Sertraline day 7: increased intrusive thoughts and anxiety, does it improve?

[Kata762]

I’m currently on day 7 of 50mg Sertraline and just had the worst morning since I started. The catastrophising and intrusive thoughts were off the scale and not even diazepam could take the edge off. Has anyone else had experience of this? I know I keep reading you need to stick with it but at the moment I’m feeling pretty helpless.

I know it's hard once a train of thought is in motion and it then grows arm and legs.
Hopefully it does get better for you soon.
I'm on 150mg of sertraline and it definitely helps slow the 100 mph thought patterns.

Im on day 5 and feeling like you. I saw the GP today and he stated that I need to wait for 3 weeks to have an effect.

@Kata762
@CarrotParsnipOnion hope you both get there and live life again.🤞

Its very difficult at the moment. @NFPorterkeeponkeepingonNsoul how long did it take you to get over the initial hump?

I'll be honest I can't remember but it wasn't long.
I started on 50mg but I recognise my anxiety depression in check,the 100mph thought patterns,withdrawal from life,constantly repeating myself on whats troubling me and dissecting that from every angle before replacing it with something else.
Hence the 150mg dose.

@Kata762 how are you feeling now? I'm struggling to concentrate on anything except the 100mph thoughts swirling in my head. I keep hoping i'll feel better tomorrow. Im going to try and have an early night (its making me really tired and drowsy which im grateful for) and hoping ill feel better tomorrow.

Im only on 25mg, I know I need to step up to 50mg but Im dreading it

Yes, it gets better - I think mine settled around day 10. I’m now 6 weeks in and feeling so much better. Good luck

Hopefully as you become accustomed to 25mg the transition to 50mg will hopefully be a smooth one.
Wishing you well💐

I could not tolerate sertraline, I honestly thought I would do something stupid if I stayed on them. I transitioned to metrazapine but could not cope with the weight gain so I am now on duloxetine. The only negative side effect is that they make me feel ‘numb’.

@CarrotParsnipOnion I picked up a little in the afternoon but it’s all setting in again now. It’s just all so wearing isn’t it? I really hope you get a good night’s sleep and feel much better tomorrow. I am going to try and stay up a little later tonight to see if I can sleep a little longer…all just trial and error atm! Just hope it is all worth it in the end 🤞

I had a mammoth sleep last night and feel a bit better this morning but still on edge. I cannot wait to feel better. I wouldnt wish this on anyone!

Thank you so much. Im just going to take each day as it comes.

You're welcome it's a tough gig when the brain doesn't play ball.

I keep saying the same, it’s so awful! So glad you slept well and are feeling better…I’m a little more at ease this morning too, as long as the feeling lasts! Hopefully we’re turning a corner now and it will be onwards and upwards…

As the day is going on I'm actually feeling a bit calmer. @Kata762 hope you are still feeling a bit better too

Ive spent most of day in bed whilst the children have been in school - this is something Ive never done before! Not sure if this is a placebo effect or if the medication is kicking in....but definately feel more functional this afternoon.

I did a mediation thing off youtube and that was a nice respite for half an hour.

@CarrotParsnipOnion I’ve definitely seen an improvement from yesterday too, but I’m the same and don’t want to jinx it by thinking that’s the worst behind me now. The sleep will definitely do you good so try to rest when you need to while everything settles. I’ve been using the Headspace app for meditation too, all things I’ve never done before but I’m so determined to help things along as much as possible this time.

Hang in there. I’ve started sertraline 3 times over my life and the first week is a bitch then it gets so much better! Just hold on

I found it really rough for about 3 weeks. Horrible anxiety, low mood, couldn't sleep, dry mouth. But it did settle eventually. The second time I took it was easier as I knew it settled. For me Prozac was the best. No side effects at all

good luck!

@Llamamaman @TaraRhu Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, the hope that better things are coming really does give a boost.

Absolutely, to have people doing well at the other side is really wonderful to hear. It makes me feel hopeful.

It takes a long long time to get onto the right dosage for some 50 will work for others 150

How are you feeling today?

Im on day 7 and I am feeling a bit calmer. Intrusive thoughts are still there but able to rationalise them a little. I have also eaten ok today where I have hardly eaten very much previously. @Kata762 - sorry, Ive hijacked your thread! How are you feeling?

@CarrotParsnipOnion please feel free, it’s a huge relief to know we’re not alone in this! I’m pleased to say I’ve had another more positive day myself too with just the odd thoughts creeping in now and again, but like you, I’m feeling that little bit stronger to think more rationally about them now and not let them take over as they were. I really hope we keep going in the right direction now🤞I don’t think I ever realised how hard it would be!