Hello all, I love Franz Schubert's music, hence my screen name. I have recently, after a four month break, restarted sertraline for my anxiety disorder. I have been taking the drug on and off for about 12 years, mostly at 50mg but occasionally also at 25mg. Altogether, it has been very helpful for me. After I had successfully weaned myself off earlier this year, I felt great for a couple of months. A vacation brought on insomnia and anxiety this summer (difficulty sleeping away from home in a different setting). I decided to put myself back on the sertraline. I am currently finishing my third week and starting my fourth week in two days. It's been a bumpy ride as many of you know. Below I offer a summary by week to share my current journey with you. I invite you to comment and share your own experience with sertraline or another SSRI in conjunction with anxiety. Week 1: (4 days @ 25mg, then up to 50mg daily) The first week didn't feel too bad (aside from my already existing insomnia and anxiety). I could start feeling the medication do things but it didn't create any extra burden at this point. Week 2: (50 mg daily) More bothersome side effects throughout like feeling hot and sweating, persistent heightened anxiety, some digestive distress (but no outright diarrhea), "weird" thoughts. Also, the insomnia got worse due to the constant anxious feeling. Usually felt better in the evening but developed a fear of being unable to sleep. Occasionally I would have lighter moments of hope welling up inside despite being in a somewhat sad and desperate overall mood. This was a rough week for sure, constantly under tension. Week 3: (50 mg daily) Had some good days actually that alternated with downer days. During those moments I really had moments of feeling "normal" and at peace again. Still had some unwanted thoughts but they tended to be less of a nuisance than during week two. Still woke up in the middle of the night after one round of three to four hours of sleep. Last night, I felt night anxiety and slept less than that. Sertraline anxiety is still present but didn't feel as much "on edge" as during week two. I guess I want to be cautiously optimistic at this point that the sertraline will help me again. I've been through this before, obviously, but need to force myself to be patient. And as you all know fully well, this is hard for us anxiety sufferers. I can certainly feel the medication "working" inside me (for lack of a better expression). But then I tend to obsess about things like: What if I don't get better? What will happen to my life? etc. I am a teacher and have summers off (which is both a blessing and a curse). I have about two weeks left until I have to seriously dig into work again. A bit anxious whether I will be ok enough by then. Currently taking a day at a time. I plan on staying on 50mg (as I have all these past years). Despite the side effects I have foregone additional medication (such as sleeping pills and short-acting anxiety relief). I sincerely hope that weeks 4 and 5 will bring more improvement and much needed sleep. I wish you guys and girls well in your struggle with anxiety! I certainly know how hard it is and can be. Any feedback, encouragement or sundry comments are welcome.
I don’t have a answer for you but I’m also
dealing with the same thoughts you have.
I’m worried about this anxiety not subsiding and being stuck like this.
its been about 40 days for me now and 4 weeks on 10mg lexapro and twice daily xanax.
Hi Certate,
Thanks for your reply. One needs to be patient for sure. I also think that no two days really feel alike. Anxiety can have so many faces. I had a particular bad day yesterday but, surprisingly, got some decent rest last night and feel better today.
Have you had good moments - moments of clarity and without anxiety, that is - however short, since going on the lexapro?
A lot of doctors will recommend dose increases quickly (that’s my impression) but I personally would give it at least eight weeks on a given dose before making changes. From what I’ve read, four weeks+ is often where you turn a corner.
Glad you are feeling better today, I do have times that are a bit easier then other times, my mornings are usually the hardest to deal with and I wake up tired lots and end up taking a nap a few hours later.
Just got to try and stay positive and try not to let the thoughts control how you
feel.
What short acting meds are you taking?
I take xanax twice a day and it helps, but does make me tired even at the super low dose that I take.
I am not taking anything else beside the sertraline. At times, I wished I had had something to take but in the end was too much a chicken to request anything.
Sertraline keeps me awake for the first couple of weeks, it seems. It’s harder for me to fall and stay asleep. My stomach felt a bit queasy today, certainly a side effect. However, it passed quickly, and my GI tract is just fine altogether.
Years ago, a doctor prescribed me 7 pills of Ambien. I used them for four consecutive days to break a cycle of insomnia (one each night, obviously). They did the trick but I hated how they made me feel in the morning.
Yesterday was almost grand with some really good moments. Well, today’s not such a great day. It’s day one of week four. I slept poorly. Morning felt like in a fog with anxiety acting up (at a more moderate level, not as bad as initially). I hope I’ll get some more rest tonight.
Just finished five weeks and things seem to look a bit better. There are good, almost anxiety free days and then there are days where the anxiety is back, albeit at a lower level. I am determined to stay at the 50 mg. My sleep is better but still not as long and uninterrupted as I wish.
I also am doing a lot of meditation exercises that really bring me down to earth and relax me. That’s been the most helpful thing for me during this difficult time.
After a really good day it always is a disappointment to see symptoms return. However, that seems to be a very common experience for most of us on SSRIs.
Here’s to better days ahead!
PS: Moderators, feel free to move my thread to the “sertraline” forum where this might be more appropriately placed.
I’m here with you.
Basically the same thing is happening to me, mornings for some reason are super tough…
How are you feeling now? Im currently on day one of week 4 after upping from 50 to 75. I too have thoughts that i wont get better or never feel “normal” again