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Sertraline no longer helping the anxiety ?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Gem101
Gem101

Hi, just looking for some advice or anyone else going through the same.

Been on sert now for about 5-6 months they started to work after about 8 weeks and I felt like thing was going back to normal, however over the last two months I'm back to feeling anxious all the time racing heartbeat, feeling sick, worried something is wrong with me, upset tummy. I've noticed the tabs do stop me from getting to panic level as before I wouldn't go work etc but I'm still going work and getting on with things. Just at the end of my teather feel like I'm gonna be stuck in the anxious lifestyle forever and won't get better. I'm 23 never been away or on holiday as I know it would be too much and it scares me I'm gonna live my life like this forever just going work then being at home. Don't know what the answer is. Are they sert not working for me ?

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • princess222
    princess222 Gem101

    Posted

    hi there I have only started the same 100mg sertline I suffer from ocd Systoms

    I have not felt the benefits.I actually feel worse

  • jodie-91
    jodie-91 Gem101

    Posted

    Hi Gemma, I have only been on sertraline 50mg for 6 weeks and I have noticed a slight change but nothing huge yet. However, I have heard that after a matter of months, the dose is often increased as your body can almost become immune to its benefits - maybe you need to talk to your doctor about gradually increasing your dose and see if that helps? Are you also seeking help from any kind of therapy as generally I hear that the medication works best if the two are combined.
  • tanya91091
    tanya91091 Gem101

    Posted

    Hi Gem,

    Ive listed long responses regarding the problems Sertraline gave me and the long road of physical recovery that i believe it caused.I would not recommend increasing this medication. It appeared to work for me for the first two months but i ended up with microscopic colitis and i 'm still taking treatment now for it.(Look back to my other entries if you are interested in reading the whole depressing saga).

    The long and short of it is i was changed from Setraline to good old fashioned Amytryline and it worked a treat!!!!You take it about an hour before going to bed - you sleep better. I had no side effects. I felt better gradually becuse i felt i was just less anxious and could cope with life better.

    I also work in a health setting and have found that no issues have arisen in the majority of our clients taking Amytrptline whereas the 2 that went onto Setraline quickly displayed and complained of different side effects and were changed to other anti depressants.

    Dont take my word for it though - do your own research and talk to your gp regarding your anxieties. Also can i ask (because i am too lazy too see if you have listed male or female) Are you female? Could it be a hormonal issue regarding your anxiety? When did your anxiety begin to appear or be a problem for you (i mean before you took anything for it)?

    You wont feel like this forever Gem because nothing lasts forever and you can look at that as both bad and good thing. You cant feel this sh*t forever becuse everything changes always. Life will bring you good things just as it's brought you bad things - its guaranteed i promise.

    Right now you feel low and hopeless and like life is always going to be bleak but thats just cause your feeling frail and you lack energy etc. Be kind to yourself and once you find the right medication for you then it will assist you to get stronger and youll cope better and feel better.

    Sertraline gave me many symptoms and i didnt realise that it was causing me the pounding rapid heartbeat until i changed meds. I thought it was me getting worse and the worry was making my heart do it.

    Hope this response helps you in some way.

    T xx

    • Gem101
      Gem101 tanya91091

      Posted

      Aw thank you this post was really nice to read, I'm a 23 year old female. I've always been a anxious person and started having my first panic attacks and anxiety attacks from around the age of 10 think this was due to a unstable home life. However I grew out of it and ir wasn't a issue. Then 2 years ago I had my gallbladder removed and ended up with a infection and was a very painful and traumatic experience, was bed bound for weeks and out of work which triggered all the anxiety and panic back. Getting back into normal routine and going out the house became too much for me after weeks of suffering I went docs and was given citralopram which did work for me but I gained so much weight on it! So changed to sert but tbh I feel worse then I've ever felt. Just hope this isn't something that does get better. Feels no light at the end of the tunnel giving up hope ! X
  • alibwil
    alibwil Gem101

