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Start of a new week, HOW IS EVERYONE DOING?

Posted , 7 users are following.

CG1964
CG1964

I've woken up feeling VERY ANXIOUS and there is 4" of snow on the ground here. Its day 41 on sertraline (21 @25mg and 20@50mg) and i think i am starting to feel the positive effects of the meds, or am i just so tired from the lack of sleep and anxiety that this is my new normal? I had a couple of bad days last week and I took the ATIVAN my GP prescribed on Thursday and Saturday - told myself I would never take it two days in a row.  Now its Monday and I am trying to pay close attention to my UPs and DOWNs today - on the ATIVAN everything was so good i couldn't tell if the meds were working or not.

So to keep me moving forward, if you've got time please let us know how you are doing today on Sertraline and if you take benzos, even intermittently, I would be interested in your experiences.  Thanks for the input I really appreciate everyones support from this community.

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • mark56500
    mark56500 CG1964

    Posted

    CG,

    I'm new to AD meds. I've been on 100mg. Of sertraline for about the same time as you have. I'm 52 and have never had anxiety like I have over the last couple of months. I went through a divorce about 10 years ago and that wasn't near as bad as i've been lately. My anxiety came from nowhere!

    I was also prescribed Xanax to be used as needed along with the sert. Early on, I was taking a .25 Xanax almost daily to be able to function. Work may be my trigger and I must work, so I've been fighting this extreme morning anxiety.

    Personally, I believe I'm just beginning to feel calmer and am getting back to my normal care free self. I still have daily bouts of anxiety, but it is becoming less and less severe as time goes on. The more I try to just get on with my life, the better I become. Having a wonderful and supporting wife and family have been a great help also.

    I once heard that "time is an herb that cures all ills". I don't know who said it, but I believe it. We just have to keep facing our fears and persevere. Eventually, with or without meds, our minds will realize that everything we are worrying about is not as large an obstacle as we are making them. Everything WILL be Ok. There is nothing we can't handle with the help of friends and loved ones.

    Hope this helps.

    • CG1964
      CG1964 mark56500

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your reply.  My anxiety also appeared to come from no where, though i suspect that when I do begin my therapy (once my meds are settled) I will be able to identify some underlying issues that contributed to its sudden arrival.  Life happens and we must go forward.  I am glad to hear that Sertraline is working for you, I firmly believe that given enough time it will be the answer for me - though the thought of having to increase my dosage and endure the side effects again has me somewhat concerned.  I must persevere to live in the moment and not  worry about what may happen down the road.

      Thanks again for the words of support.  Hope you have a good day.

  • Nina2048
    Nina2048 CG1964

    Posted

    Hello 

    Well I havn't taken any Sertraline since the 21st March after I had, had an awful week with Cronic Flatulence and Diahorea I couldn't even go out because it was so bad, when I told my doctor he said he'd put the dose to 100mg per day to which I just said No, "I've had enough of all this bowel problems" He said I needed something for my anxiety to which I replied " I'm anxious because of not being able to breath properly because of the COPD that's all".  This week I have had yet another chest infection,so have felt sh*t, and very down, not eating, but my bowels are abit better thankfully, and  hopefully will improve....but I will Never take Sertraline again..

  • pauliepie
    pauliepie CG1964

    Posted

    hi CG,

    i thought i was doing ok four/five days ago but then out of nowhere my anxiaty levels have rocketed again. shaking/nervous energy racing thoughts to the point i give myself a headache by the end of the day, still waking up at 4/5am and totally shattered by the end of the day, i almost feel like i want to try to say up all night just to avoid the horrible feeling in the morning. not ideal i know, and eventually i fall asleep anyway...

    its three weeks for me tomorrow, and i convinced myself i would give it 4 weeks so its one more to go but i feel im going to need some improvement on Sert or im going to ask to stop it as i cant take much more of this.

