Hey all,
Just posting to get opinions and see if anyone else has experienced this, I was on sertraline 3 years ago for a generalized anxiety disorder and depression that was brought on from panic attacks from doing drugs, sertraline completely turned my life around and brought me back to 100% and I stayed on it for 2 years, long story short I was experimenting with drugs again and ended up right back where I was so I decided to go back on sertraline again, my doctor gave me the same dose to follow which was 50mg for a week then 100mg afterwards but I decided I was going to try see how I got on with the 50mg, I’ve been doing really well, a few ups and downs along the way and here I am 32 days into taking 50mg and it feels as though the medication just stopped working for me? I feel terrible as I did before I started taking it, I was drinking alcohol on the weekend which is the only thing I can think of that could effect it but when I took sertraline the first time I drank every weekend like I normally do and was fine, sorry I’m rambling but do you think I need to up my dose to 100mg or cause this just be another down moment and I haven’t fully balanced off yet?
Thanks in advance any advice would be great ❤️
So you took it for 2 years about 3 years ago, how fast did you quit? Did you taper over that 3rd year or quit cold turkey?
I had a similar situation and I tapered down too quickly amd had bad withdrawal/discontinuation symptoms
I went down to 50mg for maybe the last 6 months of those 2 years then tapered off pretty quickly but found coming off very easy so it was no worries, I was off sertraline a full year before I went back on it 32 days ago
Hi John!
Im sorry to read that you struggle.
I also took zoloft few years ago wirh great results . Im now 4 weeks in and have a hard time.
What are your symptoms?
Maybe your body will need more time to readjust to the med or need higher dose? Or maybe its not the good one?
Take care xx
Hi John,
I have also been on Sertraline twice. The first time I was on 50mg for 10 weeks and whilst it helped I was only about 70% back to normal. On the 10th week I upped to 100mg and within a week I was 100% back to normal.
This time round I am on 25mg for one week 50mg for two weeks and then upped to 100mg. I am only on 3 1/2 weeks but I am so much further ahead than last time when I waited to increase too long.
It’s a tough call because everyone is different but 50mg just wasn’t enough for me. Your doctor has prescribed you 100mg so they must also think this is right for you.
Hope this helps
Hi Kate!
What was your side effects at 50mg?
Did you have dizziness, soace out feeling, etc?
I had loads but the worst ones for me were headache, increased anxiety, lack of appetite, drowsiness, crying all the time, restless legs and insomnia. They have all disappeared now apart from the headache (and brain zaps) which will be from me upping to 100mg but I am feeling much better!
Hi Kate,
I'm on day 19 of 50mg Sert for anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I got a few side effects the first week that have cleared ie headaches, stomach trouble and nausea but I still have a constant heightened anxiety which has been with me from day 1. It's worse than before I started, I never woke up with anxiety or after exercise prior to the medication. In the last 19 days I have either walked 7 miles a day or been out on my bike for 20+ miles and still the constant anxiety as soon as I stop. The GP also prescribed 14 tablets of zopiclone (7.5mg) which I've been cutting in half. I've tried several times now to sleep without them but I spend all night awake until I finally give in at 5am and pop a pill. I keep thinking, keep going until at least 6-8 weeks as per other peoples experiences but nearly 3 weeks in I still feel worse, never mind any improvement. Is this normal, Next GP appointment is in 9 days..........Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Kate,
When I was on sertraline the first time around I done 1 week on 50mg then increased to 100mg and within the month I felt better and the 100mg really sorted me out, I’ve decided to take the 100mg today as I believe it’s the right dose for me I just wanted to try do it this time around sticking to 50mg...
Hoping now that these 100s kick in with minimal side effects so fingers crossed, thanks for your feedback hopefully we’ll be back to ourselves again soon, keep me posted!
I would just try my very best to last on the dose you’re on until your GP appointment in 9 days and if there’s no improvement by then I’d talk to your GP about increasing dose
Hey 
well I am no expert so can only go off the experiences I’ve had with Sertraline. But I definitely felt worse both times for the first 3 weeks in terms of increased anxiety than I did before I started taking the medication. I have found both times that I have felt much better on 100mg but again this is just what works for me.
I would agree with John and stick it out for the next 9 days and see if anything changes. I went to my doctors appointment last week and told him I had increased anxiety and was crying several times a day on 50mg and he suggested to up the dose to 100mg. Today, a week later, I have felt 80% back to myself with very little anxiety but just a minor headache.
Anxiety is the worst, I hope you get some relief soon.
Hi John,
I know what you mean, the first time round I was desperate to stay on 50mg so I had less to reduce from when coming off but it just didn’t give me the relief I needed. I have been on 100mg for just 6 days and have had a really good day today. Who knows if it will continue but it is definitely heading in the right direction. On upping the dose I just had a really bad headache for a couple of days, it didn’t affect my sleeping, appetite etc. again so hoping it won’t with you too!
Good to hear!
I woke up this morning and I felt a lot better than the past couple of days and took my second 100mg tablet, since then I feel a little bit more anxious spaced out and tired and I’m also sweating a lot more but I’m sure it’s just my body adjusting to the change, I start a new career next Wednesday so I’m hoping the side effects will have gone and I’m feeling better by then! Hope your having another good day today!
Hi john,
That’s great, congrats and good luck with your new job! I think by next Wednesday you will be fine.
Have you thought about taking the tablet at night if it makes you spaced out and tired? I take mine at 9pm and I sleep well and wake up calm. It depends on how well you sleep some people find it gives them insomnia but I find it makes me tired.
I’m feeling ok today, not as good as yesterday and have a bit of a headache but minimal anxiety!
Hello Kate
im only starting my 2nd week of 50 and have lots of increased anxiety, no appetite & headache ....... but it does get better dear?? May I ask how long your side effects lasted? If I hold out it should get better ?? I really want Zoloft to work for me as I've heard great things about it for anxiety .... trying to stay hopeful
one more question did you take anything extra at first to help w the extra anxiety feeling till the Zoloft started to work ?
I appreciate ate all your insight dear
Good to hear your anxiety is at bay!
See with me I’m trying to stick with what I know because I’ve only ever taken sertraline in the morning, I think today more than anything I just feel abit strange which isn’t ideal but a nice break from the intense anxious feeling, hoping i just keep improving from here
Unfortunately with sertraline you often feel worse before you feel better so just try ride the roller coaster until it balances out! I use Xanax as a crutch while I’m starting sertraline to help with the side effects then as soon as the sertraline works I don’t need the Xanax anymore, see if you can get a hold of some
Also just to put your mind at ease sertraline has worked for me before and brought me back from the depths of hell back to completely normal life so it could do the same for you!
It does definitely get better and this is completely normal. A lot of the side effects should disappear in the next week or so like the headache and the lack of appetite. The anxiety sometimes takes a bit longer but it will eventually. I’m the same as John I was prescribed diazepam to take when needed if it became absolutely unbearable. I ended up taking 4 tablets over the space of the first couple of weeks. Good news is you’ve probably got over the hardest part already! Good luck
How are you feeling today? Yesterday I had a very good day and today hasn’t been so bad not as good but still better, I think I’m going to try taking my tablet at night time even just while I’m getting used to it, I took my 100mg dose at 6am this morning, should I take another one before bed tonight or do I wait a full 24 hours and then wait till that night to take it do you know? The extreme fatigue I’m feeling is my only problem at the moment