Panic disorder on sertraline

Posted , 5 users are following.

I was first prescribed Paxil 20mg. After 4 weeks I gotten way worse with my panic so was then switched to sertraline. 3 weeks into using this on 50mg I'm still anxious every single day. I have to take a klonopin once maybe even twice a day. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Can anyone give me so insights on the journey similar to mine? Please help! I'm feeling hopeless

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi there. Sorry to hear you are going through this. All of us on here are going through what you are or have been there.

    I am also on 50mgs of sertaline and suffer from panic disorder. I am now going into week 7 and feel so much better than before I took this. The first few weeks are tough as your anxiety levels are in overdrive but if you can stick it out.

    I am still having bad days and I post on here when I do and get lots of support as everyone understands. Stick with them... maybe a bit of pain for a few weeks but the long term is amazing...

    Look through the posts and you will get some great tis.

    Good luck and stay on your meds 😆

    • Posted

      Thank you that is good to hear you are responding to the medication well. I just can't help but feel there's not hope for me at this point. Iv been reading everyone's success stories but there isn't much about just starting this perscription.

    • Posted

      At the 3 week mark I remember being almost at my worst I was back at the doctor taking other meds to calm me down but for me the following few weeks were all improvements. After 4 weeks never took the other drugs anymore and now I am two years in and honestly still feel fab every day !!! I hope you are on the up now you have been through the worst stage ..
  • Posted

    I was recently purchased on zoloft for anxiety/depression. I have been cutting my t0mg tablets in half because I was so afraid of the start up side effects. Today is day 16 and I just took the whole 50mg tablet for the first time. The first 11 days were absolutely brutal. I had the worst panic, anxiety, tremors and insomnia! I'm pregnany and can't take any benzos to relieve these symptoms. I finally got a script for hydroxyzine for the insomnia and it has at least got me some sleep the past 2 nights. I literally went 4 days with no sleep before that!! I knew I needed to go up to the 50mg since 25mg isn't a therapeutic dose. I'm hoping and praying that the effects won't be as bad going up and that I will start to notice an improvement soon! You're not alone! I will continue to follow your post for reassurance myself.

    • Posted

      Yes I'm at week 3. Praying and hoping for relief. Panic is the single most scariest thing iv ever experienced in my life. I'm still convinced I have a heart condition. Even after the er visits doctors appointment and even calling an ambulance 😥

    • Posted

      I think it is still too early to know for sure if Zoloft is working for you. My advice old be too hang in there where you are. If it the 8 week mark you are slightly better than maybe and increase in dose but if you are not better than try a new medication. I know how hard that is too hear especially when every single minute of every day is a struggle. I am only on day 3 of the increase to 50mg but have been on 25mg since August 19th so I have a while to go to see if this will work for me. Trust me I know how hard it is...just know that there are other people out there that are going through it too.
  • Posted

    I broke down today at work. Felt so anxious and tried so hard to pull myself out of it. I was sitting there then I felt cold and like my heart was going to stop. Instantly went into a panic and started crying and work. Now I never cry. Not in front of anyone. This just goes to show how hard all of this is on me. It's like my panic is now causing me to go into a depression. I feel so stupid after the fact now too.

  • Posted

    I constantly feel like there's a knife in my chest and I'm convinced I'm going to die. I feel popping I'm my head from the medication. I just don't understand y I'm getting so much worse and not any better at all

    • Posted

      Im so sorry you feel so bad sad when starting sertraline everyone gets worse before they get better unfortunately. I know its really really tough but dont give up on it. I continued to have unbearable anxiety for about a month after starting the prescription, but stick with it because it really will start to work soon.

      It may be wise to take a little time off work until you feel more yourself again, as the added stress wont be helping.

      I also found it really useful in the early weeks to take small doses of diazepam (Must be prescribed!) when the panic was too intense, just to get through that first hump until it starts working, but most importantly talk to your doctor if its just too much as they can help in other ways too.

      Hope you find some calm soon

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