Week 6 - third time on sertraline just need some inspiration
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hello
This is my third time on sertraline and I now know it is something I will need for the rest of my life.
As many people do once you feel better you feel you can manage without it.I had been on it for 2 years and did so well and slowly weaned myself off ( I didn't consult my GP)
Within 2 months my anxiety came back caused by a stressful job coping with COVID etc - I ignored all the signs - tight chest , poor sleep and hence after talking to my husband who is my rock I began 25mg for a week then 50mg and I'm now on week 6 feeling low and not myself.
My previous experience if this drug took 12 weeks on 50mg to get me back to me.I can't get an appointment with my GP even by telephone after trying several times.
I worry by 12 weeks I won't be myself and just wanted some inspiration from those that understand.
Thank you in anticipation of some positive advice xx
0 likes, 22 replies
ileana23018 Marconi27
Edited
hello, its been 5 months since your post just wondering how you did?
Marconi27 ileana23018
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Hello ileana230
I am pleased to say I am back to being me and loving life.
After weeks of up and downs going upto 75mg then back down to 50mg I managed to copeand come through.It has taken 5 months and I look back and really don't know how I managed .... but I did.
Lockdown and COVID took away many things from me
which support my mental health such as going to the gym , seeing my friends and going on holiday.This made my recovery slower.Not being able to speak to my GP was also frustrating - I managed it after 4 months and his advice was keep going on 50mg so I did.A previous call with a GP who does'nt know suggested go upto 100mg and callback in a year !!I ignored the advice - thank goodness!
How are you ? If there's any other info I can share -please ask.Take care xx
ileana23018 Marconi27
Edited
So happy to hear your doing well, I'm on week 7 on 37.5mg and starting to see some improvement but I have to say it's hard when you have set backs because it really defeats you. one think I notice is my evening are always good I feel normal even laughter and joke with my kids but every morning I wake up feeling horrible all over again, did you experience the same?
Marconi27 ileana23018
Edited
Hello - yes I experienced exactly the same - mornings were always the worst and just like you I was better in the evening .
This drug works very slowly so hang in there you WILL get there.
If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask.
Take care x
ileana23018 Marconi27
Posted
thank you for you reply, one more question. the first time I went through this I remember when the meds kicked in I work up feeling amazing was it the same for you?
Marconi27 ileana23018
Edited
Hi
In answer to your question I can't say I felt amazing when the meds kicked in but I did feel very calm and excited at the same time, for what everyday has in store.Remember this year has been exceptionally difficult due to COVID so as life slowly gets back to normal you will feel better.I remember thinking when will I be 'me' again and wanting to just 'get through' each day.I wake up now being grateful for all I have .I wish you well in your recovery - hang in there x
ileana23018 Marconi27
Posted
today was a bad day my symptoms all day sadness, hopelessness, nausea ontop of that doctor suggested I switch to Prozac dont want to do that I've been on zoloft before and it's worked I'm scared to just let go off 8 weeks I feel so close to recovery but still uncomfortable.
Marconi27 ileana23018
Edited
Hello
I'm so sorry you're not feeling great but I think you are nearly there particularly as you said you're having good evenings.
I am not a GP but I would carry on for at least another 5 weeks .I know that seems like such a long time but if you feel you're nearly there hang in.
I kept a diary of how I was feeling and my week 7and 8 were awful .I remember the days of hopelessness they seemed so long and I thought I'd never be myself but I am and you will be too.Take care.
j5183 Marconi27
Posted
I'm really struggling with this too. I've been on sertaline for 3 months and progress is so slow. I still have really nervous days. Your positive story is really helpful
chasidy44859 Marconi27
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Did you ever get dark thoughts as a side effect? Currently went up to 75mg 2.5 weeks ago (been on it for a total of a month) and 5 days ago, i had a really bad attack and had suicidal thoughts and got terrified because i hate having them because i dont want to do it. So i was just curious if it was a side effect and maybe need to give the 75mg time to work
anne30266 Marconi27
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Marconi,
It's so good to hear you are feeling well now. This is my second time on sertraline and am on week 4. I feel better than I felt the first couple of weeks but I still experience high anxiety- especially health anxiety, and scary thoughts every now and then, still have poor appetite, very vivid dreams that sometimes make me panic, but my sleep got better and , f i have a panic attack, its milder than before. Hanging in there but it's not that easy. Posts like you makes me feel hopeful, thank you!
