Two and a half weeks into sertraline and big flare of anxiety - is this normal?

[Foxgloverr]

I started taking 50mg sertraline two and a half weeks ago and actually felt a lot better almost instantly. Not sure if this was just relief/hope/placebo effect.

Then out of the blue last night suddenly got what felt a rush of anxiety and it's still with me this morning. I feel really shaky and a feeling of doom and I want to cry. Is this just my body recalibrating? It seems so odd to feel better then feel awful out of nowhere. It's making me worry that it's not going to work at all.

It doesn't help that I get lots of physical symptoms of anxiety like pins and needles in one of my feet as when the physical symptoms ramp up it acts as a vicious circle and I get more and more anxious.

Didn’t want to go past your thread and not reply.

Your experience wasn’t the experience I had, however it’s not to say it’s not normal x

Thank you

I got a lot worse when I started it and they had to give me diazepam to get through the pacing and anxiety. It saved my life though but took about a month to start to settle down.

Thanks. I had expected it to get worse before it got better but I felt so much better for the first couple of weeks. I wonder if it was placebo effect/hope?!

Sertraline is notorious for seriously messing with the emotions in the first few weeks. For a lot of people it's rage.

My friend had a horrible time when she first started it.

If you can keep telling yourself it's a temporary side effect caused by the drug, and not something that is wrong with you, perhaps that will help lower the anxiety. Easier said than done, I know!

It's a noted side effect that your GP should have discussed with you. When you first start taking it, it can increase your anxiety. Whatever you do, do not suddenly stop taking it without talking to your GP.

For me it's been a life changing med, and worth getting through that initial phase.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sorry, I meant it might lower the additional anxiety you're getting from the viscious circle.

The anxiety as a side effect of the medication should diminish in its own sweet time.

Hope that goes quickly for you.

Thank you. I was just surprised it got better and then worse.