading, using the internet etc)
sertraline can really pay off when given enough time to settle in (can take a couple of months sometimes, although some people are luckier and it works faster than that)
keep us posted here on how you are doing, and best of luck ok
lorna811 will4009
Posted
holly34337 will4009
Posted
Hi Will,
Keep going... You have it correct as far as side effects. Generally 50 mg is the target starting dose. You will more than likely get side effects again when increasing. It is not easy but you are two weeks in. Would be a shame to stop now. It works great once you get through the start up and the medicine levels out. Don't think most doctors know how bad the side effects are on this med.....
jay98357 will4009
Posted
Hang in there Will. From my own experience (unqualified) it takes time. I took 25mg for two weeks then 50 for about 6 weeks and now on 75 and starting to feel much better. The side effects are nasty and when you up the dose at least you can expect the side effects but not every one gets them.
I have had a hard time whenever I up my dose the start to feel good. My anxiety is high in the morning but it soon calms down.
Hang in there as it's early days with drug. My doc said it can take months but the rewards are great. My gp is wonderful and I trust her 100%
Good luck and maybe find a doc who understands.
You always have us to chat too as we all know what you are going through
a-new-day jay98357
Posted
weenett will4009
Posted
I stayed on 25mg for abt a wk then upped to 37.5 for a few days then bit the bullet an went to 50 mg as thats the theraputic adult starting dose im into my 3rd wk of it now and only in this ladt wk have i felt any relief even tho im still not right im better than i was the last 2 weeks u'll know pretty fast if serts for u its abt how much u can handle se i had them quite bad but not as bad as citralopram so go with ur gut
krista49686 will4009
Posted
Hi Will,
It's hard to know with this drug. I was on 50mg and I noticed that my anxiety really was up and my depression seemed worse. Then three weeks ago my PA upped it to 100mg. I was shaky in the mornings, but after a few days it seemed both my depression and anxiety leveled off. I noticed I was more interested in life and was getting things done without the big struggle. My biggest problem with Zoloft has been gut issues. I find that every day is a decision of should I stay on or get off.
I don't want to get off until I really get back into some good routines, like going back to the gym.
This drug seems to have more side effects than any other antidepressant, but when it works people say they get their lives back.😊 Let us know how you make out.