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AIBU?

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Original poster

Sertraline 14 days positive stories please

169 replies

Francis24 · 23/04/2025 13:25

How long before sertraline made you start to feel better depression? I've been taking it 14 days 25mg positive stories please

OP posts:
pencilcaseandcabbage · 26/04/2025 14:29

OP, DD started on 25mg, gradually increased over 2-3 months to 100mg. She would say that 25mg did nothing, she maybe started to feel a little difference at 50mg, but at 100mg she feels so much better. Other family have noticed the difference too. I hope you see a similar improvement, but do keep talking to your GP about the dose if after a few weeks you think it's not working for you.

NippyNinjaCrab · 26/04/2025 16:39

Please let us know how you are later and tomorrow if you feel like it. What have you planned later? Do you like audio books? Something light hearted to have on in the background?
Each day will get brighter. Make sure you are getting sunlight and start a Vit D supplement. If you haven't had recent bloods done mention this to the GP next week to see if you need a boost of anything. Most important is to look after yourself and let others help too. Xx

Original poster
Francis24 · 26/04/2025 16:48

NippyNinjaCrab · 26/04/2025 16:39

Please let us know how you are later and tomorrow if you feel like it. What have you planned later? Do you like audio books? Something light hearted to have on in the background?
Each day will get brighter. Make sure you are getting sunlight and start a Vit D supplement. If you haven't had recent bloods done mention this to the GP next week to see if you need a boost of anything. Most important is to look after yourself and let others help too. Xx

My mum is coming round to my house for a takeaway whilst my partner goes to see a band. I've actually just found our I'm deficient in VIT D and just started a prescription from my GP, and I know that can cause depression and anxiety. Only started today. I've been off work nearly 4 weeks so I don't have a routine. Barely been out my house so no sunshine. I'm spending my day's reading stories about people taking sertraline to try and make me feel better but it's all I've been doing. So those things won't be helping I know. It's hard when you feel down x

OP posts:
SewingIsMySuperPower · 26/04/2025 17:56

I started on 25mg and it was honestly awful for the first 2 weeks. My side effects were horrible. I then went up to 37.5 for about 4 days before going up to 50mg. Almost as soon as I started taking 50mg, I started feeling better.

However, I am glad I didn't start on 50mg. I think my side effects would have been even worse and I'd likely have stopped taking them.

It took around 2 months for things to level off, but I was feeling much better after about 3 weeks.

It's been 4 months and I will say I've started feeling anxious again (minor), so will be speaking to someone about upping my dose next week.

I genuinely am grateful for Sertraline though. I don't know how I'd be without it.

I also think i need HRT, but that's another story!

I hope you're feeling better OP x

SewingIsMySuperPower · 26/04/2025 17:58

Francis24 · 26/04/2025 16:48

My mum is coming round to my house for a takeaway whilst my partner goes to see a band. I've actually just found our I'm deficient in VIT D and just started a prescription from my GP, and I know that can cause depression and anxiety. Only started today. I've been off work nearly 4 weeks so I don't have a routine. Barely been out my house so no sunshine. I'm spending my day's reading stories about people taking sertraline to try and make me feel better but it's all I've been doing. So those things won't be helping I know. It's hard when you feel down x

Show quote history

One thing that really helped me was going for daily walks. I genuinely didn't think it would, but I was feeling much better once I started.

Since I've been back at work I can't go walking as much and I'm really missing it x

Original poster
Francis24 · 26/04/2025 18:05

SewingIsMySuperPower · 26/04/2025 17:56

I started on 25mg and it was honestly awful for the first 2 weeks. My side effects were horrible. I then went up to 37.5 for about 4 days before going up to 50mg. Almost as soon as I started taking 50mg, I started feeling better.

However, I am glad I didn't start on 50mg. I think my side effects would have been even worse and I'd likely have stopped taking them.

It took around 2 months for things to level off, but I was feeling much better after about 3 weeks.

It's been 4 months and I will say I've started feeling anxious again (minor), so will be speaking to someone about upping my dose next week.

I genuinely am grateful for Sertraline though. I don't know how I'd be without it.

I also think i need HRT, but that's another story!

I hope you're feeling better OP x

I've finally been for a shower and put some music on and I started to feel like my self a little. I actually feel slightly hungry for my takeaway! I do usually feel better in the evenings but maybe I'm feeling a little better at the minute. It's early days so maybe/ maybe not. 17 days in Total. 15 on 25mg and 2 on 50mg so it's early days. I'll try and have a nice night with my mum. Hope you're doing ok x

OP posts:
Mermaidsarereal · 27/04/2025 12:30

I've been on 50mg for 3 months now, I've been taking it for anxiety I'd say it took a good 2 months to fully work for me.

