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In a bit of a pickle. Feel like I'll never get better.

Posted , 4 users are following.

hollywolly
hollywolly

Hi guys, this is my first time posting here. I was on Sertraline and took a break for a month and tried a different medication, however I went back on Sertraline as I felt like it was the better of the two. However, as I've started Sertraline again - I've been getting some really bad side effects which are really getting me down. I've been on Sertraline properly for about 3 weeks at this point. However, when I first started I was relaxing watching TV and suddenly my mind began to wonder which spiralled me into a fit of panic and from then on I've just been a mess. This is a bunch of things I've been experiencing: feeling terrified all the time - I've been having extreme feelings of depersonalization and overthinking every single thought and feeling about my existence, absolutely terrified of losing control of my body and actions and doing something bad, I have to keep on hugging my mum to convince myself I'm not crazy or psycho (this has kind of fuelled some type of OCD in me), I sometimes am conscious of my breathing, stomach and chest pains, lots of sweating and lately I've been having pure feelings of jelly legs and shaking. I feel like I'm thinking 24:7 and I'm feeling so mentally exhausted and frightened. As time has gone on, there's been splotches of me feeling a bit better but now this panicky feeling has come back and I once again, feel like a crazy person. I have organized an appointment with a counsellor to talk things over. Should I stick these tablets out for a bit longer or should I give in?

Thanks for reading.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • emma93780
    emma93780 hollywolly

    Posted

    Hi Holly,

    I wanted to reply to you to let you know you are not alone, i came off sertraline in the summer after being on it 5 years fast fowarded to october and i got covid, which bought my health anxiety back so i decided 6 weeks ago to go back on them and i too am having all the horrible side effects again, i get the shaky legs & temoring hands etc, i clench my jaw, my anxiety is really high at the moment, i feel like i am on edge all the time i just cant belive that a tablet can make you feel so bad, what dose are you on?

    I also get bad headaches and a really heavy head feeling, its pretty crap feeling this way, i know it gets better and the anxiety is far worse than the side effects but the side effects are winning at the moment.

    Feel free to PM anytime if your worried etc xx

    • hollywolly
      hollywolly emma93780

      Posted

      Hi Emma,

      Thanks so much for the reply and kind words. I'm currently taking 150mg a day. I have also been experiencing jaw clenching and pressure on my head too. I'm trying to remain positive but it's extremely hard when you feel so anxious and hyperaware. xxx

  • SUNSH48
    SUNSH48 hollywolly

    Posted

    Hi Holly,

    You're certainly not alone in feeling this way, I especially resonate with the 'mind always on' symptom you mentioned. I have this too and it's incredibly difficult to explain or to describe, and something i've assumed is linked to Sertraline - in my case anyway. It affects my sleep massively.

    I have been on anti-depressants for about 8 years now and it can be a right journey - i've learned a lot about my triggers and how to tell if i'm spiralling / to identify when i actually am 'depressed' - which overall is a huge benefit in managing my mental health.

    The best piece of advice I have come across is:

    Give yourself time and patience in finding the right therapist and the right anti-depressant. it's not 'one fits all' and it's not often discussed how it can take numerous times and trials to find what suits you. More often than not, it takes people numerous tries of diff anti-deps until they find one that suits.

    I started out on Citalopram and it worked quickly, however it resulted in severe nausea and weight loss, so i came off it and then went onto Sertraline, which has helped some what but i now face other side affects (nightsweats, lethargy, aches).

    They do say antidepressants can sometimes make you feel worse due to the side-effects, but it really is different from person to person. I think you've made a really positive choice in seeking therapy, three weeks is also not a long time and it can take about 6 - 8 weeks for Sertraline to 'take effect' as it were, i'd give it a bit of time? Unless you feel really, super low then i'd definitely give your doc a ring.

    Here to chat it through with you if you wish, you will be ok eventually, it gets better!

    • hollywolly
      hollywolly SUNSH48

      Posted

      Thank you so much for the kind words. It is so good to know I'm not alone. I feel like I'm going crazy, honestly. I'm hoping things get better. I'm going to keep at it. I cannot believe how awful I feel at the moment.

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