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Starting Sertraline

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thomas96833
thomas96833

Hello,

So I am taking a week or two off work and trying Sertraline finally. I have held off for as long as possible telling myself I don't need this, but after months of reglious diet and exercise my body just won't ease up with anxiety. I am tense and shaking all day!. Sometimes I can barely walk with the tension and I can now hardly sleep due to the throbbing pain.

I really need something to stabilise myself and help my body recover a bit from this constant stress of anxiety.

The doctor has said that Sertraline is the best fit for me as it will help regulate my sleep, ease stress, anxiety and help with low mood and intrusive thoughts. He has said it should calm my shakes so hopefully I can ease off Propranolol and have something more well rounded.

I know my problem / anxiety driver which is my job, it's on my mind constantly and it has made me really disconnected with the world and my life. I dread going there, I dread the negative, petty colleagues and I hate the stale environment. It's your typical office, I don't even see daylight for 10 hours and spend everyday fighting a breakdown or panic attack. I think I am in a constant panic state. The amazing think is the job isn't stressful, it's amazingly so underwhelming and mind numbingly dull which I just can't cope with.

I just can't change it at the moment due to a pending house purchase. One completed, it's all systems go.

I just need something to cope / ease my anxiety enough to put me in a stronger position for applying for new jobs as with how I feel now, I literally don't want to get out of bed.

What I concerned with though is I have quite bad jaw pain and dizziness - guessing anxiety as well as tension headaches. I am also exhausted constantly lately.

I am worried that Sertraline might make these worse?

Has anyone experience anything similar?

Thanks for the help. I hope these tablets work miracles!,

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • HappyKath
    HappyKath thomas96833

    Posted

    There is a settling in period. I was on 50mg for 3 weeks and I am at the end of the 3rd week on 100mg and in the past week I have been feeling much better.

    For me my anxiety was more acute for the first 2 weeks. I suffered a loss of appetite and nausea.

    I do hope you will feel much better. You may need more than 2 weeks off. I have returned to work on a phased basis after 5 weeks off.

    • thomas96833
      thomas96833 HappyKath

      Posted

      That you HappyKath. I am glad to hear things are improving for you. It does say on the leaflet that you might get worse before getting better, was wondering what that meant!. Starting to think it can't be as bad as this day in day out.

      I had about 5 weeks off in June when this whole stress / anxiety started. I have tried Fluoxetine but only lasted 3 weeks, it was horrendous. I only got a phased return for 2 weeks as well which wasn't fun with withdrawal effects on top of high panic levels.. Work won't allow me more time off, my manager isn't understanding in the least sadly sad

    • HappyKath
      HappyKath thomas96833

      Posted

      I am very sorry to hear that your Manager is not understanding. You must be under pressure with your house purchase. Is there anyway you can delay it so that you can concentrate on finding another job. I am not sure what your profession is but I know they are looking for people at my place of work.
    • michelle71710
      michelle71710 HappyKath

      Posted

      Hi happykath, just seeing how your getting on with sertaline? I've been on it for 7 days, 6days on 25mg and today on 50mg, have got side effects, one being heighten anxiety which is horrible not sleeping either.

    • HappyKath
      HappyKath michelle71710

      Posted

      Hi Michelle,

      This is an unfortunate side effect of taking it initially. The last 4 weeks have been on sertraline 100mgs and I feel so much better. For sleep I took Amitriptyline for 2 weeks which is non addictive. All I can say is it will get better and to stick with it while working with your doctor. Good luck. X

    • michelle71710
      michelle71710 HappyKath

      Posted

      Hi happykath, thanks for getting back to me. I know it gets worse before it gets better but it's so horrible.

      How long did your side effects stay and how about your anxiety?

      I'm seeing my dr on Friday but if it continues will try and she her earlier and get something.

    • HappyKath
      HappyKath michelle71710

      Posted

      The side effects of nausea, loss of appetite was about 2 weeks. The anxiety took about 7 weeks as initially was placed on citlopram, then 50mg and have been on 100mg for 4 weeks. X
    • michelle71710
      michelle71710 HappyKath

      Posted

      How are you finding it now? I hope my anxiety doesn't last that long, it's so horrible x

    • HappyKath
      HappyKath michelle71710

      Posted

      Much better. Some one said you need to go along with it and not fight it. Just need to be patient. Try and distract yourself with things that you enjoy doing.
    • michelle71710
      michelle71710 HappyKath

      Posted

      Thanks for your advice happykath. Felt abit sick today and anxious, hopefully side effects won't last too long. It's so horrible. Hope your doing ok today? X

    • HappyKath
      HappyKath michelle71710

      Posted

      I know it is very unpleasant. Takes time and I am sure like me you will think why we worrying and anxious about. We can't help it. Busy today getting ready for the week. Wishing you well. X

  • michelle71710
    michelle71710 thomas96833

    Posted

    Hi Thomas96833, just seeing how your getting on with sertaline? I've just started 7 days ago and got terrible side effects

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