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Original poster

Sertraline still not kicked in

16 replies

SameKeyThough · 02/01/2023 11:15

I've been on sertraline for coming up to 7 weeks but if anything my anxiety is worse. I've recently increased to 150mg, but I've been on 100mg + for about 3 weeks before that. I'm despairing of it ever working. I had a good day on Christmas eve but then got flu on Christmas day and have been experiencing terrible anxiety since then. I'm not really eating as I have a constant knot in my stomach. I feel scared to go anywhere and need someone to be with me. I have thoughts if ending it all but would never carry this out, I just want it to end. Does anyone have a similar experience? All the threads I read say people feel better after about 4 weeks..

OP posts:
caninecalamity · 02/01/2023 12:50

Oh lovely. Firstly talk and keep talking. Can you ring GP tomorrow?
Did you have a stressful time Lee Christmas/ a house full of guests? Have you got family / husband/ partner/ kids ?
It could be a change of antidepressants will help. Some people do better on citalopram than Sertraline for example.
Can you go for a little walk and coffee then come back and read a good escape type book? Just to get you through today and have your plan ready to call doctor tomorrow? It's vital to mention the thoughts of ending it as this means you need a bit more support

strawberry2017 · 02/01/2023 12:55

Do you have any other symptoms? My friend was in a similar situation and it turned out she had thyroid issues which were actually causing her anxiety and other symptoms too

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 02/01/2023 13:06

Thank you for replying. I've only just switched from citalopram which had stopped working after 15 years on it. I'm seeing my psychiatrist tomorrow. I just feel so desperate for some improvement.

OP posts:
Original poster
SameKeyThough · 02/01/2023 13:08

@strawberry2017 I had my bloods done recently and nothing came up

OP posts:
caninecalamity · 02/01/2023 13:12

Have you a plan for today? Is it the psychiatrist that is prescribing? I'm not too familiar with other anti d meds but hopefully there's more to try. Talk to us for now about anything !

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 02/01/2023 14:27

The psychiatrist will probably want to give this longer at the higher dose. My mum is here and I'm watching TV with her. Have taken a clonazepam. Just have to get through each day at the moment

OP posts:
Closterfack · 02/01/2023 16:44

Yes. It took ages to work for me. Like way longer than the 6-8 weeks suggested by my GP

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 02/01/2023 17:12

@Closterfack can you remember approximately how long? Did you increase your dose at all? And most importantly after all that did it bloody work????

OP posts:
Closterfack · 02/01/2023 19:20

Hi for me it took about 11-12 weeks before I felt feeling better, and before then it just ramped up my anxiety horribly. But then when it worked, it worked and whilst I've dropped the dose to the bare minimum I'm staying on it - partly as I couldn't face the hell of getting back on them if I subsequently needed to.

Sorry that's not all a glowing report but it's my only experience - I'm sure others will have found relief much quicker than I did, but I was in a fairly sorry way at the time.

Closterfack · 03/01/2023 10:48

How are you today OP?

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 03/01/2023 12:27

Still very anxious. Just saw my psychiatrist who seems to think it needs longer at the higher dose and also thinks I need to be doing more activities like going for walks and meeting friends. Neither of which I feel able to do.

OP posts:
Closterfack · 03/01/2023 13:24

Is there anything that helps your anxiety? Perhaps something to take your mind off it (I use puzzles and jigsaws etc) and fresh air does really help.

Anxiety is a b*tch tho, I find it helpful to know that despite how awful I feel, it can't hurt me. That helps me to do something's i wouldn't otherwise contemplate when I'm feeling anxious.

Flowers
caninecalamity · 03/01/2023 20:21

Could you manage even very short walks and increase the time very. Slowly. Do you read? Reading is a great escape if you choose uplifting books without anything triggering I find

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 03/01/2023 21:43

Thank you for the suggestions. The weather puts me off walking much, also it sounds ridiculous but I have put on 2 stone from different medication and I feel really self conscious being out. I'm finding it hard to concentrate on books but read some of a magazine today. I actually had a much better day today - perhaps things are finally working? It's very demoralising waking up with the awful anxiety which I fully expect to be there tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
SameKeyThough · 05/01/2023 16:28

Had a second slightly better day yesterday which was encouraging but today not good. Very anxious and low, I feel like I'm never going to get better.

OP posts:
2023istheworst · 26/05/2023 21:39

@SameKeyThough hey I know this is a few months old but did sertraline for you eventually? I have also switched from citalopram but not sure if I should have 8 weeks in still anxious

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