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Dropped too low on Sertraline, relapsed and now back on higher dose--but no relief!

Posted , 9 users are following.

diana_17326
diana_17326

Hello everyone, 

So a bit of background. I was diagnosed with OCD and GAD about 13 years ago and was put on Paxil, which changed my life for the better to be honest. I went a full 10 years on Paxil, but then with the help of my doctor switched over to Zoloft ( in case I want to have children some day its apparently a safer option). I didn't experience any change or increase in anxiety when I switched, the only thing I remember is that it was a bit harder to take a deep breath. But that eventually went away. For 3 years, Zoloft worked amazing for me, so amazing, that I started to drop my dosage, from 75mg to 50mg and then back on August 9th of this summer, I dropped to a measly 25mg. I was doing great I thought.. until on November 11th (3 months after the dosage drop) I got weird heart palpitations/PVCs that threw me into a full blown week long panic. Couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. So my doctor suggested I go back up on 50mg. On November 17th, I went up to 50mg again. My palps went away, and for a few days I felt like myself again. Then, about 11-12 days into the dose increase, my world came crashing down--panic and anxiety, sheer hell for two weeks straight. I can only attribute it the increase. Last week, I felt I had a bit of a turning point--I felt good, was able to sleep, the anxiety was still there but was bearable. My husband and my parents said they noticed some improvments. Fast forward to last night (first week back at work) I had a full blown panic attack trying to fall asleep. Had to take an ativan to go to sleep which I didn't have to do all the week earlier. My question is, is it possible that my increased anxiety and insomnia is being caused by my dose increase? I feel like I am doing a bit better than two weeks ago, but I still feel extremely anxious and have the intrusive thoughts, fear etc. I just want to be the happy person I was a month ago, and I'm scared I'll never get back there again. Which is also fueling my panic. By 4-6 weeks, should things improve? Will I ever feel like me again? In need of some reassurance and kind words. 

0 likes, 58 replies

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  • monna93589
    monna93589 diana_17326

    Posted

    Same here. World is just anxiety, nausea, bad sleep, throwing up. Hope it will soon be ok!
    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 monna93589

      Posted

      It will be. We have to believe it will be. Anxiety is treatable. We can get through this! 
  • diana_17326
    diana_17326

    Posted

    Also now I’m having random crying spells and feeling sadness and emotional. Is that all par for the course as well? 
  • warren1998
    warren1998 diana_17326

    Posted

    Hey! My name is Warren, nice to meet you all, I have had depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder for about five years, then I fourteen. I was on sertraline, 150mg for about three years, up until two months ago, I am having really bad anxiety now, I feel like it is a never ending game going on the tablets, I have tired to come off once before but had to go back on the, which was last year. When decreasing the dose I felt an increased anxiety when I got to 25mg but continued to come off them. Just wondering what I shouod do next, it may be simple but just need reassurance, and guidance as finding it hard, cannot see a doctor at the minute as in Cuba and do not have my meds. Kind regards, Warrensmile
    • kerryhs
      kerryhs warren1998

      Posted

      Hi warren, obviously seek advise from your doctor but to me it sounds like you need to go on them and not come off again. I got down to 75mg and had a bad relapse a couple of months later which got horrendous so I went to 100mg for 4 weeks and I'm now on week 5 of 150mg. I'm on the rollercoaster of getting back to 'normal' and it's so hard, physically and emotionally. 

      I think some people need to accept that they could be on it for life or a least a very long time. I think I'm one of them and maybe you are to? 

      Im on thyroid medication for the rest of my life but I take that not thinking I need to stop them one day because I know my body needs it to function normally. Well I need sertraline to function properly to so I guess I'm on that indefinitely to.

      Hope whatever you decide to do that it brings you peace and happiness. Let us know how you get on.

  • kerryhs
    kerryhs diana_17326

    Posted

    Hi Diana, was wondering how you are feeling now? 

    I broke down crying last night. I have a really horrible cold, I’m due on and still have the anxious thoughts and feelings. 

    Could do with some hope x

    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 kerryhs

      Posted

      Hi Kerry!

