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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Sertraline Question

7ca5p

7ca5p

Bluelighter
Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
277
Location
England
Hey folks/guys/fellas/bluelight/monkeys/chickens

Genuine question here and I hope someone with experience can enlighten me as my doctor says it 'depends on the individual'.

Currently, after a couple of months on 100mg of Sertraline, I can feel it has slightly worn off now. I still take it every day, but there are tell tale signs that it is not as effective anymore (increased sexual interest, more lows etc.)

The question I have is as follows; does this mean that 100mg is no longer effective for me? Or does it go in cycles. I.e. if I continue taking 100mg every day for the next few months, will it once again be effective? Or do I now have to increase my dose if I want to benefit from it's effects?

February has been a much better month for me with the help of the drug, however I question it's use if it only lasts one month, and then stops.

Last year I stopped taking it when it lost potency, but I often wonder what would have happened had I carried on taking the same dose every day.

Thanks for any help.
 
The world of ssri's and MH is a strange one at the best of times but I think the answer to your question depends on a couple of details. Firstly is there reason for you to be feeling more lows recently? Eg. Extra life stress or more pain then normal or bad news. Secondly, you changed anything recently like meds? As certain meds can affects stable blood levels of ssri's. Thirdly, how long have you noticed this lower of effect? If its just a matter of weeks? In which case it could just be cyclical and a raise in dose would be inappropiate, or is it longer? In this case raising the dose could be appropiate.
 
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All I can tell you is that a lot of people are in the same boat, having to consistently switch between SSRI drugs because they loose efficacy.
 
Well, your doctor would probably up your dosage to 150mg if you tell him this. I suspect it has something to do with homeostasis, but you may need a higher dose. My doctor had me up at 175mg, which was gradually increased from 50mg. If it was working, chances are this may help.
 
@ Bunge -

It's only been a week and a half or so of me noticing it. Does that change things?

@ Chromophobia - Unfortunately I can't switch, so it's either Sertraline or nothing. Escatalopram stopped me being able to urinate properly whilst on it, and the only one I haven't tried is Prozac, which I am not too keen on.

@ Venrak - Yes I was on 150mg last year, but that was because last time, exactly in this situation, I upped the dose. Now I am not sure whether to just stick at 100mg.
 
7ca5p said:
@ Chromophobia - Unfortunately I can't switch, so it's either Sertraline or nothing. Escatalopram stopped me being able to urinate properly whilst on it, and the only one I haven't tried is Prozac, which I am not too keen on.
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That's unfortunate, there's quite a library of SSRI/TCA/TeCA/MAOI to select from.

SSRI drugs have different potency. selectivity, and can be stimulating or sedating, it's a shame you can't explore the many other options you have, especially that they are not drugs of abuse, and they are all equally safe.
 
Probably need to be upped my friend, I'm on only 50mg for the last few months and feeling nothing at all from it, it's classed as a first generation of it's kind, there might be better out there, depends on the individual but I know it's not for me now.:)
 
@ Chromophobia - Yes sorry you are right. I didn't mean I've tried 'them all' per se, only the ones my doctor has offered me.

MAOI's sound an interesting route. However I am on regular DHC and Diazepam so I'm not sure whether that rules a lot of the drugs out.

I have tried SNRI's last year and they did absolutely nothing for me, even on very very high doses. Sertraline and Escotaloparam both work for me, although I can't take the latter for the reason I stated. So I think SSRIs do work for me, but I will definitely bring it up at my next appointment.




@ Rachella - Yes 50mg is a very low dose I find. I can only feel anything from 100mg+ . That's why I am so worried about upping too early, because no doubt the higher dose will eventually wear off, and so I need to time it well. I am at a very important time in my life with trying to generate my first proper income since leaving college, and I really need to stay above water for as long as possible.
 
7ca5p said:
@ Chromophobia - Yes sorry you are right. I didn't mean I've tried 'them all' per se, only the ones my doctor has offered me.

MAOI's sound an interesting route. However I am on regular DHC and Diazepam so I'm not sure whether that rules a lot of the drugs out.

I have tried SNRI's last year and they did absolutely nothing for me, even on very very high doses. Sertraline and Escotaloparam both work for me, although I can't take the latter for the reason I stated. So I think SSRIs do work for me, but I will definitely bring it up at my next appointment.
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I'm glad you're attempting to explore other options. Keep in mind however that MAOI's should be the last resort as they have a long list of dangerous interactions, something that your doctor will certainly be wary of.

As for increasing your dosage, as of relatively recent times, there has been a cap on SSRI dosages due a risk of prolonged QT intervals with select SSRI drugs. I'm not certain if sertraline is one of those which is implicated.
 
Have to say I went off this a week ago and feel so much better, took me months to realise that it never suited me at all, have started practising meditation and self hypnosis and im reaping the benefits already, how are you kreping now?
 
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