Hi all I've been on sertraline 50mg a week then 100mg 3 weeks and I'm on day 27 on 150mg. I am constantly stuck in my head aware of my thoughts every second of the day, sometimes the thoughts feel so loud I can hardly acknowledge what is going on around me. Distraction does not work, when sertraline begins to work will these thoughts calm down. I am constantly having conversations in my head and ruminating. I wish my head would give me a break 😕
Yes it's common, will subside gradually. I see you've increased your doses pretty fast..was it advised ?
It took me 29 weeks to reach 200.
The 50mg to 100mg was advised by my doctor then after 3 weeks of being on a 100mg I saw no improvement so I upped it myself to 150mg
Ok. I had some horrid side effects for the first 8 weeks on 50 but it gets better and also you'll start seeing a drastic improvement once you hit the right dose so hang in there.
Thanks for your help 😊 I wish I didn't up my own dosage to 150mg I should of waited longer on the 100mg but if I go back down I'll be going backwards on myself...but 150mg did stop my panic attacks
Pleasure. Just ride it out 150 for a couple of weeks the talk to your doc.
Take care.
Hi Pamela, I’m also up to 150mg now, but taken it a bit slower than you, about 3 months. I found the panic attacks subsided after I started the 100mg, but like you I was getting constant racing thoughts, it felt like my mind was constantly on fast forward! It still gets like it at times, but it has subsided a bit now. Hopefully once the new dose settles a bit you’ll feel a bit better. It can take 6-8 weeks after each increase to really feel the benefit, so try and be patient.
I’m finishing week 5, also 1 week at 50mg, 4 weeks at 100. I can’t get rid of the anxiety. Everything is more pronounced. I’ve heard people say give it 6-8 weeks to get rid of the side effects. It’s hard to deal with.
I need to up to 150 also, but I’m still having the anxiety from the 100.
I’m hoping also. I’m finishing week 5, the anxiety side effect is relentless. It’s hard to stay positive, and my Dr is against Xanax or anything to help it. I didn’t even have much anxiety until starting this. I started for depression, now I have bad anxiety. It’s hard, but keeping on.
I know you what you going through.
I've dealt with an anxiety disorder all my life. And of course you can take a .5 mg xanax , it calms you down and lets you sleep. I don't know why your doc is against it but i have realised medical science still hasn't understood clearly the pharmocology , side effects of antidepressants subjective as per the ailment that's why these forums are great help.
My GP told me never increase and continue taking 50mg and when i told him about the initial intense side effects he said 'side effects ? what side effects ?' Had i listened to him i would've never reached this stage.
Please take xanax or any alprazolam till you feel better.
Take care