My Sertraline was increased from 150mg to 200mg this morning. I'm not feeling too good at the moment, really anxious, suicidal thoughts. This is the maximum dose. Has this happened to anyone else after increasing the dose ? Please help.
How long have u been on sertraline and what dose did u start on and how long did u leave between doses before u went up each time? X
Hi carol.
so sorry to hear, about you're experience...
Im not seeing here, why you're gp would increase you're dosage, if the lower dose, is not helping,
i can't talk from personal experience, because, I've only recently started on Setraline, at 25 mg, for a week, then up to 50 mg
so far I've only had a lot of the side effects..
Did you talk to you're GP, about you're thoughts ?
i think you should be seeing a support worker if possible.
sending you hope and a an answer Carol.
Hi Vicky,
i started on 50mg Sertraline back in October. I was ok till just after Christmas when I hit a deep depression and my GP increased the dose to 100mg. As I felt no better 3 weeks later it got increased again to 150 mg and this morning to 200mg.
Should I give it longer to work ?
Hi carol. I'm sorry to hear that your not good at the mo, but I think what it is, is that u havnt left enough time between doses to get stable on any amount. It can take 8-12 weeks to feel any benefit fro a dose, so I think your gp has upped u to quick, and that is why your not getting better. I would stay on the 150mg dose as that is still quite high and see how u get on in the next 2-4 weeks as u have only been on that dose for 3 weeks. I hope that helps but it's your decision x
Hi Vikki,
thankyou for your advice. In hindsight you're probably right. The increase is maybe too soon. I'm gonna stick with 150mg for next couple of weeks.
Ive been really depressed & anxious since new year & at times it's unbearable. Here's hoping the meds start to work soon. X
hi Rosemary,
Thanks for your advice. I have told my GP my thoughts & feelings.
I've even rang NHS crisis line which is a joke. I asked them for a support worker as I'm struggling as a single parent with a teenager with Autism. They said no.
I am going to take 150mg from now on as I think 200mg is too much along with side effects.
Thanks, x
Yes I understand. Anxiety is horrid. Have u tried rescue remedy?? I use it on my anxious days and works really well for me, calms me a lot x
Hi carol, they said no to u when u was asking for their help??? Disgraceful!!! Have u tried relaxation on YouTube?? And free online cbt, also hypnotherapy for anxiety on YouTube?? Also rescue remedy when your feeling anxious x
I've been asking for Counselling since New Year. I was put on IAPT waiting list and told it'd be 6 months wait., so I'm paying £60 a week to see a private therapist as I was desperate. I know I can't affiord it much longer, but thankfully I found a charity that offers Counselling in Leeds. I'm now on their list to be seen in a couple of weeks.
Thanks. X
6 months wait??? People who havnt had anxiety really do not understand how crippling it is do they??? It makes me so angry. Have u tried hypnotherapy or accupuncture?? They r really good. I wish u all the best and I hope u get the help the need. Keep me posted on how your getting on x
Hi carol.
i tried to get help from the mental health team, where we live..
but the wait is up to 4 months.. If you're suffering with anxiety and depression, panic
attacks, you need help. Now ..
live only been on Sertraline for a few day, 25 mg
had issues from day one,
very nauseas and diarrhoea,
hoping it would settle, felt ok yesterday, managing to eat some toast,
but around 2-30 am, I had the most awful panic attack,
i suffer from Costochondritus, to,
its like an electric shock, hitting you're sturnum,
land continued most of the night,, still feeling extremely nauseas again, with upset tummy,
have had to call my GP .. In the hope he can advice me..
lim absolutely .. In a state,, cannot function..having a bit of trouble breathing to,
do these drugs ever start to work, or am I an exception to the rule..
sorry just had to get this out..
Hi Rosemary, you're on a very low dose. Your GP will increase it I'm sure. All the symptoms you describe I have too, but I'd willingly put up with them in the hope my depression & anxiety lift. The diarrhoea isn't as frequent now, but I still get the tight feeling in my chest. I'm still not eating properly. I only seem to want food late evening which isn't good.