kay99593 Marconi27
Edited
hi i hope you dint mind me chipping in but im simply beside myself . ive been on it before and it worked at 25 mg . this time ive been on sertraline for 6 weeks at 50'mg and im out of my mind with anxiety . ive no idea if i will get through this . I felt a little calmer for 2 days and that disappeared . sonetimes in the evenings i feel a little better but the mornings are absolute hell on earth and it ladts allday . chyfning churning stomach .. racong mind waking at 4 am with heart pounding .
please please should i keep going .. i cant believe ill ever be normal again
Marconi27 kay99593
Edited
Hello Kay
Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time.This journey adjusting to medication is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.I am no GP but I think you should carry on - I felt awful at 6 weeks on 50mg - just like you. The diary I kept has really helped me recognise how far I have come and also how hard the journey was.If you keep thinking of how you will feel when you are yourself again it will help when you feel like giving up.
I felt line giving up many times but having experienced the medication before I got there in the end.Take care - here to help if you need it. x
kay99593 Marconi27
Posted
thankyou so much for replying . ive been feeling so desperate .
its hard to believe that you take a pill for 6 weeks with no effect !
but you are giving me hope .
The anxiety is literally crippling me and i cant sleep or eat .
i fear life as normal will never return . i do not want to increase . i took 25 mg of sertraline before and it worked for me but i stupidly came off of it after 8 weeks and thought i didnt need it . i am literally praying 50 mg will work eventually as my life doesnt feel worth living as it is .
anne30266 kay99593
Edited
Kay,
I am sorry to hear you're not feeling well yet. After 7 years on sertraline and being in great place mentally and physically, I decided to go off and had been pretty okay for about 6-8 months. This Spring, my health anxiety came back though with a vengeance, so I decided to go back on sertraline. The first few weeks were brutal, many side effects, the worst being increased anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I am now on week 7 and while i am not fully back to normal, i see some improvements in my mood and the ability to deal with my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I am on 50 mg (I started with 12.5, then 25 mg and now 50 ) but am willing to increase if that would help. This group really kept me going in my darkest moments so don't forget, we are here if you need support and reassurance.
kay99593 anne30266
Posted
hi Anne ,
I am awake again with crippling anxiety and i will be 7 weeks on 50 next tuesday
I am literally beside myself thinking this isnt going to work fir me . I took sertraline before at 25 mg and i it worked well for me at 5 weeks but this time nothing .
anne i feel so desperate
anne30266 kay99593
Posted
Kay,
I am so sorry to hear you're not feeling well. So, when I started the sertraline at the beginning of May, I started with 50 mg (as I did years ago), but the side effects after just one dose were so scary (terribly intrusive thoughts and anxiety that made me think I was going crazy, depersonalization, dizziness, heart palpitations) that i stopped it and told my doctor that advised to start with a much lower dose - 12.5 mg fir 1 week, 25 mg for 2 weeks and then increased to 50. I still experienced side effects (those already listed above, insomnia, poor appetite, nausea) but milder, which made me keep going. I have been now for about 3 weeks on 50 mg and doing ok, not great. kind of hanging in there! I have good days, but also bad days. Because last week my sleep was so poor, I started taking melatonin 2 days ago, minimum dose - 1.5 mg,. that has also L-Theanine , and while doing a research on L-Theanine which is an amino-acid that helps you relax and thus lower anxiety and improve sleep, I read about L-Theanine &Gaba supplements that are supposed to help with anxiety, so I am planning on asking my doctor's opinion on this. Not planning on stopping sertraline but add these supplements. I'll keep you posted on this. I would also check with your doctor and see what they say. Maybe they will lower the dose or increase it, or switch you to another brand. Stay in touch.
j5183 kay99593
Posted
How are you doing now Kay? Hang in there