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2 months on sertraline. "Anxiety"

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Chris1991
Chris1991

Hi every one,

I'm am a first time poster on this site, I have read and used this site so much and read so many reviews and it has helped me to keep my head up.

So, two months ago I went to the doctors for anxiety and depression (caused by anxiety). I have physical effects more so than metal but both are still pressent example: over thinking, worrying, feeling of doom and fear. Physical symptoms are heart racing continually sweating even when cold, it's very hard to be in company and focus on the conversation with these feelings a conditions .

So the doctor proscribed me with 50 mg of sertaline to be taken once per day in the morning. The first two weeks I had some real depression and such a feeling of doom, no problems with sleeping or eating.

I continued to take it for one month, I had One day that I felt very good and happy with no worry and I couldn't stop chatting to my colleagues. I almost wanted to cry I was so happy. After about 4 hours it was back to my usual anxiety filled self.

I upped the dosage and have been on 100mg for 4 weeks( again I had one day that the physical feelings of anxiety subsided. The next day was back to anxiety again. Making a total of two moths on sertraline. Today I went to see my GP (not the same helpful one as before). She told me I had to come off sertraline and start on a low dosage of fluoxetine 20mg every day.

Is it not to soon for me to change or should I not go up to 150mg? I know people have taken sertraline for three months to feel benefits I just don't want to give up on sertraline and start taking a fresh drug with new side effects. Like I've said before some people have to wait 3 months. My GP just said you will take this new drug and if it didn't work we will try you on something completely different. I'm not sure if she is being patient enough with me. If I don't listen to my doctor on the other hand I may never feel normal.

Thanks so much to any replays in advance,

Chris

0 likes, 39 replies

39 Replies

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  • Soanxious
    Soanxious Chris1991

    Posted

    I am going through the same thing. For the last 2 months my anxiety/panic attacks were so bad I haven't left the house besides going to dr appts. I didn't want to take medication bt agreed bc I felt so terrible I couldn't cope anymore. I went through 3 different antidepressants before I found one I could tolerate. Usually the full effect is felt within 4-6 weeks. And if in that time you are not feeling better it's good to switch to another as that one might bot be the one for you. It's trial and error with them and it's really hard to go through. If after 2 months you arent feeling better I would probably try a different one. You might have to try 2 or 3 before you find the right one.
  • Chris1991
    Chris1991

    Posted

    Hi Tracy96313

    I'm glad you have found a medication you can tolerate and I hope it is giving you some positive effects.

    I have had anxiety/depression since I was about 18 but I guess thought it was normal and only now at 24 I felt it was time to go and get help. Was so relieved to know what actually is wrong with me and possibly treatable with medication. Jut praying something works, of course I'm not very optimistic as the anxiety and small depression make me feel this way.

    So after 2 months/8 weeks maybe it is time to move on and try something els.

    It's hard for me as I work off shore and am away more often than not. So any experiments with my mental health effects my fiancé who dosnt get to spend as much time with me as she'd like. So me being quiet or her knowing I'm not perfectly happy makes her sad. It's a vicious circle and would love to post on here one day I've found the right one for me and encourage others to keep trying and never give up.

    • Soanxious
      Soanxious Chris1991

      Posted

      I know it is really hard and 8y affects everyone around you. I feel guilty about that but we really can't help and don't do it on purpose. I find if you don't actually have anxiety/panic you truly don't have any idea what it's like, and they don't understand. I have been so bad for the last 2 months i can't work. I am currently on day 6 of sertraline 25 mg and today is the first day I didn't wake up and vomit. I have to increase to 50 mg and I am worried when I increase the a nausea vomiting and increased a xiety will come back. Today is only the first day s9 far that I haven't felt sick or an anxious so hopefully it will stay that way but the way things have been every day for the last 2 months I can only hope.
  • Chris1991
    Chris1991

    Posted

    I completely agree. My fiancée asks me to at least pretend I'm happy. It's not that I'm not, just I'm quiet because my mind and heart are racing. I would love to be more involved with her family than what I am even though I do get on well with them just it newly kills me as I'm sweating and cold and it feels I need to run for my life.

