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Week 6 - third time on sertraline just need some inspiration

Posted , 11 users are following.

Marconi27
Marconi27

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

22 Replies

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  • rich775
    rich775 Marconi27

    Edited

    Marconi,

    Firstly, I never thought I would posting or reading online reviews but I find it really comforting to hear of similar experiences- especially positive and encouraging experiences.

    My first experience with Seratraline was effective. I recall, it took so long to work and certainly it made things worse before they improved. I had anxiety+ depression. It eventually worked and to be honest, I forget all the bad days and lived my life- After 1 year or so, I slowly stopped taking it...went on with life and had zero issues- I got married, had a daughter and even great success in my career. So, I know it works, I know you can come off it...and I know it gave me my life back.

    Fast forward about 7 years- Several major life issues happened all at once (including covid), a new baby, moving countries (deciding that it was not a good move) I started to feel the horrid sensations again- sleep disturbances (I slept so easily for so many years)- I "freaked" out and basically bought the entire holland and barrett sleep section- I guzzeled rescue remedy, I ran, I dowloaded every app possible about sleep- eventually I went to a GP and they suggested that I should take Zoloft again. After going back and forth I decided to be "brave" and started the process of taking Zoloft- it is a process.

    It has not been so smooth this time- after the initial first few weeks, I started to feel great, I was then hit with a blip- I increased to 75mg and was fine for a few weeks then once again, a blip. I am now on 125mg and have had some good days and some really bad and scary days. It has been about 12 weeks (in total) and about 4 weeks on 125mg. It seems that I am not having the best luck this time and I am very frustrated as I doing everything to help with my anxiety- meditation etc.

    What I believe is that it takes a long time to work and I feel that some people have a quicker reaction time and some slower. My biggest question is: If it starts to work for a short while, then stop- Is this a good thing? Perhaps I should start a new thread on this as I certainly don't want you to feel I am not responding to your question, I am just sharing with you my situation as we might be on the same page.

    I really cannot wait for the day that I can write my success story. In fact when I was feeling great a few weeks ago I nearly wrote one... Ups and downs are so hard as you feel frustrated, and of course scared that this medicine will not work, or I have to start over or switch etc.

    I would love some advice on the ups and downs and when enough is enough and It is time to try something new. I like all of you, want to focus on other things. I have a family, a career and so many other things to think about other then this issue... but like I told my wife.... Imagine a tooth ache- you can ignore it, but it is still always present... I want my anxiety tooth ache to go...

    • Igbat09
      Igbat09 rich775

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing your story, Rich! How are you doing now?

  • samantha08069
    samantha08069 Marconi27

    Posted

    hi Macoroni,

    aw wow so it has worked for you before so im sure it will work again, it may take a little longer than before to work so don't be disheartened. i was on 50mg then went up to 100mg and been in that fir two years started ti taper down and then after something happened decoded to up the dose again ti 100mg. anyway i had been travelling so well for 2 years and recently was diagnosed with very low iron had an infusion and feel terrible. Im going back to my dr as i feel its just not working so i will be going up to 150mg. So im guessing it will all start again cause 100mg isnt working atm..

    its such a tricky journey.. im wishing you all the best in sure you will be back to yourself soon Xx

  • laura20879
    laura20879 Marconi27

    Posted

    hi just wondering how you go on as I have been on 50mg for 5 weeks now.

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