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
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
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 ☺
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
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
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. 
Nicola may I ask why you went on sertraline in the first place?
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
Of course, I had panic attacks, panic disorder, anxiety, social agoraphobia and a bit of depression. I only got diagnosed 15days ago and it only started on the 14th December. God knows where it came from as i was so very happy.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Ill take two broken legs and a bald head lol! Well its really nice to have you here along for the ride. My Doc wanted me on 100mg but im thinking 75mg for a week and then 100mg..... Buuuut, i have read alot of stories that people do really well on 100mg and do we just go for it and if its bad we can drop it down cant we??? I am so bad at decision making, let alone something this serious. What are you thinking? Where are you from? Xxx
That's nice you have an understanding boyfriend 😊 Have you been on them for long?
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.
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...
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