I've been on Sertraline for 4 weeks now, wee1 was on 25mg, side effects were horrible, increased anxiety, depression worse, upped to 50mg and decided to stick with it after reading other reviews, thought i'd turned the corner on Monday evening when all seemed so much better, all day Tuesday was the same, i was positive, bright and felt like me but since then i've dropped back, not as bad as i was at the start but lack of drive, mood is lower, stomach upset. Any help, info, feedback would be appreciated
Hi Robert.
I can relate to your situation,I'm also on 50mg for depression/anxiety.week 1 & 2 was hell,week 3 got better then week 4 I felt good...but going into week 5 my mood dropped & thought I was going backwards & my stomach was a little upset again. But it lifted & I'm now going into week 8 feeling a lot better. From what I've read this can happen,it's depression so it won't lift over night...just need to ride the storm & think positively & remember things are better than they were to begin with!
Hi, yes this sounds normal to have a dip, and as u have upped your dose u will most likely to get side effects again, and also 4 weeks is still very early as it takes a good 6-12 to level out, but every time u up the dose u will prob get start up side effects again. I'm now 11 weeks in, 50mg for 8 weeks then the past 3 weeks on 100mg, and I had some effects from upping doses but not as bad as starting it. All I can say is sertraline does work but it takes a while to see effects and u will still probably have a couple more blips but it's normal and will get better x
I've been in bed with upset stomach and sickness all day, really hoping a bug as I couldn't stand 4 weeks of this:, yes same for me Robert some positive feedback would be appreciated as I feel awful:-/hope you feel better soon Robert : my anxiety is ok tough in coping with that
Hi Robert,
Yes this is fairly common. I've just experienced a similar thing after upping my dose to 75mg i.e. 5th/6th week suddenly felt worse again (a heavy cold didn't help).
Stick with it and try and focus on the good days you have rather than the bad (difficult I know). Also when in a bad day accept it is just a bad day but remind youirself that it's not as bad as before you were taking the tablets, therefore you can cope with it.
Over time you should hopefully see the bad days becoming less and less until one day you think "hey, I've felt pretty good for the last month".
All the best
Went for my return visit to GP, explained how I'd been, my current situation is that I'm in a job that's stressing me out for various reasons, was due back today but couldn't face it, signed off again, and my wife died 13months ago, so things could be better. Doctorshas increased my dose to 750 as he wants to ok ease the anxiety. Really hope this can be positive for me and helps me move forward. Thanks for your comments, they are helpful, it's always good to know that others are having or had similar symptoms.
Hi Robert, I can totally sympathise I had a long term partner die a while back and like you it took a good year or more before the anxiety really hit me. In that instance Citalopram really helped me get my life back and I feel confident that given Sertraline has helped you somewhat already given a bit of time it will help you too. Stick with it.
Again all the best
When you read info re sertreline you realise the potential side effects are the ones you are taking the drug to avoid.Dosage increase seems to be a temporary solution and long term not advisable.4weeks sertraline cold turkey and better for it.Probably will dip eventually but at least I will be aware of it and not drifting on unaware
I'm the same 3.5 weeks and iv dipped with anxiety and a lower mood. Doctors said increase but think I'll wait it out as its early yet and when on fluoxetine a increase was a huge mistake !!!!
Hi Rachel,
I'm now 4.5 weeks into 50mg of sertraline and feeling so much better, albeit a little wobble today at work, things are going well. I'm so much better on sertraline then citalopram. Glad you're doing well too ☺️
I don't know if to increase or not I'm so scared its coming back but scared of increase too 
I'm on 3.5weeks was doing so well but out of the blue anxiety is back with headaches and sickness. So scared I'm getting ill again and it won't pass.
It's normal to have a dip. Stick with it as it will get better Hun. What mg r u on?
I recognise your dilemna/feeling only too well. If you don't mind me saying it seems like your mind is on high alert, constantly questioning, constantly worrying, shall I raise the dose, what if I don't, scouring boards like this in the hope of finding a definitive answer etc.
As I say I recognise this feeling as I had it myself, it's part of our anxiety that our minds won't let us take a step back, we've been stressed for so long that frankly our minds don't know how to switch off they are always looking for problems and then frantically searching for solutions when in reality the thoughts themselves are often the problem.
Sorry if that all sounded a bit new age but just can totally empathise with how you feel.
If I were you I would take the pressure of myself, say to myself I will give this another 2 weeks on my current dose and if I don't notice improvement by then I will try raising the dose. Sometimes the act of consciously saying I am not going to make a decision yet is enough to calm the mind slightly.
So I would do that and in those two weeks don't sit at home reading every article/post you can on Sertraline but try and get out, go for a walk, do some exercise or yoga, see a friend even if just for a short time. In other words try and do things which will distract your mind from questioning how you feel.
It may be in 2 weeks you don't feel any better and do decide to raise the dose, on the other hand many people get a dip at the time period you are at now and then pick up again in weeks 4 - 12.
Try and be kind to yourself and give the drug a chance I guess is what I'm trying to say.
All the best
Chris
Thank you I totally understand. I try keep busy but I'm so dizzy and can't concentrate on anything xx
Hi, I've been away on a weeks holiday abroad in the Canaries, warm and sunny, I feel we Ltd fine going but days 2,3,4 things changed, and bit of anxiety crept in and sleep was up and down, weird dreams. But the idea really perked up, good mood, bright and starting to feel happier. Now home, first night in my bed and had really vivid dreams, I've had missed a dose of meds so maybe that was partly the reason. I'm 7 weeks on Sertraline now and feel now that it is helping, I'm hoping I've can maintain and improve more.
Hi! Just hang on in there and go with the flow. Don't over think. I was on 50mg for 2 weeks then upped to 100mg. Now 8 weeks in. I have had the shakes and a gippy tummy but that has now settled.I feel very calm but intensely sad. I have been on a stress/anxiety/depression management course through Talking Therapies which was a bit like 'sucking eggs' but did help (over 50 people there so not alone). I am glad I did it and further support is available. Dont expect miracles, happiness has to come from within and we all need to learn to get things in perspective. I will stick with Sertraline and see how I go - I definitely feel more positive for the future but it is a long and steady journey. Bide your time and you will get there. xx
50mg. Anxiety awful again so scared
Been 5w 5d and crying all the time now. Should I try 75mg or still have hope it will level out even through iv got backwards
Hi, I first responded about 2 weeks ago saying hang on in there and it will get better. My personal update is that as soon as my mood improved my physical symptoms worsened. The upset tummy - aka persistent squirts, came back with a vengeance. Looking at other forums it looks like it could be colitis. I am now off sertraline and am waiting to see if symptoms subside otherwise GP sending me for colonoscopy to check bowel. Been tested for bugs etc and all clear. It seems some people do suffer from horrid side effects, but on the positive side, 2 family members have been on sertraline for several years with no problems. Luck of the draw I guess but a bit late to find out! Good luck, I was certainly feeling much better but can't continue. I am now on self help with the support of Talking Therapies and making small but positive changes to my life every day. Take care. X