How do I know if my dose is too high? Sertraline 100mg?
Question posted by eng1888 on 4 June 2015
Last updated on 18 May 2022 by Avonocean
How do I know if my dose is too high?
I'll start from the beginning. I've had anxiety issues for the past couple years. I "managed" them, but december of last year I decided I wanted to do something about it. I started going to a therapist which has helped a lot with the mental things. My dr. started me on Prozac 75 or 100mg dose I can't remember. I know now that it was too high of a starting dose. 4 days after starting I went into a depressive episode and could barely function. It was an absolute nightmare. My anxiety was through the roof, heart pounded, "butterflies" constantly in my stomach, couldn't sit still or concentrate, and I constantly cried. I missed a couple days of work because I just couldn't get myself to go. On the 4th day after telling my doctor what was going on she told me to stop taking it. After this I tried taking a few other kinds such as Wellbutrin and a couple others but every one gave me side effects. I started on Zoloft 25mg about 2 months ago for a week and then increased to 50mg and I noticed a little improvement in my anxiety but I experienced shakiness, tiredness, diarrhea, heart pounding, feeling anxious, waking up at night, and cold sweats. After a month they seemed manageable so she increased my dose to 100mg. I've been on the 100mg for a month now and I am still experiencing heart pounding, extreme tiredness, shaking, waking up at night, cold sweats, and I still don't feel my "normal" self. Could it be that the dose is too high? Or that I may not ever be able to get used to the drug? My body is very sensitive to medications, and I have side effects to every depression/anxiety medication i've taken so far. My doctor said she doesn't think the side effects will go away at this point since it's been almost a month since the increase and I still have them. So the question is, do we decrease the dose back to 50mg, or try something different? I am waiting to hear from my doctor what she recommends at this point. I appreciate any help!
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10 Answers
AV
Avonocean
2 Nov 2021
I just had to go off Zoloft, it wasn’t working at all, started on 50mg, then 100, and then 150 mg.I was on it over a month. Got different side effects, dry mouth, peeing a lot more. Doctor put me back on the antidepressant I was on previously, because I still felt better on that.
Votes: +0
GA
Garyfisher26
7 Oct 2021
First thing to pop in my head is a possible interaction with another drug or vitamin or even an herbal supplements that may not be noted on your record. The other is to ask if you drink alcohol as this can have a big effect as well. I have anxiety and have taken sertraline, 100mg for over a year with little or no side effects.
Votes: +1
MD
Mdoz22
3 May 2020
I’m on 100 mg of sertraline and I started taking half in the morning and half at night and that seemed to work better for me. The first month I was on it was hard getting used to it I had probably every side effect but I pushed through and after a few months it just wasn’t working as well as it was on the beginning so they upped it to 100 I was on 50mg but it seems to be working well every once in a while my anxiety and depression shows but not near as bad as it was
Votes: +1
SA
sarasilo
5 March 2019
Like you I am also very sensitive to medications. it's important to use your instincts and communicate those with your doctor. several years ago I started taking zoloft 25 mg (i always take it at 9pm), I felt great after five days, and I stayed on that dose for six months. my doctor had wanted to start me at 50 but i know i am very sensitive and so I insisted to start at 25. I also don't break pills because it affects me differently - so I would insist on the 25 pill and not to break the 50). After 6 months, I felt like my body had started to adjust to it in a way that I needed more to get the same effect, so my doctor agreed to go up to 50 mg. (which he had suggested in the first place but i was not ready for that and def did NOT need that. very happy i started at 25) after three days to adjust to the new dose, I felt great again. waking up happy and feel more calm during stressful situations.
after about a year i felt like it wasn't working as well again and i was very overwhelmed with a move and a project at work) and spoke to my doctor saying i felt i needed 75 to achieve the same effect, that it had worn off. after a few days on 75, i was in such a fog like never before and i gained weight overnight, about ten pounds. yet for some reason thought I needed to go up to 100. i felt even more foggy and gained another ten pounds. I discussed with my doctor and decided to go back to 50. I started feeling normal again at 50 after a few weeks but never lost the weight. everyone's body is different and reacts differently. my goal is to get back to 25 and use exercise and eating healthy foods to keep myself feeling my best.