      Hang in there! I am starting to slowly and gradually feel better. I’m entering week 5 soon— steadily on 50mg—but I will tell you I still have ups and downs too; saw my doctor yesterday who says this is very normal up to 6-8 weeks. Since you are still adjusting to the upped 150mg dose, I would think that’s pretty normal. Also, if you have a bad cold, your immune system is busy fighting that and could make you be feeling like crap emotionally. I wouldn’t worry, honestly. Just hang in there. You can do this. It’s tough I know, but improvement is on the horizon. You will not have to feel this way forever. Xx

    • kerryhs
      kerryhs diana_17326

      Posted

      I'll hang in there, I can start to see improvements already, had some normality at some points! I just wished it didn't take so long to recover, it's so easy to slip back down and so difficult to climb back up. Just when you think your making headway bang, your 5 steps back.

      i really appreciate you reply to me, I feel so alone. My husband is great at the stuff I can't do whilst I'm like this but has no understanding whatso ever. My mom understands because she has been anxious for years on and off but she has never had the prolonged attacks like me and has started to offer really unhelpful stuff like she is getting fed up of my always anxious.

      im hoping that once my nasty cold has gone I will be in week 6 of the 150mg and things should start to settle. We will see.

      hope your ok and that it's was just a blip the other day. Thanks again, kerry

       

    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 kerryhs

      Posted

      I know... it can be so tough. They say if you start having little moments of “good” interspersed with bad days, then it’s starting to do its thing. It will all level out eventually—I’m  holding out hope for that too. Not sure where you live, but I live in Canada, and this time of year it gets dark so fast and there is hardly any sunlight; definitely makes things worse I think. Anyways, I’m constantly checking this thread Kerry, so if you need someone to lean on for support, I’m here! We can get through this! I know how you feel; but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Slowly starting to see it. Xx 
  • diana_17326
    diana_17326

    Posted

    Hey everyone, 

    Hope everyone is doing ok! 

    So, I just passed 4 weeks on 50mg, and honestly, the past couple of days I have felt pretty good--the best I've felt since I upped the dose. I am, however, off work, and my hubby and family and friends are distracting me--doing fun things and keeping me busy. Today was the first day I've been alone again since I started feeling better, I felt the panic again--wondering if I'll ever enjoy my own company again and it made me feel frustrated and scared. When I wasn't adjusting to the meds-I LOVED my own company ie. watching movies or shows, being by myself and being cozy etc. I thought I would be like that today, but I feel like I'm only feeling happy because I know I don't have to go to work for a couple of weeks, and my husband will be home tonight. Is this a normal part of the adjusting? Should these scared feelings dissipate once the medication fully kicks in? I am getting better I think--I'm not in full-blown panic mode on my own, I just don't feel like old self yet. 

    Thoughts? Support? Advice? 

    Thanks all smile 

    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819 diana_17326

      Posted

      I think so.  From week 4-5.5 I had anxiety that was unbearable.  I would pace around all day.  I was on 100.  The Dr switched me to Prozac.  I didn’t have much anxiety before taking this, so I’m sure it’s from that.  I was off of it for 3 days, and side effects were much better.  The Dr says the side effects will go away eventually and it’s actually a good sign that you are responding if you have a lot of side effects.  I was having to take .25 Xanax every day just to sit down.  If you can get through the side effects, I would try to keep going on it, they will eventually go away according to my Dr.
    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 Stacey29819

      Posted

      Thanks Stacey. I'm just worried that I'm never going to get over the fear I have of being alone. I used to love my alone time! Once the meds fully kick in, should that go away? I honestly felt so good these last few days, but I haven't been on my own. 

    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819 diana_17326

      Posted

      I think it takes about 8 weeks or so maybe up to 12.  It works slow unfortunately, it takes so long for it to build up in the brain.  My depression is a painful loneliness feeling, so I know what you mean.  We just have to hang in there and try to keep busy or distracted somehow.  That helps me, K force myself to do things to try to make the days go faster.  If there’s anything that gives you some joy try to do that while you are waiting.  
    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819

      Posted

      I had the panic type anxiety about 20 years ago, and the medication did help.  The bad feelings went away, and I was ok until the last few years, now I have depression, not much anxiety, so it will get better.  I made it 20 years after I was diagnosed with panic disorder and was afraid to be alone.  It will get better, but it takes a while to work unfortunately.  Hang in there.
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