Advice

[Jwell53]

I came off paroxetine in July after 20 years and started on sertraline 25mg for 2 weeks 50mg for 4 weeks and now been on 100 mg for 22 weeks. Have had some really good weeks but recently the morning anxiety has come back and through out the day I get very brief moments of panic/anxiety just wondering if anyone else has experienced this Was also on 40mg propranolol twice a day for last couple of months. Not sure whether they were helping so few weeks ago went down to 40mg once a day.

[Teddy45]

Hello what can I help you with I’ve been on sertraline now for five years so please tell me how I can help you I’m here if you want to talk xx

[Jwell53 in reply to Teddy45]

Thank you. In the beginning how long did it take for you to feel ok again and what dosage ? xx

[Stantonrider]

Hello there,

I've been on Sertraline 150mg for a long-time now. A few months ago I also struggled and my Dr prescribed Propranolol but this actually made me feel much worse. I discussed this with my Clinical Pharmacist and Dr and stopped taking the Propranolol to remain only on the Sertraline.

There were some external factors that added too my anxiety at that time and I gained some perspective through my talking therapies.

I understand that our experiences are personal and subjective but I found I had not realised how much those new external factors were impacting my thought patterns and increasing my anxiety.

I don't know if this can help but I am here if you need anything.

[Jwell53 in reply to Stantonrider]

Thanks for replying. I have now stopped the propranolol as I don’t think it was helping. How long were you on 100mg sertraline before you felt ok again in the beginning

[Stantonrider in reply to Jwell53]

Over the course of 8-9 months I went from 25mg to 150mg in 25mg increments. It was only then I started to feel some sort of "normality".

Bear in mind I was also engaged in Talking Therapy and CBT during this period.

Are you just medicated or are you engaged in other therapies also? I know Talking and CBT is not everyone's taste but they do help keep my thoughts in check when my brain runs wild.

Hope this helps in some way. I'm here if you ever need to ask anything.

Have a good day. 👍

[Jwell53 in reply to Stantonrider]

I did a six week CBT which finished a couple of months ago and I see a councillor every other week. As I am now at 23 weeks on 100mg and still not feeling right I was wondering if I should increase I started on 25 for two weeks then 50mg for four weeks. So I am not sure whether to increase as I am wondering if I am still having withdrawal from paroxetine which I stopped in July after 20 years

[Stantonrider in reply to Jwell53]

That's is definitely something to discuss with your Doctor. Personally I would speak to your Clinical Pharmacist about withdrawal or increases in dosage as they will be able to give you a little more time and I have found that the Clinical Pharmacist has so much more knowledge regarding the medications and there effects and cross effects (just ask them for a private consultation). 20 years on one medication is certainly a longtime and the Pharmacist should have brilliant guidance.

Are you managing to get out and about? I'm very lucky to have a nice park nearby that I can go and sit in sometime just to watch the world go by and try to feel like I am a part of it.

[Jwell53 in reply to Stantonrider]

I will and see our pharmacist as they really nice and helpful. I have tried to go out all the time. I am a secondary school teacher and had to have September to October off as symptoms so bad.

I went back end of October and have stuck it out. I don’t like to give in but it has been a struggle. I also tutor every night as well as Saturday and Sunday

[Stantonrider in reply to Jwell53]

Wow... You really have a full plate there and a stressful job to go with it. Please remember to take some time out for yourself.

If it's not too presumptuous, I would like to recommend this guided meditation. When my mind is racing and thoughts become troublesome, I use it as a help to slow my thoughts and get myself off to a deep sleep. It really does help for me.

youtu.be/Y0Tf3jN9fWM(Not working as expected?)