10 weeks on sertraline, need some advice.
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi Guys,
I am on week 10 of Sertraline, 4 weeks at 50mg and 6 weeks at 100mg. I am definitely better than what I was there's no question of that but I am still getting moments of anxiousness and intrusive thoughts. The thoughts are (i think) losing some purpose as I can dismiss them and just tell myself my anxiety is playing up again trying to scare me but I just don't know if its worth upping my dose to 150mg to try get a better effect or to stick on 100mg for longer. Mornings are still rough as I wake up anxious and continuing to have intrusive thoughts and also I have been waking up around 04:00am each morning but then manage to drift back off for a hour or two. Is there anyone out there that can relate or give me some advice, does the intrusive thoughts slow down and fizzle out over time and am i potentially just having a little dip? Any advice what so ever would be really helpful.
0 likes, 5 replies
anne30266 robbie86846
Posted
I have been on sertraline for 4 weeks and still get high anxiety and intrusive thoughts, that sometimes may lead to mild panic attacks. But, just like you, I also have better days. I also wonder if I should up it to 75 mg (doctor mentioned it) or even 100, but my worry is what if my body will get used to that dosage and still act out (more anxiety, more intrusive thoughts). Just like you the intrusive obsessive thoughts are bothering me the most so I'd do anything to get rid of them.
Have you tried meditation or counseling therapy in addition to meds? I do meditation and seems to help with calming my body and mind and booked a counseling session but its one month from now. I feel like having the opportunity to talk to someone about my worries, anxious thoughts, will help me as it will reassure things that I know that are true but my anxious mind tells me otherwise.
robbie86846 anne30266
Posted
Hi Anne,
Thank you for your reply. I moved up to 100mg after 4 weeks on 50mg and that was tough but I think it was definitely what I needed at the time. Im going through a bit of a stressful time at the minute also so im thinking after another 2 weeks on 100mg see how I feel I might consider going up to 150mg and seeing how I get on. I do meditate yes. I use the apps, Calm and Dare. They are fantastic I couldnt recommened them enough. The Dare app has a section you can listen to on intrusive thoughts its a real good insight on intrusive thoughts and how to beat them cause they are BEATABLE! Give them no meaning and no value and remember they are just thoughts. Even if they arent just thoughts and its something you have done in your past that you regret, forgive yourself and move on. When a thought pops up just tell yourself "ahhh this one again, nope not today anxiety this thought does not bother me" or this sounds so ridiclous but it works.... Agree with them! The brain holds on to thoughts that worry you. I think its important to know an increase can do you no harm only some side effects that you have already overcome to start with. If you feel as though your still not right after 6 - 8 weeks on 50mg then I would speak to your doctor about an increase. As you said you are having better days that shows that this medication is working it just needs time to settle. Once you find what dose suites you im sure youll feel fantastic. Always remember as well that these tough days wont last they are just here temporary and GREAT days are coming. I think the key to sertralines success is patience.
anne30266 robbie86846
Edited
Thank you so much, Robbie, for your advices. I have downloaded the Dare app and seems really good. I'll look into the Calm one too.
My intrusive thoughts are more of intrusive images of people I may have met or heard of in the past, whose names I may or may not remember or know. And if I do not remember it, my anxiety gets so high that I may have a panic attack. The thing is I have never good with names but was never concerned about it until couple of months ago when my anxiety flared up and got this new obsession. And now I get an image or think of a person from 20-30 years ago for example and whose name I remember, but then I start thinking what about the names of her sister, mother, father, friend, friend of a friend etc and my anxiety is escalating to the point i get stuck trying to remember a name that I may have just heard and may have not remembered anyway in the past, but now it is a big deal. As soon as I get calm, I remember names that I have never thought I know let alone remember. I can say that its amazing how many names of childhood acquaintances or persons I came across more than 20-30 years ago I remember. The thing is I even asked my childhood friends I kept in touch with whether they remembered this person's name or that person's name and all I got is "sorry, its been too many years to remember that". Logical, right? Well, not for my anxious mind. I told my doctor and she did not seem concerned and explained its all the anxiety that creates these thoughts/images and it is normal when you are at the highest of your anxiety to have something similar to a sub circuit that causes your mind to go blank for a few seconds and once you calm down to remember the information you were looking for.
Of course, I try to not play along with these thoughts, but rather to ignore them, telling myself "it's just a thought", but sometimes I am tricked into starting the "names spider web", how I called it. It is a form of OCD and I guess sertraline takes a while before kicks in for OCD and requires a much higher dose. Thanks again.
robbie86846 anne30266
Posted
They say 100mg + is a theraputic dose for OCD but its always best to remember that sertraline is not a miracle drug otherwise everyone would take it anxiety or not. The key to recovery is self love, self compassion, acceptance and forgiveness. Sertraline helps create more seratone in our brains which is supposed to make us feel better and get us to a level where we can function and do what we need to do. Lifestyle changes may be needed i.e exercise, diet, hobbys, socialising what ever it may be. I think learning to become friends with your anxiety (sounds crazy) is a step to recovery. Basically what im trying to say is try not to rely on meds to much and put stuff in place yourself also. Youll be back to "normal" in no time Anne! Xx
anne30266 robbie86846
Edited
Robbie,
I used to exercise a lit during last year lockdown, but when I went back to work in the Fall i did not have that much time. I still exercised every now and then but over the winter my anxiety gradually increased until blew me as a hurricane 2 months ago.
Now again I am back on an exercise schedule (running, yoga, hiking), and eat pretty healthy (mostly vegetarian with turkey and seafood 2-3 times a week). However, I agree that i have to become comfortable even friend with my anxiety and obsession in order to overcome it.
Several years ago, when I was first put on sertraline, my obsession was my moles or any skin spot. Just like now, I would go in a panic attack if one mole/skin spot looked a certain way to me. I would check my body constantly and go to the dermatologist office almost every 1-2 months. After about 6 months on sertraline, I started feeling better about my obsession, but took me couple of years to overcome this fear. The thing is my type of skin is the Mediterranean one, olive tone, and all the doctors I had seen back then explained me my skin was all ok and not at risk of dangerous skin issues, but it still took me couple of years to rationalize with myself about it.
I hope this time it'll take less to get better.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words!