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Anxiety

Posted , 5 users are following.

Tracy7338
Tracy7338

I started on Sertraline 11 days ago for anxiety attacks. I have never had these before and they are not pleasant. As discussed on where already my symptoms have got worse and I am wondering if they are ever going to end. I have palpitations, dizziness, some diarrhoea, occasional headache and do get tired. I've had the odd good day, yesterday I felt fine but today I feel awful again is this. medication ever going to work. I have been signed off work for 1 to 2 weeks. I always used to do a lot of running, at least 3 times a week usually a 10 miler and a couple of 3 mile runs but I haven't felt anywhere near well enough to go for a run though the doc has said.I should give it a go. I already feel like I'm going to have a heart attack with a tight chest and shortness of breath, I don't think running would be a good idea. Can anyone help me please before I give up?

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • carolyn79
    carolyn79 Tracy7338

    Posted

    Hi

    Most antidepressants take minimum of two weeks to start working and I'd say month to notice difference. I was on them for a year few years back. Back on them again six weeks having switched from mirtazapine which piled on weight.

    I didn't know they were for anxiety if that I'd your only symptoms. Did you have depression too? I would try out even a walk as definitely anyone will tell you physical exercise is great. I dragged myself out to walk my two dogs and always felt miles better. Also started yoga once a week which is amazing for anxiety.

    Download headspace app too for free 10 day meditation. Helped me to do it on waking yo get me through worse symptoms.

    Good luck.

    Carolyn

    • Tracy7338
      Tracy7338 carolyn79

      Posted

      Thanks Carolyn, no I didn't have depression before but I do feel a bit low on this now. I feel better today than I did yesterday but still feel out of breath and a bit nauseous. My hubby has told me to go for a short run tonight and see how I get on. I'm used to doing much longer distances but I'm hoping a short run might kick the endorphins back into action.
  • janemorgan
    janemorgan Tracy7338

    Posted

    Hi Tracy , donrt give up on the Sertraline, im 27 days into taking them now and i do feel alot better, i have been through all the symptoms youve described and have have had some really good days and then some really sick awful ones but the good ones seem to be happening more now. My doctor said she would have me right by Christmas so i guess they do take a couple of months to really kick in. So be strong and positive and i hope you start feeling much better soon.
    • Tracy7338
      Tracy7338 janemorgan

      Posted

      Hi Jane, thanks for your response, made me feel better just getting some feedback. Did you suffer with anxiety too? Did you feel short of breath and have palpitations, also my ears keep blocking up but I believe that is also another side effect. Did it take 27 days, it does say 2-4 weeks but it's hard, at least I'm signed off work till 18th for now. I try to keep myself busy so I'm not Sat thinking about how I feel but I tire easily at the moment.
  • janemorgan
    janemorgan Tracy7338

    Posted

    Hi Tracy , i suddenly started with anxiety attacks about two months ago, i had the jitters and felt sick, palpitations, shortness of breath, couldnt eat and generally felt so ill, i tried to just carry on as thought i had some sort of bug but soon realised its anxiety, i havent a clue why its happened to me as im normally a very busy and quite healthy apart from being a Coeliac which ive always managed quite well so this has come as a big shock to me.  I think exercise , if you have the energy would be really good for you although i had trouble just taking my two dogs out for the first couple of weeks as i had no energy and felt so sick. It well get better i promise you but it takes time.
  • linda81406
    linda81406 Tracy7338

    Posted

    Hello Tracy, I notice you have replied on my thread so thought I would see if I could help you with your difficult time too.  Having looked at other people's threads it would seem it can take as much as three weeks to stop the awful side effects.  I've decided to give it 2 or 3 weeks and if I still feel these awful side effects will see the doc again and discuss it with him. As mentioned in my thread would be good to message each other to give each other support.  Hope you feel better soon.  
    • Tracy7338
      Tracy7338 linda81406

      Posted

      Hi Linda I think you can also see Jane's comments back to me. She says to stick with it it does take time. Jane appears to have suffered exactly as I have and still am, you are suffering slightly differently but they are all side effects. I hope you start to feel better in the next couple of days. Message me if you want a chat
  • ellebi
    ellebi Tracy7338

    Posted

    I the same, suffering terribly with anxiety and panic attacks and on setraline at the moment but no great improvement only witht the depression sad Im on 100mg about 4 weeks and was on 50mg for about 3 weeks before that.

    Im the same, dont feel like excercise at all lately because so anxious and on edge sad its awful

    • Tracy7338
      Tracy7338 ellebi

      Posted

      Hello Ellebi the doc wanted to put me up to 100mg but I didn't want that as it can make the side effects worse and I think effectively you have to start that 2-4 weeks period of side effects all over again. You are only 1 week in by all accounts on the higher dose, you would have experienced these symptoms before on 50mg. I would stick with it, I'm 2 weeks nearly into my 50mg dose, I refused to be upped and I'm glad I did, today I've had a good day only small palpitations and shortness of breath. I know you don't feel like exercise either I know that feeling very well, yesterday I was dizzy and a bit nauseous but I went out for a really short run last night as the Doc said I should.. Made me feel better straight away, the palpitations went and I'm breathing a lot better today. Give it a go as the endorphins will kick in even if you don't feel like it. Don't go overboard just enough to kick start your heart.
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