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23 days on sertraline.. looking for advice...

Posted , 3 users are following.

erinola
erinola

Hello! 39 y/o female who has been on Celexa for the better part of 13 years (and many others before that). For some reason, it kinda pooped out on me in the last few years (more anxiety in general, more panic attacks in places I didn't have them before) and about a month ago, I had a panic attack that set into motion daily moderate to severe anxiety. 

My doc initially upped my Celexa to 30mg, but after a week, the nurse switched me to Zoloft. Stopped the Celexa cold turkey and went from 25, 50, 100 to 150mg in about three weeks. 

The side effects have been brutal, to say the least. It's been a long time since I switched anti-deps, so I'm not used to this. I was on Zoloft in my early 20s, but don't remember it being this bad. Going to work, or any sort of obligation is REALLY hard. All I want to do is lie down/sleep. I do manage to get to work most days, but I'm a zombie most of the time. 

General side effects: anxiety, depression, jaw clenching, extreme tiredness/exhaustion, light-headed/dizzy, some diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite. I know these are normal. 

I'm about 23 days in and seeing no improvements that I can tell. And sadly, clonazepam isn't cutting it for the anxiety when I do take it (.5mg) or at least not like it used to.

Nothing sparked this recent spiral into anxiety - everything was fine before. Really good in fact. I'm clueless as to why this happened. 

I'm looking for any sort of reassurance that I might just need to wait a litle longer... or advice. I'm so tired of feeling like this. sad

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • ruth1985
    ruth1985 erinola

    Posted

    Hi erinola, I too had a citalopram poop out after a few years on it - ended up at 40mg before being switched to Sertraline (started off 3 weeks at 50mg, just under two weeks at 100) with no tapering, like you.

    I have been reading many forums, and it seems sertraline can be a bit of a slow burner - taking some time longer than other ssris to work.

    I'm afraid its a case of giving it time x

    • erinola
      erinola ruth1985

      Posted

      I'm definitely willing to hold out if there's a light at the end of the tunnel, but I have seen no positive signs yet. I'm not giving up (or switching) but this is just exhausting.
    • lynda70899
      lynda70899 erinola

      Posted

      I understand.  I am also just holding on. Slept most of the pm. Wary of going up to 75 mg.  I don't need anymore side effects and not sure it will help.  When do you take your meds?  I take my before bed.

      lynda

       

    • erinola
      erinola lynda70899

      Posted

      I take them about an hour before bed. I was having trouble sleeping, so my doc said to take them in the AM, but I was too much of a zombie at work, so switched back to PM. They don't seem to have any direct effect - I'm worn out no matter what. I'm just so scared they won't work. sad
    • lynda70899
      lynda70899 erinola

      Posted

      They will work in time. Believe that they will.  They have for so many people.

       

    • erinola
      erinola lynda70899

      Posted

      I'm trying to believe. I just feel so low and depressed tonight.
  • lynda70899
    lynda70899 erinola

    Posted

    Sorry I don't have much to offer.  Like Ruth said.  This med takes a long time to kick in.  I've read 6 to 8 weeks for some people.it's very frustrating having to put up with the side effects taking so long.  I eat because I know I have to but truly don't have any desire to.  I have been on 50mg for three weeks now.  I am able to do a few things not much.  Find myself isolating. Hopefully it will get better for all of us.  Take care.

    lynda

    • erinola
      erinola lynda70899

      Posted

      I've lost a few lbs, but I am overweight, so no problem there. smile but yes, most days I have to force myself to do... everything. Everything is so hard and I'm so tired all the time. I just keep hoping for one little ray of hope. I do make myself go to work and do a few things, but it's really hard.
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