Panic attack after 13 weeks help
Posted , 8 users are following.
hi all,
tomorrow ill be starting week 13 on sertraline, 25mg. tonight ive had a panic attack, was quite bad, OCD thoughts came into my head and it made me so worried i went into a panic attack, anxiety has been worse lately. always turn to this forum as i need guidance and reasurance. it really is awful isnt it? i never felt this bad before taking sertraline, could it be the medication? could it be lockdown? i dont know anymore! last panic attack i had was a couple of weeks ago! does anyone also know if the contraceptive pill effects sertraline? TIA for any guidance and support i need reasurance!
0 likes, 16 replies
Jane859
Posted
id also like to add i feel depressed i never went on the medication for depression but keep feeling im so sad and i want cry that cant be normal at 13 weeks?
matt18802 Jane859
Posted
hi Jane. I think you need to increase your dose. 25mg is a childs dose
Jane859 matt18802
Posted
i think your right, ive woken up this morning and the anxiety is still there, its so bad!
GodsServant Jane859
Edited
Hi Jane, I do not think the contraceptive pill cause anxiety. However, what I can tell you from personal experience is that around the time of my period I tend to more anxious. It took me decades to figure this out. If 25mg really shouldn't be causing you the panic attacks, unless your body is extremely sensitive to meds. 25mg is the lowest dosage and it is usually to start titrating someone to a correct dosage, which is usually a higher dosage. Hang in there. Once your period is over, you'll feel more normal.
Jane859 GodsServant
Posted
hi There,
woken up this morning still incredibly anxious, it really is awful! OCD thoughts are making me feel a panic attack is coming! i dont know what to do, i think i may have to up!! thank u
GodsServant Jane859
Edited
Jane, I know. This illness is so utterly terrible. I feel for you because I have been there too many times. If you need to up and fear the side effects, then take one 25mg a day and a 50mg every other day.
I forgot to tell you. Wanting to cry and not being able to cry is normal. I don't know if it's the meds. I call this period "zombiefied" because I feel fortified like a wall. Usually when I'm in this transition period, I eventually get out of my OCD. I find that this med helps with OCD first and then depression.
Regarding panic attacks, I went through that, too. I even went to ER on New Year's day thinking I had a terrible illness because one leg was uncontrollable shaking. Also, I sometimes got very terrible heart palpitations when I was on this med, so bad I thought my heart was either going to explode or I was going to have a heart attack.
I don't know if this will help with your panic attack but try this: Clench every single part of your body, all your muscles, hold it for 5 seconds, and then release as you breathe our slowly for 5 seconds. Just keep doing this and see if it helps.
Jane859 GodsServant
Posted
hi there,
thanks for you comment, they really give me hope! OCD is horrendous, the OCD thoughts gives me anxiety then i get a panic attack its really awful. ive upped now to 50mg on day 3 and feeling okay anxiety and ocd is still there but no worse, sore head etc but can live we that hope it gets better!! i will try that with next panic attack thank u!! fingers crossed not had one since
louise24797 Jane859
Posted
Sorry to hear you're having a rough time. I'm on week 8 of 25mg and have had anxiety come back bad this week, well end of week 7 (also bad week 6). Feel like I did at the start of taking them. I have changed brand, not sure if that's having an effect. This morning I've decided to move up to 37.5mg by cutting 25mg in half.
I find the hardest part of all this is not knowing what's causing what, not being level or not having the right dose. But as it takes sooooo long to level who knows if 25mg is enough, or 50mg or whatever you're on! Wait or increase??
I'm finding it tough and so many days wish I hadn't gone down this road, but want to get well.
You're not alone, we need to hang in there!
Jane859 louise24797
Posted
hi Louise,
ive decided this morning to up, 25mg to 50mg, im so scared and dreading the side effects!! i should have done what you have done with the 37.5!
c53732 Jane859
Posted
Can empathise with all of these comments. Just had 2 awful days and in panic this morning. Hardly slept and am nauseous and shaky. l know it takes time and l want to keep taking the sertraline but it is so hard on days like this. Tomorrow l start on week 10 at 50.
Jane859 c53732
Posted
it really is awful isnt! we will all get better i hope!
c53732 Jane859
Posted
hi Jane. Yes we need to be positive but it is hard. Still struggling today.
kimberley69393 Jane859
Edited
hi Jane
bless u it is hard i can sympathize with u i have to agree it is hard and u will get better i started on 50mg of sertraline i was on that for 4 weeks then upped too 100mg now i feel like my old self i can control the panics but for depression 100mg is the required dose i had a call from my mental health nurse yesturday she is very proud of me on how im doing on the 100mg when u up it because u already have sertraline in ur body the side effects are not as bad stick with it u will get there and i promise u you will see improvement.
Jane859 kimberley69393
Posted
hi Kimberly
it is hard isnt it. glad you are feeling better now, how long have u been on the medication in total? i had my first 50mg today from 25mg feel ok but i made myself exercise and trying to keep busy! got an extremely supportive partner too!
CL9929 Jane859
Posted
So sorry to hear you're feeling like this. I like to think of the tablets as making things better but not a miracle cure so they won't stop you having the odd panic attack, and that's ok.The great thing is that you know it was just a panic attack and will pass.
It may be worth speaking to your doctor about increasing the dose if the panic becomes more frequent, as 25mg is a relatively low dose.
In relation to the pill, it really affected my mental health which is why i don't take it any more but i haven't heard of sertraline and the pill interacting before.
Just remember you're doing great and be proud of yourself for reaching out.
Jane859 CL9929
Posted
yeah that makes sense, i would need CBT as well i think! i have increased now on 50mg will give that a good while to level and see what happens! thank you i was over thinking things, thats a shame it affected your mental health. how long have u been on sertraline for?