Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: loonarider on October 14, 2020, 03:30:08 PM
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Hi all,
Keeping it short an sweet. But I'm freaking out about taking anti anxiety meds for the first time. I read the side effects and they;re not terrible - but still worried I'd have adverse and more serious side effects from taking them jsut now. I just popped 25 mg.
Will I be ok? Any ladies on it as myself? This is a prelimnary solution until my doc and I venture into HRT territory.
Just a bit of a background - I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety. Hope it helps.
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Hello Loonrider,
I took Sertraline 25mg for 3 years before I stopped and started with HRT. I found it extremely helpful. But- you need to know at such a low dose it does take a while until you see an improvement. I didn't experience adverse effects but as I say I had to hang on in there a while. I forced myself out for short walks each day, read a couple of really good self help books that helped with my anxiety and really really tried to just focus on the next five minutes, rather than looking forwards or backwards.
Remember that some people take up to 200 mg so it is a very small dose and therefore you are far less likely to notice any negative side effects.
Good luck xx
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I hated beginning new drugs :-\ but was so desperate ......... Friends say that this particular AD is really good with few side effects. It does take a while for the brain to benefit though so as suggested, get into a routine - me time, don't look 2 far ahead. I still don't plan unless I really have to.
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Hello Loonrider,
I took Sertraline 25mg for 3 years before I stopped and started with HRT. I found it extremely helpful. But- you need to know at such a low dose it does take a while until you see an improvement. I didn't experience adverse effects but as I say I had to hang on in there a while. I forced myself out for short walks each day, read a couple of really good self help books that helped with my anxiety and really really tried to just focus on the next five minutes, rather than looking forwards or backwards.
Remember that some people take up to 200 mg so it is a very small dose and therefore you are far less likely to notice any negative side effects.
Good luck xx
Hi, thank you so much for your response. It certainly has alleviated my anxiety taking it (kind of defeats the purpose of the pill saying that). And thank you for the tips concerning not looking to far forward or backwards and remaining in the present. Very helpful.
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I hated beginning new drugs :-\ but was so desperate ......... Friends say that this particular AD is really good with few side effects. It does take a while for the brain to benefit though so as suggested, get into a routine - me time, don't look 2 far ahead. I still don't plan unless I really have to.
Yes, have been hearing good things, but sounds too good to be true. I guess honestly, I'm more worried coming off it. Is it easy to wean off it is what I want to know? which is what I hope to do at some point.
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If it works don't look that far ahead? I've been on ADs since 1988. I never think about stopping it. I never want to feel as ill or scared as I did in those days. If it were diabetic or heart treatment ?
The brain needs supporting but mine is up there, out of site out of mind 8)
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I've taken sertraline for many years and I can honestly say it saved me from a really dark place. Wasn't immediate relief but it did help eventually and I am very grateful it was there when I was most in need.
Many years later I'm.still grateful for that help.
Don't be scared as that will just intensify your anxiety.
We're here if you need an ear (or an eye)
X
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I've taken sertraline for many years and I can honestly say it saved me from a really dark place. Wasn't immediate relief but it did help eventually and I am very grateful it was there when I was most in need.
Many years later I'm.still grateful for that help.
Don't be scared as that will just intensify your anxiety.
We're here if you need an ear (or an eye)
X
Hey there,
Trying not to panic, but I took half a pill (25mg) at about 3;30 pm today and I'm now in bed unable to sleep, with a racing heart rate and what feels like a panic attack. I don't think I like this and tempted to call the ambulance in case I die :'(
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Also feeling weird pains come and go around my torso which came on before I went to bed. I'm scared. I hope this wears off fast. My partner asleep beside me.
Do you think it's worth me calling 111?
What if I die in my sleep?
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Breathe.
I too found my anxiety super heightened when I first started taking it. Maybe even had my first panic attack. You will be okay.
What is happening, is that you are now, quickly keeping the seratonin around/maybe making more (which is made in the gut, which is why you may have upset or diarrhea). BUT it takes a few weeks for your brain’s receptors to change to accommodate this higher amount of seratonin. Essentially, it can get worse before it gets better. Maybe not for everyone, but I can attest that I had diarrhea and insomnia and was freaking out to start, and somewhere between 3-4 weeks I noticed a better separation of thought and reaction. Things that would normally get me upset still triggered me, but I had the arm’s length to see that and use my tools to cope, rather than having the upset right on top of me (if that makes sense).
Good for you for taking this step!
