Increased dose after panic attacks returned- will I get better?

[Just2kisses]

Hi everyone,
Just a few questions to put my mind at ease (as much as it can be!)

A bit of background- I started my first SSRI in 2005 when I became panic ridden and mildly agoraphobic on my teacher training course. It was citalopram 20mg. I remember the side effects were hellish (increased anxiety, insomnia etc) but anything was better than how I’d been feeling. Within 3 weeks I was massively improved (my dad had been staying with me but I told him I was feeling ok to be on my own. I stayed on the citalopram for 3 years- no more panic (ha!) but I put on loads of weight.

Then after 3 years I came off the tablets and started going drinking with teacher friends (I’d stopped drinking in 2005 as alcohol had triggered my last panic period (along side a crap year). This was a bad idea as I started to have panic attacks. I started back on the citalopram and recovered in a month or so.

Fast forward to 2013 and a gf asks me to speak to my doctor about switching ADs as the citalopram was causing delayed ejaculation. I swapped to 50mg sertraline (no side effects with this swap).


Fast forward AGAIN to 2016 and I had stupidly started to drink with rugby mates. This time I’d not stopped taking sertraline. After a particularly heavy night I rushed to a wedding and felt a dreadful panic come on. No more drinking! After a week or two I felt a gradual improvement.
During this time I also started CBT and had about 10 sessions.
In late 2016 I was going through a tough tile (not panicking) so my GP increased my sertraline to 100 mg. I can’t remember experiencing many side effects.

Fast forward to last weekend and I started to feel dizzy randomly and then woke up on Monday having a panic attack. Not caused by drinking or anything- this time it was stress (work and other issues) and tiredness. I went to the doctor and she increased my sertraline to 150mg. I carried on working but more stress was happening at work so I’ve decided to take next week off. The side effects are really intense- increased anxiety, nausea, no appetite, dizziness, insomnia.

It’s been 6 days.

My questions (sorry for the long read!):
-Could 150mg be too high- should I speak to the doc about trying 125mg?
-Will The sertraline work? I keep reading about “poop out” and worrying that they won’t work for me anymore.
- Will I get really bad and end up hospitalised? When I first had anxiety I went to AnE and was given Valium and I hate the idea of being sedated again.

I’m 6”2, 18 stone (252lb), rugby playing 34 year old male.

Thanks in advance- I promise to put up an update for those going through similar in the future.

---------- Post added at 21:11 ---------- Previous post was at 20:24 ----------

Just FYIs I between these periods I’ve lived a 100% normal panic free life.
For those suffering for the first time it does get better! Especially if you’re taking ADs.

[Just2kisses]

Just an update for those of you checking out this. I’m almost 100% that the dose was too high for me. The docs have advised me to cut down to 125mg and take a break from work.

I’m feeling a bit better- (9 days after I felt like shit and increased my dose, 4 days after reducing it to 125).

If you’re reading this then you should totally check out two people- the late Claire Weekes (you can read her books or see videos of her on YouTube) and Wonderbro on YouTube.
Claire said on one of the video that anxious thoughts/obsessions were just “strange thoughts of a tired mind” and nothing to be afraid of.

Those reassurances I was asking for in my OP were just that- “strange thoughts of a tired mind”.

It’ll pass ����

[Dazfoxy530]

Hi, I red with interest your comments that drinking had set of a panic period. I too think a v heavy Frid night back in early December induced the panic again. I had the usual next day hangover etc but was OK on Sunday. Then at work Monday, felt bad, rush of adreneline, panic attack. I went to the doc and he put me on 50mg sertraline, and by Xmas I felt able to cope with day to day tasks and early Jan went back to work. Was hoping to get better although I didn't feel 50mg was enough. (I was up to 150mg previously when bad) Then went out had 4 pints at a party, and next day and since panic and anxiety has bn awful. I'm now up to 100mg a day. Anyway sorry to go on, how are you feeling now?