1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

Ups & Downs continued (100mg sertraline)

Posted , 12 users are following.

rossyarch
rossyarch

After another good week I've took another dip in form: low mood, low energy, foggy mind, hard to think and focus on studies).

This dip doesn't seem as bad as the last one which is a good sign. I'm 4 months in and was wondering if anyone else is experiencing the ups & downs at this point?

Have any of you stabalised over a long peroid of time? 

Thanks,

Rossy

2 likes, 139 replies

139 Replies

Prev Next
  • molloy
    molloy rossyarch

    Posted

    I've been three weeks on sertraline, 9 days at 100 mg, mainly for anxiety. I feel ups and downs all day long. The goods seems a bit longer this week than last week, not sure. It's very exhausting nonetheless.. (still thinks I'm better off than on citalopram, as I was continuously anxious and sedated then...)
    • rossyarch
      rossyarch molloy

      Posted

      3 weeks is way to early to get an idea yet, give it 2/3 months
  • Johoben
    Johoben rossyarch

    Edited

    Even once you're on it for a year, you're still going to experience ups and downs. That's just part of being human. It is perfectly normal and okay to have a bad day. Even people who don't have anxiety disorders or depression have days where they might be feeling especially anxious, or really sad. It doesn't matter how long you're on the medication. It usually takes about 2 months to level out. And bad days are not an indication that the medication is not working or that you're body isn't used to the medication yet. It just means you're human.
    • don45258
      don45258 Johoben

      Posted

      Ok we're human but obviously your on your way to recovery but just remember that u felt that way be for just because your feeling better don't me you have to try and patronise people
    • Johoben
      Johoben don45258

      Posted

      I'm definitely not patronising anyone. Just giving advice. It's good to remember that bad days happen to everyone, but they pass and good days follow. So when people become concerned that they had a bad day after being on the meds for a few months, they need to know that they shouldn't be concerned because it's perfectly normal for every human to have a bad day.
    • rossyarch
      rossyarch Johoben

      Posted

      yeah i get where youre coming from. bad days as a result of external events are understandible. bad days out of the blue for no apparent reason is a different story.

      theres days where ill be more happy with nothing than days where i know that if i won a million pound it would change my mood what so ever.

      a bad day for someone who isnt on meds/suffering from anxiety or depression would be because they crashed their car etc

    • rossyarch
      rossyarch

      Posted

      wouldnt change my mood*
    • Johoben
      Johoben rossyarch

      Posted

      People without those disorders can experience it too though. Not as often, but sometimes people have a bad day and they don't know why. Have you ever heard the expression "woke up on the wrong side of the bed"? Everyone has days that suck and they don't know why. It is normal. It isn't normal for that to be an every day thing, which is usually what it is for people with anxiety disorders. But if someone is on medication for anxiety, and they have a couple unexplainable bad days, that is something that everyone goes through. In fact, my roommate had one of those days yesterday. He woke up, came upstairs and was just like "f*ck this day". There was no reason, he just felt like his day was going to suck. However, he didn't let how he woke up affect his whole day. He consciously chose to push through it and have as good of a day as possible. He didn't get down on himself for not feeling great. Yes, it is easier for someone without anxiety or depression to make those decisions to push through the day, but it is possible for people like us to do it to. Anxiety is almost always in the head. Cognitive behavioral therapy is so popular for treating anxiety because it works towards changing a person's thinking patterns to be more positive. No, anxiety isn't curable, but it is something we can learn to deal with, even if it means also taking medication. When your day feels sh*tty for no reason, you have to work at changing your thought patterns. It isn't easy and it doesn't come naturally, but it's worth giving it a shot if it means the chance to essentially retrain the brain.
    • rossyarch
      rossyarch Johoben

      Posted

      That makes sense I undesrstand what u mean, thanks for the insight
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 Johoben

      Posted

      Maybe you can help me johoben, I have been doing really really wellon 7weeks now at 50mg eating well, sleeping good. But yesterday (xmas day) I had a panic attack, had to go out for a long walk. Keptvwakingbin the night with anxiety then today ive not been able to eat at all?

      Im really really scared that im going back to how o was at the beginning?? Freaking out.

