No motivation on sertraline

[blueblogger]

Hi guys I'm new to this forum and I'm looking for some reassurance . I've been omn sertraline for 3 and a half weeks now, ( for PND). My general symptoms are alot better, and I seem to of got through the worst of the sides effects of starting a new drug but I just generally have no motivation what soever. This is really worrying me as I run my own business but I just have no interest in it at all at the moment. The doc has told me to give the drug 6 weeks before I decide if its working or not but I'm normally quite motivated so this is bothering me. I know that if after 6 weeks I'm no better I'll have the hassle of switching meds of uping my dose which could lead to further side effects etc , all the time while my business is suffering. Any help greatfully received

[Rehasher]

Hi Blue

I have been on sertraline(25mg) for 6 weeks and i can say that some days will be better than others. I would say its worth it to stick with it. For me when i wasn't getting the side effects i felt great. This is coming from a person who is really sensitive to medication. I couldn't even handle ibuprofen on the smallest dose. Good luck on your decision to stick with it or not.

[Cassius]

Hi Blue,

I'm in the exact same situation as you with my own business AND the Sertraline. I honestly don't know whether it's having any effect on me at all. My mood is lower than ever and I find it difficult to concentrate.

I've been on Sertraline 50mg for five weeks and I recently upped the dose to 100mg. I did have some mild side effects again like insomnia but they've abated pretty quickly. Still, I really don't feel like it's doing anything for my mood and i find it very difficult to get on with work.

I'm going to try and hang in there with it but it's difficult because like you I don't want to switch meds and feel like all this time was wasted. I'm seeing my doctor this morning and will discuss the options with him.

I hope you're feeling better and I really hope Sertraline works for you.

[worriedalex]

I agree with most posters about lack of motivation and low mood. I have been on 100mg for six weeks and was prescribed the drug for anxiety. My anxiety has certainly lessened as has my hypomania, but my mood is lower than I can ever remember and I lack motivation - often to even get out of bed in the morning. I hoped this would even out by now but am going to docs Monday to discuss.

[blueblogger]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your replies, sorry for my late response, i've not been om here for a while. I'm at my wits end. I have now been on sertraline for 6 weeks and for the last 2 days have had severe nausea and diarrhea resulting in a 5 pound weight loss ( at least theirs a silver lining, lol). However I saw my doc yesterday who tried to convince me i could have gastroenteritis yet I am sure its these tablets. I just can't seem to see a way out of my situation at all at the moment and its really getting me down. I 'm considering coming of sertraline full stop as I have read so mamy bad reviews about it but then I have to deal with the side effects from that and where to go from there. I just don't feel like some doctors even listen to you sometimes. I told my doc I was better on fluexotine ( apart from the panic attacks for the first 2 weeks which were awful) and she said do you want to go back on that instead?! She clearly has never had a panic attack. I feel so alone and can't see a way out. I 'm sure that if i come of meds all together I'll end up back where I was and without months of trial and error on different tablets I can't see that I will find one that helps . I just can't help thinking how are they actually making me better. They all seem to have such awful side effects. My depression has lifted in some ways after 6 weeks on 50mg but physically i feel terrible , I've also noticed aching joints and alot of hair loss. Still have low motivation and I can't help think how much better I did feel than this on fluexotine. I really don't know what to do. I'm hoping someone out there can offer some help/advise?
How are you guys all doing on sertraline now? How long do you give it before deciding its not for you?

[Cassius]

Hi Blue,

Thanks for the update. All I can do is share my experience with Sertraline. It wasn't working for me at 50mg - I was extremely anxious in the mornings - so as a last ditch attempt we increasesed it to 100mg. It's only been two weeks but I already feel like I'm getting back to normal and my mood is slowly improving.

I feel your pain, I really do. And I was pretty aprehensive about increasing the dose to 100mg and going through the initial drowsiness again but... Either it's working for me or I'm learning to deal with my depression/anxiety better.

I would suggest you try increasing the dose for a couple of weeks at least.

Good luck mate! * hug *

[worriedalex]

Hi Blue,

Firstly, I feel the lack of motivation effect from this drug. This does get better with time. However, after about 6 weeks I also got incredible stomach pain and diarrhea about 3 - 4 times a day. Therefore I would definetely say your diarrhea is due to the drug. Doctors sometimes try to convince us patients it is not the drug in case we suddenly come off it - which can be a lot worse. I am still suffering diarrhea after 2 Weeks so am returning to my docs first thing Monday morning. I hope yours passes quicker!

[blueblogger]

Ha , no mine has been terrible , more like 20 times a day initially , I felt like I d been poisoned . Doc has told me to go on tablets every other day to see if that gets rid of the diarrhoea then go back up to one a day . If the diarhhea returns we know it's the tablets . If that happens I think I will have to go back on fluexotine and see if they can give me something for the initial panic attacks . How long have u been in the drug for now ?