Hi, does sertraline work better after a few weeks?

[Lizzypink]

Hi, I’ve just joined. I would like to share and talk to people that have experienced taking sertraline for panic and anxiety, I’m on week 5 just about. Has anyone had extreme fatigue? My anxiety got so bad at first, sweating, yawning. Then I felt great for a week, I’ve had good days then week 3 shaking in a morning..also short of breath and tight chest. I got past this week 4, then last night felt a wave of anxiety again. Will this get better? I read can take 6-8 weeks to feel full effects of sertraline?

[Eian59]

Hi Lizzy and welcome. I am on sertraline been on for a few months now and yes it took me a good few weeks to feel any benefit from them. I had all the symptoms you had but everyone is different so it’s not the same for everyone. I find they do help but I still have the odd off day, but I feel they work for me. Hope you feel better soon.

Regards

Eian

[Lizzypink in reply to Eian59]

Thanks so much for your reply Eian!

I will stick it out a while longer then, I feel I’m having few better days than before but like you said, still the odd day, like last night, I wasn’t worrying about anything, just happened, I don’t like the tight chest and shortness of breath feeling! Nice to talk to others that have experienced this.

I wish you well too!

Lizzy.

[Heavenly777]

Hi I've been on stertraline for a number of years and I have had similar side effects but they seem to go the longer your on it, you may have days when you feel anxious due to general life experiences but stertraline will work better the longer your on it, after you've been on it a while your anxiety level reduces and you do feel better, in some cases your GP may raise your stertraline 50mg to 100mg depending what works better for you! It will get better, I hope it works out for you, keep your GP in formed on how your feeling as he will know whether to raise or lower your Meds. All the best!!

[Lizzypink in reply to Heavenly777]

Hi, thank you for your reply, it sounds like setraline has worked out well for you! I was really undecided about starting these, it’s my first time on antidepressants..has been rough at times, I’m just over 4 weeks in, just want the tight chest and shortness of breath to go! I will phone the doctors and check about the dose thanks. It made the panic attacks go but anxious days are still with me.

Have a lovely day!

Lizzy.

[Uldalebristol01 in reply to Lizzypink]

Hi Lizzy I’m on week 5 for exactly the same reasons as you . Week 1 had horrendous side effects then week 2 felt great . Weeks 3/4 horrible - really heightened anxiety . Now on week 5 so hoping things will settle down . Spoke to doctor and she may up to 100mg . I have panic Attacks when I drive and I drive for a living -not helpful ☹️. Let’s keep in touch as we are on this journey together . I’m hopeful from what everyone says it will and does get better x

[Lizzypink in reply to Uldalebristol01]

Hi, hope you have a good day today! Yes sounds like we’re on the same journey so far, it’s tough isn’t it, just as you think it’s working, you feel worse again, same for me, one week great then the anxiety strikes again, each day different. I really hope after week 5 it kicks in more, I’m worried about upping the dose from 50mg, I’ve got a phone appointment with the doctor today, so I’ll let you no what she advises! Just want the anxiety to calm down.

Will keep in touch.

Thanks for replying..good luck to you! X

[Elieens12]

I was on sertraline for a couple of years. It does take 6 to 8 weeks to really see the full affects . l found with me 100mg helped best as have GAD and was severe l found it helped me sleep as well as it raises the seratone levels in the brain explained to me by the doctor hopes this helps.

[Lizzypink in reply to Elieens12]

Hi Elieens, Thank you! I will stick with it then, the doctor just offered to up my dose to 100mg, I’m quite scared to do that, as the side effects were so bad for me at first! I’ll stay with the 50mg just for now then see how that works out.

Hope your well!

Thanks, Lizzy.

[Elieens12 in reply to Lizzypink]

Hope it all goes well for you.

[MrRigatoni]

Hello pleased to meet you sorry to hear what you are going through, have just written a post on this.

Please have a look often a good idea if getting fatigue to look at diet.

Need energy to counteract the effects of fatigue .

