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How Long Does Sertraline Take To Show Effect?
Question: On day 30 of 200mg of sertraline. Very few side effects and most lifted. Had dreadful 16 months...brothers death, my pulmonary embolisms. Was seeing the light when i had big bust up with daughter for 3 months, and my stress emerged when we became friends again. Im impatient to be well. Im helping myself by seeing and phoning friends, doing a little bit in the garden, and a little bit of my crafting. The last two days ive virtually cried non stop. The horrible knot in my upper abdomen seems to be disolving, but i still feel very low and have relatively low motivation. Appetite is quite good when someone else cooks, but my motivation to cook is also low, though i do cook nutritious food, rather than rubbish. Am i expecting too much after 30 days of increased dose?
Brief Answer:
I think it is still better to wait
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
I am glad to know that many of the symptoms are improving after starting sertraline. I understand your expectation but I feel for the time being you are responding well as there is much improvement in last four weeks.
I must inform you that benefits could be continued for 12 weeks so I think there is some more expectation which is not possible in realistic way.
According to me it will be better if you can wait for at least 4 more weeks for attempting any change in medications.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards.
I think it is still better to wait
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
I am glad to know that many of the symptoms are improving after starting sertraline. I understand your expectation but I feel for the time being you are responding well as there is much improvement in last four weeks.
I must inform you that benefits could be continued for 12 weeks so I think there is some more expectation which is not possible in realistic way.
According to me it will be better if you can wait for at least 4 more weeks for attempting any change in medications.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is it true that antidepressants make the patient feel worse before better? That it migh take between six and eight weeks to start feeling full benefti?Many thanks.
Brief Answer:
Yes it is true in some cases
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Your observation is completely true as side effects appear much earlier in compare to effects thus making things worse for small duration. The positive thing about those side effect is that they are short lasting and remit much earlier before antidepressant effect observed.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Yes it is true in some cases
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Your observation is completely true as side effects appear much earlier in compare to effects thus making things worse for small duration. The positive thing about those side effect is that they are short lasting and remit much earlier before antidepressant effect observed.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I still feel quite anxious sometimes. Could this still be a side effect after 30 days of sertraline?
Brief Answer:
It could be inadequate response
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Anxiety symptoms after 30 days of sertraline use indicative of inadequate response to medication rather than a side effect. Sometime sertraline take 8-12 weeks to show full response and that could be reason for persistent anxiety symptoms.
It is possible that they were not prominent at the time of starting treatment but got unmasked with treatment of depressive symptoms thus making them more prominent in clinical presentation.
I hope this clarifies further.
Thanks and regards.
It could be inadequate response
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Anxiety symptoms after 30 days of sertraline use indicative of inadequate response to medication rather than a side effect. Sometime sertraline take 8-12 weeks to show full response and that could be reason for persistent anxiety symptoms.
It is possible that they were not prominent at the time of starting treatment but got unmasked with treatment of depressive symptoms thus making them more prominent in clinical presentation.
I hope this clarifies further.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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