Had to come off work anxiety and depression

I was started on Sert 50mg about 12 wks ago for anxiety and depression (18+months) and was very reluctant to accept that it was my only option left after trying numerous things; acupuncture, counselling, mindfulness, and almost every remedy in Holland & Barrett. 

I was truly terrified of the start up side effects. 

To be truthful, I did feel awful for about 4 weeks when I first started, and my GP px a low dose of Diazepam to get me thro the start up increased anxiety (which helped a lot) 

It took about 6 weeks for me to feel brighter, and less anxious. This drug can take up to 12 weeks before their full effect is felt. 

I have just increased up to 75mg due to lingering 'morning anxiety'.

Hang in there, it's rubbish to begin with, but worth it in the end. 

Hoping for you x  

Thanks so much for replying I had this same problem about ten years ago and unbelievably have been really happy over last ten years.Sadly my daughter has a serious life limiting condition and I have had a lot of stress due to this but was coping fine till a week ago when all of a sudden I started with obcesive thoughts which just spiralled and know I've had a bit of a break down as I have been unable to think properly and had horrible anxiety feelings the thought of going in work terrifies me at moment yet I have always loved my job.The more I tried to think my way out of the thoughts the more tortured I felt just absolute hell.Been started on 50 blue tablet been on it a week and to be fair I'm writing this where last week would have been unable to so there's slight improvement but can't concentrate on anything and all my happy thoughts have gone just awful when your in this state you cling on to any bit of positive story you can .Thanks so much for replying.

I am so sorry about your daughter, it is little wonder you are having a 'glitch' at the moment .... 

The Sert will help tremendously once you get past the start up side effects; when I pop the pill out of its foil every morning I say to myself 'another day closer' to feeling better :-) 

Hoping for you x 

PS - I would be tempted to ask your GP for a 'short term' prescription of Diazepam to help you get over the raised anxiety you get when you first start on Sert. 

I was prescribed 2mg Diazepam 'as required' and did not take many of the 14 I was issued with, but they did help me tolerate the bad morning anxiety, and it kind of 'helped' knowing I had an emergency supply 'just in case' x 

 

I myself suffer from Harm OCD which became a lot worse after I increased to 200 mg (which is standard for OCD).  The thoughts were horrendous for the first few weeks but the depression and anxiety felt much better as soon as I started on 200 mg.  The thoughts are fading a bit now, thankfully.  The first eight weeks were absolutely dreadful but feel much better now; there is light at the end of the tunnel!