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Original poster

Sertraline - can anybody help?

28 replies

springiscoming36 · 23/02/2022 08:59

I started taking 50mg of sertraline once a day on Monday last week. I've been struggling with bad anxiety that was getting worse, and after taking my first tablet I felt very noticeably calmer just a few hours later (despite reading that it usually takes a couple of weeks to work). It felt like the constant current of anxiety and knot in my stomach had reduced considerably, and like I was finally getting a glimpse of what "normal" people feel like. I even had a difficult situation at work that would normally send me to pieces, but I managed to stay calm and deal with it.

However, this week my son has been unwell with a sickness bug and I've started to feel quite anxious again. It's probably not as bad as I would usually be in this situation, but the anxious feeling has definitely returned. I also still feel anxious before social situations (I have very bad social anxiety) though again, quite a lot less than I would normally.

My question is - should sertraline prevent these feelings entirely? Is it normal to feel a bit anxious in certain situations even whilst on sertraline or should I feel completely calm even when presented with a stressful situation? Will I start to feel more benefits after two weeks and do I potentially need a higher dose?

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
CurryandSnuggle · 23/02/2022 09:06

My understanding was that it reduces feelings of anxiety and makes you feel more able to cope and rationalise during a stressful life event/situation. If you feel your response is beyond that of a normal reaction to a stressful situation I’d go back to your GP.

Original poster
springiscoming36 · 23/02/2022 09:09

My understanding was that it reduces feelings of anxiety and makes you feel more able to cope and rationalise during a stressful life event/situation.

Thanks. I definitely feel like it's done that.

OP posts:
wendz86 · 23/02/2022 09:09

It doesn’t completely get rid of all anxious feelings . Also it takes a few weeks to work so anxiety can actually get worse before it gets better . I am on 100mg and am so much better than I was but do still have some low levels of anxiety sometimes .

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Original poster
springiscoming36 · 23/02/2022 09:11

How do you know if you need a higher dose - and how do you know if you're on too high a dose?

OP posts:
Blaziken · 23/02/2022 09:15

You won't know for a few weeks. I've been on Sertraline on and off for years and I would say that while it helps a little straight away, the full effects do take around 6 weeks.

Crayfishforyou · 23/02/2022 09:15

It can take over a month to properly kick in. And you will still react to stressful situations but it won’t be as all consuming so your brain will be able to process it

Choppingonions · 23/02/2022 09:16

I think that you might be feeling a bit of sedation as an initial side effect. Perhaps discuss it with your doctor and wait to see how effective it is when its had time to kick in.

Lagarthatheviking · 23/02/2022 09:17

I still have to constantly manage my anxiety but can do this much more effectively on the right dose of sertraline! (75mg). Have you had cbt? This has helped me.
I found that it took 12 weeks to see the full effects, this early may have been placebo effect- keep going , hope your DC feels better

Lagarthatheviking · 23/02/2022 09:19

@springiscoming36

How do you know if you need a higher dose - and how do you know if you're on too high a dose?
Your doctor will know, you should have a review booked?
Original poster
springiscoming36 · 23/02/2022 12:00

Yes, I’m doing CBT too. I just wasn’t sure whether it’s meant to eliminate all anxiety or if you still feel a little bit. Sounds like it’s the second one.

OP posts:
Vampirethriller · 23/02/2022 12:05

I still feel a little bit. It's like the things that get on top of me are still there but I can handle them. And my depression is completely gone.

Original poster
springiscoming36 · 23/02/2022 12:52

@Vampirethriller how long did it take you to reach that point?

Has anyone started on 50mg and realized they needed a higher dose? If so, how did you know?

OP posts:
GruffaloSolja · 23/02/2022 13:18

I'm on sertraline and I totally get what you're saying about glimpsing how 'normal' people feel. I truly never realised how bad my anxiety was until I started taking sertraline and felt the difference it made to my quality of life. I'd describe it as making making my feelings more manageable and less overwhelming than they used to be prior to taking it. It definitely doesn't make me feel numb or emotionless or anything like that. You should feel your emotions at a level that doesn't hinder or impact your ability to lead a normal day to day life. I started off on a dose of 50mg, then after a couple of months it was increased to 100mg, as It didn't seem to be having the same effect as when I initially started taking it and the feelings of intense anxiety and depression were creeping in again. I've stayed at 100mg for the best part of two years now. You need to give a few months before you can see the true effects of the medication. And whether you need to increase or decrease the dosage.

wendz86 · 23/02/2022 13:49

I started on 50 and was moved to about 100 after around 4 weeks although they do say you should wait around 6 weeks ideally. I feel a lot more functional so think this is the right dose for me currently.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 23/02/2022 14:00

What started on 25, then upped to 50 as I wasn't feeling much better, then up to 100 for the same reasons. I've been on and off a few times now.
I'd say it's more likely a placebo effect that's hit you so quickly

Vampirethriller · 23/02/2022 14:03

It took about four weeks. I went from 50 to 100mg after about a year because I could feel things getting too much again.

Arghhconfused · 23/02/2022 14:06

Im on 200mg. I knew I needed a higher dose as it was helping but not enough. It was still badly effecting my daily life. I also get suicide ideation so it helps with that, anxiety and depression.

Original poster
springiscoming36 · 23/02/2022 14:35

Thanks, it sounds like I need to wait another month or so then to assess the full effects.

OP posts:
Original poster
springiscoming36 · 23/02/2022 14:36

Also, has anyone found that it has helped their social anxiety as well as general anxiety levels? I struggle with both!

OP posts:
Arghhconfused · 23/02/2022 14:53

It hasn't helped my social anxiety.

Haribosweets · 23/02/2022 16:23

I've been on 150mg since Sept last year (started 25mg and increased) I would say it worked to begin with and was less anxious after about 2 months, however since January time I'm not good again despite taking the 150mg. I'm going to see if I can increase to 200mg or another tablet.

IloveJudgeJudy · 23/02/2022 17:54

DH is now on 100 mg , up from 50 mg. The difference I notice in him is incredible. He is managing his anxiety so much better and his thinking is much more ordered.

The thing is, 'normal' people also can feel anxious if, eg their DC aren't well or something unexpected or a stressful situation is coming up.

bottleofbeer · 23/02/2022 18:20

No, it doesn't entirely remove anxiety. It makes it manageable and after a few days there is no way it's working yet.

Think of anxiety and depression as being in a big hole that's too big to climb out of. The medication gives you a stepladder. It helps but you still have to climb out yourself.

Give it a few weeks.

Meh2020 · 24/02/2022 00:30

I’m on 100mg and have been so for about a year, previously I was on 50mg but was having some weird jaw clenching thing.

I do remember the first few days of taking 50g I felt ecstatically happy, music sounded better and it was like my senses were heightened but also extremely tired. This then settled down and after about 6 weeks I just felt calmer and more able to cope.

I increased the dose to 100mg and whilst I do still get anxious the anxiety doesn’t run away with me; I don’t find myself worrying so much, I can sort of switch it off and cope if that makes sense.

I really wish I had started taking it years ago - I think my life would have been a little different but I didn’t and it is what it is.

I’m not sure about the social anxiety, I fear I mask that still with drinking and also staying in more but in terms of self esteem and feeling like people want to talk to me and I am interesting to others that is all good.

Jaeloo · 05/03/2022 15:21

How are you getting on OP? Anyone finding sertraline settling after a few weeks im on day 15 of 50mg had a couple of good days but feel anxious today is this normal?

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