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My husband started Sertraline 2 weeks ago but seems so much worse

Posted , 5 users are following.

LBC
LBC

My husband had a ear infection in the new year and the intense pain caused him to have a panic attack something he's never had before . GP has px Sertraline and he took his 15th dose last night but it just doesn't seem to be working ! It's made him 10 times worse truly awful side effects and talk of wanting to harm himself so not him and a shadow of his former self . Saw GP last Thursday and she's said to carry on for another week at least but it's so hard to see him like this

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

  • Sneak
    Sneak LBC

    Posted

    Hi. My husband should really answer this as he went through the same thing with me. It is very common to feel like that. If he didn't feel suicidal before tablets I guess he could consider coming off meds before he is too far in and consider talking therapy instead if that's possible.

    If he and his doc feel meds are best way then hang in there as this stage should pass although I have always kept some side effects.

    For now all I can suggest is what my husband did. Stay very close to him and listen to him but also try to get some time on your own with family and friends. The time out will help you be stronger for him.

    Best wishes

    • LBC
      LBC Sneak

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply . He's started therapy had about 5 session I think now . Right at the start for the 4 weeks before her started the Sertraline he was very proactive in getting help changed his lifestyle stopped drinking coffee from day 1 started a yoga class etc in the first week doing breathing dare techniques but since started the mess that's all gone out of the window . I'm just trying to get thru the next 24 hours and hike we see some improvement in the next week like we should shouldn't we?

    • Cinderella81
      Cinderella81 LBC

      Posted

      Does he started with 50 mg or more ?

      I think the main problem is that doctors put people straight on higher dose therefore the side effects are very bad. Even if my doctor gave me 50 mg, I started on 25 mg.

    • LBC
      LBC Cinderella81

      Posted

      Hi did yes started on 50mg from never taking a single tablet in his life . He's on that and propranolol 3 times a day and promethazine to help with sleep and had to get some diazepam from the doctor last week to help him thru as thought was going to have to call an ambulance as he just couldn't calm down . Just hoping the tablets start working . Need some positive stories that they do

    • Cinderella81
      Cinderella81 LBC

      Posted

      I can feel his pain :-(

      But I didn't want to take lots of medication therefore I started breathing exercises and meditation. Diazepam will help him definitely! When he calms down a bit try these techniques. It will help. Also the medication will work soon.

    • LBC
      LBC Cinderella81

      Posted

      Thank you. Sort of wishing we hadn't started the Sertraline he was doing so well before and in time I'm sure he would have got better with everything else he was doing but now we are 2 weeks I we don't really want to stop just in case they start working . It's so sad to see and to come from nowhere . I'm trying to be so positive but some days gets a bit tired of repeating myself . We have 2 little boys so I have to stay strong for them

  • tim72563
    tim72563 LBC

    Posted

    Know how your husband is feeling,I started 4 weeks ago on 50mg. I felt worse week 2, worse yet week 3, went back to Dr. in a complete mess, she increased my dose to 100mg, and Xanax to calm me down as needed, has made all the difference, week 4 now and feeling much better, not my old self yet but getting closer. Tell him to stick with it, it will get better.
    • LBC
      LBC tim72563

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Tim . Did you get harmful thought as that seems to be bothering him the most on the mornings when he wakes . Saw doctor last week and she said she wouldn't be increasing the dose yet . Is Xanax diazepam ?

    • LBC
      LBC

      Posted

      No improvement this morning . Will it e we get better ?
    • sally33118
      sally33118 LBC

      Posted

      I had a similar thing. Started sertraline and then freaked out with awful panic attacks which I hadn't had before the meds. Felt like harming myself. I stopped the sertraline thinking that this would resolve the panic. But I'm afraid it didn't. It's as if once my brain had experienced the heightened anxiety, it couldn't readjust. So I've come back on them 3 days ago but with other drugs to help ride out the heightened anxiety. I'm just hoping it works.

    • sally33118
      sally33118 LBC

      Posted

      I am on quetiapine 25mg twice a day as well as 25mg sertraline. My freak out was on 100mg setraline so they are starting me low. The quetiapine is actually an antipsychotic but it is often prescribed as a sort of sedative to help alongside antidepressants in people who have heightened anxiety.
    • sally33118
      sally33118

      Posted

      PS I tried propopanol but it didn't help. It eases some of the physical effects of anxiety (racing heart) but it does nothing for your thoughts. And diazepam didn't help me in the quantity they were willing to prescribe.

    • Cinderella81
      Cinderella81 LBC

      Posted

      Ask your doctor to give xanax or diazepam. It will help a lot !

      Unfortunately my medical practice won't give any but your might do.

    • LBC
      LBC Cinderella81

      Posted

      Hi has diazepam but only a week worth to get him thru this bad patch and in hope that the Sertraline starts working dose 17 tonight . The diazepam 5 mg seems to ease him a bit but not loads . Just praying the Sertraline starts working the next 7 days . Just dropped him off for his Therapy session
    • Cinderella81
      Cinderella81 LBC

      Posted

      What dose he is on ?

      After 2 month I am still not perfect but feel much better. Need more than one month I think to feel the benefit... x

    • LBC
      LBC Cinderella81

      Posted

      50mg i know ita early days but it seems a life time when he's so low and I have to leave him tomorrow to go to work . If he didn't have me I think he may have stopped the tablets

    • Cinderella81
      Cinderella81 LBC

      Posted

      Does he take it in the morning?

      I do take it in the evening and it's good for me and even if they gave me 50 mg I have started on 25 mg.

      Is it depression as well or anxiety?

      I have " only " anxiety so I am not sure how it works with depression. X

    • LBC
      LBC Cinderella81

      Posted

      He didn't have any depression until he started the Sertraline . Takes it at night

    • Cinderella81
      Cinderella81 LBC

      Posted

      So probably it isn't real depression for him. Must be scared, sad and fedup.

      Sertaline should work in couple of weeks. But I would recommend to do breathing techniques as well.

    • tim72563
      tim72563 LBC

      Posted

      Hi LBC, yes at week 3 I had thoughts of harm, but just had to tell myself it's the meds talking. Diazapam is generic for Valium, and very similar to xanax, feel free to ask me anything I know what he's going thru, praying for him and you.

    • LBC
      LBC tim72563

      Posted

      Thank you Tim for your reply. When did you start to feel any benefits from the Sertraline on a morning mostly . Prayed he would wake up ok this morning but no just the same . As the day go on he is better but mornings up until early afternoon terrible
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