As for going off it, I have done that a few times and I have kept returning, sometimes after a short time and sometimes after months. I like myself better on it. I’m a more patient mom, employee, and partner.
Just 3 days ago, I reduced my long-standing dose of 75mg to 50mg and so far so good. I had been feeling agitated, on edge, and moody, which I had chalked up to HRT for a long time. It dawned on me that perhaps I may be able to moderately reduce my dosage if the HRT is appropriate; maybe my on-edge feeling was similar to that initial freaking out feeling. Time will tell. But I will not hesitate to return to the 75mg if it feels right. No sense in being under treated.
Good luck. You got this. BREATHE.
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Hi there, thank you for the informative reply. You're probably not awake, but I had a really bad panic attack. Woke my partner up gasping to breathe, heart rate speeding, thought I was going to die, then I wanted to vomit all at once. Now I'm a sweating and shivering mess and it's nearly 2 am. It literally woke me up.
I rarely have panic attacks this bad. So scary and since I've taken 1 dose, maybe there will be more panic attacks to come and I'm not sure if I can take it.
I called 111, and they want to send an ambulance down
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:'(
Hi loonarider, I was where you were and know all what you are explaining. I am far from better but have learned to deal with the anxiety/panic better. I was advised to go on the same meds but because I already have all the symptoms that these tablets increase as a side effect just made the choice to go cold turkey as long as I can cope. I opted for HRT which not sure is helping with my anxiety but giving it a good go at least until the 3 month marker. After that, if it doesn’t work, I have no idea to be honest! Doesn’t help we are in the midst of 2020 hell :'(
I also called 111 and took myself to A&E and now understand that I am not dying. I opted for CBT which has helped with my intrusive thoughts. Maybe try that if the meds aren’t helping - just to get your mind in a better place? It is interesting when you look at another outcome to an intrusive thought.....obviously you must do what works for you. It’s not an overnight fix, it has taken 10 sessions so far for me to see some sense in the nonsense that is going on in my head which spills out into physical symptoms.
I hope things improve for you soon x
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I've taken sertraline for many years and I can honestly say it saved me from a really dark place. Wasn't immediate relief but it did help eventually and I am very grateful it was there when I was most in need.
Many years later I'm.still grateful for that help.
Don't be scared as that will just intensify your anxiety.
We're here if you need an ear (or an eye)
X
Hey there,
Trying not to panic, but I took half a pill (25mg) at about 3;30 pm today and I'm now in bed unable to sleep, with a racing heart rate and what feels like a panic attack. I don't think I like this and tempted to call the ambulance in case I die :'(
Hi loonarider, hope you're feeling better now. Maybe it's all related to anxiety, BUT just a quick reminder, you are not supposed to take half a pill if the tablets are film-coated. The film coating is there for a reason, it allows the drug to be released in small amounts for a long period of time. If you split the pill you might get a lot of side effects from releasing greater amounts at once and also from reducing drug levels too soon (withdrawal symptoms).
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Hi Sed
Feel for you as I used to have the intrusive thoughts. They led to all.sort of coping behaviours for me like OCD or anxiety etc. I had some CBT and actually learning to stop.running from them helped me a lot. Awful at first but the more I managed to allow them to run their crazy course the less frequent they became and tired themselves out 🙂
Love to all
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:'(
Hi loonarider, I was where you were and know all what you are explaining. I am far from better but have learned to deal with the anxiety/panic better. I was advised to go on the same meds but because I already have all the symptoms that these tablets increase as a side effect just made the choice to go cold turkey as long as I can cope. I opted for HRT which not sure is helping with my anxiety but giving it a good go at least until the 3 month marker. After that, if it doesn’t work, I have no idea to be honest! Doesn’t help we are in the midst of 2020 hell :'(
I also called 111 and took myself to A&E and now understand that I am not dying. I opted for CBT which has helped with my intrusive thoughts. Maybe try that if the meds aren’t helping - just to get your mind in a better place? It is interesting when you look at another outcome to an intrusive thought.....obviously you must do what works for you. It’s not an overnight fix, it has taken 10 sessions so far for me to see some sense in the nonsense that is going on in my head which spills out into physical symptoms.
I hope things improve for you soon x
Thank Sed,
I am currently doing the online NHS talking therapy, it's ok. I will stick with it as I'm not sure I can handle trying different meds to find THE ONE. HRT on the otherhand, is something me and my GP are looking at -the sequential combined HRT. So hopefullly, it could help with the anxiety.
