Sertraline - 12 weeks in, what’s normal?!

[ElizabethLittle]

Hello!

I hit 12 weeks on Sertraline (50mg) yesterday. It’s been a slow, slow journey but I was making real progress and felt nearly back to myself - even this time last week. But I’ve had a bad 4 days in terms of anxiety again, and although I’m trying not to catastrophise, I’m scared I’m going backwards again (which is probably causing the anxiety!)

I’m just coming to the end of my period, so I wonder if that’s contributing + a very busy week getting a new job and feeling pressure a bit with new responsibilities + balancing life with a toddler.

I guess I’m looking for advise on whether it’s possible to have a blip but continue improving or I should consider increasing? I’m desperate not to because the side effects are awful for me initially. But I also don’t want to feel like I do this week long-term. On the outside I’m doing “everything” but inside I’ve been really quite anxious again on and off since Wednesday and it sucks the enjoyment from everything.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated!❤️

Hi @ElizabethLittle,

Firstly glad to hear that pre-blip you were feeling better.

I don’t think sertraline will ever completely take away from the highs and lows of life, so firstly I would say don’t panic - it defo doesn’t mean you are regressing! I find the main thing is that I bounce back so much quicker, I still had times of getting down but it didn’t affect me for anywhere near as long.

I could be wrong but I really don’t think you’ll get the same side effects again if you go up a dose. Might depend what side effects you had before and check with a GP but I didn’t find going from 50mg to 100mg anything like 0-50.

Xx

Thanks so much for your reply! That’s really good to know - it only started on Wednesday after a bad night’s sleep (which was the catalyst in the first place for anxiety!) And then it sort of came back with vengeance in terms of me just constantly thinking about it again and feeling low lying anxiety/low mood and unease all day again

I think I need to take a bit more responsibility though and allow myself not to dwell (easier said than done!) Hoping it’ll lift again in the next few days. Just did a very long run and my period is over so fingers crossed.

When you have your own blips, how do you not dwell on it? Just trust it’ll pass?

That’s really interesting about not feeling so bad upping. For me getting onto it was just vile - sickness, endless anxiety, etc etc! I just can’t face that again. 🤪🤪

Thanks so much again!

x

Yes I really don’t think upping will bring back the sickness and hopefully not the anxiety. If you do it slowly E.g 75mg then 100mg hopefully your body won’t notice at all. Everyone is different but think it’s unlikely.

I think a new job & being on your period is a very good reason you’ll be struggling. Be extra kind to yourself and remember that’s quite a bit to deal with but you are over the worse of things now 💪🏼

For me it does still feel bad in the moments but I just notice that my brain is more willing to get back on the ‘right path’. If you can try and tell yourself everything will be ok I think that can go a long way. Easier said than done I know! X