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Re-assurance needed. Really scared.

Posted , 6 users are following.

daniel_16305
daniel_16305

I have been on 50mg for 2 and a bit weeks now after increasing from 25mgs for which I was on for 17 weeks. The last week has been horrible for me and tonight has just topped it off. I keep drifting off to sleep only to wake a little later with a proper racing heart and sweating. It keeps happening over and over again. I can’t sleep but my body really wants to. Constant state of panic. Need some help. 

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • Guest
    Guest daniel_16305

    Posted

    These drugs take weeks for the awful side effects to fade away. I think as you were only on 25mg to begin with you are now seeing a worsening in the side effects now you are on the lowest therapeutic dose ? 

    It’s rubbish I know, but try to give them a bit more time. 

    My GP told me it can take 12wks before you feel the full benefit. 

    Hoping for you x 

  • daniel_16305
    daniel_16305

    Posted

    Thank you for your response!

    I did wonder the same thing. Now that I am in the therapeutic dose maybe I’m getting worse effects. I went to my doctor this morning and she has given me some diazepam to take when I feel awful. I still feel so speedy with waves of horrible panic. It’s funny, even the thought of taking diazepam scares me. What a horrible period. Has anyone else had diazepam with sertraline? 

  • monna93589
    monna93589 daniel_16305

    Posted

    I’m 14 days in on an increase and have never felt worse. My anxiety is through the roof and I’m so nauseous. So I sympathize with you!

    Hopefully we’ll turn a corner soon! X

  • Kate32457
    Kate32457 daniel_16305

    Posted

    I tend to find that the days following an increase aren’t too bad but then around 2 weeks after increasing the side effects get worse, particularly increased anxiety. Hang in there, it will pass although I know it doesn’t feel like it. I took diazepam with Sertraline, take it when you absolutely cannot cope, there is nothing to be scared of and they are very effective. Just make sure you don’t take too many x
    • monna93589
      monna93589 Kate32457

      Posted

      Hi Kate,

      I was fine until day 6 and then side effects (nausea, increased anxiety, sleep disturbance) has sky rocked.

      When did this pass for you, please?

    • Kate32457
      Kate32457 monna93589

      Posted

      Hi Monna,

      It’s hard to say because it depends on how long you’ve been taking Sertraline altogether, how much you increased by and how you personally react to the medication. I personally found that after an increase it probably took around 4 weeks for the side effects to really settle down. And then it will slowly start to reduce the anxiety. But everyone is different!

    • monna93589
      monna93589 Kate32457

      Posted

      9 weeks in total and have increased every week by either 12.5, 25 (here side effects took 6/7 days), 37.5 (here side effects took 12 days) and this last time 50 mg.

      The strange thing is that the first 6 days were bearable but from day 7 the nausea and anxiety has sky rocketed.

      . 

    • Kate32457
      Kate32457 monna93589

      Posted

      This makes sense then, you’ve been increasing every week and so your body doesn’t have chance to stabilise on each dose increase. Once you reach the dose your doctor has recommended and stay there for a few weeks everything should calm down. It’s the same with me, the first week on an increase is ok then it gets worse. It will get better xx
    • daniel_16305
      daniel_16305 Kate32457

      Posted

      Hey there. How many mgs of diazepam did you take. I’m on my second night of them. My only issues I have is still when I drift off, I wake up in terrible panic. I can’t see an end to it. Third night in a row now. 
  • infintelyseekin
    infintelyseekin daniel_16305

    Posted

    Hang in there is the best advice I can give. The side effects are crummy, and with each dose increase they start all over again, but they will fade, and now that you're up to a therapeutic dose hopefully you will start to see some of the benefits of Sertraline. As for taking Diazepam, I had to take a couple when I first started on Sertraline because I just couldn't cope, it quickly settled down though thank goodness. There's nothing to be scared off, they just made me feel a bit spaced out and a little drowzy, but they really helped to take the edge off the anxiety.

    Hang in there, things will get better.

  • daniel_16305
    daniel_16305

    Posted

    Thank you all for your reply’s. It helps so much to know you’re not alone. Every night I just hope it will be the night where the corner is turned. If my heart starts racing tonight I will take the diazepam. That’s the worse feeling. Racing heart every time you are about to drop off and fidgeting. Good luck to you all. 
    • Guest
      Guest daniel_16305

      Posted

      I was also px Diazepam 2mg ‘as required’ on start up of Sert. 

      I did not need to take many (say 1 tablet in the morning for 3 or 4 days); they worked really well, I felt great after one, but was quite strict with myself about over using them as they are addictive. 

      Make things a bit easier for yourself by using them short term to help you get over this phase x 

    • daniel_16305
      daniel_16305 Guest

      Posted

      How long would you leave it before taking the diazepam after the sertraline?
  • daniel_16305
    daniel_16305

    Posted

    How long of a gap did you guys leave before taking the diazepam after the sertraline? 
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