Sertraline reassurance needed

[Pelvicpaininthebum]

I'm on day 10 of sertraline, 25mg at first, took my second dose at 50mg last night.

I feel like my anxiety is worse. Instead of having waves of it and feeling ok some of the day I'm now feeling anxious all the time, though a little better in the evenings. The last 2 mornings on 50mg I've been very panicked with intrusive thoughts and even threw up this morning.

Did anyone have this and it got better?

Unfortunately it makes you feel much worse before it makes you feel better. I am on week 5 of 50mg after two weeks of 25mg. And I feel awful. Had some good days, but struggling with no appetite, just forcing food down. And wake up early between 4 and 5 everyday. I had a panic attack yesterday morning. It does get better though, it just takes a long while for your brain to adjust. Hang on in there and know you are not alone.

Thanks so much for your reply. But to be honest it doesn't give me much hope you're still struggling like that a 7 weeks, that's awful you poor thing. How are you coping?

It does get better- took me just over a week I think. I started on 50 and I'm on 100 now, never had any other side effects.
It's worth sticking with if you can. It's honestly saved my life.

You feel worse before you feel better! I was on 50mg then went up to 100mg of Sertraline. Try to push through! It didn’t take me 7 weeks to get there it was about a month.

A day at a time! I’ve been on it before and it worked absolute wonders for me. Everyone responds differently to it, but it is not uncommon to take along while to level on it. There are numerous support groups on FB that have lots of peoples experiences.
it is not a quick overnight fix by any stretch. But when level, it made me feel the best I have ever felt in my adult life. I wish I had never come off it last year. But you live and learn!
you can do it! They will help!!

@KittyRannaldini just over a week on 50mg? Then did you feel ok?

@AlwaysHopefull89 a month till you felt better?

Thanks, I will look on Facebook.

Glad it worked for you before, and hope you feel better soon.

Did it take a long time to help the first time?

It definitely gets better after a little while. I think it took me about 6 weeks to feel somewhat normal. Things like suicidal thoughts etc when you’re first taking them need to be reported to the doctor though, so if you start to feel like that please seek help. I’ve been on sertraline for many years now and it’s made a massive difference to my life, I was on a much higher dose than you for a long time but 50mg is where I feel the most normal and the best. If you can, seek therapy alongside the meds x

I take 25mg because 50mg was making me feel awful, but I even 25 was bad at first for a good few weeks, I couldn’t eat or sleep but it does settle down & you will feel better xx

I'm not exactly suicidal but also having thoughts about how I can't cope with feeling like this for much longer.

I have two little children.

I feel like going to a&e but don't know what they would say. I just want to feel safe.

In what way did you feel awful? Were you more anxious?

I’d say slightly yes but probably due to the fact I’d been on them before so knew the side effects. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, felt sick, I chewed the inside of my mouth, but I felt completely numb. I’m just starting to come off them again now. Hopefully it will settle down for you soon xx

Thank you.

Don’t go to a&e, they won’t be able to help you unless you’re imminently going to attempt to harm yourself. Can you call your GP to get some advice to put your mind at rest? Everything you’re feeling is completely normal but I understand it doesn’t feel that way to you. It could be that sertraline doesn’t work for you and you need to try something else

I gave Sertraline a year and it did nothing but make me feel worse.

Give it 10 weeks and if the anxiety is not any better, go back and ask for something else. Sertraline appears to be the first medication given for things like anxiety and depression but it doesn't work for everyone so don't be afraid to go back and advocate for yourself.

I ended up on Mirtazapine which has done wonders for me.

@blankcanvas3 thank you. It's definitely normal to feel like this?

@FartSock5000 I've been on Mirtazepine before which did work but I hated the sedation.

Yes, but please seek help if you start to feel actively suicidal. And if you’re going to come off them seek advice from your GP first. Good luck xx

@FartSock5000 I can't live like this for 10 weeks! How long have you been on Mirtazepine?

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it xx

Talk to whoever prescribed it, because there are alternatives and sometimes it’s about finding the right one.

That said, sometimes it’s also about finding the right dose and it can take a while, especially because you titrate up slowly.

If you’re able to see or talk to the GP today they might have a better sense of whether to stick with it a bit longer or try an alternative.

Thanks. I'm kind of scared to ask the GP in case they say to try a different one as then I'll be back to square one. I just want the sertraline to start working I feel so desperate!

Yes about a month! It was worth pushing through. The first few weeks are so tough.

A month seems so long right now. Too long.

@Pelvicpaininthebum yes a week, and then I started feeling better.

How are you doing now?x

Are you able to get CBT? My doctor tried that with me before sertraline and I am very grateful she did. The counsellor was very supportive and taught me some great techniques to break the anxiety cycle.