Sertraline - can it take this long?

[SameKeyThough]

I have been on sertraline for 17 weeks. 5 weeks at max dose 200mg. I switched from citalopram which has helped me for 15 years until I had a breakdown November 2021. Am also on mirtazapine and propanalol. Is there any hope that the sertraline will still work? I have better afternoons and evenings but in the mornings I am pretty much suicidal.

I found Sertraline was rubbish no matter what the dose. I'm now on Venlafaxine (an SNRI) and am the best I've ever been after a lifetime of anxiety and depression. Don't persist with the Sertraline if it's not working as it's not the most effective antidepressant out there.

Thanks for replying. I was on venlafaxine many years ago and remember not being very keen, but I'm not sure why. It was about 25 years ago! My then psychiatrist switched me to fluoxetine I think.

Please get back in touch with your gp it should have been doing something for you in this timescale
Good luck hope you feel.on a more even keel soon

Hi op I did try Sertraine once it did nothing for me in fact it made me worse I remember getting up in the middle of the night to smoke, just make me feel really on edge and it increased dark thoughts. I would definitely go back to your GP and explain how you feel. Sending big hugs your way as I know it's a horrid feeling to start a drug not knowing if it's the one for you or not. It seems to be a cruel irony with ads that we take them desperate for relief yet we are told to be patient waiting for them to kick in.

I took it for 7 years. Turns out I wasn't depressed it was perimenopause and now HRT has replaced it. No more rage, anxiety suicidal behaviour it's great. Talk to your doctor asap and get proper advice.

I would seek medical advice again at this stage

My psychiatrist thinks I should give it 2 more weeks at 200mg. I'm losing faith.

I was on sertraline but it only helped a bit. Venlafaxine and mirtazipene is the cocktail for me. Definitely push to change if you don't feel it's helping.

Saw my psychiatrist yesterday and agreed to stay on the max dose of sertraline but also increase the mirtazipine to 45mg (was on 30mg). Feeling very anxious about never getting g better. @Doggymummar I tried hrt a couple of times but each time I got to the taking utrogestan part I had increased anxiety. I just couldn't face taking something that might have made things worse.