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Woke up with intense anxiety, feeling like I was dying on day 3.

Posted , 9 users are following.

Aphia
Aphia

I was prescribed 50mg of sertraline for anxiety/social anxiety and yesterday I took my third tablet. I went to bed at 11pm and woke up at 2am feeling like I was about to die. I was hyperventilating, dizzy, felt like I was going to faint, couldn't stop shaking, my hands went cold and got pins and needles... it was horrible.

I got up and went to the toilet thinking maybe it would calm me down, but I really felt like I was dying. I wanted to call an ambulance because I was so terrified of what was happening to me.

After about half an hour I'd calmed down a bit and stopped shaking, but was very worried about it happening again, which it actually did about at about 4am. I hadn't gone back to sleep after initially waking up and I didn't manage to get back to sleep at all last night because was so worried about waking up again with the same thing.

I wanted to see my doctor and talk to him about it, but managed to see a nurse instead. She basically said side effects are to be expected and to carry on taking the tablets.

I was expecting some side effects, but not this severe. I'm still not completely sure what happened to me - it seems like I might have woken up mid panic attack and had no idea what was going on which just made it all the worse.

I have had panic attacks occasionally before, but never ever anything even close to the intense feelings I felt last night.

Is this normal? Has anyone else had these kind of feelings? I'm honestly kind of scared of going to bed tonight for fear of waking up like I did last night, although if I do hopefully I'll be more aware of what's happening.

0 likes, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • karen261
    karen261 Aphia

    Posted

    Hi Aphia

    Ive been on sertraline for nearly 3 years. and i havent had this happen ive got loads of other side effects. i sometimes wake up in a  panic and shout, but not to the extent youve said. if i was you id go back to your doctor and ask him what he thinks. how long did you say youd be on them?  maybe dont take a tablet for a day and see how you feel.  i can understand how you feel, it must be awful feeling like that!  i do hope it gets better for you.

    • Aphia
      Aphia karen261

      Posted

      Hi Karen

      He didn't say exactly how long, just wanted me to come back in 2-3 weeks to see how I was getting on and discuss it. Was slightly annoyed that I couldn't speak to my doctor about it today but the nurse I saw seemed to know what she was talking about... still, might try to speak to my doctor tomorrow.

      How bad are your side effects after 3 years? The more I read about this drug the less I want to take it, but I know it's different for everyone!

  • AdamE
    AdamE Aphia

    Posted

    I had the same thing on day 3 of Sertraline. Today I cut my pill in half. With this medicine it's almost better to start slow. Some even start at 12.5mg.  I started at 25mg with side effects but nothing crazy until I jumped to 50mg 4 days later. My 3rd day I had to call in sick from work. I couldn't function at all. Went to urgent care and everything. 

    If it's that bad I'd urge you to talk to your doctor right away and see if they will let you cut your dose for a few weeks at least. Until it's in your system so when/if you do decide you need to go to 50mg the side effects won't be so harsh.

    • Aphia
      Aphia AdamE

      Posted

      I did read the leaflet that came with it that said for social anxiety sufferers the starting dose is usually 25mg, but I thought the doctor knew best so didn't question it really. After the nurse told me to keep taking it I took the full 50mg today but starting to wonder if that was a bad idea.

      I'll definitely see if I can talk to my doctor tomorrow. I left work early on Tuesday and have been off since, but am also suffering with a sinus infection which isn't helping. Even without that though, I definitely wouldn't have been able to go in today.

    • AdamE
      AdamE Aphia

      Posted

      Take care of yourself. Remember, it's your body. The doctors might not know how severe it's feeling for you right now.  Definitely take it slow. I'm a Social Anxiety one too. smile  I have a lot of physical symptoms which this med amped them up 10X. I couldn't handle the 50mg at all. At least not yet.  Keep in touch. We can tackle this together. Seems we're trying this out at the same day for the same reason. smile
    • papote53
      papote53 Aphia

      Posted

      Yes, its 25mg.  But this works different on all of us for example.  I take a pill which is once weekly and is not for anxiety or depression- The lowest dose is 0.5  The Doc started me on 0.5 but after a few months I suggested to try with half which he said it will do nothing for me but still gave me the ok.  Guess what?  I have been on this for 7 years and it has done the job. ;-)
  • paul32149
    paul32149 Aphia

    Posted

    Hi Aphia

    ​I would suggest dropping down to half a tablet for the first week so your body can get used to it then increase to full dose the following week that worked for me. Although it was still not nice for a few weeks i found it managable.

    • Aphia
      Aphia paul32149

      Posted

      Hi Paul

      Definitely think I want to do this because I really don't want a repeat of last night. Going to see if I can talk to the doctor tomorrow morning. What side effects did you experience, and do you know how many weeks it took for them to start easing off a bit?

    • paul32149
      paul32149 Aphia

      Posted

      Yes i dont blame you sounds awful! For the first week i had heightened anxiety and also felt a bit nauseous, this was worst on 4th day then eased off towards end of week then i upped does for second week and similar again but not quite as bad this eased off by the end of the second week. Hope all goes well.

       

    • Aphia
      Aphia paul32149

      Posted

      Yes, it wasn't a fun experience! That definitely sounds more managable, thank you.
  • papote53
    papote53 Aphia

    Posted

    Your best option is to take half for a few days.  Now, at what time are you taking this pill?  You can easily loose sleep and get depressed even more so maybe taking on day time that 1/2 pill is a good way to start.
    • Aphia
      Aphia papote53

      Posted

      I currently am taking it in the mornings between 7am-8am. Didn't take until 10am today as I wanted to see what the nurse said, but I wake up at 7am for work during the week so will aim to take it then usually.
    • papote53
      papote53 Aphia

      Posted

      Good, so going down to half for a few days sounds like a good idea. ;-)  Hope it works for you. ;-)
  • Guest
    Guest Aphia

    Posted

    im currently on my 4th week on being on 12.5 my first day on 25 mg was too much i started taking half the dose increased anxiety really does suck im hoping to start seeing better says soon
  • HopefulDee
    HopefulDee Aphia

    Posted

    Yes unfortunately it IS common when you first start.  I too had terrible feelings the first few weeks and I still am and i'm 3 weeks started now.  I just increased my dose (my dr suggested) from 50 to 75 mg.... I may need 100 mg?...  but I too woke up last night around 3 a.m. very jittery and nervous.  I was able to work through it; but unfortunately DID have to take a 1/2 of a xanax to help  me through it.   I was so hoping the 75mg would be my answer, but I guess it's still working into my system.   HANG in there because from what I hear ONCE it starts to work, it REALLY will...    Those feelings go away and you are scott free!!!  So hang in there, I know EXACTLY how you feel, it happens to me too...  I am only just started on this medication 3 weeks, I too have MORE anxiety now than every before... BUT it's the adjustment phase.  Hang in there.... smile
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