Anxiety

[Caz1512]

I have been on sertraline for 12 years originally for depression but last 12 months for my anxiety. I went upto 200mg in feb due to an increase of anxiety. Up until now i have been doing well, 2 weeks ago i missed a dose and since then my anxiety is spiralling very fast. The doctors have suggested i switch and try venlafaxine as the sertraline may have pooped out and missing a dose has knocked it off course. I am so scared right now i need someone to give me some advice

[cat3]

Hi Caz. Both Sertraline and Venlafaxine made me ill, even after the 4-6 weeks wait for assimilation. It took 12 months of trial & error to find the 'One' and I lost the job I loved in the process. But that year of debilitating side-effects proved worth it when the 8th SSRI worked within days, and it still keeps the dark thoughts and panic at bay 20+ years on.

There's no way we can recommend SSRIs to one another as our brain chemistries are so unique ; an antidepressant which restores peace to one person can cause chaos for another. I hope you'll strike lucky with the Venlafaxine Caz or at least find a successful treatment, sooner rather than later. Cat x

[Caz1512 in reply to cat3]

Thank you sertraline worked fine until i missed a dose and now i will try anything

[Marnie22]

Hi. I have taken Venlafaxine and had great results with it. I remember when I first started on it, it was so strange to wake up in the mornings without my insides being twisted up with anxiety. The only thing I would mention is that it can be quite unpleasant if you accidentally miss a dose. As Venlafaxine has a short half life, it leaves your system relatively quickly. This means that if you don't take your dose at the same time every day, it's only about eight hours before you could start to feel horrible from missing it.

Other than that, it's been very positive and effective.

Best wishes. 🌼

[Caz1512 in reply to Marnie22]

Thank you, like i say i have been on sertraline but missing one dose has screwed me up docs want me to taper off and then introduce venlafaxine how long does it take to notice a difference i have read horror stories but beleive me i will not miss a dose, i have lorazapam to pull me up but docs give it sparingly so i take half when i need it, i just want this anxiety to go and the intrusive thoughts and feeling like im crazy

[Leaf100 in reply to Caz1512]

I have taken lorazapam in the past for situational issues, and it helped with being stuck in fear flight mode, but made it so I could not function at all. There is a generic version and the original one - I find they do not work exactly the same. If I took the generic one 2 days in a row it gave me depression like symptoms. The original version does not do that, but I can not function- it is like being so tired the full bi 'do not function when tired' kicks in - even if I have slept.

You may find you generally do better on something different.

I can not comment on these other drugs as I have not tried them.

BI does make people more sensitive to medication in general, and there is a lot of individual variation, so the only way you really get to know is to try.

It is hard, especially whe trying the kinds of drugs that take 2 weeks to kick in and then 2 weeks to get out of your system if they are not helpful.

Good luck, Caz1512. Anxiety is really tough to live with. I hope you find the right one soon.

[Marnie22 in reply to Caz1512]

Hi. I was originally on something else for a few weeks before the doctor moved me on to Venlafaxine. I remember when I changed to Venlafaxine I had a few weird feelings for about two weeks, but nothing too bad. I then felt more of the benefits. I hope that answers what you wanted to know. At the time I really didn't care if I had any temporary odd feelings, I just wanted the anxiety to reduce and that definitely did happen.

[Painting-girl]

Anxiety is horrible to have. Are you getting any talking therapy support at the moment Caz, while you're changing over drugs? Perhaps ask your GP what extra support and options you can access locally, even if it is on the phone, to help you through this time? What sort of support do you have around you now from friends and family?

It must be hard to deal with when you have been ok for a long time. How bad were things before you started sertraline originally? Remember that a lot of time has elapsed since then.

Do you think society coming out of lockdown may have increased your anxiety? I've found it so much harder to manage my fatigue since 'normal' life has started to resume. I think living with Covid in the background is an extra stressor for everyone, which doesn't help

How is the GP tapering you off and on your meds? Is there anyway they can make this easier for you?

Remember you can always talk to us on here.

[Harleyman]

This is what we do isn't it? One of these types of meds poops out and we switch to another. I did lexapro for 5 years, then major issues occurred for me last January, and I wanted to leave lexapro for my mind and body were in a dark painful place. Anxiety was excruciating! But there was also the feeling of being afraid to leave lexapro. Guess it's true...there is a distorted sense of security in familiar pain.Now I'm in the process of getting acclimated to that magic dosage of sertraline....your drug. Isn't this a crazy ride?

"Lean into the unknown," take a chance and see if you can't assume the attitude that it will all work out in the end. Best wishes....Ed