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17yr old sertraline no good. Advice please.

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Floss1978
Floss1978

My 17 year old daughter was diagnosed with depression just over a week ago. She was referred to CAMHS who recommended medication. She was prescribed sertraline 50mg. On day 7 (today) she had a panic attack that included her fingers locking. A dr has said today that she must stop the sertraline immediately and go back in a week to give the chance for her to withdraw and the dr to research which medication she should try next. Is she ok just to stop it? I am also apprehensive for her trying another medication after this experience. I would appreciate your views. Thank you.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • infintelyseekin
    infintelyseekin Floss1978

    Posted

    Sertraline and other SSRI's take at least 6 weeks to really get into the system and start doing anything, so she should have very little problems if any from coming off them right away. Sertraline is the second medication that I have taken for anxiety, the first being Citalopram, which did nothing for me. Sertraline has been great for me, but as with a lot of medications it's just about finding the right one for your daughter, or the right combination. Don't be discouraged in letting her doctor try another medication or a combination of medications, once you find the right one it really can do wonders.

  • TurtleTom
    TurtleTom Floss1978

    Posted

    She should be fine with none to very little withdrawl but why is she stopping? The side effects can be a bit rocky and if anything anxiety/side effects can get worse for 3/4 weeks and its not until about 6/7 weeks the dosage will peak if she still doesn't feel right they normally increase it to 100mg which my doctor said is more the amount now days that works but can go up to 200mg.

    Becauuse of her age a benzo will be out thr question so maybe she can try Fluoxetine/Prozac

    • Floss1978
      Floss1978 TurtleTom

      Posted

      The doctor googled sertraline and read that locked fingers/muscle spasms were a reason to stop immediately. She also couldn't feel her legs. Thank you for replying.

    • Johncl
      Johncl Floss1978

      Posted

      Isn't it ridiculous that a doctor used Google, we can do that . They are clueless at the best of times .

    • Floss1978
      Floss1978 Johncl

      Posted

      Yes it can be frustrating! My daughter does have access to a video chat with CAMHS so we might do that over the weekend for advice

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