Anxiety side effects.
Posted , 5 users are following.
After a recent emotional breakdown I have been taking various anti-depressants.
I started on Fluoxetine but I ended up with insomnia. Mirtazipine turned me into a Zombie.
I am now 2 weeks into taking Sertraline. I was initially determined to stick with this as I can’t keep changing meds but I am getting awful anxiety.
I have never really suffered from anxiety before, maybe a little socially but nothing like this. I am a nervous wreck and struggling to go out, I just shake constantly and don’t want to do anything.
Is this normal? Will it pass?
I’m currently thinking being an emotional mess was better than this. The doctor didn’t seem to help much saying it is up to me if I stick with them or not.
0 likes, 5 replies
pamela51740 genevieve70558
Posted
You have to give the medication time, it could take up to 8 weeks to work fully, or improvement in the first 2 weeks. I'm on day 18 on sertraline 100mg, I started on 50mg, and I swear my anxiety couldn't of got any worse so I just took them....please give it time, I know it's hard when you feel this way to be patient. I've read good stories about sertraline and they say it takes a while to work but it's worth it! Take care x
sarah40069 genevieve70558
Posted
It is hard to start with, I definitely got worse before I started to feel better. I think the second week was the worst as I hardly slept, the third week was a bit better. I'm now on week six and I am starting to level out a bit, I think. I think it can depend how bad you were to start with as to whether you carry on. I think the worse you feel before, the easier it is to push through the side effects because you'll want to get through to the other side rather than going back, if that makes sense. What dose are you on as some people find it easier to start with 25mg and work up gradually?
Kmom genevieve70558
Posted
I completely agree I have put off taking medicine for about five and a half years since my anxiety started. Actually that's not so true, I did try busiprone and that seemed to help when I thought I didn't have anxiety anymore I stopped taking it so for a Iong time, i was able to manage it but the last year-and-a-half has been out of control. Did try lexapro, 7 weeks, felt a bit better but gained 20, yes 20 pounds and felt zombie like. Waited 6 months and then tried this zoloft. I defintely had heightened anxiety till a week ago, I'm almost 6 weeks on. It definitely is slow. I am hoping soon I'll stop panicking when i need to drive, thats really my main reason for taking it. I went for gad, to social anxiety when i m alone in a car or store. Praying this dose works and the next 2 weeks are miraculous.
Hang in there, use xanax or ativan if you need to , to get by. I loathe medivine and i had to do that.
Keep writing here and keep us posted
Kmom genevieve70558
Posted
I completely agree I have put off taking medicine for about five and a half years since my anxiety started. Actually that's not so true, I did try busiprone and that seemed to help when I thought I didn't have anxiety anymore I stopped taking it so for a Iong time, i was able to manage it but the last year-and-a-half has been out of control. Did try lexapro, 7 weeks, felt a bit better but gained 20, yes 20 pounds and felt zombie like. Waited 6 months and then tried this zoloft. I defintely had heightened anxiety till a week ago, I'm almost 6 weeks on. It definitely is slow. I am hoping soon I'll stop panicking when i need to drive, thats really my main reason for taking it. I went for gad, to social anxiety when i m alone in a car or store. Praying this dose works and the next 2 weeks are miraculous.
Hang in there, use xanax or ativan if you need to , to get by. I loathe medivine and i had to do that.
Keep writing here and keep us posted
HugoGag genevieve70558
Posted
Hi Genevieve,
Unfortunately, most doctors know squat about the side effects. Can't blame them, it's not their main occupation. Best is your pharmacist. Or, exchange with real people (like here) who have gone or are currently going through treatment.
Give the meds some time to settle in. I gave up after 5 days, and went back on Sert the following week. All these sensations are "normal" on the onset. If after a few weeks, you really can't take it and/or you don't see an improvement, perhaps you may want to talk to your doctor.
Hugo