Huge panic attack on Sertraline

[BlackCatFan]

Hi all, I started on 12.5mg (quarter tablet) of sertraline just over a week ago. I'm sensitive to medications so wanted to start at a very low dose to avoid side effects. Everything seemed ok for the first few days so on day 5 I decided to go up to half a tablet. I ended up having a huge panic attack. If it wasn't for my DP being at home I would've gone to a&e.. I was shaking, vomiting and couldn't breathe properly. I'm still taking 12.5mg and feel some lifting of my depression at times but not anything significant.

I'm not sure whether to try again to go up to half a tablet. I'm quite scared.

Could anyone advise or has anyone had a similar experience on sertraline? I've already tried citalopram and had a horrible experience and I'm worried I'm running out of options.

Hi.

I started taking Sertraline 50mg in 2016 for "Pure O" OCD/anxiety and beyond the first few weeks of side effects Sertraline gave me my life back; That might sound dramatic but honestly it really helped me.

Recently though (the last few months) I have experienced a resurgence of the same old excessive worrying/intrusive thoughts etc; My GP felt I had perhaps become tolerant to the dosage I was on, so it has been increased to 100mg daily.

I only started the increased dosage yesterday and I am terrified of what side effects I might get but I will persevere because I hope in the long run it will help me again.

If I was you I would continue with Sertraline, give it a bit more of a chance. I know how frightening anxiety is, it really can be very debilitating but you've come this far.

A panic attack isn't nice, I know that but imagine how many times you've panicked and yet no real harm has come to you, has it? Therefore if you feel you can, do try to carry on with the Sertraline, it really might be the right one to help you.

Does your doctor think such a small amount (12.5mg) will be beneficial? I only ask because my own GP thought the 50mg I had been on for 3 years was a "low dose" hence the recent increase.

I hope you find a way through this, good luck OP.

I have been on sertraline but unfortunately it didn't agree with me so I had to come off it, but don't worry about running out of options, there are lots of others to try and it might just be that this isn't the one for you.

Although I had a really bad experience with it I know an awful lot of people who it has worked wonders for, so I do think I'm just one of a small minority it doesn't suit. I think the best thing to do would be to talk to your GP about it.

@WagtailRobin good to hear that it worked for you. I feel like I should try again to up the dose.. I feel a slight lift in my mood on 12.5mg and I'm sleeping a little bit better. My GP is adamant 12.5mg will do nothing.

Hi, Blackcat. I tried the same dose as you, day 5 I woke up through the night, heart racing do fast I couldn’t count it. I was worried I was going to have a heart attack as I’m in my 50s and take medication for high bp I rode it out, but didn’t want to take any more, I spoke to the dr she suggested I try Prozac, but I’m too anxious to try. How are you now ?