To not take anxiety medication for this reason?

DustyLee123 · 08/02/2025 07:57

My DH went straight on a high dose and he never got any increase in anxiety.
The trouble with anxiety is that it stops you taking the thing you need to get better, and your DD needs you to get better.

YouDeserveBetterSoAskForIt · 08/02/2025 07:58

Propranolol was actually way better for me because I have situational anxiety.

Taking one 30 mins before a social event took away all the physical symptoms of anxiety and made the mental side much easier to deal with. And because you only take them when you need them, you aren't on medication all the time.

I was prescribed Sertraline for the same reason and I would never, ever discourage anyone from taking it... But it didn't really sort out the issue for me which was mainly the physical manifestations of anxiety which Propranolol cured

BusMumsHoliday · 08/02/2025 07:59

It does happen to some people; it doesn't happen to everyone. I take setraline and it wasn't a side effect I've ever had.

Can you start the dose during a time when your husband isn't away or ask a friend or family member to check in on you every day?

Chunkychips23 · 08/02/2025 08:00

Your anxiety will be making you feel more anxious about taking them. Are you taking the medication in addition to CBT or some other sort of therapy? It might help with unpicking thoughts whilst they start to kick in.

It’s a potential side effect, not a definite side effect.

I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling x

Stopandlook · 08/02/2025 08:04

Definitely take them - just have a plan for the first week. Walks in the fresh air, running, whatever your calming activity is.
Anxiety is the pits - hang in there as the meds will make a difference

Isthisrubble · 08/02/2025 08:06

I had exactly this worry and resisted taking it for a long time. I started it in November, felt a bit weird for 3 days and then it was fine. And when I say weird, slightly upset tummy, bit jittery, slightly disrupted sleep. Two months in and I feel so much more positive and my anxiety is hugely minimised. It sounds a bit ridiculous but it’s been magical.

We can’t guarantee what side effects we will get or how long they will last, but I was so worried about potentially being more anxious that I avoided trying it for years, and I didn’t experience that side effect at all.

If you do decide to start taking it I recommend just focusing on one day at a time. I took really good care of myself - very healthy eating, daily exercise (just walking), daily fresh air, prioritising sleep, including favourite activities. I think that helped me stay calm because I was controlling the controllables. Good luck.

Grenadescganades · 08/02/2025 08:13

Some Dr’s if you are badly affected by the increased anxiety at the start of an SSRI will prescribe a low dose benzodiazepine such as lorazapam or diazepam for a couple of days to get you through the start up side effects. Worth an ask?

Not everyone gets increased anxiety (i did and needed a couple of days of lorazapam to get me through it) but the net gain of taking sertraline and the positive effect it had on my anxiety and my life made it worth persevering through the early side effects.

similarly I found it upset my stomach and I needed Imodium for a few days - but once my body got used to it it really helped and I had no further side effects beyond the 1st couple of weeks.

good luck

Quitelikeit · 08/02/2025 08:22

Yabu

this ironically is your anxiety talking

this tablet can be transformative for many

take it right before bed each night at the same time

Original poster

Infeeoa · 08/02/2025 08:27

So I have just taken the first tablet after reading these posts and now feel I am getting dizzy but it’s only been a few minutes. I’m honestly so scared

OP posts:

AChickenPooAndABiscuit · 08/02/2025 08:36

Hey @Infeeoa ive been there. I’m on sertraline. Made me feel a bit spaced out for a few hours one morning but it soon cleared. Have as easy a day as you can. It can really help reduce the anxiety. also it worked for me to start on a Saturday as I didn’t need to worry about work for a couple of days x

Isthisrubble · 08/02/2025 08:37

Try to distract yourself, take deep breaths and just keep going. You can cope with this. It’s only an ultimately short period of adjustment. Well done for taking it. Try not to think about the side effects - dismiss those thoughts, they’re not helping you. Don’t Google. Just get on with your usual things and you’ll find yourself at the end of the day and you can tick day 1/14 (side effects typically settle by 2 weeks, if not before).

I recommend making sure you take them after eating. Even now I feel funny if I take them on an empty stomach, so I always have breakfast first.

Arduenna · 08/02/2025 08:42

OP, I'm on day 4 of sertraline - will take my fourth pill later today after I've eaten something. Also taking it for anxiety. I haven't experienced an uptick in anxiety yet. I've felt tired and bit spacey after taking it, but that's the worst of it so far.

