Ladies only please

Hi Jay98357

I am in exactly the same position as you but further on on the Sertraline journey!!  I am menopausal and I think you will probably find that, like me, your anxiety is hormonal.  I started feeling anxious a couple of years ago but nothing too major and it only lasted a few days at a time then settled down again.  Then in July last year I started getting panic attacks and not feeling myself at all.  My father was then admitted to hospital and although, thankfully, he was fine afterwards my anxiety levels then hit the roof.  I had some time off work to see if this helped but ended up having to visit my GP as I was really suffering with panic attacks and anxiety.  My GP put me on HRT as she thought my symptoms may be due to the menopause.  I took the HRT for a week but couldnt cope with the anxious feelings and tearfulness (I dont think this was depression but just couldnt stop crying) so a week later I went back to my GP and she prescribed Setraline 50 mg.    

To say the next few weeks were hell wouldnt be an exageration.  I took the first 50 mg tablet and had a real reaction to it where my head was spining contantly and I just felt awful - I telephoned my GP and she suggested taking 25 mg for a few days then upping to 50 mg.  I continued on 25 mg in the end for 5 weeks as I was too scared to up the dose again!!  I neednt have worried as when i did finally pluck up the courage I was fine on the higher dose.  I think it took me about 3 months to feelmyself again - I had good days and bad days but now (4 months down the line) I'm feeling great although still once a month I havbe the anxious feelings for a couple of days and the bloating etc so I know my problems are definitely hormonal and based around the time of the month (although I dont get periods anymore).

Sorry about the looooong reply Jay98357 but wanted you to read my story so that you know you're not alone and that the menopause is more than likely behind the anxiety.  My GP told me that it is the massive shift in hormones that takes place at this time of our lives (I'm 50 by the way).

Keep going you'll feel better within a week or two I promise.  I never thought I would but I can honestly say after 3 months I felt back to normal - I know that sounds a long time to wait but before that you will have some really good days but then be disappointed when you feel rough again for a couple of days - I never thought I'd get there but as lon as you are having good days after say about 3 to 4 weeks then Sertaline is working for you and keep going - as I say I'm 4 months down the line so am an expert!!!  If you want to know anything else I hope I will be able to help you along the way xx             

You have been on the sert journey before and it will take time to get into your system, I don't know much about HRT or menopause (only that now and then I find my mum head first in freezers in Tesco! Lol)

Just take it a day at a time and try and relax as much as you can,

Maybe try some practical stuff at home like baking (or my recent hobby, colouring in for adults)

Contrary to my name I am female!!!

I keep telling myself it's ok to feel like crap, it's normal, and I have stopped putting pressure on myself to get better!

Think most of us put so much pressure on ourselves to get better and be normal!

You know everyone is supportive on here, keep in touch and let us know how u are doing!

P's I am having a s××t day too but I'm just cuddled up on the sofa watching TV and trying to not care about anything!!