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week 4 help!

Posted , 5 users are following.

emma1605
emma1605

Ive just past the 4 week mark on 100mg and im really struggling, im thinking maybe i need to stop taking it all together. Surely i should feel better by now. Anxiety is so so bad.

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • jamie38830
    jamie38830 emma1605

    Posted

    I hear you Emma. Im only on day 5 and I feel much worse and so tired from not sleeping. I could just about cope with my anxiety but its so bad im wishing I never started these pills.
  • Guest
    Guest emma1605

    Posted

    Hi Emma and Jamie....So sorry you're both struggling.Emma,did you start straight away on 100mg?It's a shame,perhaps your G P could have suggested starting on half that dose and very gradually increasing it?(I started on 25 mg.....Increased to 50 mg after 3 weeks.I was very worried about adverse side effects and so let my body get used to the medication.Jamie....Do stick with it....The side effects should subside.Whatever you both do,please don't go cold turkey.Jamie..Out of interest,what dose are you on?I do hope you both feel better very soon x x
    • jamie38830
      jamie38830 Guest

      Posted

      Thanks Sally. Started on 50mg for the last 5 days, That is what my doc stated.
    • emma1605
      emma1605 Guest

      Posted

      Hi i started on 50mg for a week then doc increased my dose to 100mg that was 4 weeks ago x
  • katie2108
    katie2108 emma1605

    Posted

    4 weeks really isn't long enough for the medication to start taking effect, I'm afraid. It's also scary that you're taking 100mg after only 4 weeks. If I was you, I would speak with your doctor about your concerns and see if you'd be better taking 50mg for a couple months at least. This is from my own experience on Sertraline, which I am currently withdrawing from. I wish I had never started, but at the time I was in a bad place.
    • jamie38830
      jamie38830 katie2108

      Posted

      Im thinking i shouldnt be on it. Ive been to the doctors twice complaining that I suffer from the odd anxiety attack and my mood is low. Ive never had a bad thought and im certianly not in a bad place. Im just down. Im thinking that the pills are a step too far. I could cope with it and just thought it would go away.
    • katie2108
      katie2108 jamie38830

      Posted

      I don't intend to write off antidepressants here, but have you had a full blood count/test to check for vitamin deficiencies? I recently did and found I was Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Iron deficient. All can contribute to low mood, feelings of apathy, lack of motivation etc. Thetes plenty of information regarding B12 deficiency online. Just a thought! I'm now taking high grade/prescribed supplements for all and am confident I'm going to be in a better place soon, hence my tapering off of Sertraline.
    • jamie38830
      jamie38830 katie2108

      Posted

      I might try that then Katie. Rather be taking supplements than these darn pills!
  • Digsby
    Digsby emma1605

    Posted

    Hi Emma,

    I read your post regarding your "meltdown" and I really empathise with the way you are feeling. You are definitely not alone, but it is still very early days with the medication. I'm on week 5 just having increased from 50mg to 100mg. I keep waiting for the drugs to work but I know there are things I can be doing to help myself as well but I've felt really overwhelmed this week and almost back to square 1. I'm trying not to look at it as a backward step but more as a "pause" in my journey. I'm not looking back at the person I used to be or forward at the person I want to be: I'm just trying to focus on the person I am now, in this moment, and not judging that person harshly. What you feel is real so be gentle with yourself and tell yourself it's OK to feel the way you do. Of course, we want to change and feel better right NOW, but let yourself take baby steps. Congratulate yourself when you have a good day; be gentle with yourself when you have a bad day. It sounds like good days are hard to come by. Do you have a close friend or family member you can share with when you feel at your worst?

    Stay strong and don't heap too much expectation on yourself to behave or feel in a certain way. You are unique & special!

    Let us know how you get on. Big hug :-)

    Digsby

    x

    • emma1605
      emma1605 Digsby

      Posted

      I feel if i stopped taking them i may be better as i dont think i can feel worse.
    • Digsby
      Digsby emma1605

      Posted

      Hi Emma,

      Gary's right. It's best if you can just stick with it for a bit longer. I spent Nov & Dec on another medication which was giving me awful side effects. I eventually came off that drug cold turkey (which I would not recommend). I just felt I had given the medication (200mg) enough time and I was frustrated at having wasted 2 months of my recovery time (grrr!) Once it was out of my system I started the Sertraline but the withdrawal was very bad. I wouldn't be so sure that you can't feel worse than you do now (but I am not you). But you are stronger than you think. What you are experiencing at the moment is real but it doesn't define who you are. You are bigger than these emotions that are overwhelming you and filling your thoughts. You've had the wisdom and courage to come on this forum and bare your soul and seek help. We're here to let you know that you are not alone and we want to support you until you find the light at the end of the tunnel again. Remember that the medication hasn't always made you feel like this. If it was week 1, it would be more of a worry. Your brain's chemicals are still trying to get to the right balance and that takes time. It's frustrating, so that's why we need to be kind to ourselves and do whatever it takes to distract ourselves while we're waiting for things to improve. The more proactive you can be in finding the routine that works for you, the better you will feel. This is easier said than done when our energy levels are non-existent. That's when it's good to talk to someone who isn't going to judge you.

      Please try to stay positive and hang in there. Whatever you can do to relax (meditate, exercise, listen to music, etc) find that happy place and make it your own. You will get through this!

      Take care & keep us updated.

      Digsby

      x

  • gary27777
    gary27777 emma1605

    Posted

    Hi Emma, like you I'm on 100mg and coming up to the end of my 5th week having started on 50 for the first two and, like you, I am still having an increased level of anxiety. The way I look at it is that I have got to give the drug a good chance of working (which appears to be at least 8-10 weeks) otherwise I will have wasted these first 5? If it does get better after a few more weeks, then great, and if not then at least i can come off them or change meds but knowing that I have given Sertraline a chance. I would really say try and stick with them for a few ,ore weeks if you cna although I know its hard. I'm seeing my Doc next week and will most likely try beta blockers to help with the sertraline sh, sh, sh, shakes!!!

    Good luck!

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