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When will it work.

Posted , 5 users are following.

cezza78
cezza78

Hi

I've been taking Sertraline for five weeks tom. I started with 50 mg for just over two weeks, then upped it to 100mg. I've had some good days but my anxiety is still playing up. Sleep is also awful. I've been prescribed zipoclone but sometimes they are not working.

Just to give you a bit of background, my anxiety has been caused by having cancer last year. I'm also having cbt, taking exercise, eating healthy, Ect.

My main problem is the sleep - it's awful.

Any advice would be appreciated

thanks

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • JJ0604
    JJ0604 cezza78

    Posted

    It's still early days if you're only at 5 weeks and upping your dose will mean it'll take another 4-6 weeks from when you upped it for it to be fully in your system. It will get better, I'm on week 7 (upped to 75mg 1.5 weeks ago) and am starting to turn a corner.

    In the meantime if it's getting to sleep that's your issue then try and get into a good bedtime routine, a bath, then into bed with some hot chocolate and a book. Be strict about what time you switch off your light. It'll take a while but may help. If you're waking in the early hours (which is what happened to me) then I found it just gradually got better.

    You'll get there. Xx

    • cezza78
      cezza78 JJ0604

      Posted

      Thanks for your comment. My doc says it takes time so I guess I need to sit tight.

      When did your sleep improve? ?

    • JJ0604
      JJ0604 cezza78

      Posted

      Just in the last few days/ week. You'll get there, just remember that the upped dose will take 4-6 weeks to get into your system so you need to be patient. Easier said than done when you feel awful I know but you will get out the other side xx
    • cezza78
      cezza78 JJ0604

      Posted

      I have to keep reminding myself of this. My mood seems to go up and down throughout the day. I'm week 3 on the upped dose so I suppose I need to give it time. I really thought I'd be ok by now...
  • adele92602
    adele92602 cezza78

    Posted

    Hi cezza, I'm on week 6 and feel same as you, been told they should be kicking in but i feel worse. I have seen phsycs for half my life and lots of people have said its bipolar, health profs ect. Had an assessment and was told its just low mood. Any way same as you upped dose to 100mg yest and 1-2 propronolol a day. I feel diiferent not like me and the lows are

    ​more frequent. Im waiting for another assesment and worried theyve upped the dose. Not seen many good things about ikt to be honest. Hope youre ok smile

    • cezza78
      cezza78 adele92602

      Posted

      Hiya. Thanks for your reply. It's a nightmare eh. I'm having some good days but my sleep is still terrible as I'm anxious. How are you doing??
  • Ditty
    Ditty cezza78

    Posted

    I couldn't sleep at 100mg, been on that does for 2 weeks now after being on 50mg for a month. I recently started taking 25mg Trazodone 1hr before bedtime. I sleep really good now and not many side effect besides having a small headache in the mornings but it goes away quickly. Feel way better after getting proper sleep.
  • emilie77711
    emilie77711 cezza78

    Posted

    I've been on sertraline now for about a half a year, the first few months were hell literally a living nightmare, i was so sick, my depression was worse and i was just going crazy. My best advice to you would be to keep trying, aslong as things don't get to bad that you can't do every day things then try your best to stick it out. As for the sleeping i had the same problem but all of a sudden it will kick in and you'll start falling asleep in seconds i promise. it took me a few months for that to happen but the amount of sleep you'll get will make it all worth it. Also i found that after the side effects started to go away the pills would make me tired, but now after being on them for around 9 months i noticed that they wake me up and give me energy, so instead of taking them at night i take them in the morning so maybe keep that in mind, if theyre keeping you up and giving you energy try taking them in the morning smile 
    • cezza78
      cezza78 emilie77711

      Posted

      Thanks for your response. I have days when I feel so awful, but some are ok. There is no consistency. I've been taking 50mg for 5 weeks and 100mg for 3. I just can't see a light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. I just want to be able to function normally. I am also finding I am exhausted even if I've slept.

      When did they finally kick in??

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