As far as early this morning, it was extremely scary. I actually fainted very briefly I think. Here's the interesting bit; when the paramedics arrived and looked at my vitals - the ecg showed some abnormalities, which thye said suggested may be possible angina/heart attack arising - so they zoomed me downthe Bristol Heart Institute - at this point understandably it exacerbated my panic symptoms as now I it felt really real.
Got there, had about 4 nurses dealing with me, one taking blood, the other blood pressure and so on - only to find out that these parademics had read the ecg wrong! So, an unnecessary trip to hopsital where I've put myself at risk of contracting sasrs cov 2. So was a bit miffed by that, then my partner having to pick me up and miss a day off work!
Anyway, long story short. I'm fine, and the nurses felt that it was the pill that triggered heightened anxiety, hence the severe ppanic attacks.
Hope you're ok, and we will get through this xxx
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It's awful when medication does the opposite to what we expect. I also think that we look for symptoms which may increase the chance of panic attacks - even if I slept initially I would wake to see if I was feeling worse >:(
Rarely - medication can do the opposite, i.e. Ativan made my Dad very agitated. BBs make my neighbour hyper!
Half a day at a time! My worst time is in the early hours :-\.
Hopefully the A&E will contact the paramedic team, usually they are really good! Better to err on the side of caution though. Have a sleep hygiene routine ........
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The film coating is there for a reason, it allows the drug to be released in small amounts for a long period of time. If you split the pill you might get a lot of side effects from releasing greater amounts at once and also from reducing drug levels too soon (withdrawal symptoms).
Hey, wow, ok I feel a little silly now. I had broken the film coated pill in two, and that probably explains the extreme panic syptoms I was experiencing. I'm still feeling nauseous, and a bit shaky, but not as bad as yesterday and thankfully no panic attacks today. Gradually it has worn off since leaving hospital earlier this morning. Now I'm wondering if I should give it another go, but I'd have mull over it for a bit.
Interstingly, my GP recommended breaking it in half so I'd be taking half the dose and then the following week start whole pills. :-\
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It's OK to feel silly, that's because the anxiety has dissipated. However, panic attacks are real! and can b caused by many issues.
Half a dose may/not be of use as 1 doesn't get the benefit of how the medication is designed to work. Also when ever I break one in half, most of the active ingredient ends up on the bread board ::). DH has said in the past "R U trying to poison me" :D
...... and breath. Practice relaxation during the day and when you get into bed. Have U considered taking the tablet in the morning?
>
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If it works don't look that far ahead?
Of course, I really need that embedded into my head ::)
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Like this: :beat:
or : :kick:
or even : :whip: ;). I would look at The Pill for hours B4 swallowing it ........ :-\
R U more relaxed and less freaked?
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Like this: :beat:
or : :kick:
or even : :whip: ;). I would look at The Pill for hours B4 swallowing it ........ :-\
R U more relaxed and less freaked?
Yes, way more relaxed! And that was funny, thanks for making me laugh ;D
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U R not alone! Been there and survived. It can be demoralising when medication acts differently when we Oh So need it to be calming.
Onwards. Half a day at a time ;-)
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It's OK to feel silly, that's because the anxiety has dissipated. However, panic attacks are real! and can b caused by many issues.
Half a dose may/not be of use as 1 doesn't get the benefit of how the medication is designed to work. Also when ever I break one in half, most of the active ingredient ends up on the bread board ::). DH has said in the past "R U trying to poison me" :D
...... and breath. Practice relaxation during the day and when you get into bed. Have U considered taking the tablet in the morning?
>
;D thank you CKLD. I deifnitely have to be a bit more on it with the meditation - I have tried many times, being easily distracted is a problem for me. Will persevere wth that:D
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U R not alone! Been there and survived. It can be demoralising when medication acts differently when we Oh So need it to be calming.
Onwards. Half a day at a time ;-)
Thanks :)
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I'm easily distracted: usually it's chocolate ;)
Off 4 my bath with lots of bubbles.
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I don't want to over complicate the discussion but thought I should add that I broke my sertraline pills in half for 3 years with no adverse effects.
Another thought - it might have been the fear of taking the pill itself and what the effects might be that precipitated the panic attack rather than the pill itself.
I was once given some high strength PPI pills - I googled the side effects before I started them and got myself in such a state that when I took them I started having panic attacks. Nothing to do with the pills just my own mind spiralling downwards. That was what precipitated my need for sertraline! I felt so sick and shaky with the anxiety, unable to eat get out of bed etc that honestly I would have taken poison just to feel better.
It's all so hugely complicated isn't it.
