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Original poster

Upping sertraline from 50mg to 100mg

36 replies

Amberh1993 · 19/04/2019 07:41

Hi guys new to this, so basically 7 weeks ago I was diagnosed with pnd and anxiety disorder, I was put on sertraline 3 weeks ago on 50mg a few days in my anxiety and mood etc got a lot worse to the point I didn’t even want to get out of bed, 2 weeks in taking them that lifted slightly so then they upped the dose to 100mg and i’m 8 days in of that increase and feel terrible worsened anxiety low low mood I have got diazepam to help me through this but what I want to know is is there anyone else that has had a similar experience and the side effects went away? Thank you.

OP posts:
Maiden247 · 19/04/2019 08:16

F.

Flurgle · 19/04/2019 08:23

The side effects will go away- every time I’ve shifted my dose up I get a few days of bliss, a week or so of side effects then it starts to level off.
If you can hang in there Sertraline takes a few weeks to kick in properly- they have upped your dose quickly (presumably because you are really low and need it) so it will feel awful to begin with. Hopefully soon it will start working.
Can you get out for some fresh air? It’s such a cliche but it does help.

Original poster
Amberh1993 · 19/04/2019 11:18

Thank you, I’m on day 8 now of the increased dose, I feel mainly heightened anxiety and more negative thoughts, I’m hoping another week or so takes me to the 2 week mark after the increased dose and they will hopefully settle fingers crossed, I was on fluoxetine before that but that didn’t work so hopefully these work for me! Did you get heightened anxiety at first?

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Maiden247 · 19/04/2019 16:14

I was prescribed 50mg yesterday. My GP said it can take 4-6 weeks for your body to get used to it and for side effects to reduce. Confused

cushioncovers · 19/04/2019 16:23

I'm on 100mg, have been on 150 in the past. Always got nasty side effects whenever I have altered my dosage. It will settle down and you'll start to feel better soon.

Original poster
Amberh1993 · 19/04/2019 16:27

thank you guys I think sometimes when we are going through this awful time it’s good to have a bit of reassurance etc to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Did you have heightened anxiety and worsened mood as side effects? If so how long did it take to subside? Thanks

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cushioncovers · 19/04/2019 17:04

Yes and apparently it's normal to feel worse before you feel better. (The anxiety I mean)

Original poster
Amberh1993 · 19/04/2019 17:34

Great thank you, do you remember how long it took for the side effects to go?

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radgybadger · 19/04/2019 17:56

Yep, I started and stopped twice because I thought I couldn't take the side effects. Luckily my perinatal nurse talked me into giving it another go upping the dose very slowly.

I'm now on 150mg and strongly believe it saved my life.

radgybadger · 19/04/2019 18:00

And to answer your time question, it's difficult to say exactly but I started just before Christmas (2017) and I remember feeling well enough to have a good Feb half term (2018).

I was also advised it's not a quick fix and I'm likely to be on medication for at least 2 years.... maybe longer but tbh I feel so much better I'm not in a rush.

cushioncovers · 19/04/2019 19:24

I only upped mine by 25 mg at a time. Took several weeks for effects to subside. Still get some nights sweats though even now years later.

DrCristinaYang · 19/04/2019 19:26

My dosage was increased from 50mg to 100mg last April. The first 2 weeks were difficult with headaches, dizziness, intense panic attacks and suicidal ideation/ images.
After the 2 weeks, I slowly begun to feel a lot better. I have stopped self harming, have more motivation and my anxiety/panic attacks are greatly reduced.
I feel strongly that sertraline saved my life.

cushioncovers · 19/04/2019 20:37

Yep I agree sertraline saved me. I really don't know what I would of done/become without it. 7 years on and I have accepted that I will probably be on some sort of AD for life.

Original poster
Amberh1993 · 19/04/2019 23:25

Thank you all for your replies it’s really helping, Cristina that sounds exactly what i’m going through right now, i’m on day 8 like I say and still in the midst of it all, hopefully in another week or so itl subside it’s just harder to see the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t it when your in it :(

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Original poster
Amberh1993 · 21/04/2019 17:52

Day 10 and I feel worse again, obsessive intrusive thoughts, do you think it could still work in time? Itl be 4 weeks on Tuesday since I first started taking it and currently on day 10 of the increase feeling like there is no light at the end of the tunnel!

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cushioncovers · 21/04/2019 19:29

Hi op give it time. It took about 6 weeks before I could look back and realise I'd left the worst of it behind.

Original poster
Amberh1993 · 22/04/2019 07:46

Great thank you that gives me hope, when the awful days arrive I think I just need reassurance sometimes 🙈

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Original poster
Amberh1993 · 23/04/2019 10:40

How long did the side effects take for you to subside? On day 12 of increase and very low mood

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cushioncovers · 23/04/2019 11:57

It's still early days and you will have ups and downs. I was told that I may even feel worse before I began to feel better when I started sertraline. Just try to trust the meds and the fact that they will kick in soon. Depression and anxiety is a bastard thing to deal with but you will start to feel better soon.

I never noticed my mood improving on a day to day basis but I do remember looking back several weeks after I started taking them and realising I felt a bit better than at the beginning. And then several weeks after that I felt better again. But it is a ongoing journey. Try to stay hopeful op. You will recover from this. I did and I was at rock bottom when I went on ADs.

Original poster
Amberh1993 · 23/04/2019 12:29

Thank you so much cushion covers I feel so silly for needing constant reassurance but it does really help hearing others stories, it’s been 4 weeks today since I originally started it and day 12 of the increase, my body is super sensitive to any meds so may just take time, only those that have suffered can truly understand how bloody awful it is! Thanks again for your reply

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cushioncovers · 23/04/2019 13:39

Don't feel silly. Needing a lot of reassurance is part of the illness I found. I ended up having to live back with my parents for several weeks as I just couldn't be on my own. My mum had to physically put me in the shower and make sure I ate, I just couldn't function. 7 years on and I still have the odd wobble. But I know what to do and I know that it will pass. You'd be amazed how many people are on AD.

happyhillock · 23/04/2019 13:45

I've been taken 150mg of sertraline for about a year for depression, it has made a big difference to my mood, i feel happier, stick with it, my doc said it would 6 weeks before i noticed a difference, ive had no side effects.

Original poster
Amberh1993 · 23/04/2019 13:51

Thank you cushion covers so sorry to hear that was how bad you were :( it’s more the suicidal thoughts that get to me most that’s what I want to lift :/

How long did it take you happyhillcock? Unfortunately i’m suffering with severe side effects worsened anxiety worsened intrusive thoughts etc so i’m hoping they will left in another week or so fingers crossed!

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cushioncovers · 23/04/2019 17:17

Depression can obviously cause intrusive thoughts. It certainly did for me but also sertraline can cause awful nightmares and night sweats to begin with.

Original poster
Amberh1993 · 23/04/2019 18:35

The doctor did say to begin with with me being under 25 too it can case worsened intrusive thoughts in young adults, I haven’t really had nightmares to be honest but had the sweats 🙈

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