Sertraline week 4.

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi all, I' ve been prescribed Sertraline for anxiety. I started for 5 days with 25mg, then increased to 50mg. First 2 weeks I had bad side-effects (nausea, trembling, could not sleep at night, headaches), i was also prescribed benzos to decrease the side effects. I was feeling so bad physically that I was not even anxious. Meanwhile I got a bad cold(flu) and had to stay at home. Week 3 and 4 I was ok, taking minimal amounts of benzos and was able to sleep more or less. Also, my anxiety started as mostly work-related and staying at home made me less anxious. And now after being recovered from the cold , I need to push myself to restart going to work and I_just_cannot. Again my sleep is getting worse and I feel anxious of only a thought of going back. Isn't sertraline at week 4 already supposed to help with anxiety?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Alexandra

    There are quite a few on this forum saying 6 to 8 weeks before the sertraline kicks in, but when it does it's one of the best drugs to help with anxiety.

    Don't be hard on yourself, you have the added time pressure because you feel you need to go back to work. From what you say, it seems you have a choice? Can you say to yourself "I'm going to take another 4 weeks off work to get better"? That would remove that particular anxiety which may help you feel better sooner.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply! Indeed I feel like I am procrastinating and not so reasonably "sick" anymore. Yesterday I prepared my clothes and bag so that I would wake up today and get ready to work. But I woke up today and just cannot stop crying and I'm so terrified to get back. Most of my colleagues do not know about these issues. My husband thinks It would be better for me to get back to work. He tries to support me but I see how hard it is for him. My Mom decided not speak to me at all (it's been a month). I feel like I am guilty for being sick. I could take a few more days off work, I hope it helps me feel better. Thank you!

  • Posted

    Oh dear, support is so important.  Unfortunately there is still a stigma surrounding things like this.  Only you can tell if you're ready to go back to work, perhaps not if you're crying from the thought of it.

    Keep coming back to this forum, could your husband read some of the threads on here so he can understand what others are going through and that it's not just in your head but can actually be very physical?

    • Posted

      Thank you for your support! My husband tries to understand and help but I guess he is himself stressed out seeing me like this and does not know what's right or wrong and how to help.He helps about the house but he is not the type of person who would support saying things like "you will be fine", "do not worry, it' s ok". It' s my first time taking AD and acknowledging that I have this panic and anxiety problem.Today I have a doctor appointment, I am looking forward to doctor's advices. I think most of physical side-effects are gone, just my anxiety level still stays pretty high.

    • Posted

      Is it possible for your husband to go with you to the doctor? Keeping him involved at every step will help both of you.

      It took me years to admit I had a problem and to get help.

    • Posted

      We went together with my husband to see the doctor, she explained my problems to him. He helps me a lot, I know it's hard when someone you care about is sick. Since there was no change in anxiety for 4 weeks I had to increase Sertraline and now taking 75mg for the second day. It's not easy. All side effects are back - fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, stomach problems, sleeping problems. And I am back at work... I hope they will pass soon...

    • Posted

      Well done for going together to the doctor, I hope it's helped your husband understand better what you're going through and therefore it will hopefully make you feel less of a burden.

      Good luck with the increased dosage, increments of 25mg seem to be the best way to go.  Other people on this forum say that side effects shouldn't last so long......

      Also good luck with work, do you mind me asking what it is that you do?

    • Posted

      Thank you for your kind support. It's day 4 on 75mg. First two days were hard, on Monday it got much better- nausea and fatigue only in the morning, much more energy, relatively stable. Today I have a meeting with my boss and feeling anxious about it. I work as a scientist, I do cancer research. What makes me anxious is a very competitive environment, work load (we work 10-12h) a lot of critisism which I take personally. I try to take it easy with the working hours but then there is critisism for not working enough. I was thinking of quitting the job but my doctor says I need to make this decision when my anxiety is low. Otherwise it will be an "escape" from the problems and it's not good.

      Xx

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