    I'm upset that I will be giving up on sertaline, as I've heard so many positive things about it. Just wanted to try 150 mg maybe this is to high and something could be more efficient at a smaller dose.

    When I first started taking sertraline, I didn't have nausea. I did have increased depression and and was very irritable. This lasted a week and when I upped to 100mg from 50 I felt a little worse one day one but nothing compared to the starting week.

    I hope it gets better for you and I really hope it is time for me to move on. Kills me to

    Move on with the thought that possibly next week the sertaline would have started working. Probably me just over thinking things as usual.

    • Soanxious
      Soanxious Chris1991

      Posted

      I have been very disconnected and withdrawn from everything and everyone including my 6 year old daughter. I don't feel like doing anything. And everytime I think I may be getting better if a sensation comes back it sets me right back feeling hopeless. I have severe health anxiety and I google things alot. I had myself convinced I have some terrible neurological disease and it completely runs me. I can't get it out of my head. I have been extremely tense my shoulders and arms and I hold my shoulders up to my neck and Its worse on my right side making my arm feel weak. I am right handed so I know I probably favor that side more when I'm tensing which is constant but it scares me so bad. I can't relax at all im constantly tensing squeezing my arms into my body which makes sense why my arm woukd feel weak but I can't just put it to that in my head.
    • dawn73676
      dawn73676 Soanxious

      Posted

      Just saw this and I am exactly the same!! I know it’s three years on, how are you getting on? 
  • wayne76842
    wayne76842 Chris1991

    Posted

    hello Chris, some info below which may help you,

    personally i would give sertraline more time, i hated sertraline for the first 3 months now i love it, specialy with my propranolol  .

    While Prozac and Zoloft can be very effective, these medications don’t work quickly. It can take two to four weeks, or sometimes even longer, before you start to feel better. If you stop taking either drug, your symptoms may return after several weeks. It may take another several weeks for your symptoms to improve once you start taking the drug again. 

    Prozac is used to treat:

    major depressive disorder

    obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

    panic disorder

    bulimia nervosa

    Prozac is used to treat adults for all of the above disorders. It is the only medication approved by the FDA for use in treating depression in children ages 8 and older. It is also used to treat OCD in children age 7 and older.

    Zoloft is used to treat:

    major depression

    obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

    panic attacks (panic disorder)

    post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

    premenstrual dysphoric disorder (severe premenstrual syndrome)

    social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

    Zoloft is approved to treat all of the above disorders in adults and OCD in children ages 6 and older. 

    Prozac and Zoloft work by balancing the chemicals in your brain. As a result, you’ll probably notice an improvement in your mood and your appetite. They can also stimulate your energy levels and help you sleep better. Both medications can reduce anxiety, fear, and compulsive behaviors. For people who are suffering from major depression, they can dramatically improve quality of life.

    Each of these drugs can be prescribed for other off-label uses, such as eating disorders and sleep disorders.

    How They Differ

    When it comes to side effects, Zoloft is more likely than Prozac to cause diarrhea.

    Prozac has a higher incidence of dry mouth and sleep disturbances.

    While both medications are available in a daily dose, Prozac can also be prescribed in a weekly dose

    What They Have in Common

    Both Prozac and Zoloft are available in generic form. Generic versions are typically cheaper than brand name versions. The cost to you will vary according to your particular health insurance policy.

    Each is available in capsule or liquid form. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sources of moisture and light. Each can be taken with or without food. If they cause nausea, taking them with food may be better.

    SSRIs can interact with other drugs. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications and supplements you take, both prescription and over-the-counter. They’re generally not recommended if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.

    Both Zoloft and Prozac are generally well tolerated. Side effects generally pass after a few weeks. If side effects continue or are bothersome, contact your doctor. The side effects of each are similar. In general, side effects of SSRIs can include:

    nausea, vomiting

    diarrhea

    nervousness, anxiousness

    dizziness

    sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction

    sleep problems, insomnia

    weight gain or loss

    headache

    dry mouth

    Antidepressant drugs may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children, teenagers, and young adults.

    Other Options

    If you’re considering one of these drugs for your condition, it may be helpful to also consider other options.

    Prozac and Zoloft are two brand name SSRIs, but there are others, including:

    citalopram (Celexa)

    escitalopram (Lexapro)

    paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva).

