Posted , 4 users are following.
I've been on Sertraline for 15days at 50mg and the side effects i have are the worst panic attacks and disorder and severe anxiety i have EVER experienced. I spoke to my Doctor who wants me to go up to 100mg! Surely this will make me worse?? Any advice would be greatful please x
0 likes, 35 replies
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taylor41 nicola32634
Posted
Hello Nicola, only 15days is kinda a short duration to up your dose. Your doctor should keep you on one dose for at least a month before hoping, they're not giving it enough time to get in your system. Instead ask for a benzo in the mean time. I gave 25mg a month, 50 mg 6 weeks and upping again soon. It's better to give low doses a longer time to get in your system to avoid upping. What I do know is it gets worse before better as I am not back to myself yet nothing compares to when I first started sertraline. You have to kinda just tough it out
nicola32634 taylor41
Posted
Hi Taylor, thank you so much for replying. I did think this also, but she said that because of such bad side effects i need to increase? Im debating going up by 25mg and i have some diazepam to help now, before i didn't have anything so maybe the side effect will ease off? Im hoping anyway. I hope you feel amazing real soon ?
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
Hey Nicola *hugs*
I know how difficult it is. My anxiety sky-rocketed when I upped from 25mg to 50mg. Been on 50 for 11 days now and it's marginally getting better. One thing to keep in mind, is that 50mg is quite a weak dose. for example, 50mg is the equivalent of 5mg of Lexapro (another SSRI) which is a very weak dose (The standard most people start on with Lexapro is 10mg). Going to 100mg is seen to be a fairly standard dose for many people.
One of the reasons why you COULD be reacting badly, is because the dose is too weak. The thing is, if 100mg is just way too much for you, you can always drop back down to 50mg for another while, until you feel confident to go back up to 100mg again.
Just know that you're not the only one suffering from bad side effects, so please don't think you're going crazy or anything like that. If you can manage the symptoms, you'll manage just about anything in life! x
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
Hey thank you for replying... That's what my Dr said that is wasn't enough, im just so frightened as on the 50mg i am an absolute mess and im scared it will make it worse. But i suppose i won't know until i try will i. God this is so hard isn't it. Its been 15 days and feels like weeks longer.
Your information and really made me feel better about the quantity i am taking though. 😊 i hope you are doing well xx
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
You're welcome Nicola!
I know, but if you think about it, what can be worse than a panic attack? I mean, yeah, they're ****ing horrible! I've had my fair share of them and I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. But, really, things won't get worse. Sertraline is only designed to increase serotonin, it's not a psychoactive drug so it's not going to change who you are, or going to change how you think.
The best thing you can do, is just see it as an experiment. I know being a human gineau pig isn't fun, but the drug is a trial-and-error sort of drug, so there is a certain level of testing involved. If you look through the forum, you'll find many people who this drug has done wonders for, after all the horrible symptoms they went through.
taylor41 nicola32634
Posted
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
Now that is very true. I have such bad attacks i end up in A&E 😣 Right im going to be brave and up the dose tonight. Like you say i cant feel any worse than i do during the days anyway. I've very lucky that i am symptom free in the evenings.
How are you Sam? Are you happy with how your journey is going? Xx
nicola32634 taylor41
Posted
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
Oh god, that's going to be a long story, but I won't bore you with the details
. Things are the hardest I've every found them in the 32 years I've been on this planet.
My side effects, while I've not panic attacked on them, I've suffered badly from de-realization and depersonalization (if you know what they are). I would prefer one panic attack a day than have to suffer that constantly. I am seeing small improvements though, and what's been helping me is to continue being honest with people about how I feel, and keep looking for help.
It's those who are are unfortunately too scared and too prideful to seek help, typically have the worst time. Open communication about how you feel is so important. I hope you're doing that yourself
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
You sound quite a lot like me Nicola. Chronic Dysthemic depression and GAD is what I deal with. I don't deal with agoraphobia in a direct sense (I'm fine with open spaces) but I find that there's so much visual information outside, moving objects, sounds...lots of energy...I tend to get panicky sometimes when my mind is trying to digest everything it's seeing, sensing etc.
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
I have read a little about them yes, they sound awful 😔 I am very happy to hear you have improvements, even if slight 😊 this means you are winning and can see that light at the end of this dark tunnel.
And i totally agree with you, this place has been a god send to me as i felt so alone. Everyone i have spoke to including yourself are lovely and so caring. Its an amazing supportive place that I wish everyone with these illnesses knew about xx
taylor41 nicola32634
Posted
Yes what I am now isn't me at all I was never this bad .... it all started on October 23rd... I had some anxiety but was always able to control it ... it's terrible now
nicola32634 taylor41
Posted
Im really sorry to hear that Taylor 😔 And if you ever nee to chat you can message me anytime you like. I know its really hard but i do find talking about it helps. Have you got a good support network? I don't, that's why i joined here as everyone is so kind caring and helpful.
What are you taking? If you don't mind me asking xx
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
Funnily enough, I'm in the same boat you are. I just posted on here about an hour ago whether to go to 75mg or 100mg next. I was at my Psychiatrist earlier today and they weren't much help.