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Hi Gnatty, there are Sertraline tablets and Sertraline film-coated tablets. The ones that have a score line can be split in half.
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/search?q=Sertraline+
But even the ones that have the score line are not supposed to have the dose divided.
'The score line is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses.'
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3501/smpc
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The brain has huge input into how we function.
Any improvement today?
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Hi Uptick, interesting! Mine did all have little lines down the middle... I do know people cut them in half when reducing dose or weaning off etc and my Doc never said anything untoward about it. But I am certainly not in a position to give advice on this, just wanted to share. xx
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Hi Uptick, interesting! Mine did all have little lines down the middle... I do know people cut them in half when reducing dose or weaning off etc and my Doc never said anything untoward about it. But I am certainly not in a position to give advice on this, just wanted to share. xx
Hi Gnatty, I'm sure this is common practice and many doctors endorse it. It could be related to costs, some countries like the US and Canada have the 25mg presentation available of the same drug and manufacturer, whereas here only 50 and 100mg are available. Cutting the 50mg ones in half is the only option. Accordingly, only the 50mg PIL of Lustral (same as Zoloft in the US and Canada, where 25mg is available) says you can divide the tablet, the 100mg version doesn't mention it.
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The brain has huge input into how we function.
Any improvement today?
The side effects have finally warn off and I feel much better. HRT is the way forward I think.
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I don't want to over complicate the discussion but thought I should add that I broke my sertraline pills in half for 3 years with no adverse effects.
Another thought - it might have been the fear of taking the pill itself and what the effects might be that precipitated the panic attack rather than the pill itself.
I was once given some high strength PPI pills - I googled the side effects before I started them and got myself in such a state that when I took them I started having panic attacks. Nothing to do with the pills just my own mind spiralling downwards. That was what precipitated my need for sertraline! I felt so sick and shaky with the anxiety, unable to eat get out of bed etc that honestly I would have taken poison just to feel better.
It's all so hugely complicated isn't it.
The thing is, when I eventually took it, and by the evening I had forgotten - then I started feeling extremely weird, like an out of body experience almonst, and then my heart was racing like it was about to brust out of my chest and I've never had that before.
Not to mention, the panic attacks I've had were not this severe where I basically fainted for about a minute. Maybe it could've been panic induced by the weird feeling that I had while I was lying in bed. My brain felt weird. Can't explain it, like fuzzy?
Anyhow, whatever the reason, I'm just glad those efects have subsided. I don't think I'll be trying it again.
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The head often goes weird with medication >:( - I've got used to it now. The zaps still make me jump though ;D
Little steps ;-)
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I didn't do well on sertraline - definitely out of body.
I couldn't string a sentence together, had to check the chair before I sat on it like when you are drunk, and was up and down like a hen on a hot brick.
I had a relaxing bath for about 2 minutes, then got out of it and when I went to bed I thought I would never sleep, only to crash out then wake up paralysed and getting hotter and hotter - very scary.
I saw a counsellor after that. The doctor said I should have taken it for 2 weeks before I gave up on it :o
Looking back, it was probably the beginning of peri symptoms combined with a very stressful time. I survived on gin and chocolate (probably not the best plan but it helped me), but since have done lots of yoga, pilates, breathing exercises along with dance and walks and nice bubbly baths. I don't think it was the right thing for me, but it motivated me to do other things.
:foryou:
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It's the Trial and Error that wore me down.
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Looking back, it was probably the beginning of peri symptoms combined with a very stressful time. I survived on gin and chocolate (probably not the best plan but it helped me), but since have done lots of yoga, pilates, breathing exercises along with dance and walks and nice bubbly baths. I don't think it was the right thing for me, but it motivated me to do other things.
:foryou:
I so relate to this. I feel that this medication malark is prompting me to find other more natural ways of dealing with this anxiety. ::)
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The head often goes weird with medication >:( - I've got used to it now. The zaps still make me jump though ;D
Little steps ;-)
:D
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I don’t have anything constructive to say, but wanted to mention that the sertraline I take here in Canada isn’t a tablet at all. It’s capsules! I take both a 25mg and a 50mg together (or I did until a week ago—I’m seeing if 50mg is enough at this stage).
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I don’t have anything constructive to say, but wanted to mention that the sertraline I take here in Canada isn’t a tablet at all. It’s capsules! I take both a 25mg and a 50mg together (or I did until a week ago—I’m seeing if 50mg is enough at this stage).
Thanks Shannonplussed, maybe they have decided for capsules precisely to avoid people splitting tablets.
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Depends on how the country buys them ?