Sertraline - panic attacks/ suicidal thoughts - advice really appreciated

[musicposy]

Hi there. I was started on sertraline just under 4 weeks ago by my doctor for what I think is anorexia. She didn't diagnose an ED at all but said it might get my thoughts straight so I might then eat normally. But my BMI is very low. I'm just under 7 stone, 5'5" tall, have lost 2 stone since February, and to be honest I was astounded she let me go with only antidepressants after weighing me but she said I was in no immediate danger.

Anyway, I've started feeling increasingly anxious and panicky over just about everything. It did help me eat almost normally for the first couple of weeks as I was very hungry but that is wearing off now and I am back to restricting.

Last night I was in a traffic jam on the A3 near London for nearly 4 hours. This is a new thing to me - we live in a very rural location but DD2 is in a ballet in London at the moment. It took me so long I completely missed the performance . I'm in a hire car as someone went into the back of us a few weeks back and the car drank almost half a tank of petrol in the queue. The fuel light came on and was flashing and I'd gone less than 2 miles in 3 hours. Because I wan't my car I had no idea how far I had left before it ran out.

I had the most terrible panic attack, something I've never had before. I could barely breathe and decided I would throw myself in front of the other cars and that would end it all and get me out of the situation. I sent my 17 yo a text I am ashamed of saying I hated my life and wanted to end it. She phoned DH who phoned the police who phoned me and made me get out of the car. They phoned for an ambulance but the ambulance woman was horrible and told me to stop being so silly and phone the AA if I thought I was going to break down and not waste police or ambulance time. It did put a bit of sense into me in a way. The police phoned me back, phoned the theatre to say hang onto DD until I got there, calmed me down and were utterly utterly brilliant.

But, this isn't like me. There's no point phoning a doc today as it will be crap 111. I'm due to go Thursday and I think I will just get someone to keep a close eye on me until then.

What do I say to the doc? Is this normal on sertraline? They just seem hell bent on saving money - sending you off with pills. But I think I need proper help for the ED and I think I need to come off sertraline before I do something really stupid and out of character. Any advice?

Sorry, that was long.

Have you read the leaflet that came with the sertraline? I have as my dd1 (17) is on it (200 mg) and I think this can be one of the side effects. What dose are you on? Definitely tell your gp or someone ASAP that you are having these thoughts

No advice but didn't want to read and run - bump for you - hope someone is along soon with wise words

I have read it and it does say this. I'm on 50mg. I will tell the GP on Thurs but don't have a whole lot of faith.

Poor you that sounds like a horrible way to feel. Sometimes antidepressants can make you feel worse before better but some people just don't get on with particular ones and sertraline is great for anxiety but can make people feel panicky. I'm going to out myself as a GP here because I'm worried about you.
If you call 111 they should (eventually) be able to link you up with the local crisis team who can assess and help you quickly. You probably need to stop the sertraline but I'd rather you had a proper assessment and support.
This will get better and you've done the right thing by asking for help. Ask more and ask louder. Big hugs. xxx

I'm on sertraline, for panic attacks & anxiety. I found that when I started taking them, the side effects were horrific. Dry mouth, sweaty palms, sleeplessness and worst of all, heightened anxiety. The anxiety hit a peak a few weeks in with a massive panic attack, worse than I have ever had before. I ended up taking myself to hospital because I thought there must be something seriously wrong (I've never done that before). I think you may have hit the same peak, in a horrendous situation (my god do I hate traffic jams!). Hopefully you'll start to feel better now. Do tell your GP though. Could you contact an organisation that helps people with eating disorders? I think it's fantastic that you recognise that you have a problem and are trying to deal with it - this is the biggest step. Take care.

Thank you
Today DD2 is in theatre again and I will be so gutted if I miss it - having missed it yesterday I think it will make me worse - but DH is going to take me today and keep me under his close eye all day. I did wonder if I needed to come off of sertraline but didn't want to except under GP advice.

I called 111 a month or so ago and they were so unbelievably inefficient and rubbish which puts me off. I think if I hadn't been alone in a strange place in a strange car I would have coped. But I will get help as soon as possible - will definitely speak to them on Monday.

I wish I could see things getting better. I've been attending an ED self help group and they think I need a referral for the ED. I didn't feel depressed or anxious before the antidepressants, but obviously I'm not thinking as I should be over food. I didn't want to go on the antidepressants but GP thought it would help. I think it's made things worse so far. But I don't think GP will refer. I'm not underweight enough (it's hard not to take that as a challenge) and I'm not the right age. I suspect if I was DD1 I'd be referred like a shot

Have DH watching out for me today which is good. He has some experience of MH nursing so I feel safe under his care.

Chuck did you stay on the sertraline - and if so did it improve?

Yes, I did stay on them - I've been taking them (with gap for pregnancy) for years. But then, I had crippling can't-leave-the-house anxiety & prone to depression & sertraline keeps me on an even keel. If your ED isn't accompanied by any anxiety or depression I'm not sure how much it would help you? If you are past the horrible beginning stage with all the side effects it could be worth sticking with it just to see how you feel once it's actually doing what it's meant to! Could you see a different GP next time you go? Last one didn't sound very helpful! Book a double appt if you need longer to talk.

Hi, sorry for a difficult time. If you want a specific referral then you are right you need to wait until Monday. However as you are talking about suicidal thoughts as well as low weight you will need to be honest with your gp, talk about the police being involved, an ambulance called as a precaution to ensure you get the right referral and at the right level. There will be a wait, as the NHS does not have immediate access to teams but a process of assessment, waiting and possible treatments. Private options may allow some self referrals.

If you feel you are in immediate danger before 9 am on Monday you have two options available to you: call 111 and say you need to see a gp for immediate severe mental health issues that need medicating or referring to a crisis team or go to an a and e department and ask for a mental health assessment by an approved social worker.

A crisis team is literally that: usually nurses who assess your risk, whether you are safe to be at home or in the community and who may offer short term daily phone or visit support and medication - there is no therapy, no referral to consultant teams, it is crisis intervention only. Any a and e department, maybe a minor injuries unit or any out of hours ( or gp) team can refer to a crisis team if they consider you in a crisis.

Although you may be frustrated by the ambulance, and what happened it is good you were not taken by the ambulance or police as they would have taken you to a place of safety and as you had no injuries that can be a police cell on a short term mental health section, for your safety. It is not nice. Talking you down, getting you to use appropriate services kept you off a police section at least.

I was on Sertraline for 8 weeks. Eight weeks of crippling anxiety. Then I switched to paroxetine and the anxiety went.

Tbh I had a terrible time on them