Do I wait to feel better or force myself to get out and about.

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi all,

Anyone who is more experienced with sertraline, could you please help me out. I'm on week 3 at 75mg now, and I find myself being very anxious in most situations beyond my front door. I make sure I get out at least once a day, even if its just 15-20 minutes at a time. I'm obviously more comfortable busying myself at home, but should I be forcing myself to go out more even though it makes me feel quite uncomfortable and anxious. Or do I just need to wait for the tablets to do there thing and then I'll just be able to go out and back to work without giving it a second thought.

Apologies for the rambling nature of my question. I hope you are all having a happy and relaxed friday!

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Jax91.

    Everyone is different.

    It's great you're going out for a short while every day but personally I think you need to push yourself out a bit more. It's what I had to do and it helps you learn to cope better in the harder situations. It's definitely not easy but it helps long term.

    Good luck xx

  • Posted

    I hardly went out when I was first poorly. I thought I'd never leave the house again. When each increase settled I managed to drive to a local shop and run in and out if no one was in the queue.

    I had no problem driving but only to drop kids off etc. I couldn't pick my grandson up from School.. this was becoming a problem before I started on the sertraline.

    I think you will have good days and not so good. On the good days go out for a walk ..on the bad days stay in ..don't beat yourself up over it.

    You will start to have more good days than bad soon and when you reach your dose you will feel a whole lot better.

    I am now on 150mg and have gone back to work. I'm not 100%. but I can manage a supermarket now and pick up my grandson from school ..I still feel lightheaded but i do a bit of deep breathing in the car and then I go for it... I put an elastic band on my wrist and twang it if I feel like I'm not real..this was suggested by someone on here.

    Take your time..this is a very slow acting drug. You will get there

    Keep posting and reading.

    🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

  • Posted

    Hi Jax,

    You are still early in the game with the meds. One person told me that you will feel more anxious because of the side effects. I've been on them for 4 months , 3 months at 50, 2 weeks on 75 and now 100. I have slight anxiety now because of the increase. As to going out and about its really up to if you can handle it. I can quantee that once these meds kick in you will be wanting to go out side. I was like you, i just wanted to stay in and not go shopping or anything, but one day i wroke up and it was like wow . I had to increase because i was feeling good but wasnt quite there yet. We all take these meds for certain conditions and I'm not sure of yours but hang in there and it will get better. If you have any concerns about something, tell your doctor. Hope this helps.

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