Votes: +1
TR
Trina63
29 Dec 2018
Did you ever get this figured out? I was on 50 mg for 6 weeks, but I felt so drugged. I saw my doctor today and told her how I was better emotionally, but felt drugged. I am trying 37.5 mg starting tomorrow. I was on this dose before and did great on it.
Votes: +0
CA
cat hugs
10 Aug 2017
I know this is a very late response but if others, like me, are looking for answers on these questions I hope it will help. It's important to know that generally when starting new medications such as Zoloft and Prozac it can take up to six weeks to adjust and feel the full effects. Sometimes there may be side effects but if you ride it out and see how it goes after about one and a half to two months you could find that your body regulates it and you might start feeling better. And if you have anxiety about taking meds and think they won't help then that's just the power of suggestion working against you. Give it a real chance.
Votes: +3
IN
Inactive
26 Oct 2018
Couldn't agree more I myself stuck it out 8 weeks of suffering before upping the dose from 50mg to 100mg and am now starting to feel better unfortunately this kind of illness does not come right quick you have to wait it out though I know how difficult this is when your suffering I really do feel the nature of the beast is that people are to quick to say it's not working without giving the drug enough time also there are side effects with this drug but for me personally I can see light at the end of the tunnel and the side effects although really hard at first they do level off and to feel well at the end of it all is worth it.Also I know from my own experience the more desperate to get well the more stressed you feel if you can try to accept stay strong and know that you will get better .
IN
Inactive
26 Oct 2018
Couldn't agree more I myself stuck it out 8 weeks of suffering before upping the dose from 50mg to 100mg and am now starting to feel better unfortunately this kind of illness does not come right quick you have to wait it out though I know how difficult this is when your suffering I really do feel the nature of the beast is that people are to quick to say it's not working without giving the drug enough time also there are side effects with this drug but for me personally I can see light at the end of the tunnel and the side effects although really hard at first they do level off and to feel well at the end of it all is worth it.Also I know from my own experience the more desperate to get well the more stressed you feel if you can try to accept stay strong and know that you will get better .
MM
Mmei
23 Oct 2015
I've been on 200mg of Zoloft since aug. Every morning right before I take it I have chills and racing heart. Not sure if this is too high of a dose. I also feel sick to my stomach and increase in anxiety. Shaking, etc. Does it sound like my dose may be too high? It has helped with my depression but not enough to endure these side effects
Votes: +0
EN
eng1888
5 June 2015
I've been on Sertraline for 2 months now. The 100mg dose for 1 month. I'm still waiting for the doctors response. It's very frustrating and I just want to feel better. Especially since I'm getting married in a little over 3 months! The past couple of days I've tried taking the pill in the morning instead of at night because it makes me so tired. I noticed increased anxiety yesterday and today. I don't know if switching the time I take the pill makes a difference? Or is what is causing the increased anxiety?
Votes: +0
JA
janxiety
12 Nov 2018
Hi mate, how did you find things in the end with sertraline? I am in the exact same position as you were right now!!
Thanks, Jack
CO
coloresue
5 June 2015
If your symptoms are exactly as intense as you've described, I would take less of this medicine with the Dr's. okay. I was never on this dosage myself and I have major depression. That doesn't mean you and I are the same. Sometimes you need a combination of 2 antidepressants rather than a high dose of one. You may even need an anti-anxiety medicine with your anti-depressant(s). You need to be seeing a good psychiatrist since you've tried enough drugs and dosages for any other kind of Dr.
Votes: +0
NA
Nattjenta
4 June 2015
Well, your doctor has followed the recommended dosage increases for this medication, so if it's still not working for you, she may need to try another medication. Honestly, one month is not a long time in the big picture. Sometimes, with some people it takes a couple or three months for the body to completely adjust to an antidepressant. But if you're waiting to hear back from your doctor, I would suggest you follow her recommendations. There are so many different antidepressants out there, and it is often times just a trial and error to find the right one for you. I know it can be very frustrating when you aren't feeling well. Good luck. Let us know what your doctor recommends.
