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Sertraline for five weeks, panic and anxiety

Posted , 5 users are following.

joss23656
joss23656

Hi everyone

I've been taking sertraline 50mg for five weeks, for depression and GAD. First couple of weeks I had side effects of nausea, increased depression, a couple of up days, diarrhea, headaches -most have gone although my appetite is still reduced, still waking at four am and jaw clenching at night has just started.

I really want these meds to work and am persevering. But today, due to external circumstances beyond my control, my anxiety is sky high and I think I've had a mini panic attack. Not had them before but I was out and so anxious I just wanted to get home. Stomach clenched, tears pricking but no sweating or racing heart that I read on the forums here. Is that a panic attack?

The main reason I'm posting is to ask if this is normal after five weeks. My depression is reduced by about 10% but anxiety increased. Does sertraline work for reactive anxiety and depression due to circumstances beyond control or does it only work for generalised anxiety and depression with no particular cause?

I'd be so grateful to hear of your experiences and comments about whether these are normal reactions at five weeks and when/if it does it get better. Thanks.

 

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • sarah40069
    sarah40069 joss23656

    Posted

    It sounds like an anxiety attack, rather than a full blown panic attack. Still unpleasant though I know. 5 weeks is still early days and your body is still getting used to the medication. It can take up to 8 weeks before you start to feel the benefit. The medication is not going to stop you feeling things and reacting to circumstances but it should take the edge off really difficult situations. I would give yourself another couple of weeks and if things are still really difficult go back and see your doctor. Just be aware though that if you increase the medication you might have to go through the side effects again. Hope this helps.

    Sarah x

    • joss23656
      joss23656 sarah40069

      Posted

      Thank you Sarah, your comment is much appreciated. I'll keep on going on and take your advice re eight weeks.

  • john15630
    john15630 joss23656

    Posted

    Hi

    I'm a little over 7 weeks now and the anxiety has lifted some what but still suffering with social anxiety as lots of parties coming that I have no enthusiasm at all to attend and my mood is still low . Hopefully another week and things might improve x

    • joss23656
      joss23656 john15630

      Posted

      Thanks John, I'm still socially anxious too although not normally so. I hope things improve for you at 8 weeks, can you let me know how you progress? Good luck for the party season, not a good time of year for social anxiety!

  • john15630
    john15630 joss23656

    Posted

    Very true Joss , I'm not holding out much hope for the 8 weeks tho tbh. I am on a different brand of setraline for the 2nd month and the 1st lot seemed to work better but no idea what they were and nervous to change to another brand in case side effects come back . So fed up not knowing what to do for the best x

    • joss23656
      joss23656 john15630

      Posted

      I've been reading on the forum about differences in generics John. I've just had my second scrip filled and made sure that it was the same generic, made by Accord, not Aurobindo. Some people seem to prefer one over the other, or another brand. Some find original Zoloft or Lustral better than the generics.

      I spoke to the pharmacist about it yesterday. She said that the medication is the same in all but that the fillers and the film coating can be different and cause differing side effects. I don't know.

      I'm having a slightly better day today, a lazy restful day. I find that if I go out and see people every day my anxiety ratchets up, this due to external causes. But if I have too many solitary days it gets worse. However, I did find myself singing in the kitchen this morning! Although still lethargic. So I suppose it's little by little and I hope you find the same.

      Quite a few people say it took at least eight weeks, some say ten or twelve weeks. Anxiety seems to take longer than depression for some.

      The need for patience is repeated over and over on these forums, difficult but has to be done I guess. The positive stories are so encouraging.

      Hope you see an improvement soon and keep posting, as we are on a similar timeline, I'm interested to see how you go on. 

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