Hi i'm 19yr old girl who is feeljng quite alone right now and would really appreciate some help.
I've had severe physical /health anxiety for around 4 months now where I feel butterflies, choking sensations, chest pains. Fixate on them which obviously amplifies them...even though I know its just anxiety.
Started Setraline almost 8weeks ago and I feel so hopeless. Reading everyone's positive stories of how they feel better week 4-6 etc etc has really got me down as I have never felt more depressed.
10days ago I upped to 100mg, expeciting to feel better but instead the physical symptoms are still there, i feel really spaced out, teary and tired all the time.
I really thought i would start feeling better....
It takes awhile, when you up your dose you have to count all over again. You will get there. I started serterline in September and upped 3 times. I am feeling about 90% better so hang in there. You got this!
Hi Nicole I’ve been on 100mgs now for the past 3wks n still getting slight panick attacks and still not sleeping well. As my mind won’t shut off, as soon as I’m awake that’s wen I start aving slight panick . Wen do u think things should start improving? Or do u think I need to go up to 150mgs. Thanx x
I would give it another week. My panic was higher as well but got alot better and so did my sleep. I would ask your doctor to give you something while waiting out the side effects. Like alprazolam it takes the edge off and is fast acting for panic and anxiety.
Thanks Nicole for ure reply.im on beta blockers aswell plus I take a sleeping tablet aswell. I just want to feel like myself again and beable to fall asleep naturally. But I’m such a worrier I worry all the time about my sons well being and also my granddaughter whose 20wks pregnant. I wished I cud stop worrying but it’s so hard. Do u think that once the tablets start to kick in I’ll be able to relax more and stop worrying so much. Thanks x
Oh yes!! I would worry about my health all the time and when I was gonna have my next panic attack. I don't do that anymore at all. I would worry about my kids too. Once it kicks in you will feel so much better. I couldn't even leave my house I was so bad.
I have been on 50mg for over 8 weeks now with little improvement so you're not alone on that. I'm hanging in there with hope that soon they will work xx
I have been taking 50mg for 13 days. 25mg for six days before that. My anxiety wasn’t nearly as bad as it has become since starting the 50mg. I have constant waves of panic now, in addition to fluttering stomach, chest tightness, shortness of breath, neck pain, tingling head, insomnia and soo tired and foggy feeling. I pray you all feel relief soon and I thank you for sharing your experience. It means so much to read you stories. I feel not quite so alone.
Thank you so much for this ! I have really been thinking that there is something wrong with me lately (which I'm sure is not helping) best of luck to you. Please keep me updated 
You are in my thoughts too, hopefully you start feeling the benefits a little sooner
Thank you for giving me a bit of hope, i really thought that there was something wrong with me. Hopefully i'll start feeling better soon...really don't want to give up. But constant anxiety/pain caused by it is awful...wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy.
Hi Felixe, I totally understand you! I was really bad without any meds and after 6 weeks on Sertraline (Zoloft) I thought I might have even been worse! Those who feel better after 4 to 6 weeks are the lucky ones! You have to stick in there, because changing meds just slows your progression to wellbeing. If I were you I'd up to 200mg ASAP and I think you'll start to feel a substantial difference in another 3 weeks. I was extremely bad and it took around 10 weeks for me to feel a substantial difference and at 20 weeks I was almost back to normal. DOn't change meds just yet as all meds could take this long to work. Don't just go on my advice, ask your doctor because everyone is different. I really know how bad it can be but believe me it does get better! Are you seeing a professional at all?
This is EXACTLY what I needed thank you so so much. I'll see my doctor in a couple of days. I don't want to go too high but if that's what i need it's what I need. Anywat thank you for giving me hope that my body is just taking its sweet time and I'll get there soon.
If you are severe, like very anxious/crying every day I’d up the dose but if you are not severe perhaps stick to your current dose. I was severe and in need of serious help. I’m here if you need me 
Are you seeing a psychologist?
Yeah no matter what I do I can't stop fixating on my physical symptoms of anxiety. (Choking sensations, shakes, clenching, chest pain, neck aches etc) which makes the pain worse. I can't think of anything else I just feel so detached from reality, panicky all the time. It started over in September, and before then I was completley 'normal' (wish I never took that for granted lol)
I had an eating disorder when I was around 15 so I probably naturally have an obssessive trait to fixate on things. I am seeing someone but she is not with the NHS. I would see a doctor & try and get an NHS physcologist now but they are closed for the holidays - which sucks as I feel very alone.
Its just odd as I've always seen myself as a very strong person but I feel so spaced out with anxiety 24/7 (never goes). I guess I'll try and speak to the doctor when they open? I just really don't want to change as I've endured this long.
Was yours this severe?
Hi due to my anxiety I feel really strange as tho I’ve lost myself. Did u ever feel like this? N does it get better and will I feel myself again ☹️
Do you have a close friend or family member to talk to? I did and it does help. Yes I was severe but more overthinking than physical pain. Is it triggered by specific thoughts?
How long have you had it? Are you seeing someone? Are you on meds? Tell us your story.
Hi I’ve got really bad anxiety and panick attacks. I’ve been taking 100mgs of sertraline for 3wks now but I feel so detached from my sons and my luv 1s it’s so scary I feel as tho I’ve lost myself. I just want to feel like myself again. Will I ever get there wiv these tablets plz
Debra you will get there, trust me. Within the first month of Sertraline I felt the same, possibly worse. In fact in took around 10 weeks to feel a substantial difference, I felt a lot better. At 20 weeks I was almost back to normal. Can you still do your usual things or are you struggling? Are you seeing a psychologist or other? Do you exercise?