Sertraline slow to work

[MynameisTuesday]

I've had 5 week on sertraline.

Windows here are there of feeling a bit better and then back to being more anxious than ever. 3 days last weekend and I thought I was there then back to the awful feelings of dragging myself through the day until bedtime.

If you are on it, how long did it take for you? Was it a slow burn? Did you feel a lot worse before you felt better?

I realise the doctor may want to increase or change, but I'm just looking for some positivity from others who may have experienced the same before I give up and start tapering off

Thank you

@Wheelerdeeler How are you getting on. I'm week 7 and just gone up to 75. Clinging on and hoping for something to start working soon. Would love to hear it's working for you and you're doing well x

I think the 100mg makes the difference. I'm doing ok. Much better. Not back to normal but not crying etc. Able to get out more

It took about 2-3 months for me to slowly start feeling better (taking it for anxiety and panic). I mostly felt quite dreadful until then. I'm now 1.5 years in and feeling great on 50mg. I'd stick with it!

@Wheelerdeeler Glad you've had some improvement which is brilliant news. I've read 12 weeks for the full effect in several places but that seems such a long way away when you are climbing the walls!
@Strawberrypicnic Glad you're feeling great on 50. In what way did you feel dreadful? I feel like I'm just counting the minutes until I can go to bed and feel like my nervous system is stuck in 'fight or flight'. It's so encouraging to read the positivity though, so thank you for taking the time to reply

Hi, sorry you're going through it, it's definitely a slog. I felt quite similar to what you describe. Intensified generalised anxiety (constant, for no reason), only really felt 'safe' in my bedroom, became obsessed with how strange the world seemed and felt like I might forget who or where I was at any moment. (I could articulate it better if I wrote more but I don't want to bore you or put weird ideas in your head!) Also jerking awake in the night with panic. I didn't struggle so much with physical symptoms apart from fatigue, but I think that was mostly explained by how poor my sleep was. The official info says that the worsened anxiety is only supposed to last for 2-3 weeks, but as I said, it took a lot longer for me. I don't like to talk too about these side effects too much as I don't want to put people off (and it's def not the same for everyone), but in case my honesty helps you not feel so alone, I will admit it was one of the worst periods of my life. It was just a case of getting through each day. I am so glad I persevered as it has changed my life - not in a dramatic way but just like someone has flipped a switch in my brain and put it back to 'normal'. Please feel free to PM me if you've any more questions.

Thank you so much @Strawberrypicnic I can't begin to tell you how reassuring that is - even though it was horrific for you and I wouldn't wish it on anyone! My symptoms are exactly the same. It is so demoralising as so many people I know said that the first 3 weeks are the worse and then it's like a light going on. I'm so pleased for you that it worked and you got through it. I feel like I have hit rock bottom so hopefully the only way is up. The dark thoughts are terrifying but I know its the medicine that's doing this to me as it tries to fix me. Thank you again x

You're very welcome. If you haven't already, try and get a few tablets of diazepam from your GP to take the edge off the worst moments. They are v reluctant to give it out (as you may already know) but as you are on an SSRI they may be happy to prescribe it as a temporary measure to help with the adjustment. I only used it a handful of times - mainly to help me get back to sleep when I had awoken with anxiety - the rest of the time it was enough to just know it was there. I still have the tablets I didn't use! Good luck and the offer stands to PM me any time if you are struggling :)

Thank you so much. You read my mind - I have the diazepam for the evenings from the crisis team. I don't know what I would have done without them but will be so happy not to have to take them. Thank you for reaching out. It really does mean a lot x

Hi @MynameisTuesday , are you doing any better now? x