My Gp told me to persevere a couple more weeks to see if I improve.
I started on 50mg October, increased to 100mg beginning jan, then increased again to 150mg in February.
hope this helps, but ask your GP what they suggest.
take care, Carol x
thanks Vikki,
ive downloaded some relaxation techniques from something called 'Moodjuice' it's very good, I listen to them morning and night now
take care... X
Hi Carol,
I'm so sorry to hear how bad you are feeling at the moment and how long you are having to wait for the help that you need. The GP needs to listen to you and take you seriously if you are having suicidal thoughts and struggling to come on a day-to-day basis. I suffer recurrent bouts of dark depression and have been monitored by the community crisis response team (e.g. phonecalls, visits) until I was back on an even keel. Have you any support from family & friends at all? Do you think it was the medication that was making a difference to your mental health up until Christmas or have you been trying too hard to cope? You are a very strong person. Please take care of yourself. I hope the local counselling is helpful to you. Perhaps it might be able to put you in contact with others in your position. It makes us feel less isolated to know that other people are fighting the same battle as we are. Don't give up! You will get there. Just be gentle with yourself and find the positive things in life you are thankful for.
Let us know how you are getting on. Big hug :-)
Digsby
xx
Sorry to hear you are feeling so bad at the moment. I definitely agree with the rescue remedy, it helped me a lot. As did online CBT called MoodGym, it's free, though there are others to choose from. It might not be your cup of tea but it's worth a try, you've got nothing to lose.
I would go back to your doctor about the sertraline. Normally, if one SSRI doesn't seem to be helping, they have the choice of either a) increasing that dose, b) changing to another SSRI or c) combining two different antidepressants, which of course has its problems. Sertraline is quite favourable all round in terms of its side effects and has the advantage of being able to step up the dose in more steps than other similar drugs. I wouldn't have said you need to stay on a particular dose for x amount of time just to get it steady.....if you need 200mg then use 200mg, just expect more side effects at a higher dose potentially.
Suicidal thoughts are known to occur with SSRIs and in particular when the dose is being increased, and your doctor should monitor you every 2-4 weeks anyway after an increase or change, so it's best to discuss this with them. It sounds like you may need to switch SSRI if still no improvement.
Best of luck!
Hi Digsby,
thanks for your kind words. Depression & anxiety is just the worst thing isn't it? So hard to get better and motivate yourself to do the simplest of tasks. I do have a brother & a couple of close friends for support, but i can't always say how bad I'm feeling as it'd be too distressing for them.
I had a severe bout of depression 20 years ago, but this time it's far worse.
i just hope & pray I'll get better.
the support on here gives me hope & is heartwarming to hear.
carol xx
hi Sarah,
Thankyou for your support. I've downloaded relaxation techniques which are helpful, but still feel I need more input from Crisis Support Team, which isn't happening. Not once have they offered to come out to me in my crisis when I needed them most, just for reassurance and advice.
My friend refers to Mental Health services as The Cinderella Service as it's always having funding cuts & is bottom of the list in NHS Services.
Maybe if MPs suffered depression & anxiety they'd put more money & services in place.
I really appreciate you're advice, thankyou
carol xx
Hi Carol,
I'm glad that you have been able to share your feelings with us online here. I know how difficult it is to hide the truth of just how bad we feel and how dark our thoughts are with those we love most. I've not been able to tell any of my close family members who support & love me, what is going on in my head. However, if you can share a bit of what you are going through safely with them, that will give them an insight. Most important, never imagine that those dark thoughts have any power over you - they are just thoughts. Keep being as positive as you can, one day at a time. You are not alone.
Very best wishes, Digsby x
Hi Digsby,
Thankyou so much for your support, my brother and close friends know some of what I'm going through with depression & anxiety, but not my thoughts as they can be a bit scary. I've been referred to Community Mental health team, I'm not sure if they're part of the community crisis Team, but I'm hoping they can offer me some support. I suppose services are different in other areas of the country. I'm in Leeds.
Stay strong digsby,
much love & best wishes,
Carol x