    That said wishing everone on here all the best. and hoping for a better tomorrow

    Paul

  • crystal_90565
    crystal_90565 CG1964

    Posted

    It's been almost 4 weeks for me on it , first time use of ad in my life I've only been prescribed 25mg to start with for depression , anxiety and some really bad repeating thoughts that just came from nowhere I have to say I see the improvement where I was was so bad I would not even want to leave my bed or house ! It was such a bad place and this medication thank god seems to be helping me . I think it's time for me to increase to at least 50mg I wanted to stay on the lowest possible dose but I do still suffer from anxiety and panic that just come from nowhere and it sucks ! The only thing I have to say is I've been having some really weird dreams ! I'm also going to ask my doctor to perscribe me xanex or something for the sudden anxiety attacks .
  • Dadoo
    Dadoo CG1964

    Posted

    Hi what are at Ivan? I am on week 2 and at this moment in my bed. Did not sleep last night so got up at 12.30 am. Went back at 2.30 am and just lay there wide awake trying to sort out the world until 4.30 am at which point I got up and seen my husband off to work for 5.30am. I have to say I feel so bad and to the point I am thinking will there ever be the real me again😢 my symptoms are. Severe headaches. Sore gums. Aching jaw.neck and up er back. Itching skin. Lack of appetite to the point if my husband didn't arrange dinner I wouldn't eat. I am so anxious I havnt moved from my house since a week tomorrow. That was the day my husband rang work for me as I completely broke down and could not stop crying. And to top it all we are suppose to be flying to Cuba on the 13th April and all I can think is fear.😢somthing we have looked forward to all year yet the thought of packing a case!! I feel so guilty for my husband. He is so supportive and just says he will carry me down to the beach each day😕and that just breaks me even more. I'm an absolute mess.😢😢😢Sorry.......
    • mark56500
      mark56500 Dadoo

      Posted

      Hang in there Dadoo! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just take it day by day and what you are feeling now WILL pass.

      Take your meds. Perhaps you could speak to your Dr. About Xanax or something to help.

    • Dadoo
      Dadoo mark56500

      Posted

      Thanks Mark what is xanax? I'm taking propranolol for my head shaking.
    • CG1964
      CG1964 Dadoo

      Posted

      I am trying to just get from one moment to the next.  Give yourself a goal or a job and then take a deep breath and start - doesn't matter if it takes longer than it should and if you get sidetracked along the way.  you are trying and that is the progress.

      I am waiting for the sertraline to start working and this is so slow and i am at times desperate - so I have ATIVAN/Lorazepam from my GP to take in times of extreme panic and that helps - perhaps you could get something similar -

      also when i am really exhausted from many nights of no sleep i take 25mg benedryl and that usually gives me at least 4 hours.  I also only lie in bed for 30 minutes and then if i cant sleep i get up and read or knit - no TV or screentime because that is too stimulating.  I hope this advice helps.  Know that you are not alone in your struggle, we are with you always.

       

    • Dadoo
      Dadoo CG1964

      Posted

      God bless you. You have my sympathy. My doctor has arranged a prescription for me for Ativan I am hoping this will help me while the sertraline starts to work as I am working myself up even more worrying about how I will feel when I go away next week.

      Thank you for your advice.

      Xx

    • mark56500
      mark56500 Dadoo

      Posted

      I hope everyone is doing well today. We're half way through the week!

      While I feel I am on the mend, I got up this morning with anxiety and needed a Xanax. I'm down to needing one every 2 or 3 days instead of daily, so I suppose that is a good thing.

      My wish is that all my fellow sufferers here continue to improve and may we all resume to normal function soon! This anxiety bug is getting really old for me.

    • CG1964
      CG1964 mark56500

      Posted

      Its good to hear from you.  Your positive attitude is just what i needed today.

      I had to take an Ativan yesterday afternoon in the midst of a complete meltdown - on the bright side, last night I got the best sleep of the last 6 months.  

      Talked to my GP today and she agreed that I should wait the full 6 weeks to gauge the effectiveness of my dosage - so thats another 21 days for me @50mg - fingers crossed!  I felt somewhat better today but that could also be the residual effects of yesterdays Ativan.

      Getting tired of this anxiety stuff as well - I got the name of a therapist from my GP and that's on my list for the next couple of days - I was going to wait for the meds to level out my mood, but who knows how long that will take.  time to take some action!

      Hope you all have a better day than yesterday.

    • mark56500
      mark56500 CG1964

      Posted

      CG1964,

      So sorry to hear about your bad day yesterday. I guess it's ups and downs when you've been bitten by this strange affliction!

      I believe the sertraline will be the answer and will help us all to heal. We just have to make it through the next hour, day, week, etc.

      I'm sorry to say this, but I'm very glad to know there are many more people out there dealing with these issues. Before I got on this site, I felt somewhat isolated. I know now that it doesn't matter who you are or what your circumstances may be, you could be stricken with this horrible anxiety.

      Anyone suffering with this is in my thoughts and prayers. I know we will all feel much better soon!

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