Will sertraline work? When?!

[Pelvicpaininthebum]

I've been having anxiety attacks and panic attacks.

I started Sertraline 11 days ago at 25mg and then went up to 50mg 4 days ago.

I feel my anxiety is worse if anything. I've got constant low level anxiety and am so worn out from it. I'm waking early and feeling panicky.

Will the sertraline end up working? I feel so desperate for it to.

only worked for me on a dose of 150mg

Just remember to be kind to yourself, it's really brave even to be trying it.

I'm definitely exhausted from it, but I'm forcing myself to do things - (it helps there are some tasks I have to do) but it's absolutely okay if you can't focus and just need to rest.

Thinking logically has helped me - like "Oh, okay, I'm on extra high alert, this is really hideous, but it's just my body's way of keeping me safe and a reaction to the new medication".

I feel like although the anxiety/stress is a high, uncomfortable level, in not fighting it, I can let it just sit there within me.

If that makes any sense!

Yes my doctor just started me straight onto 50mg. It’s definitely affecting my sleep I think. I’ve been taking it in the morning as suggested but the last few nights I’m really not sleeping well. But I’m not the best sleeper anyway so I’m not really sure if it’s the meds or just me. But poor sleep obviously doesn’t help my mood.

Sorry yes I’m also noticing I’m a bit spaced out. Like brain fog. Which is not helping me support my daughter right now.

6 weeks. Propanolol 80mg works str8 away though

You feel like you're on high alert too? I feel so agitated tonight, it's horrible 😭

I remember that feeling. I really struggled for a couple of weeks then it steadied. About 6 weeks in I was driving home from the school run, the sun came out and I suddenly felt really happy! I’d forgotten that feeling! It was wonderful.

Thank you @ninjahamster

I've forgotten happiness too. I feel like I'm just clinging on.

I feel so uncomfortable in my own skin. I just want to rip it off or scream.

How much longer do I have to feel like this for I just can't cope.

Exactly that, ultra high alert, jumpy, agitated, my anxiety is on the edge of a panic attack. My heart rate is higher than usual too so it's definitely physical.

It takes a few weeks for your brain to adapt to how the sertraline works, so it's actually a grest sign that it has started doing its thing.

I'm watching Strictly and trying to focus on breathing deeply to ease the anxiety a little x

Hello! I’m on day 4 of 25mg, have had quite a few what I can only describe as drinking 20 coffee's!! Jelly legs and have to lay down.

You sound so hopeful! Glad you've managed to watch Tele. I can't concentrate on anything.

I have two small children and in the day they are just constant which makes me feel even worse.

We should keep checking in with each other...?

I definitely haven't had that. I've been very drowsy, whilst also being highly anxious!

The high alert will fade soon. Promise. X

Hi OP I’ve been going through a hellish time and started on sertraline recently. I’m on day 5 of taking 25mg and start on 50 tomorrow. I had an absolute horrific day yesterday to the point I thought I would need to get myself admitted. I’ve hardly eaten for two weeks. I have bad work anxiety and I catastrophise.

I woke this morning feeling iffy but after an hour I started to feel better. I’m now able to drink a tea and eat a biscuit and get it down and my thoughts are not racing. It’s early days but I nearly gave up yesterday and I am so glad I didn’t. I don’t know what I would do without this community. Hang in there.

Yes definitely; how are you doing this morning?

I slept a bit better but not great; the high alert is still very much there at the moment! Day 3 for me.

I do hope you're feeling a bit stronger?

Yep, stick with it, it will work.

The last thing to go for me was the morning anxiety, but honestly it's worth persisting with.

Also, if you haven't already, download an App called ' DARE' and pay for the subscription version, it was a lifeline for me.

Is that app good for work type anxiety? Or more for things like flying and social anxiety etc

Thank you 🙏

Keep trying to eat, little and often. I'm struggling with really low appetite too. I've lost so much weight.

I've had points I've thought about going to a&e and have rung helplines.

Keep letting us know how you're doing.

I was on 200mg and it took about six weeks to kick in. That's a very low dose.

I slept terribly, awake at 1am (after going to sleepy after 11) and couldn't go back to sleep so took half a lorazepam (0.5). Still couldn't sleep so took another half an hour later, then only slept till 5:30.

I'm thinking of calling the GP tomorrow to ask for zopiclone as I worry about lorazepam but unsure if you can take it with asthma. The lack of sleep feeds my anxiety.

I'm actually feeling a bit calmer this morning, but it's probably cos the lorazepam is still in my system.

Going to get up and get going now as have to take DS to football. Hoping getting out will help.

What are you doing today?

I'm scared of increasing it as know you then get side effects again every time you do?!

Are you neurodiverse by any chance? SSRIs made me worse. I needed a SNRI.

I have been on Sertraline for five weeks now. I was on Fluoxetine before that but I had awful side effects (bad tinnitus, blurry vision, bad anxiety) and after sticking it out for two months my GP suggested switching to Sertraline.

Currently on 50mg and I can’t say I’m feeling much better really. I think my anxiety has improved a little bit but my depression is still as bad as ever.

I struggle to sleep but then I haven’t really had a good sleep for a long time.

I did not want to go back on ADs (was on them previously) but my husband persuaded me as I was spiralling downwards again fast and I attempted suicide a few years ago.

Hope we all feel a bit better soon. Bad mental health is so debilitating.

❤️

I was on sertaline for years and they pretty quickly scaled me up to 200mg and for the first two months I could barely function.

Anxiety, stomach upset, not feeling in the same room as everyone else, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, jitters, panic. However, I was so mentally poorly and passively suicidal that the trade off was worth it.

Despite feeling worse initially, I think about two months into it I just woke up one day and didn’t feel like there was a weight on my chest. It saved my life, undoubtedly. I would encourage you to continue and see it through a while longer.

Because I struggled so much initially the GP did also prescribe diazepam for seriously bad moments and I was also taking a high dose of quetiapine at the same time. Propranolol works too.

Grounding techniques (five senses, what can you smell, what can you feel etc) and breathing exercises - as pathetic as they sound when you feel this bad, did help me not totally crack up and lose my grip on reality.

Also taking the meds in the evening helped me manage the side effects more.

Wish you the best Op.