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Original poster

3rd week on Sertaline - only positive stories please

43 replies

Belle82 · 12/09/2022 14:41

I finally gave up breastfeeding my son to go onto antidepressants as I realise I’ve probably had depression/ anxiety all my life.

I started on 25mg 3 weeks ago to ease into the side effects gently, I only seemed to get very mild side effects and so I went up to 50mg (2 weeks ago) - only mild side effects again.

But I feel like this constant anxious / doom feeling, I thought after 3 weeks it was meant to be gone.
They definitely had placebo effect at first but that’s now gone.

How long did it take you to get rid of this horrible increased anxiety?
I really want to keep a positive mind about this medication, please please please only tell me about positive feedback, I don’t think I can manage any more anxiety 😔

OP posts:
Original poster
Belle82 · 12/09/2022 14:43

Sorry! Didn’t mean to add the voting buttons

OP posts:
Qwertyyui · 12/09/2022 14:44

I believe it is 6-8 weeks to settle into your system. If you are finding it is not helping go back to your doctors after this and they can find other options x

Someone with more knowledge will no doubt be along to help!

Luredbyapomegranate · 12/09/2022 14:46

I was lucky enough not to have this problem at all, but it’s incredibly common

I think it can take 4 weeks to settle so it shouldn’t be long. Did you have a call with your GP after two weeks? You should have done. If not book a call in the next week so you can be reassured. It might be that for some people it takes 6 weeks. Hang in there!

tithead22 · 12/09/2022 14:47

OP, I don’t know if this will help or make things worse, but who told you that you needed to stop breastfeeding to take sertraline? I’m on 100mg and have been taking varying doses since my breastfed baby was about four weeks old.

In terms of side effects, I was extremely sleepy last time I moved up a dose. Lasted two weeks or so. I hope that your anxiety eases soon.

10HailMarys · 12/09/2022 14:52

Three weeks is still early days. Antidepressants are not something that kick in suddenly, it can take a good while to see an improvement.

I'm on Sertraline; I started on 50mg and then moved to 100mg. It has definitely helped me. It did take me a while to adjust and I had a lot of physical side effects at first (nausea, in particular) but the physical side effects settled down after a month or so and then I lost that feeling of additional anxiety that came with starting it. So honestly, do persevere and see how you get on. See your doctor again if you feel it's unbearable, but I would leave it for at least a couple more weeks to see how you get on.

Best of luck, and I hope you do feel better soon x

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 12/09/2022 15:12

I went on Sertraline around 2 years ago now. I was put on 50mg, the first 2-3 weeks were awful to the point I was so close to giving up. I didn't give up and I started finding myself smiling occasionally over nothing and I gradually felt better and never looked back.

It's changed my life and probably saved my life.

Plantpot75 · 12/09/2022 15:19

Hi OP. I’m on 50mg Sertraline and have been for about 10 months now. I felt worse after starting them and developed horrible physical anxiety symptoms, and like you wondered if I should carry on taking them.

After 5/6 weeks though this completely eased, and honestly my depression and anxiety is so so much better. I know it seems like a long slog to do another couple of weeks (and yours might ease before then) but it is very common and it will get better on them. Just stick with it. And feel free to pm me if you like.

Best of luck with it and look forward to feeling lighter and brighter very soon

Stuckinadream · 12/09/2022 15:30

I started 50mg Sertraline at the beginning of this year and looking back took maybe up to 6 weeks to completely settle down. I seemed to slip into a more depressive anxious state, headaches and nauseous which stopped me eating dramatically that I lost weight, that settled and it was really worth it I feel so much better now. I did have GP check ups after 2 weeks and again two weeks after that. I did start on Amitriptyline first and that was a big mistake! Hope you start to feel better soon

Hankunamatata · 12/09/2022 15:42

My maintenance dose is 50mg but was on 100mg after pregnancies.

I came off it a while back (youngest is 9) but I hated who I was without it - snappy, bad tempered, irritable so maintenance dose keeps me level and happy.

