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Starting Sertraline 25mg

Posted , 4 users are following.

nadine51512
nadine51512

Hi I've been dealing with bad anxiety and panic attacks for 9 months now. My doctor has subscribed me 25mg a day for 2 weeks. I tried to start taking them last month but by day 3 I felt really anxious so I stopped. I'm really suffering at the moment and know something must change so I'm going to give it another go. How long will be heightened anxiety last I'm really dreading it as I can't imagine being worse than I am now. And when will I need to up my dosage?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • paul09325
    paul09325 nadine51512

    Posted

    Hi Nadine,

    I'm not expert but I when I started taking Sertraline about a month ago they started me out with 50mg right from the start. Maybe you could ask the Dr if it's ok to up the dose now rather than wait for the full two week period to end. 

    It seemed to help me pretty quickly but was giving me digestive problems so I've since switched to Wellbutrin. 

    • nadine51512
      nadine51512 paul09325

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply when I took them first time I had really horrible lock jaw feeling so will try get that symptom under control before I up dosage. I'm hoping just 25mg will help me

  • weenett
    weenett nadine51512

    Posted

    Im in exactly the same boat i started mine today! So far so good but i know theres worse to come
    • nadine51512
      nadine51512 weenett

      Posted

      Good luck hope you feel better soon. Let me know how your doing
  • jay98357
    jay98357 nadine51512

    Posted

    Hiya. I have been on 50mgs now for going on 9 weeks. I was told to take 25 mgs for first 2 weeks. I hate meds and panic when I take them so I halved the 25 mgs for about 4 days and built up to 25 over the week . Now I'm starting to feel so much better. You need to hang in there as they take a while to work. I was more anxious for about a week or so once I was on 25.

    Let us know how it goes

    • nadine51512
      nadine51512 jay98357

      Posted

      I hate taking meds too I usually have to have a big glass of wine to be able to take them. 😉 Glad your feeling better

  • lesleysharp1966
    lesleysharp1966 nadine51512

    Posted

    Hi Nadine

    I hope my story will give you a little light at the end of what seems a very long tunnel!!

    I started with anxiety and panic attacks about 2 months ago due to menopause and hormone issues. I struggled on for a while but in the end I had to tell my boss that I would need some time off as I was feeling so lousy. Luckily he was ok and 6 weeks ago I was signed off work.

    I was prescribed Sertaline at 50mg. On day 1 I took the full tablet and 6 hours later the dizziness and adrenaline hit me like a bullet. I had a terrible night and the next day was no better. I telephoned the doctor and she advised me I was obviously very sensitive to the drug and to take half of

    it for 3 to 4 weeks to get it in to my system.

    I kept taking it as 3 doctors told me how good it was and so I thought I better perservere as I wanted my life back. Nadine I felt awful for 4 weeks - I'm sorry I can't say it was easy that wouldn't be fair to you but just wanted to tell you you're not

    the only one who felt worse on it - you will feel worse for 3 to 4 weeks and like me I'm

    sure you will think this sertraline just isn't for me - please please try and stay strong and carry on with it - I'm now on day 34 and I feel virtually back to my old self - about 85% I would say - enough to have been in to work for 2 hours and then food shopping with no panic or anxiety at all!! I am so pleased I stuck at it.

    I increased from 25 mg to nearly a full tablet 5 days ago and that's when the magic happened lol.

    I hope I haven't scared you by saying you will feel worse but there's no point saying you won't because then you'll feel like it's only you effected by sertraline. It takes quite a long time and is busy sorting out levels of stuff in your brain so you will feel weird for a while. Please stick at it nadine I've been where you are and I'm so glad I stuck at it.

    Good luck and if you need any more info please just stop me a message xx Lesley

    • lesleysharp1966
      lesleysharp1966

      Posted

      Hi Nadine

      I'm sorry I forgot to say I asked for Lerazopam (or diazepam) last week

      too to help me through - ask your doc it's amazing stuff and will help you feel more normal - it is addictive though but I just take a quarter of a 1mg tab in a morning as and when I need it x

    • nadine51512
      nadine51512 lesleysharp1966

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your reply Lesley. I'm going to really try and bite the bullet and take the tablets for at least a month. I have a great support network and I know I can't carry on like this and something has to change xx

    • lesleysharp1966
      lesleysharp1966 nadine51512

      Posted

      Hi Nadine

      Please try and perservere - I know some people on here feel the good effects sooner than 4 weeks but I honestly thought I was never going to be right again - hopefully you will be quicker than me but I know exactly what you're going through so keep in touch with your progress Nadine and definitely ask your doc for diazepam it's really useful x good luck and don't forget you're not on your own and you will definitely get better x

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