      Will it go or should I go backnto the dr and gwt an increase????

    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      It will pass it's just a blip some times they last a day sometimes a few days it will pass, just be positive.
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Still not too good, no panick attack today, was very tearfull this morning, and still had to force my self to eat. Has to spend the whole day out, as hate being indoors when I'm like this. I think I should see my Dr tomorrow? I haven't taken any diazipam though so that means I'm obviously not as bad as I was at beginning, far from it, but I'm not as good as I was before X'mas day either.

      How are you?

    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      I've been really well have been for weeks touch wood, it's a long journey I've been on sertraline for over 6 months and it gets better and better 
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Really? Thats solo good to hear! What dose ate you on? Did you get blops at the beginning too? Hopefully I can be the sane too God willing
    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Been on 100mg from the start and yes I've had blips up until 12 weeks then they get less and less as time goes on, some lasted a few days some lasted a week, haven't had a blip for about a month now fingers crossed, I also make sure I have the same brand of Sertraline each prescription
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Thats great, I couldn't get appt today, so I'll try tomorrow, I woke up too late.but feeling a bit better today, was a bit anxious this morning. Don't liikee beiinng alone?
    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Me neither, i tend to go to my parents house if my parent is working etc.
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      So I'm not the only one that hates being alone! Can't belive a couple months ago I was totaky normal, and now... well I'm broken: (
    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      It's just a blip in life we will get through this, it just means we have to give our bodies time to recover and make a few changes, if there is anything I can help with just ask, I'm moving to rural south of France in March so if you fancy a cheap holiday let us know
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Hi Philip, well I'm still not back to how I was before X'mas, and it's really frustrated me. I've spent most of the day out looking around shops with my daughter, I dread coming home. I tried ringing all my friends to see if I could go and visit them, but all are busy or not answering. So I had to come home, and guess what I feel anxious a bit depressed too. I'm not like really bad, but I just feel a bit low and on edge.it's obviously not a blip is it? I think my meds do need increase, but I have been reading a lot about people coming off sertraline and how bad they get, so I don't want to make a bigger rod for my back if you know what I mean?

      Ahhh gosh!!! Anyway how are you?

    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Not to bad bought a few model kits today to build to keep me busy, I'm still ok at the moment
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Hi lattifa , my days were so good before I stepped in week 9 as I'm now it's all came down I feel bad and not as good as before . But as you told me it will get better it actually did but week 9 for me is a collapse.

      I hope there is a light out there.

      I feel silly when I tell my loved ones about my feelings every time as they don't understand they tell me to relax and stop thinking , but I can't control it .

    • philip46747
      philip46747 dodo81786

      Posted

      Just a blip, I had the same around weeks 8-12, I'm nearly 7 months in
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 philip46747

      Posted

      Hi Philip thanks for the hope you gave me , really I felt that I'm gonna be stuck here forever.😞

      Also no sleep to make me fresh all day I can only sleep for 3 hrs or even less even with Ativan .

    • michelle14134
      michelle14134 dodo81786

      Posted

      Hi dodo I'm exactly the same I don't get any sleep and avent slept for about a year now even when I take zolpidem I only get a few hours and don't feel rested at all feel like it's Neva goin to get any better x
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 michelle14134

      Posted

      I'm sorry for what you also feel , this is making my panic more😖

      What dose r you in ?

    • michelle14134
      michelle14134 dodo81786

      Posted

      I'm on 100mg what about u? I know how u feel I feel on edge and exhausted all time and my eyes constantly hurt x
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 michelle14134

      Posted

      I'm on 50mg but will visit my dr so I can know what to do probably will up my dose .
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 philip46747

      Posted

      Philip and how do you feel after that time ? I hope you are doing good .
    • philip46747
      philip46747 dodo81786

      Posted

      Pretty much normal again still have the occasional off day but who doesn't, eating and sleeping normal, I take night time rescue remedy to help sleep, it's natural. Your notice differences weekly if not monthly as time goes by you get stronger and stronger.
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786

      Posted

      My dr gave me 100mg , starting today night . I hope this works for me
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 dodo81786

      Posted

      Hi dodo, sorry for the late reply, ive had problems signing in.

      its probably a blip I had a blip started xmas day lasted a week.

      hang in their. How are you today?

