Sertraline First Week

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi, just looking for some advice. I suffer with OCD and intrusive thoughts. I also lost my mother last year. For years I was on paroxetine then that stopped workin and at the start of 2017 my GP switched me to Miratazapine 30mg. Worked fine then after losing my Mum and stresses etc my OCD got out of control so went to my GP in Feb and upped mirtazapine to 45mg. Hasn't really had an effect so went back to GP last week and she has started me on 50mg a day Sertraline in the morning and reduced Mirtazapine back down to 30mg. I see her a week friday to assess things and porobably reduce Mirtazapine down further.

Now I'm not sure if I was heading for a crisis anyway but the last few days my intrusive thoughts have been pretty horrific with horrible images in my head too.  Because one of the side effects of Sertraline I read is suicidal thoughts I then panick that I'm gonna get those too- I would never want to do that it's just the fear of becoming like that and picturing myself doing it! 

I'm on day 5 of Sertraline now and don't know whether to stick it out or stop it? Is it normal for it to increased anxious thoughts in the first week or so?

Any help much appreciated, I couldn't face going to work today and battling the thoughts so am in bed which I am beating myself up about too!

X

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi! Yes, increased anxiety is normal for the first weeks of Sertraline. I was prescribed Xanax to calm me down during first weeks, i am still taking it daily. If you really feel suicidal you should probably speak to your doctor. If you can resist, just stick with Sertraline, it will eventually take 4-8 weeks to make you feel better.

  • Posted

    Yes, yes, yes to increased anxiety!  Try to stick it out, day 8 was the worst for me so far.  I'm day 14 now, getting reduced side effects and I'm now waiting for the benefits to kick in.

  • Posted

    Stick with it ,it will work .Iv been on it for 5years ,up it a couple of times and every time it took 11days before I noticed it starting to work . Good luck.
  • Posted

    Thanks guys! Doc told me today the increase in anxiety is normal. 

    I am definitely not suicidal , it's the thought of being that that freaks me out so I'm constantly checking I'm not....just another OCD obsession/anxious thought! 

    Have been out and about today with my sister and her kids smile

  • Posted

    Hi Caron,

    Like yourself I was on Paroxetine for many year's until it lost it's effect. I too have suffered from OCD and hypochondriac thoughts also. I tried Sertraline and was on 50mg for 4 weeks until I came off it due to horrendous side effects. I had two panic attacks (never had one of those in my life), breatlessness, heart palitations and severe anxiety. I have now been on Citalopram 10mg for one week ( so far so good) although feeling quite sick is one side effect so far, but I can handle that. I hope this goes some way in helping you come to a decision. Good luck.x

  • Posted

    Anxiety can get worse the first few weeks taking sertraline it has helped me with my anxiety I have been on them 3 weeks now I have a 13 year old and a 5 month old my anxiety was bad and depression u have to persevere if you can as they will help eventually suicidal thoughts can happen but this is rare if you do its important to speak to a Dr asap sertraline also has to be reduced gradually before its stopped as you can get really bad side effects try remain positive and you will get there

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