Sertraline

I have been on sertraline for 11 weeks for anxiety, for the last 6 weeks I've been on 100mg. I had a couple of weeks of feeling a lot better, however I feel I've gone downhill since. Very tearful and anxious, feeling like I'm losing the plot! Should I speak to my GP about upping my dose, changing meds or carry on?

[RJF297]

Hi HJ1weirdo,

My personal experience I was on 50mg of Sertraline and after a year I whined off from 25mg then 15mg and the withdrawal was such an awful experience. SSRI’s are a strange med and not to be messed around with.

I wished I stayed on them as 1 year on I’m struggling really badly with anxiety and panic whereas before it was to help with depression.

Before you think of stopping just really think long and hard about what you want. You’ll get through it, just talk to your GP.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to RJF297]

Hi RJF297, thank you for your reply. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling just now too xxx

I hate feeling like this, it is a big improvement on how I was before I started taking them, I'm also having CBT - it is such a relief to talk about things with someone. I'm probably just being impatient.

I will speak with my GP again. Wishing you well xx

[_Alex_]

If you had a couple of weeks of feeling better (I'm assuming you think this was a med effect and not just a coincidence) then it may be worth trying at 150mg. If that doesn't work then personally I would ask to switch.

[Hidden in reply to _Alex_]

Thank you for your reply, yes I feel the couple of weeks feeling good was due to the meds. I have quite a stressful job - I'm a carer and my anxiety is making it harder for me. I'm going to speak with my GP when my prescription is due for repeat at the end of the month. I am currently having CBT so will also speak with her about it during my next appointment.

[Beardieman]

Similar experiences with Sertraline for Depression/Anxiety. Currently on 100mg. I have days when I feel I’m back to square one. But then again this are difficult times for everyone. The thing that keeps me going is how much worse would I be without a little pharmaceutical help?

I’ve lived with anxiety depression for years, albeit manageable, so my diagnosis is fairly recent. When I was at my most depressed I felt no anxiety at all, just numbness. I actually see the return of my anxiety as a positive. An indicator that I’m returning to “normal for me”

[Hidden in reply to Beardieman]

Thank you for your reply. I agree it is difficult for everyone just now, I don't think I would have been able to return to work without the meds. I've had a couple of 'meltdowns' at work in the last week or so, I also burst into tears often. I'm a carer so it can be stressful at times. I work 2 full days on the trot with a sleep in the middle, it can be full on at times.

[Beardieman]

Ditto with the return to work. After a phased return over 5 weeks I’m now back to full time. Bus driving, so it has stresses of its own!

[Missrob]

Hi I know you posted on here a while ago but I was just wondering how you were? I am going through a similar dilemma. I have been on 100mg Sertraline for 14 weeks but am still suffering really badly with insomnia and my anxiety feels like it's through the roof. I don't know whether it's time to call it a day or if my dose should be upped. What did you do in the end? I hope you're well

[Karm]

The dose maybe too high. I was in that also and had to stop as it was making me like a zombie and very nauseas.

Definitely go and speak to doctor to see what they suggest, they may go up, down or change it completely.