I have been taking 25mg sertraline for 13 days and have noticed an increase of anxiety to the point I had a panic attack, is this common? Also what does the "poop out" feel like with this medication? I have also noticed I feel anxiety, low energy, and mood from the time I take my scheduled dose 9am until after the medicine peaks about 4-5 hours after I take it, after that I feel normal and have good energy, until around bed time when I get anxious about sleeping because I've been having vivid dreams sometimes bad ones. Last night I had a panic attack and today my anxiety has been very high for most of the day. Even after I took my medicine. I want to give 25mg a full 4 weeks to work but I am wondering if my brain is telling me to up the dose. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Does 25mg sertraline cause more anxiety 2 weeks in?
Question posted by Pam88 on 16 June 2021
Last updated on 17 June 2021
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
Answers
Pam, have you told your doctor about the panic attacks? An increase in anxiety, in fact, everything you described are common for some users for the first few weeks but panic attacks aren't. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a mild sedative to use very briefly until your system regulates.
"Poop out" is something that occurs when someone has been on an antidepressant for an extended period of time, many months or usually years. For some unknown reason the drug slowly becomes ineffective.
Have you noticed any positive effects? Does your mood seem any lighter?
You'll need to trust your gut on this because there's no simple answer other than that you are aware of your progress, or lack of. If you're not satisfied with where you're at then it may be time for an increase. The recommended protocol is for increases (if needed) at intervals of at least a week.
But first of all get this panic attack situation under control... you can't live like that and you need to get some restful sleep.
Thank you WC
The panic attack is the first and only since I started sertraline. Before sertraline I was having them regularly and constant anxiety. But since starting treatment I have noticed improvement, my first week was amazing experiencing mild side effects, this week just feeling "meh" today I felt like my anxiety came back with a vengeance but subsided to mild after sertraline peaked.
I think I know what triggered that panic attack last night..
I had asked a few days ago about seizures and before you eased my concerns about that I googled signs and symptoms and found that a sense of de ja vu was a sign that a seizure was on the way. I thought I was having that sensation last night just before my attack. It was a very quick sensation and the panic attack lasted only a few mins but anxiety and fear lingered all night. I was able to fall asleep listing to some positive affirmations on repeat, bad dreams though.
Woke with vengeful anxiety that's lasted most of the day.
My next appointment is in 2 weeks but I will try to get in touch with her before then to let her know.
I have some Hydoxozine 10mg that was prescribed to me before the sertraline do you think those will help?
Correction: Hydroxyzine 10mg
There's a moderate risk of dizziness and drowsiness when these two are taken together so maybe at bedtime? You're on a very low dose of the hydroxyzine though so it's probably safe enough.
I also took it for a while but with escitalopram (Lexapro) and it did help me sleep.
Thank you WC.
Poop out; become less effective. Are usually common with most antidepressants when taken long term. In short, taken for over a year or more. But, you only have taken it for 2 weeks while noticing few improvements. I’ll suggest you give it time, as the medication is starting to get adjusted to your metabolism. SSRI’s normally take a while to become fully effective(within 6-8 weeks). Moreover, These medications work to alter brain chemistry so it’s a process that takes time, not even a week but months. Also, the therapeutic dose for Zoloft is 25-200mg, so you still have a lot of room to tweak the dose. If you’re hesitant to up the dose to 50mg. You can then ask your doctor to prescribe a short term medication to help you during these rough times until Zoloft(sertraline) kick in.
But, personally speaking I think you should give 50mg a shot.
I hope you get better soon.
Tyrese
Thank you very much for your response.
I know everyone is different
But what are your thoughts about side effects when upping a dose. My first week was amazing as far as progress but I had pretty bad insomnia headache and very sleepy. This week as I mentioned above high anxiety and had a panic attack. I just don't want to feel any worse. I was given hydroxyzine 10mg but been reluctant to take it could these help?
You are right that everyone is different but an increase dose you might experience few side effects but it should be mild and resolve quickly while Some users don’t notice any side effects after increasing.
I have chronic insomnia for over 2 years now. I’ve taken up to 100 mg on hydroxyzine with no problems. 10mg is a low dose but it could be helpful for your night time anxiety. It also have a strong sedative effects. That’s why it’s best to take it at night time, but hydroxyzine will put you asleep immediately.
Side effects from hydroxyzine are normally daytime grogginess or drowsiness. It goes away after 2-3 days. But again you’re only taking 10mg so you will be fine.
Thank you again Tyrese
I think I will try the hydroxyzine. May I ask, did you take hydroxyzine in combination with sertraline?
Unfortunately, No. I took my hydroxyzine with Paxil(Paroxetine) which I’m currently on.
Related topics
anxiety, panic disorder, sertraline, medication
Further information
- Sertraline uses and safety info
- Sertraline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Sertraline (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.