Is Sertraline really working for me?

Hi stop the diazepams they should be band. I was the same as you at first with the sertreline and diazepams . Now I am hook on them big time. Sertreline is ok im on 150mg now for about two years. Up the sertreline like your gp said I agree the side effects won't be as bad. But it will take up to 4 6 weeks. But honestly them diazepams are evil look them up because I wish I did 7 years ago. All they do is control you in the end. Please don't make the same mistake ad I did.

I really like the term " Funny Turn" for Panic Attacks.  Diazepam is the generic for Valium. Correct? I've never been able to take it, due to getting headaches,  guess its a good thing.  

Hi Pollypocket,

I was put on antidepressants 5 years ago for "funny turns" and mild depression. I went through the exact nightmare you desribed and now have a hatred and fear of these meds because of it! HOWEVER, the doc is right when he says upping the dose will not affect you the same way and it is necessary to play around with the dose or even different meds to find out what helps you. The meds helped me for a long time even though I could not get over my initial reaction to them. I was on lexapro for a good while and tried others and am now on 50mg of sertraline which I am now weaning off. The side effects for me are extreme tiredness and headaches but this has been mainly the past year or so. I could up my dose and this could possibly help but I have made the decision to wean myself off all meds and go down the natural route. It has taken me 5 years to get the courage up to do this and I feel very positive about it. These meds will help your panic for sure, but like me you might now be terrified of them because of your initial reaction..Dont be! The toughest part is over and you will only feel minor (if any) disturbances when upping the dose or changing meds. Also upping your dose should relieve the need for diazepams which will turn you into a zombie and are highly addictive. Take it from someone who has experienced what you have and know that the worst is definitly over and things will start to improve. I wish someone would have told me this when I was in your position some years ago. Also I would advise you, in my experience use them until you can learn as much about panic and related issues as you can and when the time is right ( but dont rush this) consider coming off the meds as there are always natural alternatives to consider when things calm down and you can think straight. I wish you well and do not fear.

Alan

Many thanks everyone for your replies, much appreciated.

I have taken it upon myself to sort a few things out, one being an early return visit to my GP this morning, and to see a different doctor, not that I didnt trust the other one, but wanted a second opinion on things. Anyway she was brill, told her I could live with the side effects (shakes, yawning, feeling cold, cant keep my feet still in bed, sleepless nights), if I felt better, but I dont, I was never jittery going to work, before I started them, now every morning I wake up with that gutt sick feeling, and not because I dislike my job, because I dont. Anyway cut to the chase, she has prescribed me 20mg Citalopram (spelling not a strong point), she said swapped over wont be as bad as my first two weeks on Sertaline, but I may feel sick abit. Think I may start them on Friday night, so then if I am rough off them, it will be the weekend, and I wont be at work. Plus I have booked my first CBT appointment for tomorrow, my sister has recommended her, said its great to "off load" on a newby, plus she teaches breathing exercises as well, which is great as my "funny turns" make me think I am going to have one of my asthma attacks. So fingers crossed folks, onwards and upwards eh :0))