Sertraline for panic disorder making my panic worse has anyone else experienced this?

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi,

I have had lack of oxygen anxiety since the age of 24 (I am now 32). Before, it happened every now and again, but since a traumatic break up in 2019 it has gotten worse and worse. I tried everything to help but nothing has worked. I started taking sertraline 2 weeks 2 days ago (with reluctance). Since taking it I am experiencing the feeling of not being able to take a breath constantly. 24 hours a day, until I eventually fall asleep. I am fine for the first couple of hours when I wake up but then it starts all over again. It effecting my work and my life. I have been told that it can make anxiety worse the first few weeks but I can’t live like this for much longer. I don’t know whether to give up taking them or keep going. Has anyone else experienced this and can advise me on how long this will go on for. Will I wake up one day and feel ok? I have a job interview coming up, I can’t be like this for it. I would really appreciate anyones advise

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  • Posted

    What you are experiencing is normal as many people, like me, have gone through. It gets worse before it gets better. I didn't believe it when I read this in forums and on the net. But it is true for some of us. My first 2 weeks were a nightmare. I thought this would never get better but I kept taking my dose. Things really turn around after 6 weeks. I feel fine and have a normal. I still have extremely light symptoms from time to time but it's doesn't bother me and at all. Actually I am taking the opportunity to feel these symptoms and experience them (for habituation). One thing you should know our condition naturally disappears with time. It does take time. Don't avoid your symptoms, face them, live them (that where Zoloft helps me cause their are mild) By doing this you are teaching your brain that there is nothing to fear and with time it will go away as symptoms will be milder and shorter.

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