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Increased Anxiety. Safe use of Diazapan

Posted , 3 users are following.

john54486
john54486

I am three weeks in to Sertraline for prolonged extreme anxiety. First week 25mg, next two weeks 50mg. Week 1 and week 2 nothing changed, but at the beginning of week 3 my anxiety went through the roof. Two days of complete agitation and even on the other days my anxiety was extreme. I went to my gp last Friday and she prescribed Diazapan for short term use. I took a 4mg tablet on Friday and one this afternoon. They work very well and give me 4 to 5 hours relief. Does anyone know how long I can use it for without getting addicted. Also can anyone shed any light on how long increased anxiety with Sertraline start up lasts.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • natd
    natd john54486

    Posted

    Hiya.. I went straight in on 50mg 2 years ago and went through 3 weeks of hell where I considered just giving up completely. After this time things settled and I was "normal" again for 2 years. Recently I upped to 75mg and went through the same increased anxiety, upset tummy etc for around a week.

    Hang in there. It does get better. Good luck xx

    • john54486
      john54486 natd

      Posted

      Thanks for replying natd. How long was it before you had some improvements on Sertraline and how long before you were back to normal? 
  • natd
    natd john54486

    Posted

    I'd say improvement was after about 4 weeks. There was still some anxiety but nothing compared to the heightened anxiety attributed to the side effects!!

    I refused to take anything like valium alongside for personal reasons but persevered with the side effects and eventually a few weeks later came out the other side.

    Everyone's body reacts differently so this is just my personal experience of them. On increase to 75mg I suffered the side effects for around 1 week but not to the extremes of initial start up at 50mg.

    Once everything settles, you really will feel so much better.

    Its never a nice thing to experience but it is nice to know we're not alone. xx

    • john54486
      john54486 natd

      Posted

      Thanks for that, it gives me some hope. It seems that quite a lot of people see some improvements after four or five weeks.
  • doug00032
    doug00032 john54486

    Posted

    John, thanks for sharing your experience. I’m on day 25 of starting Sertraline, my doc started me at 50 and moved me up to 100 two weeks in. I began taking this to combat a life long (49 year old) battle with depression and anxiety that over the last six years has begun to take a major toll on me. As one of my anxiety symptoms is constant fear of health related issues, going through the start up side effects has been grueling. I fluctuate from nausea and diarrhea to exhaustion and heightened nerve sensitivity and have been working full time in spite of feeling horrible much of the day. I’m very cautious about what I take having an addictive personality, but with this, I couldn’t get through without the assistance of lorazepam. I take the smallest dose .5 as needed, generally once a day and it takes the edge off the sertraline effects. I’ve been reading many posts of people who have gone through the same and come out the other side after 4-6 weeks feeling better and glad they pushed through the start up symptoms. This is what’s keeping me going as I’d like nothing more than to not be feeling so crappy and get on with the benefits of this medication. It sounds like you are taking caution with the diazepam which is good, if it’s short term, as prescribed and helping, I wouldn’t think you’d become addicted. Cliche, I know, but hang in there. 
    • john54486
      john54486 doug00032

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Doug. I'm now on day 24 of sertraline, most of that at 50mg. I had two days of extreme agitation during week 3 which is why I got the Diazapan. I have only taken 4mg on those two occasions to lessen the symptoms. I think I am through the initial hightened anxiety side effects and am now waiting for some improvement in my high anxiety. I am hoping to be like many others who see good improvements in week 4, 5 or 6. Fingers crossed. 

    • doug00032
      doug00032 john54486

      Posted

      John

      How are things going since your first post? I’m heading into week six and dealing with fatigue that comes in waves. The anxiety is up and down, not really feeling like the benefits of the medication have kicked in yet. I’m going to trudge through and hope for some relief soon. Hope all is well. 

    • john54486
      john54486 doug00032

      Posted

      Went to my GP this morning and she suggesred moving from 50mg to 75 mg so that is what I will do. I am now on week seven, but any improvement has been very minimal. GP spoke to a consultant psych about my case because I have been suffering with anxiety for 11 months now. The Psych said try Sertraline or pregabalin. If I show no improvement in three weeks time I have the option of tapering off Sertraline and then starting pregabalin. The pregabalin is less known to GPs, and was developed for treatment of seizures, but has proved a lifesaver to many treatment resistant anxiety sufferers.
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