Sertraline - early days awful panic/anxiety - anyone else!?

[MadameGizelle]

I’ve been prescribed Sertraline 50mg and am on day 4. I have a history of anxiety and after having my baby (now 16months old) it all came flooding back.

I’m currently sat in A&E because I had the worst panic attack of my life and felt like I was dying. It was horrendous. Heart racing, feeling sick, dizzy, tingly sensations and burning hot. I know Sertraline does come with side effects but I don’t know whether to wait this out - I am so worried about it getting worse. It’s putting such a strain on my family, I feel awful.

Does anyone have any experience of panic and anxiety on Sertraline and how did you cope or what happened?!

Feeling pretty low and scared x

I was very anxious after my baby and meds didn't help, only counselling and cbt did. If you want to try another anti depressant there's plenty out there, maybe try Prozac. Discuss with a doctor.

Sertaline makes you feel worse before you feel better. I'm now on a week in and starting to feel the positive effects. I was also prescribed it for PND and anxiety. I found the first few days the hardest especially a few hours before I was due to take a dose. I'm starting to feel more positive and relaxed now.

Thanks blackcat86 - that’s encouraging. Did the anxiety get better after a week? Not looking forward to too much more of feeling like this! Do you still have any side effects are you feeling ok now? x

First week was a nightmare. The paranoia was utterly gripping but thankfully I was able to rationalise with myself about it passing. I felt so awful it was frightening. Day 8 I started to see glimmers of steadiness and felt a little bit more level. Amazingly two weeks in and I was slightly less anxious then premeds. After a month of sertraline I was a different woman. Calm, content and taking things in my stride.

My anxiety is feeling a little better. I had a traumatic birth and was having a lot of intrusive thoughts that have eased. I still feel a bit queasy at times but take the tablet after dinner so I've got something in my stomach.

Unsure if this thread is still live but seeking some reassurance. I’m on day 6 of 50mg Sertraline and feeling horrendous. No physical side effects but panicky and intrusive thoughts worse. Feel like I’m going to turn into a bad person or do something bad. Will this subside?

Yep. I’m on seetraline and initially I felt worse for a couple of weeks before I started feeling better.

Thank you. I literally just broke down and said there’s a monster in my brain. It’s so hard.