Is it normal to feel more depressed and anxious when on sertraline for just 3 weeks?? I feel awful and very low. I was hoping to see some improvement. I know it can take a while for tablets to kick in but is it normal to feel worse?? I'm sorry for sounding so hopeless but I am really suffering at the moment and need some positive feedback
Thanks
Suzy
Feeling more anxious and depressed after 3 weeks on sertraline?
Question posted by Suzy56 on 8 July 2020
Last updated on 23 June 2021
Added 8 July 2020:
I am only on 50mg, and that's what my doctor started me on 3 weeks ago. I am not sure whether I should ask for an increase or what longer to see if my mood improves on that dosage.
Suzy
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Answers
Inactive
8 July 2020
Hi Suzy! I’v done 4 weeks on sertraline and I’m only just starting to see very small improvements now! Still feel very down and anxious too! I think it can take 4-6 weeks to kick in’
Suzy56
8 July 2020
Hi Charlotte
I guess I am expecting too much too soon then? Will have to battle through! My side effects have been awful. Just feel worse then I did before starting medication. It's good you have noticed slight improvement. Hopefully I will feel the same after 4 weeks
Suzy
Inactive
8 July 2020
I felt so much worse! It’s really horrible! I came close to giving up! I’m still really struggling? My anxiety is still really bad! It’s so hard to keep going isn’t it xx
Suzy56
8 July 2020
I know what you mean, I have felt like giving up too! I have been off sick from work for 4 weeks. I am hoping to go back next week, but the way I'm feeling at the moment I'm worried I won't be able too which is not helping my anxiety at all! I am going to carry on with the meds though, I'm just not sure 50mg is enough? But I will give it a couple more weeks before I talk to my doctor. I hate having to do the phone consultation though, but according to the surgery I am not an emergency so cannot see him face to face!
Suzy
Inactive
8 July 2020
Yeah I’m in the same boat! I’ve been off for 4 weeks too! I’m not ready to go back yet so I’m not! My mental health is more important! And I I need to be well for my family! I upped to 100mg and couldn’t cope with the side effects so just staying on 50mg hoping it kicks in soon x
Suzy56
8 July 2020
Yes our mental health is more important! I think I will stay on 50mg I will give them more time. I do not want to go higher and start having more side effects. My doctor doesn't seem that helpful really, just said sertraline is a good drug and just needs time to work. I told him about the terrible side effects I was getting and he did not seem that bothered! I just want to feel normal again! I am keeping an eye on my hair too, because I heard in some cases it can cause hair loss! Don't want to have to deal with that as well! I reckon we should give it the full 6 weeks and see how we are then. Mornings are the eirst for me I wake up so anxious, depressed and no motivation to do anything I have to force myself to get up. I take my tablet in the morning, it suits me better, I used to feel so tired in the beginning but that has worn off. My sleep is not too bad probably get about 5 hours, I do wake up early though even if I go to bed later.
I live alone so its extra tough sometimes, but I am trying so hard to keep going! I think you are doing great Charlotte, hopefully your doctor is more supportive then mine!
Suzy
Inactive
9 July 2020
My Doctor is exactly the same! No support what so ever! Left to get on! Just told to do this and do that!im very lucky I have a very supportive family helping me! keep me updated how you’re doing! Things will get better soon I’m sure for us both x
Suzy56
9 July 2020
This has got to be the worst day ever since taking the tablets!!! Woke up this morning and had the most horrendous panic attack, could hardly breath! Was shaking, chest hurting, sweating and thought I was going to pass out. At one point was going to ring 999 that's how bad I felt! It lasted 45 minutes. I have rang my doctors and someone is going to ring me after 2pm. I'm wondering if I should have started on a lower dose say 25mg? Perhaps 50mg is too much. I am really suffering at the moment!
Suzy
P.s it certainly makes a difference if you have good family, I'm on my own
Inactive
9 July 2020
I hate the thought of anyone having to deal with this on they own xx
Inactive
9 July 2020
I really hope your okay! Could possibly be that the 50mg is too high feel free to message me
Suzy56
9 July 2020
I've contacted the doctors, cannot cope with this. Doctor ringing me after 2pm. I'm going to tell him how I'm feeling and whether I should taper off and try something else or go on the 25mg dose or see if he can prescribe another drug to help the anxiety attacks by working along side of sertraline. It's only been 3 weeks I've been on them but my anxiety is getting worse! I want to push through but there is no guarantee that this is the right medication for me and if in 6/8 weeks I'm still like this, well it would have been for nothing and I would have to start all over again! Last friday I had a good day??? Why then have such a massive set back. I really do not understand this at all. Do you think you are improving charlotte? You have been on them longer than me.. can you see a light at the end of the tunnel? This is so hard.
Suzy x
Inactive
9 July 2020
Yes I can see a small improvements! 100% when I started them the doc gave me some diazepam to help with the Anxiety And it did help! Mornings are still very bad for me! And I’m still very up and down! I cried this morning. But I’m starting to feel better now as the day goes on! Let me no how you get on! It will get better it’s awfull starting up on this drug and there is no support at all xx
Suzy56
9 July 2020
I am glad you are seeing small improvements. That has got to be a good sign. Is it 4 weeks you've been taking them? I am trying so hard not to give up. This is not a good day for me, feel like I'm going backwards. Doctors support is rubbish. You cannot even get an appointment to see one! I need to think more positively and distract myself more maybe. I am going to be firm with the doctor this afternoon and tell him I need more help!
