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I’m so scared... Anxiety/Panic

Posted , 5 users are following.

paula_22568
paula_22568

Ive been taking sertraline for 14 days for anxiety.  5 days at 25mg and then the last nine at 50mg.  I had been suffering physical symptoms, tightness and burning in the back of my head and neck and across my shoulders, shortness of breath, upset stomach, insomnia. I was told this was all due to anxiety. So I started on sertraline. After I increased the dose my anxiety turned into panic attacks all day and all night. I’m shaking all over, sick to my stomach, headaches, I get chills up and down my back and shoulders and then feel like I can’t breath.   I feel like my husband may need to check me into a hospital or something. Will I ever get better??

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • monna93589
    monna93589 paula_22568

    Posted

    Dear Paula,

    There's not much I or anyone else can guarantee but I CAN guarantee you'll get through this. All will be ok. 

    The side effects of Sertraline are brutal in the beginning but hang in there and do get some Alprazolam these first weeks. It's crucial. You need rest if only for a few hrs. 

    Many hugs! 

  • eve51406
    eve51406 paula_22568

    Posted

    Hi Paula, sorry you feel so awful. Yes, you will get better. Panic attacks are one of the side effects of sertraline and this gets better. I could not stop shaking and the anxiety was brutal. It would be helpful to phone your GP for short term help with anxiety/sleep. You can phone Samaritans who are a voice to be there when it’s horrible being yourself. I went to stay with my son for a week during this phase a couple of weeks ago. I couldn’t get out of bed or eat, cups of tea at best. I also have bad tinnitus which made things even more horrific. I found that literally holding onto my d-in-law helped and she was my life line. Don’t despair, this stage will pass but you need some meds to help you in the adjustment stage. I’m still on the road to recovery and not there yet.
    • paula_22568
      paula_22568 eve51406

      Posted

      Thank you monna and eve. I called my psychiatrist last week and he called in a script for Quetiapine for sleep but it doesn’t seem to be helping.  I’m also having some blurred vision,I’m afraid to drive. I have read that it can take a few weeks to start helping but the sertraline is making me worse than I was before starting it. 
  • eve51406
    eve51406 paula_22568

    Posted

    Hi again. Try to have someone around so you are not on your own. I was terrified of my bedroom because I couldn’t sleep. I’ve made it into bed tonight but the anxiety is high. Too many ‘what ifs’. You will look back on this time and your resilience. I drove back, not far, from my son’s house in my nightie! ME who never goes anywhere without Hair and makeup done. We’re not quite ourselves just now. Night night.
  • julie7525
    julie7525 paula_22568

    Posted

    Hi Paula, sorry you are going through this. Sertraline side effects are awful in the first few weeks and then with each dose increase. I increased gradually over about 4 mths to 150 mg and started to feel much more myself at around 6 months. At 7 mths I flew to Oz for 3 mths, recently started a new job and am going to Caribbean in a few days. 6 mths ago I wouldnt have thought it possible! I took diazepam to help with the side effects and if i occasionally get anxious/over excitable i have one, but not very often. My doc didnt offer me them til a few weeks on sert when i told her how terrible i was feeling! I also take betablockers to avoid the adrenalin dump of panic attacks, but have come down to a third of original dose. CBT has been helpful and talking to others with our same condition. I try to live in the moment and not dwell on things so much. This will come with time, i remember how bad i was a year ago, i would get light headed and feel a PA coming on just going to a supermarket, I didn‘t think Id ever feel ok shopping, now I have no problem at all. Know that it will improve to the point where you start to enjoy life again and then even challenge yourself to go out of your comfort zone, like i did going to oz. and dont be hard on yourself, its a chemical inbalance that can be corrected. Rest, watch tv, talk to understanding people, go for a walk if you can (i struggled with that), pamper yourself, potter at things,self refer for over the phone for lets talk counselling, support others on here through this tough bit. Before long this will be a mere memory and you will have your life back...or possibly an even better one than before all of this.     :-). Xx
    • paula_22568
      paula_22568 julie7525

      Posted

      Thank you for your words of encouragement. It does help to hear from people who have been through it. My ears feel like they are full.  I have waves and waves of panic that just completely consume me. I just feel like my brain is being altered and it’s frightening.  I hope to see some improvement soon or I’m considering stopping the sertraline. 
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