Im currently on 75mg in week 5/6 and had a horrible anxiety attack whilst driving today. I'm not normally down (im taking sertraline solely for anxiety) but this is so depressing to have to face the reality that these may not be working for me. I actually can't quite figure out if I feel worse. The anxiety attack is somewhat different to before ads...I get this surge/rush up to and around my chest but not in my chest, I've had tingling in my çalves and feet on other anxious occasions, which I never had before. The whole thing does seem to pass slightly quicker but doesn't really feel any less terrifying. I really don't know what to do. (I'm also taking 20mg propranolol in the morn and 20 in the aft). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. X
i would make an appt with your GP, so many people have so many different side effects that it's hard to distinguish if they need their dose increasing kikidee so i would go and see your doctor instead of just increasing or decreasing. if you've been on 75 for 5-6 weeks it usually takes between 8-9 in my experience with it so either wait a bit longer or if you can't bear it (which i would totally understand if you couldn't) go back to your doctor, you may need increasing :-)
Hi, thx for reply This is exactly what I've been on...
Wk 1 = 25mg
Wk 2 = 50mg
Wk 3 = 50mg
Wk 4 = 50mg
Wk 5 = 75mg
Wk 6 = 75mg (starting on Saturday)
How do u know it's really working? I'm just so down as I had had some good days but now it feels like a) it's not really suited to me or b) it kind of is working but is very hit n miss...so what way is that to live? I've started getting itchy skin since 75mg. My gp reckons if yr having some side effects, altho unfortunate, it most likely demonstrates it'll work for you? Xxx
Hi Kikidee76. I've been in the same boat as you. I started off on 50mg and increased up to 100mg. Generally it takes about 6 weeks or longer to begin to feel the full effects of the medication. When I first started taking it i expected that one day I would wake up and feel happy. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. But you will no doubt notice a gradual change it your mood. I had side effects for the first two months or so of taking the medication, but these stopped once my body got used to the medication. So hopefully your skin will stop being so itchy if it is the medication thats causing it.
I second what gingemac1977 said if side effects are bothering you then maybe you should speak to your doctor. Or you could also go to a local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for advice.
Hi Amy-Lou and thx for your reply
Can I ask how long u were on 50mg for when u increased to 100mg? And did u notice any changes/side effects? Is it anxiety and/or depression if u don't mind me asking...it's only so I can directly compare my experience as mine is solely anxiety.
I can easily put up with all the side effects IF it means a decrease in my anxiety, what I'm most concerned with is I feel it may have actually increased the anxiety somewhat so I'm trying to hold out for 8 weeks before deciding either to slowly wean off or increase. I spose im just trying to gauge how u know whether it's a case of them not being suitable or needing to up the dose. Patience is a virtue n all that!! xx
Hi Amy-Lou and thx for your reply
Can I ask how long u were on 50mg for when u increased to 100mg? And did u notice any changes/side effects? Is it anxiety and/or depression if u don't mind me asking...it's only so I can directly compare my experience as mine is solely anxiety.
I can easily put up with all the side effects IF it means a decrease in my anxiety, what I'm most concerned with is I feel it may have actually increased the anxiety somewhat so I'm trying to hold out for 8 weeks before deciding either to slowly wean off or increase. I spose im just trying to gauge how u know whether it's a case of them not being suitable or needing to up the dose. Patience is a virtue n all that!! xx