1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

Thought I was improving then major set back :(

Posted , 11 users are following.

tammy1234
tammy1234

started sertraline in January for extreme anxiety from accumulative work stress.  I’ve always been quite confident and capable and now this has all changed.

25mg x 10 days, 50mg x 5 weeks, 75mg x 10 days, 100mg x 2 weeks

Was off work for 2 months- made lifestyle changes- improved diet, started meditation, yoga, walking and therapy.  Was feeling better (energy, mood and minimal anxiety)

Started new job 1 week ago and the anxiety, self doubt and total insomnia came flooding back!  I quit the job and now feel like my husband is disappointed and so I my GP.  She could not understand being that I was optimistic and feeling less anxiety and had more self confidence going into the new job.  Now I feel like a total failure and lack complete motivation.

Any advice or words of support/encouragement would be helpful.  Xx

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

Next
  • k80659
    k80659 tammy1234

    Posted

    I’ve been on 100 mg for 4 weeks now. Was on 50mg for 2 weeks before that. Still have down days but the extreme panic and suicidal thoughts have lessened significantly. 

    Have you not long upped your dose? I had a really bad couple of weeks after I upped the dosage. 

    With regards to your husband... you said you think he’s disappointed. Talk to him. Having my partner fully involved has been a life saver. And if your doctor is really like that, change them. They should be fully supportive. But chances are it’s just the way you’re feeling just now that’s making you feel that they are disappointed. If you talk to them I’m sure they wil be supportive. And it will get better. Things seem awful just now. But stick with it. Brighter days are ahead. 

  • brenda53218
    brenda53218 tammy1234

    Posted

    Hi Tammy

    Sorry to hear that your having trouble with the Zoloft. Myself I'm on 50, and only been on it for 4 weeks. I Wish I could give you some advice, maybe you might have to increase the dosage. But I do remember reading somewhere that a set back does occur sometimes. Keep hanging in there. This too will pass.

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 brenda53218

      Posted

      Thank-you Brenda.  It’s so hard when you know you need to work....feel like I’ve lost myself.  I keep trying to remember that we are more than one situation gone wrong.  Trying to focus on positives in my life...  Just want to hide.  Anxiety is so debilitating.  I know I’m not alone.
  • brenda80266
    brenda80266 tammy1234

    Posted

    Hi Tammy I was on sertraline for 8 months going up to 200mg I thought they were working despite increasing the anxiety to worse than when I started then just hit a brick wall now on fluoxetine since just before Xmas gone up to 60mg feeling more positive even then it has been realy hard with more side effects but getting better days a few blips  along the way hoping this is going to work it’s awfull when you suffer from anxiety please don’t let this stop you from moving forward maybe consider some Talking Therapy and don’t feel disappointed if you had a broken leg you couldn’t work that’s the worse with mental health no body can see it. Speak with GP and see what she can recommend maybe it was just to early for you to go back to work but remember you got the job in the first place so that should be a confidence booster Good Luck xx
    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 brenda80266

      Posted

      Yes I think you’re right, I just wanted desperately to be better and for this new job to work.  Everyone wants to feel functional and productive.  I’m hoping the 100mg’s needs more time.  The GP said to give it another month... in the meantime being unemployed without income is quite a worry.  I was in therapy, will try and get back into it.  It does help to have a neutral sounding board.  This forum is helpful too xx
  • sharon37328
    sharon37328 tammy1234

    Posted

    Your most definately not alone. I wonder if its the increase maybe taking a while yo kick in x
    • debbie_84339
      debbie_84339 tammy1234

      Posted

      Hi Tammy 

        You are not alone !   I started 25 mg in December. Slowly worked my way up to 150 ( day 12) every increase is awful !   I have such anxiety today !   I feel like a complete loser . I just want to crawl under a rock !   I am thankful for this message board . I don’t think I could manage all this by myself. Hang in there. Stay on the 100mg . This is a very slow reacting drug . We just want to beat ourselves up because we do not feel good and we want to soooo bad !    My husband has been through hell too !   So I know exactly how you feel . But .. unless they are lucky enough not to have mental illness, it is very hard for them to understand 😢

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 debbie_84339

      Posted

      Yes, burn out or GAD are similar in nature I’m sure and unless you have experienced genuine anxiety where the mind ruminates and runs this fear cycle where the body responds with physical symptoms those around us can’t fully understand.  My hubby is accustomed to me being stable and functioning so I’m sure it’s grightening when we lose ground.
  • Belle1993
    Belle1993 tammy1234

    Posted

    Hello Tammy! I’m on week 3.5 of sertraline, I’m only on 25mg but I think I’m getting there then BAM! My side effects hit me hard yet again, the insomnia is driving me crazy, the constant tensing my body and my jaw, the dizziness and sickness feelings, it’s just horrendous! I’m willing to persist but I’m having a really tough day today and sometimes I have to take time off work. Try look after yourself the best you can and I hope you feel better soon, we will all get through this together💗

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 Belle1993

      Posted

      I totally get how you feel Belle and you’re right we must be patient and compassionate with ourselves as we recover.  I wish you good health soon XX 
  • gymmynzl
    gymmynzl tammy1234

    Posted

    Hi Tammy. As you probably know most ppl on here are taking Zoloft for anxiety. I know what it's like to get burnt out and it takes time to recharge. But like most of us panic anxiety ppl we put a whole lot of imaginary pressure on our selves . It would have been weird to start a new job a d not be anxious in fact that would have been very abnormal. Medication only is 1/4 of the solution. Understanding anexity and panic is really the key to this entire crappy cycle ! Once you understand that your not going to loose control, or be sick, out have a heart attack and that the feelings are just feelings, then you will start to over come them. CBT is a life saver, it has the quickest results and with the pills as well it will give you all the weapons you need to fight off this panic.ive been where you are, you are not alone !! Youre case is no different than thousands of others out there that live a normal life, go and see a psychologist who specializes in panic and anxiety and CBT , spend the money, it's the best money you will ever spend. Make sure you feel comfortable with them, and be honest. I'm sure you will beat it, im in the processes of doing it right now too !

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 gymmynzl

      Posted

      You are so right!  The mind is powerful and we get into these cycles of people perceived fear and the body responds with uncomfortable physical symptoms.  I have started meditation and the practice does suggest turning inward to those uncomfortable feeling while they pass.  I know this was years comingwhere I finally burned out and now it seems there’s an element of PTSD when I attempt to re-enter the work environment.  

      I was seeing a psychotherapist and she was quite pleased with my improvement over 2 months...I planned my next move regarding a new job and landed it!  She was quite impressed now I’ve sabotaged it and back at ground zero. 

      It is comforting to know that others understand what real burnout is and it’s so challenging.  

      Thanks for your feedback!  Take care 

    • gymmynzl
      gymmynzl tammy1234

      Posted

      Yes burn out is horrid, and what for ? So that the business did well. I bet the business didn't support you now ! We are all control freaks, we live in the future not in the now ! Dr Harry Barry does a few good YouTube videos which you might like. When I get panic attack I just focus right on it and say , do your worst, after its over I laugh at it and move on. The more you panda to it, the worse it will become ! This is really stuffing with my anxiety and I find my brain looking for scarier things to try and scare myself with now . It won't work as I know it's all just a feeling.

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 gymmynzl

      Posted

      I will look up those you tube videos, your advice rings very true for me, in looking back I should’ve hung in there a little longer instead of quitting after one week!  My inner dialogue was self defeating, I should have contested my thinking.  Well it is what it is and all I can do now is move forward.  Thanks for your responses!
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.