Sertraline 14 days positive stories please

One day at time.

Thank you. I'm hoping I feel more relief soon. Yesterday was better and today has been the best day (nearly all day) I have had, so there are improvements. I need to keep in mind I may feel rough on this increase for a little bit

I think going up to 75mg is less of a leap and will help you feel less anxious increasing the dose. You might need to go up to 100mg so be open minded if 75mg doesn't quite do it. You will get there.

Thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it! Yes my GP said most her patients start 50mg for a week or two then straight up up 100. She wanted me to do 100 but I said no, I'll try 75mg first and she was really supportive. I'm the same as you and worried about side effects. I started 25mg for 2 week, 50mg for 6 week, and it's now day 1 of 75mg. I hope you're starting to feel some relief now? Although it's early days for us both xx

I've been on 50mg for 4 weeks and just started 75mg.
It's ok so far, I understand how scary it is, I've always been very sensitive to any drug.
I've no idea if going from 50 to 100 would have been ok so just decided to do 75 for a couple of weeks to minimise any possible problems.

I was on Prozac for 20 years, but after increasing from 20 to 40 and being totally anxious on the 40 for a few months I decided to ask about switching my antidepressant.

It's a really difficult thing as if you've been going through trauma and loss you don't know what's causing what.

Taking a leap is scary but I think just trying it slowly is the best way.
My doctor tries to increase things quicker than what I've read, so I decided to trust in my way.

Xx

It's Francis24 here. Well I have just taken my first dose of 75mg and I am scared! 😔 Anyone else been on 75mg and was it ok?

She's wants to see me in 3 weeks, but she's going to get in touch next Thursday just to see how I am doing

This is progress OP. I know it is slower than you would like but it's progress. When are you seeing her next? Maybe try and seen her a bit sooner, say within 2 weeks...

Hello 👋 I have been to see my doctor and she has put me upto 75mg. She wanted to do 100mg but I said I'd rather go to 75mg first and see how I get on. She can see an impressive but it's noy quite where she would like, but she feels with the improvements I am going in the right direction, albeit slowly! But she's not concerned for where I am, as my anxiety to begin with was off the scale x

Yes I was mixed to begin with. I started on 25 and then went up to 50 and after a few weeks felt so much better. That's why I think you probably do need a higher dose as 5.5 weeks is a good length of time. Once you hit the sweet spot you will know. You just have to have faith and keep going until you get there. It will be worth it.

Yes I think she may increase it to 75mg. Were you very up and down in the beginning? Also I have been taking a different brand for the last 3 weeks and I'm wondering if that has contributed to it. What dosage are you taking?

It sounds like you're doing a bit better than when you originally posted...although i understand you are still struggling and that's really hard. I think ask the GP about increasing your dose again. By the time you see them you will have been on 50mg for as good as 6 weeks and that's a decent time.

Yes I didn't know it was you!

I'm really confused! I put the post out earlier but my username is different? Firsttime hopeful? Instead of Francis24?

@Francis24 how are you?

I highly doubt it's down to a brand change but I wouldn't know for sure. I think you should talk to your GP about what time you take the dose to offset the anxious mornings. It might be that you need to go up to the next dose of 75 or 100mg. My DH and my SIL needed 100mg and more to feel the benefit whereas I managed on 50mg. Everyone is so unique.

Hi would you say my improvements are not enough after this length if time?

Thank you. Do you know if a brand change can affect you? I Started a different brand around 3 weeks ago so I'm not sure if it could've that?

Hi @Firsttimehopful your cortisol levels are highest in the morning and so anxiety can be more intense then. 5.5 weeks on a 50mg is still early days but it did kick in for me before then. Speak to your GP on Thursday about taking it in the evening before bed to see if that helps the mornings. It only effective for 24hr so if you're taking it in the morning it might be waning when you wake up.

Hello everyone, I really don't know what is going on. I'm 5.5 week into an increase on 50mg 7.5 week in total. My evenings are better, does that mean it starting to work? My mornings are still bad but was maybe starting to pick up a little last week but this morning the adrenaline rushes in my arms are nauseous is back. I feel so tired and have headaches. I know it's side effect still as my body is probably adjusting still. I know it can take longer for people. Last week I managed to go out every day with my mum or partner. I was happy happy but I was engaging more and chatting slightly more and I was shopping but actual had an interest in the things was looking at. I'm eating and I was starting to sleep slightly better. Can you have a slightly better week followed by worse again? Its so up and down. I shower red every day last week too. I get hay fever and been that "time of the month" so all these thing could add up. Any advice? I'm with my GP on Thursday

Yes I agree - you need to increase your dose. Also, and this is horribly hard, try and get your own routine. Set an alarm. Try and get showered. Have a walk. Have some good food. I am anxious in the morning still on 150mg but I know if I get up I feel better. If I get dressed and have a cup of tea I feel better. It’s so tempting to stay in bed but that means my anxiety hangs around much longer.

@Francis24 my personal opinion is that you ask to bring the appointment forward to next week if possible. That's then 5 weeks, just a week short. I'm not medical at all but having quite a bit of first and second hand experience of sertraline, I'd expect you to be feeling some improvement by now. Even a small one. You are describing very debilitating symptoms and I think more support should be offered. Can you see a different GP?

Hi @Francis24 I'm very sorry to hear you are still struggling. Have you made an appointment with your GP to discuss an increase?

50mg is the lowest therapeutic dose (25mg is for weaning on and off) and I think 200 is the highest. My DH had to go up to 100 or 150 (can't exactly remember) and my SIL had to go to 200. I was fine on 50 but some days could have done with more but decided to stick at 50. It sounds like you need a higher dose.