    Discuss all your options with your doctor.

  • Chris1991
    Chris1991

    Posted

    Hi Tracy

    I completely understand this. As I over think things and as soon as I here something or feel a little differnt in my body I go straight on to Google and diagnose myself with problems. I worry about people that are completely fine.

    It's just such a shame because I just can't sit back and relax and enjoy life. I wake up every day and just think oh well let's get another day over and done with. I shouldn't be wishing my life away like this.

  • Chris1991
    Chris1991

    Posted

    Hi Wayne,

    Thanks so much for the reply and interesting feed back.

    Do you think I should go to the doctor and get a second opinion and try and stick the sertraline out?

    Is sertraline from what you've said the better choice for anxiety or do they both work for it. I just don't want to give up on sertraline and feel like I have to get used to another drug at the same time as I come off another.

    I used to use propranolol to stop physical symptoms but I didn't feel it was enough to stop it on its on.

    Maybe I should use them as a combination? My GP told me she didn't like propranolol though.

    • philip46747
      philip46747 Chris1991

      Posted

      I've been on sertraline for 5 months and I'm still getting better, it's a slow working drug, I'd stick to it if you can
    • wayne76842
      wayne76842 Chris1991

      Posted

      hi chris

      ​personally i would stick with sertraline, prozac is very similiar but if you was on sertralinefor 2 months you should see a big differance, googling symptoms wont help , googling how to over come anxiety will. sertraline is different for each person you can take 3 months for them to work, if you are no different after 2 months then maybe not for you, if your starting to feel better than you was in the beggining but had a bad day recently, then thats normal and they are starting to work in your favour, did your doctor say why she didn't like propranolol,did she say if you have a low resting heart beat or low BP ? after all it's you who will be taking them and your the one who is suffering,i used to be so against meds but this year i could not have coped without them, both together worked wonders for me, regarding your change from sert to prozac , you shouldn't feel any worse there very similiar in how they work, take care

    • Chris1991
      Chris1991 wayne76842

      Posted

      Wayne that's great I'm glad sert is similar to Prozac and I shouldn't feel to maybe side. Only thing is the dosage I'm on 25 mg now and before I was on 100 sert. I always googled when it would work I will now google how too deal with it. I was taking them for two months and I felt amazing for two days in total but all in all I think I felt worse.

      My doctor in Scotland out me on propranolol said I could take up to three a day? Think they were in 40mg? He did tell me to just take one in the morning every day.

      It wasn't really helping in social situations but was removing my rapid heart beat when I was at home.my doctor in England told me she dosnt like to put people on them. I really don't know why. I work offshore and when I done my medical I was told my blood pressure was high. So I'm not to sure

    • wayne76842
      wayne76842 Chris1991

      Posted

      hi chris

      ​to be fair, doctors are maxed out and have limited time between paitents, not there fault , so they have to be precise and positive in what they do,40mg prop each day is right for many, but against and not always the case but can result in low testosterone, so i would get it checked, if it is then it could be your reason for health anxiety and it is pretty easy to fix.

      even when meds are very similiar there not exact and each can work differently so no doc will put you on the high dose just incase,

      It’s hard to predict if one medication will be more effective than the other in a particular person. It’s also impossible to know in advance which side effects you may experience, or how severe they will be.

      to minimize the potential for side effects, your doctor will start you out on the lowest possible dose. If symptoms don’t improve, the dosage can be increased. It may take some time to find the correct dosage, as well as the best medication for you.

      It’s hard to predict if one medication will be more effective than the other in a particular person. It’s also impossible to know in advance which side effects you may experience, or how severe they will be.

       If symptoms don’t improve, the dosage can be increased. It may take some time to find the correct dosage, as well as the best medication for you.it's a real pain to be fair but it's how they work and they know best, take care

  • Chris1991
    Chris1991

    Posted

    Thanks Philip,

    Such a shame I started Prozac today.

    I don't think my GO understood she was so short with me. She just asked how I could be anxious.

    I'll stick with Prozac and be as healthy and positive as I can. It will always be that what if i kept going for two month more, in my mind now!

    Glad your getting better though!

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