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Sertraline 10 weeks still anxious, no improvement

Posted , 6 users are following.

mick2007
mick2007

Hi everyone, I have now been taking 200mg for about 10 weeks now as well as Propranolol when needed but I am still not sleeping that well and still wake up with the anxious feeling which will eventually go away most of the time. I was signed off work from november and started to feel much better because I had the security that I was not going to be stressed about going to work. This was all fine but you cant live on £100 a week for very long so have been forced to go back to work, when analising it I know I can do the job but I blow it up out of all proportion and I end up in a real state feeling useless and pathetic,letting everybody down and the like but once there and doing the job it goes away and I'm fine. I just don't know how to get rid of the anxiety of the journey in to work. I just feel that the pills are not doing their job or is it that I just don't want to work anymore, which is not an option, I just don't know by the way I'm 58.

any help appreciated.

2 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • chris23342
    chris23342 mick2007

    Posted

    Hi Mick thanks for sharing. It took me a full 12 weeks before I felt anything significant. Even after that I had a few blips. Stick with it. It will even out mate. These tabs are tricky to get onto but they do work
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee mick2007

    Posted

    Hi Mick,

    Sorry you are struggling so. Being on Sert longer will help, however, I do not think that any medication will magically cover all of our troubles. So perhaps it would be well to learn and practice relaxation techniques, and cognitive behavior therapy or any other resource you can find to fill in the gaps the med does not handle.

    The medication is but one tool in helping us become balanced. But, in my opinion, often we need to compliment the med by manually helping ourselves too.

    We are complex creatures and I hope you scour your community for other resources that may help you.

    Best regards,

    Dawn, US

  • kikidee76
    kikidee76 mick2007

    Posted

    Hi mick, I'm about 4 mths into my sertraline journey and just wanted to say it took quite a while for me to feel its benefit so you prob need to give it longer I'm afraid. And nor have I had any eureka moment others speak of when i woke up feeling great/fixed etc.

    I've had cbt alongside sert and I suppose the biggest thing I've learned and HAVE to focus on is that all my 'what ifs' are completely unfounded and there's no evidence that these fears will happen. Like you, the worst scenarios for me are prior to events or appts and it's during the run up where the anxiety flourishes. But 9 times out of 10 I actually enjoy being at the event etc and forget most of the fears.

    It's key to spot( as soon as u can) that your mind has wandered to unhelpful thoughts. Then u don't try to rid yrself of them just gently notice it and come back to the present moment...listen to music on the journey or to a conversation, anything to stay present and in the moment.

    Best wishes x

  • mick2007
    mick2007

    Posted

    Thankyou everyone for your kind thoughts, much appreciated.
    • lin01
      lin01 mick2007

      Posted

      I could have wrote that bit about work myself as I feel exactly the same! I manage when I'm there but it is sometimes exhausting. Wondering the same as to whether I just don't want to work and find myself wishing my life away to retirement. I'm behind you in terms of length of time on meds and dose but think the self doubt feelings are all part of this illness. Hope they kick in soon
  • gary27777
    gary27777 mick2007

    Posted

    Hi all, first post so here goes. I've suffered all my life with anxiety and OCD (predominantly repetitive negative thoughts rather than physical actions like hand washing) and have never really felt 'happy' at all. I suppose externally I've functioned in life, good job, wife, holidays etc but all against a backdrop of worry and anxiety that peaks a couple of times a year and really hits home! I was diagnosed with an extreme type A personality many years ago and have never resorted to drugs other than alcohol and exercise.....

    Anyway, November last year I began with my worst episode ever and really thought I was losing it big style - spent most of Christmas in bed and really really felt bad. I knew I needed help and went to the docs and have been on sertraline now for nearly five weeks, two on 50mg and then 100mg since. I've done a lot of reading and know it takes time to kick in but would have thought I'd feel some benefit by now. My shakes, night sweats and general anxiety level are terrible and I'm just hanging on in there hoping they'll work! I'm 53 and really hoping I'll improve my outlook on life having also expressed a desire for the drugs to be supplemented with CBT.

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