NippyNinjaCrab · 27/04/2025 13:25

@Francis24 that's a great update, I hope you had a nice night with your Mum. It's hard to get motivated when you feel as low I know. Even sitting in the garden for 10 mins can make a difference. The Vit D will help xxx

Original poster
Francis24 · 27/04/2025 13:28

NippyNinjaCrab · 27/04/2025 13:25

@Francis24 that's a great update, I hope you had a nice night with your Mum. It's hard to get motivated when you feel as low I know. Even sitting in the garden for 10 mins can make a difference. The Vit D will help xxx

Yeah I feel rubbish again today with bad morning anxiety and low mood. My partner is trying to drag me out in the garden for a little bit. I have started my vit d prescription but that will take a while to start working too. It's hard to know if the increased anxiety and low mood is a side effect of the tablets/ in increasing to 50mg or if that is just me until the medication kicks in x

OP posts:
Hillsmakeyoustrong · 27/04/2025 14:35

I know it's hard OP but try not to monitor your mood too often. You felt a bit better yesterday and you have hit a low spot this morning. I'd say that's normal. Summer doesn't arrive overnight, it appears gradually. The vitamin d deficiency will not have helped so going outside for a minimum of 20 minutes would be good for you if you feel able to x

ColdTofuSandwich · 27/04/2025 14:46

Keep going. I’ve switched to sertraline from Escitalopram. I’m on week 8 and 150mg (was on max dose of esc).

it’s been hellish to get the dosing right, I’ve been on 150 for two weeks now and I’m starting to see a difference. I always feel worst when I wake up and gradually get better during the day - it’s the first sign of recovery for me when that time gets earlier each day. 50mg is seen as a low dose so you may need to up it a bit, but that’s fine. You can decrease too if required when you feel better.

happy to answer any questions if you’d like. You’ll get there.

Original poster
Francis24 · 27/04/2025 14:53

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 27/04/2025 14:35

I know it's hard OP but try not to monitor your mood too often. You felt a bit better yesterday and you have hit a low spot this morning. I'd say that's normal. Summer doesn't arrive overnight, it appears gradually. The vitamin d deficiency will not have helped so going outside for a minimum of 20 minutes would be good for you if you feel able to x

I'm going to force myself to go outside now x

OP posts:
Original poster
Francis24 · 27/04/2025 14:56

ColdTofuSandwich · 27/04/2025 14:46

Keep going. I’ve switched to sertraline from Escitalopram. I’m on week 8 and 150mg (was on max dose of esc).

it’s been hellish to get the dosing right, I’ve been on 150 for two weeks now and I’m starting to see a difference. I always feel worst when I wake up and gradually get better during the day - it’s the first sign of recovery for me when that time gets earlier each day. 50mg is seen as a low dose so you may need to up it a bit, but that’s fine. You can decrease too if required when you feel better.

happy to answer any questions if you’d like. You’ll get there.

Thank you. I'm just wanting to know when it will get better I'm being impatient. Also it's still effecting my sleep so I'm hoping that comes around soon x

OP posts:
ColdTofuSandwich · 27/04/2025 15:47

give it at least 3/4 weeks

Original poster
Francis24 · 27/04/2025 15:58

ColdTofuSandwich · 27/04/2025 15:47

give it at least 3/4 weeks

Is that 3/4 weeks from the upped dose of 50mg? Or including the first two week on 25mg? My GP said more from the 50mg but I'm curious on your experience

OP posts:
ColdTofuSandwich · 27/04/2025 16:29

from the dose increase - so give it 3/4 weeks in the 50mg and see how you’re feeling

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 27/04/2025 22:04

OP do you like warm baths? I find an Epsom salt bath in the evening very therapeutic. It's full of magnesium which relaxes the muscles. Also. Have you ever tried a weighted blanket? They are scientifically proven to calm the nervous system.

MiniPumpkin · 27/04/2025 22:14

I have been on and off sertraline twice. No regrets, in fact I’m considering it again as I’m suffering chronic stress.
on both occasions I went straight to 50mg. During the first 2 weeks I felt like it set me back. I mean the anxiety was worse, really low mood. It all calmed down about week 3. By week 6 it was like someone turned the anxiety and stress dial down by 100 notches. The voice in my head that revisited every conversation and every anxiety just went away . I think it’s a wonderful drug.
you will feel better soon x

MiniPumpkin · 27/04/2025 22:16

Sorry I forgot to say I was having wild nightmares too. All of it stopped around week 3.

Jumpingthruhoops · 28/04/2025 02:31

Skade · 26/04/2025 07:29

I’m on 50mg and definitely remember starting to feel better after 3/4 weeks. I tried going up to 100mg but lost the ability to orgasm (libido was not affected!) almost overnight which I couldn’t tolerate, so went back down to 50mg which seems to be the sweet spot for me.

I experienced this and found that not taking my med on the day that there's a high chance of 'DTD' and I'd have no bedroom issues at all. Missing one day doesn't impact negatively on my mental health, so it's worth it.
Of course everybody is different though, so do consult your GP before contemplating this.

Jumpingthruhoops · 28/04/2025 02:39

whatisforteamum · 26/04/2025 10:44

Did anyone take anti sickness

I took Lorazepam. Which I didn't actually realise is often prescribed as an anti-sickness med to those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

Moomoo75 · 28/04/2025 13:48

Did anyone notice the gained weight on it?

vincettenoir · 28/04/2025 17:37

Moomoo75 · 28/04/2025 13:48

Did anyone notice the gained weight on it?

Not me

NippyNinjaCrab · 29/04/2025 09:23

Morning @Francis24 how you feeling? X

Original poster
Francis24 · 29/04/2025 09:33

NippyNinjaCrab · 29/04/2025 09:23

Morning @Francis24 how you feeling? X

Hello, not great tbh. Feel very depressed and low and not myself at all. 5th day on 50mg. First week 25mg. Thanks for asking x

OP posts: