My GP put me on sertraline 50mg 5 weeks ago, I had a major breakdown when my job became unbelievably stressful after a new company took over. I’m signed off at the moment not knowing how to move forward at all, my mum passed during Covid in a nursing home and wasn’t I wasn’t able to be there . I was on the phone to the nurse when it happened.
Like others I was almost suicidal.
I started to feel a slight improvement, but have now increased to 100mg
First week is not good, getting really anxious again, struggle getting up but force myself, worrying about money as on sick pay etc. I was like this to start with, so I’m assuming it’s the dose change? Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks
Increased from 50 to 100 sertraline?
Question posted by Wendums on 23 Jan 2022
Last updated on 30 January 2022
Answers
jakyoga65
24 Jan 2022
Hi. So sorry to hear about your struggles. Just recently had a dose change also. It has been a rough two weeks with the adjustment. And may have to up it again. It is so difficult to wait through the adjustment periods. Keep going. Take care of yourself.
Wendums
24 Jan 2022
Thankyou
At least I know why I’m so bad today . Work want to know what’s going on , but I can’t face them at the moment , they are part of the problem in the first place .
Not sure if I’ll have to go up again
but Thankyou for replying .
Take care as well
Wendums
27 Jan 2022
Still feeling very agitated , hyperventilating on and off will be 2 weeks on Sunday , was supposed to go out with a friend today but couldn’t face it , wonder if the dose is too high ? feeling really jittery.
jakyoga65
27 Jan 2022
I have been on an increased dose for two weeks now. Only feeling a bit better and sometimes awful. Knowing it can takeup to a month to really be effective and for side effects to taper off wears me down. Try to keep going. I know i dropped my dose only to have to raise it again and stumble through the whole process again. My mistake. Take care of yourself.
WildcatVet
24 Jan 2022
Wendums,
Any increase in dosage... and you doubled your dose... may cause new or recurrent side effects and that includes increased anxiety.
Try not to worry too much about it. They're side effects of the medication and generally subside over a week or two.
Wendums
25 Jan 2022
Hi Wildcat
Today I am really hyper , panicky and can’t sit still . When I was first on them I remember being really anxious with panic attacks , but don’t recall being so restless ?
WildcatVet
25 Jan 2022
Restlessness, agitation, and nervousness are also common side effects.
I read your other post about the panic attack and I wonder if this what we call the "roller coaster" effect where you seem to be improving and then it gets bad again for awhile. It's because your metabolism still hasn't fully stabilized.
If you're still having anxiety after this long, especially this panic attack, I wonder if you should be talking to your doctor. Essence of time or a dosage adjustment?
Take care!
Wendums
25 Jan 2022
Thankyou
It does seem pretty extreme today
Sweating as well , but had that before . I have asked for a call back from my GP today to check as I am a bit worried , I do tend to calm down a bit in the evening though ?
WildcatVet
25 Jan 2022
Maybe as the amount of the drug in your system wears off some?
Let us know what your doctor has to say, okay?
Wendums
25 Jan 2022
GP was really helpful , was on the phone for quite a while . He said my symptoms weren’t so severe that they needed to act quickly and suggested a few more days to see if they subside . if not I could drop down to 75mg
so i’ll see what happens , really flaked out now and exhausted .
jakyoga65
27 Jan 2022
Hey just checking in to see how you are doing. Dose changes are very hard. The ups and downs don't help. Nice that you doctor is responsive.
Wendums
27 Jan 2022
Not so manic today , but stomach muscles feels sore , still very jittery, waves of anxiety , a bit calmer tonight but everything aches , maybe because I was so restless for a few days . Getting really fed up now
WildcatVet
28 Jan 2022
Are you still on the 100mg or did you decrease your dose?
Are you feeling any better today?
Don't give up... there is an end to this!
Wendums
28 Jan 2022
Hi
No still on 100mg . Things seemed to have calmed down a bit now , just have a bit of a stomach ache .
Have been out today , didn’t feel quite so nervous , but still not myself . Have you had any issues with slightly’ off ‘ vision , might just be that I’m tired and too much iPad !! Just noticed tonight that my eyes couldn’t quite focus ?
WildcatVet
29 Jan 2022
Abnormal visual disturbances are common but I think your exhaustion is adding to the problem like you said.
Relax, close your eyes, do some deep breathing... that might help give your eyes a break and also calm you down.
Wendums
29 Jan 2022
Thank you
I have got up this morning my left eye is still off, fuzzy like there’s a film over it, my right eye is OK, do the eye issues settle? I had this once before when I was on a high dose of carbimazole for my thyroid, my left eye did the same thing, when they reduced the dose, it settled. it’s my weakest eye. have you had any problems with your vision?
WildcatVet
29 Jan 2022
No, I haven't... but I'm one of those lucky people who have minimal if any side effects on medications.
It's not very likely to be any permanent situation. Just one more pesky thing to deal with.
Wendums
29 Jan 2022
The vision has improved today thankfully , but eyes are very prickly tonight .
Hopefully will go off as I know dry eye can be yet another side effect .
Aaaaargghhh !
WildcatVet
29 Jan 2022
From some literature I just read:
"Symptoms of blurred vision and dry eye are transient."
It'll continue to resolve... :)
Wendums
29 Jan 2022
Thank you, that’s reassuring to know.
i do really appreciate all your advice.
Related topics
depression, sertraline, anxiety and stress, breakdown
Further information
- Sertraline uses and safety info
- Sertraline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Sertraline (detailed)
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