HerbErtlinger · 12/09/2022 15:49

I started on 50mg about 7 weeks ago. Felt awful and spaced out to begin with. Started feeling better and less anxious about a week ago. My periods have completely stopped since taking them which is odd but other than that I don't have any side effects anymore

daisy46 · 12/09/2022 16:03

17 years ago. It saved my life. Give it another month. I took fast acting anxiety meds in the meantime to combat the anxiety (klonazapam) until the Zoloft took over. I had really vivid dreams in the beginning, but that's the only memorable side effect. Every month for the first year I felt like I was "all better" and then the next month I'd be even better than that. I'd forgotten what normal was like. Hoping for the same for you OP.

daisy46 · 12/09/2022 16:06

I did 25 for 2 weeks, then 50 for a few weeks, then up to 100 which is where I stayed. In the long term after being on 100 for a while I was able to go down to 75, but not 50 -- that wasn't enough.

SewhereIam · 12/09/2022 16:26

Keep at it! I take 200mg and would not be without it for the world. I am still a very anxious person, but after 6 weeks or so the life-stopping anxiety went.

It is well worth sticking with, wishing you all the best xx

IncessantNameChanger · 12/09/2022 16:29

I think if you feel worse you need to see your gp. Read the leaflet. I know you said only positive stories but it's a listed side effect.

I had no issues with steraline. Either go on or weening off. It latterly was like a switch being turned off and in large I have gone back. But it did take about two weeks

WonkasBooboofixer · 12/09/2022 16:31

I'm on 100mg I started on 50 and still had the thoughts 50 didn't really take the edge off the panic for me so I went up to 100 after 6weeks that did it but it took a while maybe a month to feel the full benefit. A side effect now is that I can't really cry whereas I was a right watering pot before. I am calm though for the first time in years I can enjoy things without the constant overthinking and doom mongering and the best bit I can be a passenger in a car again whereas I was having real issue with that

WhiskersPete · 12/09/2022 16:36

Took a good 4 weeks and then it was life changing for me! Also you can breastfeed on Sertraline. I have taken it through 2 pregnancies and bf both time. It's the recommended ssri for pregnancy etc

WhiskersPete · 12/09/2022 16:37

Should have added Sertraline made me feel a lot worse before I felt better but it was worth it.

Original poster
Belle82 · 13/09/2022 11:42

Thank you so much for all your kind responses. I am so hopeful it will kick in.

I am not a good enough mum to my children at the moment, I have been getting so irritable with my 4 year old since my baby was born 8 months ago.
The summer holidays almost broke me! And now she is off this week unwell, I just want a break, I am desperate for a break. 😔

OP posts:
SewhereIam · 13/09/2022 12:47

@Belle82 , I can promise you that the fact you worry about how you are parenting makes you a wonderful parent. I cannot imagine having a 4 year old and an 8 month old, I have a 13 year gap between my two and still have to clamp my jaw shut to stifle the urge to yell at them.

You have done brilliantly to reach out and be offered an SSRI. Children need love, food and warmth, and if you are providing that then you are a great mum xx

popandchoc · 13/09/2022 12:58

Definitely takes more than 3 weeks to start working most the time. I started to feel better at 4 weeks and felt a lot better by 8 weeks.

Original poster
Belle82 · 14/09/2022 07:35

Thank you everyone, I wondered why I was feeling particularly awful this week. My daughter was off school unwell and I’ve caught it. Just tested positive for covid 😩

OP posts:
LadyCatStark · 14/09/2022 08:03

I’ve been on Sertraline for a year now and I randomly got that doom feeling the other day. I’m putting it down to the change in seasons as I have SAD.

Vinylloving · 14/09/2022 08:16

I felt sick and off and not in a good place for a few weeks and then gradually better. Hang in there

Itsmeagainyes · 14/09/2022 08:18

My first month on Sertraline 50mg was fine but then I changed brands and the second month I had awful breast pain. This settled after a few weeks and I have felt great ever since.

Qwerkie · 14/09/2022 08:31

Keep with it OP I had loads of side effects for the first 6 weeks or so but being on them changed my life. It’s worth it

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