    Posted

    Hiya. I was citalopram first they did not work then setraline 50mg was still having bad days of depression and anxiety so my doc put me on 100mg but the side effects were horrendous I am now on mirtazapine 30mg only just started them so time will tell I am also on diazepam 5mg for when my anxiety is worse. I think you should go back to your doc. It can take awhile to get the right tablet. Good luck
    • Gem101
      Gem101 alibwil

      Posted

      Thank you, I think a trip to the docs is in order for me 🙈 see what my options are x
    • myra30561
      myra30561 alibwil

      Posted

      Hi, just read that you suffered horrendous side effects from 50/100mg sertraline. Can you inform what they were, as I have just done the same and feel terrible. Going to see doctor next week and see what she says.
  • GAMEOFTHRONES
    GAMEOFTHRONES Gem101

    Posted

    I have OCD and made a transition with meds from Clomipramine to Sertraline based on the advice on an expert in OCD, David Veale. The transition took ages to work and it was hell. I didn't sleep and my anxiety went through the roof. But I kept increasing my dosage to the maximum daily dosage of 200mg. After 12 weeks it started to work and since January I have felt great and I sleep well. I would say follow the advice of the experts but it is worth sticking in there with Sertraline it can take a long time until it helps. Reading your comments makes me paranoid that Sertraline might stop working but I am positive about it along with CBT and trying to enjoy my life.
    • Gem101
      Gem101 GAMEOFTHRONES

      Posted

      Hi yeah and positivity is key! I'm sure it will work for you as ur allowing it too.. I've heard CBT is very good aswell. I think everyone reacts differently to tablets some people have felt amazing on it and others it's not worked for. You sound like ur doing everything right and if you continue you will have a positive effect ! All the best
    • tanya91091
      tanya91091 Gem101

      Posted

      Hi Again Gem,

      I think that your right. Everyone is different and what works for one doesn't always work for the other. I thnk that medications should be thought of as a kind of 'supplement for the soul' - something to take to build you up again if you like, strenghten you BUT not as a solution to the anxiety, worry and ultimately the kind of 'fear' of life, awful!

      I've never used CBT but i did change my mindset, lifestyle,habits etc but only after some medication and more importantly TIME. Once you feel a little clearer you can see what needs changing in your life etc and become a much happier person.

      My own form of CBT was talk,talk, think,talk, talk all of it out. Start with thinking about why you feel this way? Past issues that affected you etc. Eventually you start to remember things long forgotten or differently than you remembered and you learn and move on. The magic is that you also become wiser and confident about YOU instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing or thinking.

       

    • tanya91091
      tanya91091

      Posted

      Sorry i clicked before telling you the most improtant thing about the talking. Talking and thinking doesn't mean dwelling on memories,thoughts feelings about the past. It means thinking about them,talking aloud, analysing it and putting it in the past where it belongs and move to the next memory and with each you'll get a little stronger.

      Also be careful about who you do your talking with. It's always good to talk and share but be mindful of peoples ulterior motives and pain. People too close to you might find it difficult to listen for many varied reasons and other less loving people may love listening to heartfelt thought for there own juicy gossip needs. Pick a good listener. A good independent listening support are the Samaritans. They are all good people with training and are not just for the suicidal. They will gladly listen without judgement or motive other than to let you get things out of your head.

      I think your very mature and level headed for your age (im only going on your comments ha ha) so im sure you'll get better and become a more fantastic human than you are.Promise.

      Finishing on a physical point. After your Gallbladder and you went back to your GP did they ever do some standard blood tests on you or did they just give you Citalopram? If you've put on weight, lack energy, drive etc you could have a thyroid problem or a hormonal imbalance thats causing you depression and increaasing your anxiety. Do yourself a favour and see your gp and ask nicely that they humour you a run a few blood tests before increasing any medications.It will take them 2 minutes to do (and gps are usually happy to run standard ones) and you'll have the results in 7 days so you only have to persevere feeling crap for 7 more days before increasing or changing anything, plus you'll feel better that your doing everything you can for the next 7 days.

      Sending you nothing but good thoughts and gentle encouragement.

      Keep talking it out x

  • alibwil
    alibwil Gem101

    Posted

    Hi Gem. No pro's. Really do hope you get sorted. X
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