Hi I am back on sertraline second time around and have been on for just over 11 weeks. I have had some moments/days of feeling ok but then dips afterward. I find that Im grumpy, irritable, low energy and judging/criticising others - espacially those who are happy and in relationships.
Feel fed up and want to feel normal/happy balanced again. Is it usual? Mayb eI need to wait a bit longer for it all to balance out
Hi Chris
these meds seem to take a long time to be effective. I know 11 weeks is a long time but perhaps you can hang in there a while longer. Blips seem to be part of the package. Be patient. I know it is not easy.
lynda
How long can we wait it's 22weeks for me and I feel same as u reading your post makes me think even more that's it sertraline making us feel this way what dose r u on ?
Hi how u doing?
Chris I think you need to be realistic here for a second ...everyone gets grumpy, irritable, tired - we all judge and try to control those around us... a pill won't stop that, you need to.
I've been on 3 different SSRIs in the past 5 years... and all they did was make me feel weird and sick.
Right now Im on Sertraline, started at 50mg Sept 1st... had diarrhoea every day, feel nausea everyday. It lessened as 14 days passed, then after 4 weeks... I upped my dose to 100mg . After over 2 weeks of feeling very strange, worse diarrhea and nausea, I took it back to 50mg.
In my experience, these drugs only seems to work if you believe they do. Call me paranoid but there is something very very wrong about antidepressants and the huge money market behind them.
Once I was on fluoxentine for months, and it made me very emotional and I felt out of control. I stopped taking it immeditely and guess what nothing happened. No side effects, no withdrawals.. I just gradually began to feel myself again.
I am sick of feeling sick with Sertraline - I think this whole thing is just one big cruel joke played on people who are already sick and full of anxiety.
This whole concept of just waiting it out until the SSRI works is very suspicious. You hear DRs or people say " you have to wait 1, 2 , 3, 4 weeks or many even months to notice any difference ! ... this is very VERY weird and frustrating - which makes it a very unusual treatment for someone who is suffering.
My DR said to me " start taking sertraline, but remember you will not see any benefits until into the new year " ... I nearly burst out LAUGHING ! ... that was Sept 1st.
You see I will have to wait 5/6 months to have any relief from my anxiety and upset - anyone else think this is very strange ?
We are living in a very gullable age ...don't believe the hype, be realistic...if something works - it works - if it doesn't, don't kid yourself.
Smoking works for some, drinking alcohol or exercise works for others ... doing things they love or buying stuff online works for some too ! ... some ways are safer than others.... some people take benzos like valium everyday, just to relieve the stress and upset - well so what!, these drugs like etizolam and diazepam are not anywhere near as dangerous or addictive to your health as alcohol and cigarettes are - or even stressful intensive EXERCISE !
If it works you'll know... and from what I read and from my own experiences, I think a lot of people are just KIDDING themselves about SSRIs ... they are a big cruel joke !
What a post that's is so true I'm not saying they don't work for some people they do but I think if they haven't worked in the first 6-8 weeks they will never work
People go to the doctor because they are feeling very distressed or desparate, the last thing they need is SSRIs that take weeks to work, or make things worse. Maybe you're right, it is just another way of the doctor saying I can't help you but come back in a few months when you might be feeling better anyway.
If given a free choice of all the illegal and legal drugs to alleviate anxiety and depression very few people would put SSRIs anywhere near the top of the list. 100 years ago people were given cocaine and heroin by doctors, whilst not ideal at least they had an instant effect and improved people's mood.
I'm coming up to 5 months and looking back it's been a roller coaster ride but I'm no where near as bad as before, subtle improvements on weekly basis, it takes time, and you need to give your body time to adjust and rest.
Your so right, Philip. Subtle changes but better than it was. Still have a few side effects, but manageable. Glad to hear you are doing better.
lynda
A lot better, still tired by about 4pm most days, and still alittle fuzzy head but better
How are you?
Hi Philip
thanks for asking. Not sure how I am doing. Certainly there have been changes which is good but I still am not my old self. Was just talking to the dr about this yesterday. She was suggesting upping my meds or switching. Not sure what to do. How about you. How are you daring?
lynda
Been crappy since last Wednesday my head is pounding, and feel jittery and sicky, I don't get it as I have 3 fantastic weeks before this