POST ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT SERTRALINE HERE!!!!!

Hello Michelle, not too great , very anxious, I would love to chat privately

I've messaged you, hopefully it's worked x

Hi Courtney

How are feeling?? I was were you are now a year ago so know how it feels. Keep with the tablets you may feel rubbish now but it does get better and they do work!! Just keep positive, take every day as it comes there isn’t light at the end of the tunnel. The forums were my godsend too, don’t know where I’d be without the support of others who knew exactly what you’re going through xxx

Hi Courtney, 

So glad I found this forum, and also someone who has posted recently! I've also been needing some reassurance and someone to relate to. 

I have always had anxiety and it's been manageable on medication (Ciprolex) but beginning of Dec 2017, my mood was off, my anxiety was heightened and I put it off to Christmas time and the stressors of that. 

Well, come January, 2018 when I returned to work after the Holidays, I was a mess. Crying uncontrollably. Anxiety was at its peak. Adrenaline running through my body, my thoughts all over the place (my biggest problem is the fear of close family members passing away and I am a terrible worrier about EVERYTHING. Also being a mom intensifies it I think!) 

I went on medical leave from work for 2 weeks while I tried different medications. I am now on Zoloft 50mg. I started 1 week on 25mg and the next week went to 50mg. Insomnia holy cow for 2 weeks. I've returned to work at this point. The day after I increased to 50mg, my anxiety was twice as intensified. I stayed home again form work as I needed to be rolled in a ball in bed with my heightened adrenaline. 

I went back to the Dr and they prescribed me Clonazepam 0.2mg morning and night to help with the increased anxiety (side effect of Zoloft) until the Zoloft would take full effect. Clonazepam to me sounds like a scary drug but at this point, I'm willing to try anything. I've read a couple of forums about taking the 2 of these medications with great success stories. The Clonazepam has helped in the sense of my increased anxiety, but still feel very blah. 

I am on my 3rd week of Zoloft and would say 40% relieved of my anxiety. I felt the Clonazepam was making me really tired so I decided to skip my morning dose morning does 2 days ago, and felt ok (I still took it the night before) and yesterday felt ok. Well I decided to not take my does this morning, came to work feeling ok, then bam, heightened anxiety. Nervous about being at work, around people that are completely normal and not feeling like me which then heightens my anxiety even more. Luckily, I brought my Clonazepam to work so I took .2mg. 

It feels like such a roller coaster, feel out of control, feel tired, no interest, don't want to talk to anyone about anything. I was really hoping by the 3rd week I would feel almost back to myself, but no such luck. I'm going to stick it out, luckily I have a great support system. 

I would like any words of encouragement from anyone on this forum. This is the first time I've also posted to a forum about mental health so even if I'm talking to complete strangers, it still feels better to know that I am not alone. 

I wish I could answer the question of why I am feeling like this.

*Brandi.  

Hi Michelle,

Thank you for your positiveness! I may have missed this but, how long did it take for you to feel like yourself again? I do know everyone is different. I replied to Courtney with a little backstory of my situation. 

*Brandi

Hi Brandi! I’m sorry you’re going through this. Every day is a struggle. I am sitting right where you’re at so you’re definitely not alone. The only thing I can say is to keep at it. That’s what I’m trying to do. Keep a journal of your mood each day maybe so you can look back and see improvement. Big or small. You can message me if you need to too. ❤️

Thank you you as well. 

HI Brandi 

How are you?? I can’t remember exactly when I did but it was when I started taking 100mg that was my dose I went too. So probably about 6-8week mark. I did it gradually and the side effects where awful but you just need to get through them. Take everyday as it comes and once the side effects start to subside it gets better. You’ll start to get more good days then bad days. How long had you been on them for now? Xx

Hi Michelle, thanks for your reply. 

This is my 3rd week on them. 1 week on 25mg and 2 weeks on 50mg. When I went to 50mg I needed to start taking Klonopin at the lowest dose as my anxiety intensified. Monday will be my 4th week. 

I’m so blah. Very tired. No energy. Not happy but not sad. No want to engage in anything or in conversations. 

Just want to curl up on the couch and watch movies for days until hopefully I get my energy back. Work has been accommodating for me to work in a quite place, but next Monday I go back to my reception desk with lots of traffic. Really nervous about that. Just feel so exposed as it’s right front and centre. This has all taken me by surprise, I’ve always had anxiety but it’s been manageable on another med. in December, that med stopped working and I went into such a deep anxiety state. 

Here’s to hoping. 

B. 

Hi Brandi, Michelle and Courtney.

