How long for sertraline to work?

[Fluffycloudland77]

Dh has been on it two weeks and is as bad as ever.

[Downunderduchess]

I must have been incredibly lucky as it started to work for me within the week of starting it. I was told by my doctor it could take up to 3 - 4 weeks to become effective. I was so grateful it worked quickly for me, it's so difficult going through anxiety/depression, I was in a bad place. I hope it starts working soon for him, it does get better. I'm in such a different place mentally now than this time last year. Good luck with everything.

[HearMeSnore]

For me it took two weeks and two days. When it eventually did kick in the effect was very sudden and remarkable. Like someone had just opened the curtains.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Well it’s 4 weeks today, they’re making him more anxious. Cpn on Wednesday so maybe they will have some more ideas.

[HearMeSnore]

Ah - if he's on them for anxiety rather than depression they will do that. I took them for PND and they were miraculous. 5 years later I took them for anxiety and they made it worse. Horrible side effects including shaking, sweating, palpitations and insomnia. Couldn't tolerate them at all and I wish I'd pushed for beta-blockers instead. I'm told if I'd stuck with them the side effects would have gone away eventually but I don't know how long that would have taken.

[Fluffycloudland77]

We’re not sure if it’s anxiety or depression till Wednesday, dh had a phone appointment with the cpn & they emailed the px over to his gp.

He’s had the tremors though.

[ToLiveInPeace]

Anti-depressants can take a few weeks to work, especially if starting on a low dose and building up. What's also worth knowing is that things can feel worse before they feel better (GPs rarely seem to mention this). Hang in there to see if they start to help, but see your GP for a higher dose/different medication if not. Hope DH feels better soon and remember to take care of yourself too.

[currentlyoutoftheoffice]

What dose is he on? I found I had to build up very gradually and I was also given other meds to take if things got too much in the short term (benzos).

I actually think it was closer to 6/8 weeks when I felt a difference.

[Fluffycloudland77]

50mg a day.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Well they upped it to 100mg and it made him so angry, yesterday was awful for him and today he looks fucked.

[PenguinsRabbits]

Is he having counselling as well - anti-depressants don't work for everyone though there's lots of different ones they can try in different types. Never worked for me just got side effects, DH on his got better within couple of weeks. Some people one works for, another doesn't.

You can self-refer for counselling here though if its more specialist help he needs best to go via GP:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/benefits-of-talking-therapy/

I think it would be worth exploring what the issue is and what's worrying / stressing him. I felt worse on them when I had them for anxiety after childbirth and was better off them with CBT. It's often just trial and error.

[Fluffycloudland77]

He is seeing the cpn for 90 minutes a week.