It's not like taking paracetamol. I'd rather have a broken leg than deal with this! :P
taylor41 nicola32634
Posted
Yes my boyfriend is super supportive, my sister also, my parents are kinda but are busy. I'm on sertraline 50mg and xanax as needed .25mg but I don't like taking that a lot
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
nicola32634 taylor41
Posted
That's nice you have an understanding boyfriend 😊 Have you been on them for long?
taylor41 nicola32634
Posted
Yes he's on sertraline too, he has depression and has been through it so he is my biggest supporter. I've been on it for two months, one months 25mg and 6weeks on 50mg. I got these from my GP which I don't suggest doing cause she doesn't know what she's doing hence me waiting
For my psych appointment on the 24th. My boyfriend told his psychiatrist everything that's been going on with me, he said I should be on 100-150mg and should be fine by now. He basically said my GP screwed me over and I should've started on 50 and moved up a lot faster.
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
Ok, I've decided to go for 75mg tonight. We'll see how that goes. I'll take it for 3/4 days....see how that goes and if nothing gets worse, I'll up it to 100mg then.
Softly softly catchy monkey...
I'm from Ireland
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
Okay Sam then i will do that with you 😊 at least we have someone taking the same mg at the same time. How does that sound to you? Ireland is meant to be beautiful! Im on the isle of Wight ?
nicola32634 taylor41
Posted
Oh no that's awful, im sorry to hear that 😔But at least now you know what you have to do. And having your boyfriend experienced in this illness must be amazing, im so glad you have that support and i really hope you manage to get better and under control asap xx
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
Yeah!
That sounds like a plan! If it makes more sense to you to also take 75, do that. The Isle of Wight? Never been there, but we're technically neighbours
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
Yes it feels like i am more in control talk ng 75 although i do have a little anxiety ATM which in don't normally get in the evening. It is worrying but hey 50mg is such a low dose a lot of people are on 200mg and that works for them. Baby steps for us neighbour! ?
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
Exactly!
The additional anxiety you're feeling right now might just be the apprehension of taking the updose. I know I've been nervous before an updose as you're fearful of the possible reactions. I take my meds at around 8pm most nights. I've tried a few times of the day, and found around this time seems to have less impact on my sleep.
Though, the updose might bring my sleep disturbances back, I'll just have to wait and see!
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
Its good we are starting to understand our symptoms however bad they are i suppose! I take mine at midnight as i don't sleep before. I spend so much of the day in such a state i like to enjoy my evenings feeling "normal" x i got some diazepam to take so hopefully that helps in the morning! Xxx
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
Awesome.
Peoples situations are so different. My environment compounds my symptoms as I live in a very stressful environment, so I know that once I'm out of here, I'll be able to manage things more effectively.
Just remember this.....If you can get through the worse symptoms that our condition, and these meds throw at us, you will be able to manage anything, and I mean any other hardship in your life so much easier.
Try to see what you're experiencing as a challenge, that will benefit you further down the line. Going through the sh*t, gives you great perspective on the great.
michelle46271 nicola32634
Posted
nicola32634 michelle46271
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michelle46271 nicola32634
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Hi
The reason I'm asking is that it could be the beginning of the perimenopause stage. You never know.
Samrock michelle46271
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I'm 32
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
I slept ok. I did wake up earlier like I did when I first started the 25mg. It's waking up completely alert, no grogginess. It's so odd. Usually when I wake up normally, I need a good 30 mins to wake my body up.
When I wake pre-maturely, and it seems to be related to the meds, I wake up and just open my eyes, as if I was just resting them. Apart from having a very vivid dream, I feel not much different than yesterday morning.
How did you sleep?
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
Ah that's not too bad then.
I slept okay aabi took 10mg diazepam. I woke with another panic attack but that's normal 😢 i took 5mg diazepam and the attack has stopped I'm just left with anxiety and i feel like a zombie. Its got to pass soon im really miserable today xx
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
I hope you leave that environment real soon hun 😊 for me it all came out of the blue on 14th December. We have no idea why, i have also been so outgoing and confident its the worst and if i have to continue like this i don't know what i will do. I don't feel positive at all today. I was hoping i would be feeling better a bit but im worse 😢
Samrock nicola32634
Posted
Ugh, I'm sorry!
How are you feeling worse today?
The thing is, it's not coming out of nowhere. I was the same. When I had my first panic attack, the day when it happened, I was feeling great!
I was the healthiest I had ever been in my life, I was calm, relaxed and having a nice day of shopping, when it just hit me out of nowhere.
The thing is, usually when it's seen to come out of nowhere, the issue is residing in your sub-conscious, or buried away. Issues that are left unresolved don't go away on their own. They're slowly eroding away in your mind in the background.
The only advice I can give you on this, is have some self-reflection and look at the issues you've had in your past, if nothing is jumping out at you right away
nicola32634 Samrock
Posted
I was the same! Out Christmas with my sister and my new baby nephew, i was having an amazing day! And yes you're right there has been alot happen to over the years but i always shove it away and move on.
The diazepam has helped so much with my attacks today x i just feel so miserable and keep crying xxx