    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Hi philip, much better thanks , not 100% buy I guss ill never be that lol. Im looking for work now as I hate nothing to do gets me anxiois.

      How are you doing?

    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Crappy but I have a cold/flu which isn't helping but still making myself do stuff
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Oh no, does that increase your anxiety?

      Try and get some hot soup in you and eat fruit.

      I hope your looking after your self? Good that you still keeping busy.

    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Hi lattifa, after 2 mons on 50mgs I did feel better but had a day which was a flip for me didn't feel good and tearing with no reason , went to doc and he upped my dose to 100mgs it's my forth day with the new dose I hope it works .
    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Yeh affects anxiety as your immune system is down trying to fight the cold.
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 dodo81786

      Posted

      Do you feel the side affects of the upped dose?

      Glad you went to the dr and she/he upped it.

    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Yes I have this uneasy feeling and anixity . But in general better than started the sertraline from the beginning. This is my first time in my life experience this feelings and taking anti depressants. I wish to be totally cured from it and return to my old self again .
    • AdamE
      AdamE dodo81786

      Posted

      Same here. I've had anxiety for 13 years and the past 6 months things turned physical.  I started Sertraline 6 days ago (25mg 4 days, 50mg 2 days). I'm feeling 10x worse right now. The one thing that got me hard today was the brain zap, haha. I've had them before but this one was a tad bit longer than the others. Assuming it's just the heightened side affects.  

      Sometimes I just want to go back to how I use to feel. Full of life, lots of friends, not coming home to an empty house by myself while dealing with these side effects and anxiety. sad

    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Hi philip, imvdoing ok so far, how are you?

      Ive veenbdoing well; think you were right I was having a blip.but I worry that when will I have another ect. How are you?

    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      I'm ok, still have this annoying cold/flu thing, try not to think about the blips take every day as it comes 
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 philip46747

      Posted

      I guess the new dose worked better for me , I feel better on it although I still have a little anixity but I can handle it , I hope I'm back to normal one day .
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Hi philip,;not too bad so still on 50mg ive started CBT last week felt made me more anxious really, so I will be having that every thursday.

      Still dont like being alone.

      How are you doing?

    • AdamE
      AdamE lattifa7777

      Posted

      I know what you mean. I live on my own so it's hard sometimes to deal with this.  I'm still on 25mg. My nausea is gone (THANK GOD). Lost 40lbs due to that. But I still get full facial numbness, heavy headed feeling like it's pulling, get the lightheadedness, feeling like my brain cant keep up to what my eyes are seeng, bad short term memory too. But when it all happens I forget how much worse it really was before the 12th day on Sertraline. I don't feel the need to try and talk to a doctor every other day or rush to urgent care. And to be honest I almost feel half way normal once we reach the afternoon hours.

      But since I still deal with the other symptoms I might jump up to 50mg aftea couple more weeks.  Nausea was my worst symptom so I'm happy to just have that gone.  So will wait a couple more weeks on this dose to see if the Sertraline really kicks in since I'm only about 2 1/2 weeks in.

    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 philip46747

      Posted

      Hi Philip , thanks for asking .

      I'm not bad but not yet totally normal as I used to be . Still have fears some time through the day . It's my 3rd week on my upped dose 100mgs.

      I wish to be back to my normal soon .

      And you ? How r you?

    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 AdamE

      Posted

      Hi adam, its tough espcially if you're alone , you sound like you are doing really really well. I felt back to normal by 4 1/2 week's. I still have blips and I would say im 85 to 90% normal. Definitely wait another couple weeks before upping, and if you feel better then dont up the dose. Really yoi shoukd wait untill the 6 week mark, thats what I was told on here anyway . See I think I should up ny dose a little to 75mg , but i really want to try and do the rest of the work myself? I am also scared of side affects again and coming off then aventualy as heard so nuch on this forum about how hard it is.

