Apologies for the long post. Please read…
Hi everyone. It’s my first time posting on any of these forums, but feeling a bit desperate and looking for any positive support.
I have previously been on sertraline twice - the first time 50mg in 2020 which settled within around 2 weeks and worked wonders and I easily came off after around a year. I then had a miscarriage in October 2021 and ended up going back on in November 2021 to help me cope. I also fell pregnant again around this time (I now have a very happy healthy 2 year old). Again I took 50mg, it took around 3-4 weeks to settle that time and again worked well. In February of this year I decided to taper again as I was doing well, I was down to a 25mg dose alternate days, then 6 weeks ago today I had a panic attack following my back going in to spasm (back pain has been the primary cause of my anxiety although there are other factors too and previously sertraline has helped with my pain when I’ve been calmer and my muscles less tense). This panic attack caused what I can only describe as a mental breakdown. I was a total mess. As such, I spoke to my dr and we decided it was best that I went back to daily sertraline at 50mg. The side effects were horrendous. After 22 days, the GP decided I should up my dose to 75mg as I am older and heavier than I was when 50mg worked so therefore felt I needed more. The 75mg made the side effects even worse and after speaking to several GPs and mental health professionals I was put up to 100mg. I’ve been on 100 for 10 days now (6 weeks tomorrow of daily sertraline again in total).
I am getting some calmer afternoons/ evenings if I’m lucky but the current side effects still are:
- a really high level of morning anxiety. Waking feeling panicked and staying this way for hours and hours.
- shaking none stop.
- nausea
- increased upper back pain (my main concern really as this triggers so much more anxiety)
- an upset stomach
- dilated pupils
- feeling spaced out
- very tired
I know it’s helped before and want to trust it will again but I’m losing faith which is exacerbating my anxiety and likely in turn my back pain.
Can anyone provide any reassurance?
For reference I take my dose at around 7pm once my daughter is in bed as it can make me sleepy.
My sleep isn’t too bad and my appetite is picking back up but my side effects especially back spasms and pain are knocking me about.
i am currently signed off work (children’s nurse)
Thank you so much in advance for any support ❤️