This means looking at removing caffeine and anything causing tiredness may be useful to consider.

Meds all cause symptoms mentioned but add in water, fruit, pulses, need to look at Pasta, Rice Porridge Oats, Eggs all give energy.

Caffeine mentioned does at first may be considered to counteract tiredness but actually is a toxin and can prevent iron absorption for your diet.

Water at every meal and this helps also the medication to work along with what I have added.

If having will might do some stomach problems use natural Greek Yoghurt with added cultures.

Antibacterial foods are important called Prebiotics and Probiotics these are considered to replace weaken immune systems and loss of bacteria in your gut and stomach.

List includes Blueberries berries general Cherries, Blackberries, Oats, Fruit vegetables. Leeks, Onions, Carrots, Beta Carotene foods which are Carrots, Squashes, Butternut Squash, Peppers .

Apples, Pears, Pulses Beans and Whole grains Bread.

Beta Carotene an antioxidants immune systems prevention of disease and illness, can and does need to be included .

Leafy greens as well Spinach, Kale Broccoli, Cabbage.

Just a few foods useful to look at and should be included.

Fish Oily, white. Use tinned, fresh, frozen.

Due to the intake of meds your taking, when taking a new medicine the anti bodies attack the foreign invader to your systems.

Why can and may get colds, chest infections, so on.

Yoghurt has this the added cultures will counteract any bacteria that is bad you will sorry to say this the bowels and so one will mean might be visiting more.

All medication effect bowels but you can help and be aware of diet needs.

As a gentleman just being honest here, also be up in the night powder room visits being polite this is something you might have to do is consider drinking more water .

To replace lost fluids.

Tea, coffee and energy drinks plus chocolate may be some issues.

Avoid alcohol and smoking.

One has to also have plenty of fruit and vegetable lean meat.

If you a vegan or vegetarian make sure please plenty of beans pulses increased help energy levels.

Also do gentle exercise and stretching use slow movements make a routine is very important as malaise, lethargy and feel the need to sit and do nothing makes every day tasks a struggle.

If tired have sleep naps change routine bedtime wind down I use a afternoon power nap but rarely do if I can help it.

Small task duties do you have to do it all in one go pace it out have a rest.

The whole idea of the medication is counteract the feelings of anxiety as I explained in my post.

About the whole concept, it does also good to remember that if you take the medicine in the morning be effective after a meal as combined foods and water interact with meds.

So please do not be hard on yourself one other thing think of this as a learning educational need how can I improve my wellbeing.

Need to look at other support charities.

Medication for me is one minor aspect it is finding other ways to cope plan and deal with issues.

Long term health issues mean have enrolled in mental health charities lots going on, mainly inhouse advisors and just good staff team who encourage you to look at mental in a empowering and aspirational way.

I have been with my issues a long time reason why now educate and advise others with many opportunities and suggestions, ideas to help guide members like yourself.

I can give those to you if you live in the UK.

richmondfellowship.org.uk

mind.org.uk

rethink.org

Might not be in all areas UK please self refer or speak to GP.

Being asked and involved to do this myself another tag to my name and achievement means one other important relationship my Doctor.

Is that they know you are helping yourself and are approachable asking anything can help with which is useful.

As it is my opinion if you help your self more learn and educate more the illness you have then can be more embracing and can identify any underlying issues.

Please if you have any questions wish to know please do happy to help offer support any thing please get in touch.

Please try not to be concerned it is naturally the way the mind works and this can be making the condition worse.

Please take care.

[Lizzypink]

Hi, Nice to meet you too! Thanks so much, for the very informative advice, I’ve just read all your tips with food and got some great ideas now- you made me aware of changing my eating habits, and looking forward to going shopping now, as I’ve had to cut out caffeine and chocolate, they did make me worse.

This has been a really tough time as I’ve never experienced panic attacks before and the anxiety it’s scary and I felt alone. Great to talk to others that have been through the same!

Thanks again for your help.

Lizzy.