SewingIsMySuperPower · 08/02/2025 08:52

I won't lie, my anxiety and intrusive thoughts did get significantly worse for about 3/4 days (starting from day 3 of taking it). It was really rough and there are so many times I nearly stopped taking it. And it took nearly a month to totally settle down. But it has been worth it. I'm due back at work in a week and I actually feel like I'm ready. 2 months ago I didn't think I'd ever be ready to work again.

I know it's scary @Infeeoa but it will get better. Sending you lots of love and positive thoughts xxx

BlueMum16 · 08/02/2025 08:56

Infeeoa · 08/02/2025 08:27

So I have just taken the first tablet after reading these posts and now feel I am getting dizzy but it’s only been a few minutes. I’m honestly so scared

Well done for the first step.

Is DH home this weekend? What plans have you got. Doing something will take the focus off the meds.

Discombobble · 08/02/2025 09:07

Infeeoa · 08/02/2025 08:27

So I have just taken the first tablet after reading these posts and now feel I am getting dizzy but it’s only been a few minutes. I’m honestly so scared

One sertraline tablet is not making you dizzy, your anxiety is.

MissUltraViolet · 08/02/2025 09:11

OP please try to relax, distract yourself.

I promise, one tablet taken a couple of minutes ago is not making you dizzy. It’s your anxiety.

You’ve got this!

DRMK79 · 08/02/2025 09:27

Infeeoa · 08/02/2025 07:55

I’ve been prescribed a small dose of sertraline for anxiety. I get racing thoughts, feel sick with worry, paranoid at social events etc

However I have read that it can cause an increase in anxiety initially? If I only had myself to care for I might hide away for a few weeks until it worked but I am absolutely terrified of my anxiety getting worse even for a day or a week as I am already at breaking point with it. I’m on my own with dd a lot too as dh works abroad frequently. I’m scared. I feel stuck whatever I do. Gp says take it and it will be fine but that’s not what I’ve read. I don’t know way to do

I took it about 8 years ago for a spell and never got an increase in my anxiety but I do remember having slight nausea for the first few days. Not like being sick or anything just a lump in my throat if that makes sense. I however wasn't eating much at the time so that might have contributed. What I remember most from it though is that it did really help level out my anxiety and depression! I could work on myself and put strategies in place to cope with it better and retrain my brain 🙂

IsitaHatOrACat · 08/02/2025 09:29

Have you referred yourself for talking therapies OP? CBT can really help you with this

thehorsesareallidiots · 08/02/2025 09:32

Infeeoa · 08/02/2025 08:27

So I have just taken the first tablet after reading these posts and now feel I am getting dizzy but it’s only been a few minutes. I’m honestly so scared

That's 100% psychosomatic and your anxiety talking. The tablet will not have affected you in that time frame.

Go and do something distracting. Take a walk, read a book, watch a comedy show.

Purplecatshopaholic · 08/02/2025 09:46

Try to relax and go with it op. Been there, I know how you feel. Sertraline gave me my life back, no exaggeration - stick with it, it will be worth it.

PacmanIsLost · 08/02/2025 10:12

I can understand your worries, I have two experiences with sertraline.

7 yes ago I was prescribed 50mg at a point in my life I was so anxious I couldn’t go on. It made my anxiety so much worse I came off it after 3 days and I believed it meant I couldn’t take SSRIs

Fast forward to 3 months ago, still struggling with anxiety and not being taken seriously by drs. I paid to see a psychiatrist. Best thing I ever did.

He explained that a lot of drs don’t appreciate how hideous additional anxiety is to those already suffering and that a starting dose of 50mg can be too much at first.

I stead I started for 1 month at 25mg, further month at 50mg and am now at 75mg. He also prescribed diazepam alongside my initial start. I did have to use it and it got me through, also knowing he knew it wouldn’t be like this forever saw me through the crappy days. At the increases I did not get any spikes in symptoms.

If you can get the dr to prescribe you diazepam, it really will help.

HangryLikeTheHulk · 08/02/2025 10:40

There will be some side effects and you will notice them, but it’s important to try and push through them if at all possible until it all settles down. Within 4 days my internal “noise” hushed significantly and my whole body and mind has “unclenched” - that’s the only way I can describe it. But I feel a bit nauseous and dreamy, a little disconnected. I’m trying to “enjoy” that feeling. Certainly the general doom has lifted.

sunstreaming · 08/02/2025 14:36

You need to do something, otherwise your anxiety will stay the same or get worse. Being stuck is not a solution. I do appreciate it's hard though, but that doesn't mean 'don't do it.'