Suzy x
Inactive
9 July 2020
Exactly 4 weeks and one day! It’s defiantly good to keep busy keep your mind busy! Get out for a walk! How’s your appetite? Mine is just starting to come back! Xx
Suzy56
9 July 2020
My appetite is up and down really. Looks like they are working for you, that gives me a bit of hope. I still get night sweats and my mouth is still dry. It's the worsening anxiety which I'm finding hard to deal with. I am still waiting for the doctor to call me! What time do you take your meds? I do mornings but might change to afternoon. I've noticed after I take it my anxiety rockets
Suzy x
Inactive
9 July 2020
I take mine at night! Just before I go to bed! I still get very thirsty all the time! Still have physical symptoms of anxiety in the Morning. And still very up and down with my mood! I think it takes a lot of levelling out. Has your doctor rang you? X
Suzy56
9 July 2020
Hi Charlotte
Yes he did. I told him about the panic attack and he has prescribed propranolol he said if I feel an attack coming to take one, apparently it will calm me down. He said I should give sertraline another couple of weeks because some people take longer than others for the meds to work. If no improvement in 2 weeks then he will up the dose, not sure about that really. He seems to think that I am getting overly anxious because I'm worried the tablets won't work so I am making myself more anxious then I should, he doesnt seem to think it's a side effect of sertraline. He said it's a very good, safe medication but sometimes needs longer to work in different people. So I intend to soldier on and see what happens. Do you sleep ok taking sertraline at night?
Suzy X
Inactive
9 July 2020
It’s always been okay taking it at night for me! You could always try, I’ve also got propranalol I take it twice a day! 10mg! I don’t feel so good tonight. Feel really emotional just sat and cried. X
Suzy56
9 July 2020
Aww, Charlotte I'm sorry to hear your not too good tonight, bless you. We are a right pair arent we! I think we are right to carry on with it though. It's tough and today as been terrible I've felt anxious all day, no let up at all. I know how your feeling because I'm feeling the exactly the same. I keep hoping tomorrow will be a better day!
Do you take propranolol for anxiety attacks? My doctor said take as needed just for panic attack. Do you find it works, I have never taken it before.i think I may change my meds to the evening. Taking it in the morning makes me feel terrible my anxiety is worse then. xx
Inactive
9 July 2020
Yeah I take it for anxiety symptoms! It’s good it helps! Do you want to chat off here? X
Suzy56
10 July 2020
Hi Charlotte, sorry I did not come on here last night so only just seen your message, I was having bad anxiety last night and I just could not do anything! I hope your feeling bit better today? I am about to go and get my propranolol from chemist. I have a question. Do you take it when you feel anxious or only if you feel like a panic attack is starting. My doctor has told me to only take it when needed, but I am not sure if he means when I get anxious or only when I am going to have a panic attack? So that's why I wondered when you take yours? X
Inactive
10 July 2020
Hi Suzy! Yeah doctor told me to take them one three times a day for a couple of weeks while the side effects pass! Check with the pharmacist when you collect them? How are you feeling today x
Suzy56
10 July 2020
Hi Charlotte! I am not too bad today, I was anxious when I got up but it passed. I picked up the propranolol and the doctor has given me 14 tabs at 40mg! That seems high?! Oh well if it stops the anxiety then that will be good. I just feel so low at the moment. How about you? I hope you have a good day, perhaps later on we can text, bit better than on here X
Inactive
10 July 2020
I’m okay just a bit anxious today! Yeah send me a text we can have a natter get each other out the other aide of this nightmare, 07563556112 ,
Inactive
11 July 2020
How you feeling Suzy?
Suzy56
12 July 2020
Hi Charlotte! The last 2 days I have been so ill! I am unable to eat and I have been so depressed that all I could do was cry! Today I feel bit better but I am so fed up with feeling like this, one minute I feel ok, then the next I feel terrible! Still having stomach aches too! I am sorry I haven't been here and I hope you are feeling better than me! This seems never ending! X
Suzy56
12 July 2020
My anxiety is really bad at the moment, it makes me feel sick. I really was hoping to see more improvement, not sure whether to up the dose. Doctor is ringing tomorrow morning for an update on how I am, so I will see what he says. Are you still having up and down days? X
Inactive
12 July 2020
I don’t have much data on my phone hun, send me a text yes I’m really suffering today with anxiety x
Inactive
13 July 2020
How you feeling today? X
Kereru
23 June 2021
Hi Suzy, I know this is very late but I just wanted to ask how you are doing? I started on sertraline 25mg 2 weeks ago and I'm feeling awful. Part of me regrets the decision to go on them but part of me wants to persist. Please can you tell me how you went on them?
Suzy56
23 June 2021
My goodness it has been almost a year since I had all them issues in the early days of taking sertraline!
Well, I pushed through, I did not give up although I felt pretty rough back then, and I did start to feel better after about 6/8 weeks, but I still was not as good as I wanted to be, I kept persevering though because I was desperate to be better again and they worked! But it took 12 weeks for me to really feel like myself again, but it was so worth it, my anxiety went and I felt back to normal. I am still on sertraline and have been for almost a year now and I am so much better, I am practically zero anxiety and I am so glad I stuck with them. The early days were rough, i had every side effect you could get, it was horrible for a good 4/5 weeks. But these tablets do work, they really do! Hang in there! Give them plenty of time to level out in your system, some give up because of the side effects, don't give up, stick with it, you will not be disappointed! X
Related topics
depression, anxiety, sertraline, anxiety and stress, tablet
Further information
- Sertraline uses and safety info
- Sertraline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Sertraline (detailed)
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