Day 5 of Sertraline and feeling worse

[PinkTulipz]

Just wanted to get some reassurance really as I am on my 5th day of taking 25mg of Sertraline for health anxiety and I don't think I've ever been this anxious, I can barely function. I am due to go up to 50mg on Wednesday and not sure whether that is going to make me feel worse or better.

Is there anyone who has experienced similar and then things have improved?

Thank you

Hello PinkTullipz

I have been on 25mg for 6 months now.

Day 5 was the worst for me! That was my lowest day and then slowly after that day it started to get better, and the initial side effects started to go.

On day 5 I had a panic attack and my anxiety was worst. I also had muscle stiffness in my shoulders and arms, couldn't sleep and felt very odd. I kept going and by week two I that started to go and slowly I started to feel normal again... it took 6 weeks to feel like my moods were kind of levelling out.

I decided personally not to go up to 50mg as 25mg was ok for me. My doctor and I spoke 2 weeks after I first took them and I was still on 25mg and we decided I'd stay on 25mg for another 2 weeks to see how I felt before considering going up.

I would perhaps give yourself another week before you go up to 50mg? Your biochemistry is just adjusting to the new meds in your body and everyone is effected differently. But it's normally to feel like this before it settles in, if that makes sense?

Hang on in there - it does improve I promise. Feel free to ask any more questions.

Littlefly
x

Thanks for your reply littleflybuzz.

I don't seem to have any major side effects, other than tiredness and loss of appetite but I'm not sure if that's the meds or the anxiety!

Glad to hear it is working for you, I am feeling so hopeless at the moment and as you described the past 2 days I have felt constantly on the verge of a panic attack. I seem to be opposite of you though and thankfully I have been able to sleep so far which I'm thankful for.

Do you mind me asking if you have had any therapy? I am having online CBT at the moment but not finding it hugely helpful to be honest.

It's interesting how it affects everyone in different ways and I'm glad you are able to sleep, but sorry you are feeling tired (which is how I feel when I get anxious too as it's so exhausting!).

I felt very on edge for the first week and found it difficult but managed to get through it by taking one day at a time and I also downloaded an app called Calm which I tried etc do for 10 mins a day.

Therapy - I had about 5 sessions with an anxiety specialist and he helped me with some ways of coping with anxiety. It was more breathing and bodily techniques rather than talking therapy. It did help. I also read a book called DARE (can't remember author but it was for anxiety) and that helped.

I have had talking therapy before - general counselling and also an 8 week CBT course which I did find helpful. It depends on your therapist and what works for you. I did try two different therapists last year and both didn't suit me at all. So at the moment I'm not but I'd really like to be (can't afford it just now and still on NHS waiting list!).

Never done online before and CBT works for some but not everyone. It just depends on what your issues are I guess! I had OCD thoughts and that was my main issue last year and sertraline helped loads.

But previously have had depression and not really anxiety so the things that helped that were some talking therapy with therapists who I felt really got me, and also exercise (walking, yoga, sometimes the gym or a Zumba class!), writing lists of things to do to keep me motivated, cutting down on alcohol and sugar, telling people, journalling, cutting out things or friends that really stressed me out.

Hope that helps. Is it mainly anxiety you're dealing with? For me anxiety went hand in hand with depression as the anxiety made me feel depressed as I thought it would never go, but it really has started to fade. I still get anxious, but in a more balanced and irregular way. I can deal with it more.

Though I'm learning to drive and that's sending my heart-rate through the roof!!

Yes mine is health anxiety but I have also had depression on and off. It seems if the anxiety lifts the depression is there.

I had a bit of a better evening last night but this morning back to feeling awful again (mine always seems worse in the mornings).

What time do you usually take your medication? I've been taking mine first thing in the morning.

Thanks very much for all of the advice, I really appreciate it.

No problem! Mine was also worst in the mornings. I take mine first thing in the morning still.

Do you have the same routine every morning? The anxiety specialist I saw encouraged me to start making little changes to my regular routine to try and help shift my brain out of the same repetitive anxiety loops. Apparently our brains are bodies are so connected that our brains get used to the same thought circuits and also associate them with the way we are lying down/sitting down/doing things. So for example in the mornings I was waking up, feeling anxious and then just lying there for 10-20 minutes worrying and always huddled in same position. My anxiety was always worst when working from home and sitting at the table hunched over my laptop - always after 2 hours.

So I changed things like I woke up and made myself get out of bed immediately and shower, with the radio on. I also changed where I sat for work and gave myself walking breaks after 1.5 hours. That REALLY helped wake my brain up and get me out of the thought cycle. He also recommended pressing my tongue to the bottom of my mouth and holding it there every time I had my OCD thoughts. Try it! your brain weirdly can't seem to find the thought...

Hang on in there - it'll take a few weeks for the anxiety to start to ease. If the medication doesn't work for you, you could try an alternative one and see how you get on with that. We're all made up differently so our bodies all react in different ways/timelines.

I also have a bit of health anxiety at the moment - it's a pain!

Thanks very much, I will have a think about how I can change my morning routine a bit.

I am at home a lot too as have young kids and WFH most of the time and do find that it sometimes helps slightly on the days when I have to go to meetings or into the office, even though it feels like I just want to shut myself at home.

I have 2 weeks until my first review with GP and she did say don't expect a miracle and it may not be having an effect by then but I'm just desperate for it to start working so that I can enjoy life again.

I find when I do work in offices (I'm freelance so sometimes I do!) then my anxiety is sometimes less (if work is busy but not super stressful). I find being surrounded by people and tasks with no time to over think helps. I found WFH for hours without breaks and time to think was creating some bad habits.

I know it's hard to wait but in the meantime focus on each day at a time and soon two weeks, then six will pass and you'll find yourself slowly feeling brighter. It's just annoying having to wait! In the meantime look after yourself and feel free to message any time!