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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. 

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  • jenna324
    jenna324 diana_17326

    Posted

    I am in the same boat. I started talking Zoloft dec 1st ( 50 mg) I suffer from serve health anxiety which led to depression. It’s about a month now and I still have anxiety. I also get this add sensation/pain on the left side of my head which makes me literally go into full panic. I don’t know how much longer I can take of this. I’ve noticed little changes here and there but I’m still not myself. I have to Xanax daily to calm my anxiety. I just want to wake up and not have this anymore. 
  • diana_17326
    diana_17326

    Posted

    Hey everyone--how are you all doing? 

    So, tomorrow marks Week 8 on the 50mg. 

    I went back to work this Monday after being off for a month. I was really nervous to do so ( because of being alone, getting back to routine etc etc) but on Sunday before work, I seemed to be ok. I even said to my husband that I felt almost completely back to normal. However, Monday night, I went into a panic again and all the feelings came back. I'd like to think that it was just because I was back at work, and knew I was going to be on my own all week, but there's also the fact that I went to a new pharmacy and they gave me a generic brand of Sertraline that I'd never been on before. The company is called Mylan. So I started taking it Monday night, and the anxiety kept getting worse and worse. I feel like I'm back to square one today. I also got my period Monday, so maybe that is contributing? I've had to take Ativan every night this week to sleep in order to be able to go to work in the morning. I've lost my appetite again and feel awful. Do you think it's possible that it's the new generic version? Aren't they all the same?? Also, should I up to 75mg? I'm just SO SO scared that I won't ever feel normal again. I just want my life back. 

  • jenna324
    jenna324 diana_17326

    Posted

    Tomorrow marks 6 weeks for me and today has been awful. Anxiety all day and no appetite. I’ve been relying on Xanax to get me through the day. I know it takes longer for some people to get adjusted to the meds but it’s like how much longer can we take feeling this way?! I hope tomorrow is a better day for you. Maybe it was just the thought of starting your job and getting back into routine. 
    • diana_17326
      diana_17326 jenna324

      Posted

      I know. I’m getting pretty frustrated. I’m only on 50mg, so doctor thinks upping it to 75 or 100 might help. I’m on 8 weeks of 50mg now. I feel like crap still; two weeks ago I felt almost back to normal, and now this. Fml. I just had another crying spell and am full of anxiety. It’s BS. 

      Wondering if I just need to go to 75mg... maybe the side effects won’t be as bad as 25 to 50... 

    • jenna324
      jenna324 diana_17326

      Posted

      Ya I may up also if I’m still feeling crappy, seems like it’s just never going to get better. 
  • kerryhs
    kerryhs diana_17326

    Posted

    Hi Diana,

    tomorrow marks 10 weeks on 150mg for me. Having anxiety still but the gaps between are longer and I can think a bit more clearly. Plus I'm feeling much better regarding my dizziness illness. 

    You may may need to increase your dose. sending hugs to all of us that are still suffering.

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