Sertraline - HELP!!!

[Peritas]

I know theres a general 6-8 week side effect rule with SSRI's. I took Fluoxetine 20mg for 4 weeks which was prescribed for some anxiety and panic attacks. (started 5 weeks ago). The first week was fine, but week two onwards, I was a complete wreck, waking up in the morning crippled with anxiety, crying, depressed. This went on day after day. Completely paralyzed with anxiety, crying most of the day with severe anxiety. After 4 weeks on Fluoxetine, my doctor moved me to Sertraline 50mg, with 1 days gap of no meds in between. (which is now 1 week ago)

I've been on the Sertraline 7 days now, and i'm still a complete, unbearable mess. Nothing has changed. Yesterday, the doctor suggested I go up to 100mg, but i'm worried this will make me EVEN worse!

Does the 6-8 weeks time span start from scratch again, when you switch or can I take into account the 4 weeks I took Fluoxetine for as well, as I moved from one SSRI to another?

(I took 150mg of sertraline between 2013 and stopped last September with no issues, and don't remember these side effects when starting at that time so thought taking it again, I would be fine).

[hypercat54]

Hi I am on sertraline and started on 100 mg. This wasn't doing anything and made me feel worse so she put me up to 150 mg and the difference was amazing. So I would feel hopeful that 100 mg instead will help you.

I do know it will take up to 6 weeks for the sertraline to start helping and if you were fine on it before there is no reason why you shouldn't be again. x

[Peritas in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks for replying...how long were you on 100mg before increasing?, and how quickly did the increase make a difference?

I'm worried about increasing, when I've only been on the 50mg for a week, and it'll just make the side effects I already have, even worse.

[hypercat54 in reply to Peritas]

Do you know I can't remember as it's a few years ago now. I don't remember it being that long - say around 2/3 weeks.

It doesn't mean that side effects will become worse necessarily the higher the dose and you do need it to the strength that it will help you. x