      Keep us updated and really well done for being strong . Message me anytime if ur alone and anxious . Take care

    • philip46747
      philip46747 dodo81786

      Posted

      I'm okish, pharmacy gave me a different brand of Sertraline after being on the same for 5 months, they said if I wanted a certain brand I had to pay £20 handling fee, so far I can feel myself going down hill, heavy head is back and just feel shakey and not how I was the last few months, I want the same brand again but can't afford £20 on top of the normal price
    • philip46747
      philip46747 lattifa7777

      Posted

      I don't like being alone either, I have been given a different brand of Sertraline and so far I don't think it's agreeing with me.
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 philip46747

      Posted

      Oh nooooo, how can they do that, thats awfull , you cant suffer like this again. Is there no way at all you can get £20?
    • AdamE
      AdamE lattifa7777

      Posted

      Thank you smile. I'm not entirely sure Sertraline got rid of my nausea. I think I did. Maybe under sertraline help but I left my CBT therapists office one day after talking about some things in the past where around my nausea started years ago. Jumped in my truck and started driving. 5 minutes later I lost my mind on myself. I'm someone who doesn't show much if at all any emotion with people around. I looked down at my stomach at a red light and yelled (WHAT????? WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS THERE?? WHY ARE YOU MAKING ME NAUSEOUS??? WHATEVER HAPPENED IN THE PAST IS THE PAST! I CAN'T CHANGE IT NOW! I'M FINE! LEAVE ME ALONE!)

      After I yelled at myself for 15 minutes my nausea has been gone ever since. I think my stem was the past but never expressing my emotions over it. My therapist tried before I left but when I tried talking my throat would tickle and I would cough like crazy. Got nauseous from it too. Had to leave and walk up and down the hallway to calm myself down.

      Maybe some people just need to look at themselves and yell. Asking "WHAT?" but really mean what youre going to say. Sounds strange but it worked for me. I still have my other symptoms which I think is mostly stress related but nausea was the WORST. feels good to eat again without an hour fight to eat a quarter of a meal.

    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 philip46747

      Posted

      That is too bad, I'm sorry to hear that . But is there anyway you can get them ?
    • philip46747
      philip46747 dodo81786

      Posted

      I'm gonna take these different ones for a week if I continue down hill I will go to the dr to prove that the change in brand makes a difference and make him change me prescription to the same brand
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 philip46747

      Posted

      I hope all the best for you .

      Keep us updated .

      Today I'm not feeling well , panicky and heart palpitations with uneasy feeling all day . It's my 3rd week on 100mg upped dose . I didn't feel that bad the last weeks once I started my new dose though. sad

      I wish it's only a blip then will get better again .

    • philip46747
      philip46747 dodo81786

      Posted

      It's just a blip, don't worry It takes time for upped doses to settle
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 AdamE

      Posted

      Thats great how you did that, just shows its in the mind and how powerful the nind is, can you tell me more how you did that was you angry when you spoke to yourself ?
    • AdamE
      AdamE lattifa7777

      Posted

      I was just tired of it. My anxiety has held me back with having a normal life. 32 and have no woman in my life, barely any friends, etc. I was legit mad my anxiety. Not mad at me but my anxiety. I literally looked at my stomach and yelled. Definitely meant every word that came out of my mouth.

      I think if I was just yelling at myself but not meaning it or comprehending it it wouldn't have worked.

    • AdamE
      AdamE

      Posted

      I haven't been able to eat in a public setting in over a year. For 13 years it'd always been tough to do that too. Today at work we had a potluck. I didn't even feel a little nausea. It's absolutely crazy.
    • philip46747
      philip46747 dodo81786

      Posted

      Surprisingly I feel ok on different brand of Sertraline, only issue so far was a banging headache last night, it was so painful I've never experience anything like it, couple paracetamol and a dark room and it shifted after a while.
    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 philip46747

      Posted

      Great to know that . Give it time .

      How long did you take the new brand?

    • dodo81786
      dodo81786 philip46747

      Posted

      Good , it's great to feel ok and normal

      Wish you all the best .

      I hope my new dose works .

      The weird thing is when I started my new dose I felt ok and no panic or low mood or even thoughts and after 3 weeks everything started going all over again but not as first started the med but it's still panics me .

      I wish it's a blip as you said and will go soon .

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.