How to count the days until I can evaluate what Sertraline is doing for me?

[random_woman]

I am on my 25th day of taking Sertraline. 

1 week: 25 mg
2 week: 50 mg
3 week: 75 mg
4 days: 100 mg

How do I count? Is it 6-8 weeks from when I started 25 mg, from 50 mg or from 100 mg?

And is it scientifically proven that 6-8 weeks are a good wait, or is it just shared experience?

//Feeling depressed 

[Luna-]

You count from the first day of reaching the effective dose. But the wait may be shortened from 6-8 weeks to less. YMMV. 

[random_woman]

12 hours ago, Luna- said:

You count from the first day of reaching the effective dose. But the wait may be shortened from 6-8 weeks to less. YMMV. 

Thank you,  but how do I know witch dose is the effective one? I had some improvements in my anxiety at 50 mg and since then it has been slowly getting better mood wise. 

[Luna-]

You don't, sadly. The recommended doses are the doses which have been most effective in most people. So docs use that as a guideline. If there is a partial response at one dose (like you seem to indicate is happening with you) it's a good sign - it's been what, 4 weeks now? If after a few more weeks, it's still only a partial response, your doc may increase it, so long as you aren't already at the top of the recommended effective dose.

Tl; dr. There are general guidelines but you won't know yours until you get a response. 

Hope that helps? :)

[random_woman]

On 12 november 2015 01:34:46, Luna- said:

You don't, sadly. The recommended doses are the doses which have been most effective in most people. So docs use that as a guideline. If there is a partial response at one dose (like you seem to indicate is happening with you) it's a good sign - it's been what, 4 weeks now? If after a few more weeks, it's still only a partial response, your doc may increase it, so long as you aren't already at the top of the recommended effective dose.

Tl; dr. There are general guidelines but you won't know yours until you get a response. 

Hope that helps? :)

Thank you very much! In that case it seems to be wisest to start counting from when I reached 100 mg and thats 3 weeks now. Just 5 weeks left and then I will be able to make a judgement about what this medication is doing for me. But I must say that I am feeling better mood wise and my energy is improved.

[Luna-]

That's so nice to hear.  Sertraline did absolutely nothing for me; awesome that it works for others. 

You mentioned that you started feeling some improvement at 50mg. In retrospect, that could have been your partial response and the bump up to 100mg was what you needed. 

[random_woman]

4 hours ago, Luna- said:

That's so nice to hear.  Sertraline did absolutely nothing for me; awesome that it works for others. 

You mentioned that you started feeling some improvement at 50mg. In retrospect, that could have been your partial response and the bump up to 100mg was what you needed. 

Its strange how different it can be. From research it seems that Sertraline works for many people, but still far from everyone. I don't want to increase my dose, got enough side effects. :-D Hope that 100 mg is going to be sufficient.