6 weeks on sertraline . Terrible anxiety

I feel you on this. I started on 25mg about 11 days ago and was supposed to up my dose at day 7. When I went up to 50, I was just a massive ball of fear and anxiety with a pounding heart and ridiculous tremors. I've been experiencing these things on 25mg, but not nearly to the same extent, so my doctor suggested we stay at 25mg for the time being. Still nervous every morning until late afternoon, but at least I don't have to pop an Ativan to cope at this dosage. Hopefully 25mg will be sufficient to rid me of my panic attacks as I'd hate to do this all over again at 50mg.

Kay,

I know what you are going through as I had been there couple of months ago. i started sertraline 50 mg early May and the side effects were so scary that I stopped and talked to my doctor who advised me to start at 12.5 mg and increase gradually to 50. It took me 3 weeks to get to 50 and experienced lots of side effects but kept going hoping it'll get better. Anytime I increased dosage I started feeling better within few days of the dose increase, but after 5-10 days on that dosage I experienced anxiety and intrusive thoughts again. I consulted with my doctor again and was advised to increase to 100 mg which really made my feel uneasy about it, but they assured me that the side effects from 50 to 100 wont be as bad as from 25 to 50. Nevertheless, I first increased to 75 and after 5 days to 100 and could definitely say the doctor was so right. Not only I had not had any significant side effects, but I also feel much better than before. I may still experience some anxiety or intrusive thoughts every now and then but I feel I could handle them much better. I do not pay that much attention to them as in the past, do not ruminate over certain things/thoughts that may bother me, and started enjoying life again.

I had taken sertraline before 50 -75 mg and worked ok at that time, but this time did not mind to increase to 100 mg as I was in a very bad place and would have tried anything to feel better.

Meditation and yoga helped me keep going when I had the extreme side effects as well as the support I got from other people on this forum. My advice, talk to your doctor and see what they say, and know that it takes the right dosage to make you feel better. All the best!

I am on week 4 now, started on 12.5 then 25 and now i am on 50 for about 10 days, i know how you feel, anxiety, depression is disturbing my life now almost eveyday since i adjusted my dose to 50mg.

I do think and feel it works, as i can feel a good moments, even a good day from time to time and anxiety is more manageable now. Also it's too early, it may take 8 to 12 weeks to get properly levelled and adjusted. Also in here if you can read positive stories they might help and also people here are friendly. I think you should give sertraline at least few more weeks, you are not that far from 8 to 12 weeks and if things doesn't get better, talk to your doctor. Just don't give up yet, you are half way there.

kay thinking of u , and keep on , go walking and use all your techniques. big thing that helped me was keeping a diary and writing down 3 things you are grateful for every day.

Take care

hi kay, i hear you! I started 25 at end of april then upped to 50, then 75. everytime i make an increase i have tough side effects. i've gone back onto 50 and have been on this for nearly 5 weeks now, but i'm still nowhere near normal! i have anxiety most days (more than before i started the meds), and i wonder if i need to up again too. it's so comforting to hear others are feeling this way too and that i'm not alone