Increasing my dose
Posted , 6 users are following.
Been on setraline for 9 months 150mg. Was doing really well but then anxiety kicked in again. Have had my dose upped to 200mg two weeks ago and still feel anxious and panicky especially in the mornings. Wake up with racing thoughts and my heart thumping. My gp is fantastic and given me 5mg diazepam to take when needed. Finding life hard with two kids, work and a home to run. My son has just signed for a major football team so we're off to a Liverpool this weekend for a football game. Just wondering if anyone else had to wait weeks for an upped dose to work. Doctor seemed pretty confident that it will but I'm scared that I'm slipping down the horrible road again where I have to change meds ?? And also scared I'll become dependant on the Valium.
0 likes, 9 replies
Chick17418 marion39490
Posted
You poor love I was in exactly the same position as you. I came to the conclusion that 200mg was far too much!! The Valium does help to take the edge off it, it is a short term fix though. I am now on 100mg I do have anxious sperts still I think it's just our makeup. I recently went for an interview and was getting myself in such a state that the night before I took a Valium to help me sleep and to calm me. So I still have them there if I need them.
The key is to give yourself time, meditation may help you & exercise, if you can bring yourself to doing it which is the hardest thing. Good luck I feel for you so much. I know it's a constant battle that stops us from doing so much. You have to keep reminding yourself you can get through this, you are strong & can do anything. Xx
marion39490 Chick17418
Posted
Thank you for your response. Think a lot of my problem is I have no appetite. I'm get so hungry but don't want to eat. I find myself googling for answers but all I read is horror stories!! I'm usually such a confident outgoing bubbly person which is probably why I find going through this so bloody hard!!
See my GP in two weeks so I'll see what he says. Just not looking forward to a 4 hour car drive then spending a weekend with people who I don't really know xx
Chick17418 marion39490
Posted
You must eat, or you will just feel worse!! Even if it's little and often. Does your husband understand?? Cause talking does help.
I promise you will get there, I thought I never would, don't read to much as it made me feel worse.
Just try the breathing when you feel at your worse. Xx
marion39490 Chick17418
Posted
He's been amazing. The last time he got angry where this time he's supporting me more.
I know that eating is the key but nothing appeals to me 🙈 Just had toast and a yoghurt and I think the Valium is actually making me feel worse.
I've beaten this before and I will again but sometimes I just feel so weak and like I'm failing everyone around me xx
Shed1976 marion39490
Posted
Hi Marion,
You'll definitely need to give it more time.
It takes around 6-8 weeks for meds to balance out.
Hang in there!
C x
GodsServant marion39490
Posted
Your system needs to calm down a bit for you to return to your old bubbly self. Take care.
marion39490
Posted
Well having a bad morning. Intrusive thoughts are horrific in the morning. Nearly 3 weeks on the upped dose. Just wish they'd kick in and start to calm me down a bit. So scared that again these meds won't work and have to change like I did last year ?? Just want to run away
MJAlps marion39490
Posted
Sorry for your troubles. I've always read that a doseage increase takes 4-6 weeks to take effect. However my phychiatrist said that's old news and it's all about metabolism. You may have a slower metabolism and the old addage of 4-6 weeks may be true for you. Since 200 is that maximum recommended dosage, I'd stay on that for 2 months while taking the Valium regularly. It is hard to get off of, which is why many psychiatrists recommend Klonopin, but they all work similarly.
The biggest issue I see is that your GP says 5mg diazepam "as needed". Diazepam (Valium) is a slow acting - long lasting benzo and isn't intended an "as needed" drug. It needs to be taken regularly (VERY regularly). Something like Ativan is a fast acting, short lasting benzo and can be taken at the onset of severe anxiety. Diazepam (valium) needs to be taken regularly to be effective, and shouldn't be take for more than 3 months, or else it can be physically and mentally addictive (true for ALL benzos)
marion39490
Posted
Well had a bad morning took 2.5mg of Valium to get it under control and then felt ok. Now feeling really sad again. Avoiding going out and have pretty much no patience for my 4 year old. Every time I feel like my old self it only lasts an hour or so then I realise I need to leave the house and I feel rotten again. Starting to think this meds just not for me even though the GP seems to think upping it will work 🙁 Hate being so negative when I'm such a bubbly person xx