Jitters/panic attack
Posted , 4 users are following.
hi everyone i have been on sertraline now for 4 months.
2 months at 50mg
2 months on 100mg
im on them for anxiety and depression and they are working but they seem to be making me jittery and tense
i had my first alcoholic drink on sat. 3 beers and i ended up having a panic attack. which is odd because i dont have panic attacks.
do you think because ive only been on 100mg for 2 months that they are still settling in or is 100mg maybe to much for me.
advise is much welcomed. im going on holidays for 3 weeks at end of month and would really like this sorted before we go.
thankyou
0 likes, 12 replies
Potatoghost Sydal
Posted
hi sydal.
hope you are feeling better today.
sertraline I am told is a pretty slow acting SSRI and doesnt reach full therapeutic effect until 12 weeks so it could be you just need a little more time. on your dose.
it could be a possibility it needs lowering or increasing its always hard to tell but talk with your doc and see what they suggest. hopefully it will pass for you.
and if it helps, when I was on citalopram if I drank I would feel more panicky even though I know people that were fine so maybe sertraline is the same.
Sydal Potatoghost
Posted
have doctors next week to discuss it but i def think no drink for me anymore. it makes sense though to not drink if im taking medication for depression
Potatoghost Sydal
Posted
only until you are stable on your meds. once they settle give it a try and if not then you know it's not a good idea to drink on them.
but I'd try and avoid it until you are feeling a bit better. hope that helps. x
how is your anxiety in general?
Sydal Potatoghost
Posted
funny thing is i started sertraline more for stress and depression and end up with a panic attack. though there is def underlying anxiety. its no coincidence that the panic attack was when i was drinking.
AxleWilliams Sydal
Posted
I would wait for the full 12 weeks or so before switching doses again. Every time you switch dose the clock starts over on the stabilization part. If after the 12th week you are still jittery then maybe its too much. On another note, I cannot drink more than a glass of wine or one beer while on sertraline and that is only after I am stable for a while. I too suffer from depression. If you decide to lower your dose try 75mg. I was stable on that for over 3 years before I mucked it up by stopping.
Sydal AxleWilliams
Posted
so even changing dose takes a while to stabalise. everywhere it says 4-6 weeks on doctors forms n the likes but 3 months seems to be what people who have used them say
Potatoghost Sydal
Posted
I've seen a lot of people say 12 weeks atleast until they get full effect and it improves from there x it's such a long time to wait isn't it.
I'm on week 3 and major bad anxiety x
Sydal Potatoghost
Posted
yeah its tough. ya kinna wonder whats the point taking the tablets to be more anxious. but its the knowing you will get better. they have def helped me. really need to stay positive although it is hard need to stay busy. im for america on 27th so hoping be well settled down by then. if not im gonna ask doctor for medication to take with me.
AxleWilliams Sydal
Posted
I so wish it were true about the 4-6 weeks. For some people it seems to be the case, but I don't see that on the forums. Most seem to say double that amount of time. I have always been on the 12+ weeks side. But that is when I was finally feeling good. It's a long journey for some of us....
Melanie455 Sydal
Posted
hi, ive been on sertraline for just over 6 months, my dose was increased to 100mg in MAY. i find that if i drink i generally have the jitters and am more anxious the next day. whilst the sertraline has definitely improved my mood alot , anxiety is still an issue for me. i have heard that it takes longer to improve anxiety , and that it can take up to 6 months for it to work at its optimal best .
Sydal Melanie455
Posted
hi melany. im gonna stick at it. because its def working its just a bit up and down which i know to be normal. no point in changing medication now.. going to america for 3 weeks and gonna ask doc for something incase im anxious when away. I REALLY need to just let life take care of thing. its ridiculous really i be anxious about be anxious.
Melanie455 Sydal
Posted
hi im the same re anxiety. my Gp prescribes a low dose of diazepam for the anxiety, it really does help