Hope you are all feeling a bit better. I just wanted to join in the conversation as I'm really suffering with my anxiety. I've been on 50mg Sertraline for about 10 years with good results. However since Friday I've had panic attacks and constant anxiety. My Dr wants to up my dose to 100mg but I'm really nervous. I don't know if I can handle all the side effects, what if I'm just going through a 'blip'. I'm thinking of leaving it a few more days to see how I get on, but it's playing on my mind and not helping!!!

I have so much going on at the moment and I think that's what's set it all off.

Hi Laura, 

I'm going to PM you; if you would like to talk. 

B. 

Hi Laura, I'm New to this and any forum actually, I've been stable on 150mg of sertraline for 6 years but after surgery in March 17 I was put on opiodes pregabalin for one for pain. when I stopped them I ended up in A&E with what turned out to be drug withdrawal. Since May 17 the sertraline stopped working, I was put on depakote as a booster for the sertraline by GP which made things worse. I was then referred to a psychiatrist who I finally saw last week but have been on a rollercoaster now for 9 months. The shrink told me too much physical stress has caused the sertraline to stop working and has referred me for CBT but I am still having to take 150mg??...if there's no improvement he will prescribe lithium. There is a waiting list for CBT so my GP is going to prescribe it anyway...she says it's common for sertraline to "poop" out after prolonged stress but I cannot believe I have had to wait this long for more help!!!!so it doesn't seem to make any difference what dose you are on, it can stop working and you may need an "add on" . I just don't want anyone to suffer long term as I have if sertraline stops working!!! Regards to all....Sue

Hi Brandi,

I just wanted to reply and say I know exactly how you're feeling. I found this forum for support as well. I have severe anxiety (GAD) and have been on sertraline since mid November. It has been a rollercoaster with increasing mg, side effects, loss of appetite etc. I'm currently on 50mg and was doing well but then had a set back and haven't been myself since. I'm so ready to start feeling better and be healthy again. I'm here if you need to talk! 💖

Hi Alissa, 

Thank you for replying

I too have GAD. Starting my 5th week today on sertraline 50mg; switching from 25mg to 50mg was a complete nightmare. My anxiety was severely intensified. If it wasn't for clonazepam, I wouldn't be able to function!

I tried not taking clonazepam last night (I'm to take half .5mg in am and pm) to see if the sertraline has started to work and well, last night I didn't sleep well and had a rush of adrenaline/anxiety throughout the night so I know I need to continue the clonazepam for now.

I am so ready to start feeling better too. I am seeing a small light at the end of the tunnel and I hate that it takes time as I am not a patient person! How was your weekend? Were you able to go out and do anything? It wasn't until I started the sertraline/clonazepam combo that I didn't start going out. I didn't want to be around people or crowds. I didn't drive. 

I am reading this book called 'Idiots Guide to Mindfulness'  and I'm really liking it so far. Have you read any books? 

I'm here as well if you (or anyone) ever need to talk! 

I am on Eastern Time. 

B. 

Hi Brandi,

Nice to hear back! I'm sorry you also struggle with GAD. It is so debilitating, I would never wish it on anybody. Have you always had anxiety or did it come out of nowhere? I know what you mean with the clonazepam. I take lorazepam as needed. 

I'm slowly seeing a light as well. I am not as anxious as I was a couple months ago. So I know the medicine is working but being patient is definetly hard. Finding my therapeutic dose has not been easy. I'm still not sure if I need to increase again. My wknd was ok. I stayed by my moms for company and support. I didn't do much as it is freezing here and always snowing. I know what you mean about going out. I've had a hard time going to the grocery store and didn't enjoy the holidays. I was so happy when they were over. 

I started reading Joyce Meyers Battlefield of the Mind. I also started doing stress relieving coloring books for adults and started journaling. And I found this app Mindshift. It helps with anxiety. 

I'm here if anyone needs to talks! I love this support group forum! Feel free to private msg too. 

Keep the positive stories coming! 🌞💖

Hi Laura

How you getting on?? Have you upped your dose or still on 50mg?? My “happy” dose is 100mg but I went from 50mg and snapped my tablets so I took 75mg for about 5/7days then went up to 100mg where I stayed. It might be worth going up slower especially if your scarred. Hope your ok anyway xxx

Hi brandi 

How’s are you feeling?? HAve you managed to go back to work?? Are the side effects getting any easier?? They will start too and youll get more good days than bad xxx

Hello!

I’m feeling better but it’s mostly from the clonazepam because if I don’t take it, I’m very on edge, nervous and have adrenaline. 

I am back to work, taking it day by day.