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After two weeks of sertraline............

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happybarb
happybarb

my anxiety attack this morning was terrible.  Please tell me the side effects will get better.  I'm only on 25mg daily and I take at 5 pm.  I am medication sensitive so that is why the lower dose.  So many anxious thoughts that I can't talk myself down from.  I've been trying to keep myself busy cleaning.  In the morning i wake and I am just dripping wet from sweat, the sweat actually drips off my body.  My chest wells up with anxieity and tightness.  I'm beginning to think I made a mistake going on this med.  Any help would be appreciated.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • briaryhead182
    briaryhead182 happybarb

    Posted

    Hi, I felt the exact same way. I found myself sitting in A&E convinced the medication was going to kill me only to be told I had a massive panic attack. It takes around 4 weeks to work properly but I really found I needed 8 weeks for everything to settle. I was on 50mg then increased to 100mg. I would say it has saved my life but I still get feelings of anxiety but they are manageable. Speak to your dr about getting a few emergency relief tablets in case you have another attack before the side effects totally settle. My doctor temporarily prescribed me Valium but be really careful you don't start to rely on it. You'll get there, take care.
    • happybarb
      happybarb briaryhead182

      Posted

      Thank you for responding. I actually think it was a panic attack and I'm still feeling very high anxiety now.  I do have aloprazolsm for anxiety and have taken therm throughout the day.   

      The thoughts you mentioned, that you thought the pills were going to kill you, I had those. That's how bad I felt this morning.   I'm making appt with my doc on Monday to talk about side effects.  But honestly I don't know what to do, if I go off of them now did I go through a period is two weeks of side effects for nothing?  I just want my joy in my life to return. 

      Thank you for taking time to respond. 

      Barb

    • briaryhead182
      briaryhead182 happybarb

      Posted

      Hi Barb, you are doing the right thing speaking to your doctor. I was lucky enough to meet a doctor who had been through it all, medication side effects and all, a number of years ago. All my instincts were telling me to stop taking it but I was so scared of having a bad withdrawal and ending up in hospital I stuck with it. It's the first time in my life I haven't listened to my body but it's the first time I have taken any medication like this so the process of getting used to the tablets is very artificial and it takes time. I would just say to you to listen to your doctor and weigh up the benefits you will start to see in a few weeks versus the effect coming off the tablets may have on your well being. Come back and let us know how you are getting on.x
  • kathy_06966
    kathy_06966 happybarb

    Posted

    Hi happybarb  it will take time for meds to kick in I have been on them for just over 3mnths now but with me it took about 8 weeks befor I realised I was feeling better. I think we all tend to make ourselves worse by over analysing the symptons as being something worse than they are  and I can really identify with you when you talk about how anxious you feel   its the negative thoughts that are absolutely the worst but try and stick with it  dont feel you have to cope with this on your own  go back to your docs and explain how you feel  there will be something to help you and you will get thru this  it just takes a bit of time  good luck
    • happybarb
      happybarb kathy_06966

      Posted

      Thank you Kathy.   Today the anxiety had been hanging on all day no matter how I try to distract myself. My insides are trembling. I'm grateful for your response and encouragement.  I'm going to try and get in to see my doc on Monday to discuss.   I do have Xanax to help with anxiety but honestly it had not helped today. 

      Called the nurse line at my clinic and she suggested cutting the Zoloft in half so if be taking 12.5 mg for two nights before I see doctor. I will do that.   

      Barb

  • happybarb
    happybarb

    Posted

    Here I am with a follow up.  Totally thought I was losing all control this morning. I know I'm not suppose to say it but I thought  I was going crazy. 

    Went to ER.treated with IV Ativan.  Doc thought Xanax was just not working for the Zoloft anxiety.  Feeling calmer now. 

    Any thoughts on Xanax vs Ativan?

    • briaryhead182
      briaryhead182 happybarb

      Posted

      Hi Barb, oh my goodness, you've had a day of it alright. I hope you are feeling better. I haven't had either Xanax or Atvian, my hospital gave me the Valium I mentioned, although I know some colleagues who use Atvian and swear by it. If you find this helped you today you should tell your doctor you want to use it short term to get you to the stage the sertraline is working for you. It will definitely get better Barb but I remember what it was like for me a few months ago when I started the medication and I really feel for you. Stay strong.
  • happybarb
    happybarb

    Posted

    Next day...........I took the sertraline along with an Ativan when I went to bed.  Woke up without those horrible night sweats.  Actually able to get up and function.  Answer afew emails and check the forum.  Today I have to call the doc and make an appt to have the anti-anxiety med changed from xanax to ativan.  I hope she will do that.

    Not that I am home free, I still have shakiness in my chest and limbs but nothing like the fear of losing control I had yesterday. 

    This forum has helped me to understand that I am going to see light at the end of the tunnel and the side effects are worth it.

    The other thing that happened yesterday while in the ER is that my husband started asking questions and is getting involved now.  He will be going with me to the doctor today. 

    Thank you.

  • kathy_06966
    kathy_06966 happybarb

    Posted

    Thats great news happybarb  try not to see the whole picture  just take one day at a time  and if you have a crap day (like we all do) dont see this a set back  get thru the day anyway you can  you will survive it    we are all behind you wishing you all the best
    • happybarb
      happybarb kathy_06966

      Posted

      Today I went to primary physician to follow up on ER visit yesterday.  She started counseling me on ways to help my anxiety by reading books and keeping busy.  I told her that Xanax was not working with the high levels of anxiety I was having. The ER DOC suggested Ativan.  She did order the Ativan but then told me to decrease Zoloft to half a 25gm pill. After what I went through these last two weeks I'm not going backwards.   Not once did she mention chemical imbalance.  I guess after 3 panic attacks in which two ended up in the ER one would think it's not just being anxious over life events. 

      So now what?  Look for new doc?  Have dedications reviewed?  Next appt is Aug 29. 

      I had such a good day today. Almost afraid to go to bed tonight.  Thanks for listening.  Barb

  • kathy_06966
    kathy_06966 happybarb

    Posted

    Hiya   glad to hear you have had a good day   with regards to changing your doc  if you are feeling you are not getting the advice you need then think about changing  My doc is great  he tries to explain the highs and lows associated with taking Sertraline.  He explained it like a sort of roller coaster ride   when you havent the ability to deal with ups and downs of life  your 'dips' are enormous  when taking Sertraline it reduces the steepness of the downs and gives your brain a better chance of dealing with it (i.e less severe anxiety downs  hope this is making sense)  With me i can visualise the roller coaster and when i feel i am dipping too much am now in a place where i can control it better so lessening the severity of anxiety. I know I will always be prone to feeling this way  I only want to be able to take control of it and not let it run my life like it has been for the past years  take care barb and relish the good days
    • happybarb
      happybarb kathy_06966

      Posted

      Thanks Kathy, that's exactly how I feel.  I just want my mind not to obscess on issues and have some clarity in thinking. 
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