Sertraline anxiety 😢 I'm scared

[Llh1979]

6 weeks ago I went through 7 stressful situations over a 2 week period I went to my gp and she prescribed sertraline 50mg I took 2 doses and the panic attacks started after never ever having them before so stopped taking them since then Ive been an absolute wreck no motivation lacking interest in anything constant diarrhoea and nausea I've lost over 1 stone in weight as I have no appetite
I finally spoke with my gp today and he has said it sounds like I'm going through acute stress and depression and to take 25mg of the sertraline for 2 weeks and see how I feel then but I'm so so scared to have a reaction like I did 4 weeks ago
I wouldnt mind but I was on this drug 2.5 years ago and had no side effects It suited me really well
I just dont know what to do as I cant cope feeling like this and want to get better and be the mum and wife I was 4 weeks ago
Thank you if you've made it to the end I'm just lost I suppose

I can't help but wanted to say hang in there and hope that someone else can offer advice

Sertraline notoriously can make you feel worse before making you feel much much better. I took sertraline for 6 months after a period very very similar to yours. Lots of stress factors all happening at once. I too couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep and I was terrified off being crazy and taking ads. I took them out of sheer desperation and they really helped me.

Remember it could be your anxiety around taking the meds, being ill that are causing the panic. If you don't get on with them you could go back and ask gp for a different ad. You are going to get through this. These feelings will pass.

Maybe ask for some cbt too op?

@ I suppose like all I just want a magic pill to make it all better
I've contacted a private CBT therapist am just waiting for them to call me back my doc had referred me to talking matters but it's a massive waiting list
I've chopped the tablet up I'm just staring at it at the moment
I just want to be well again
Thanks all

@Daydrambeliever I've taken the tablet 🤞🤞🤞

Well done @Llh1979

So sorry you are feeling this way OP.
I started taking sertraline two weeks ago and the first week was horrible. I couldn’t sleep, my anxiety felt worse and I had no appetite. The second week was much better - and going into my third week things have really settled down.
My advice would be to hang in there and persevere. It’s good you have spoken to your GP, keep on talking to them for reassurance.
I do hope things improve for you.

This happened to me. I had the hugest panic attack of my life a few hours after taking. I ended up calling 111 and had the most incredible GP talk me down explaining that it is the hugest hit of serotonin and this causes the panic attack as it's flossing your system. As soon as he gave me a reason for this I immediately started to call myself.

He told me to half my dose and gradually build up. It took my a while to stop feeling panicky but it did settle and it saved me.

Just know that it's a chemical surge causing this panic attack. It's a normal response. Just breathe your way through each time and it will get less and less and you'll be through it. X

Flooding not flossing*

Sertraline usually treats depression not anxiety attacks, ask your GP about Buspirone, it's worked brilliantly for me, my anxiety attacks have literally stopped and I feel so much better.

@CelestrialWarrior I have been prescribed propranolol for the anxiety
I was on sertraline 2.5 years ago for anxiety and it worked a treat with only a couple of days of nausea I took my tablet today at 3.30 and the nausea has started already I feel like I've made a massive mistake I can feel the panic running through me just the propranolol is stopping it turning into a full blown attack i think

@ how long until your symptoms settled I just dont think its agreeing with me at all I've had 3 hours sleep and feel so out of it i think it's the propranolol that's keeping the attacks at bay