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Changing medication - any advice/personal experiences?

Posted , 4 users are following.

rossyarch
rossyarch

Hi all,

I've just hit the 12 week mark for sertraline and other than the odd couple weeks of feeling myself, I haven't really found it to be truely beneficial.

I'm considering asking for a change in medication and I'm just wondering if any of you guys have changed before. Were there any bad side effects etc and did it turn out better for you in the long run? Oh and also did you taper off your origional antidepressant or just switch straight over?

About a week ago I've been getting some crazy ear ringing as well which may be a side effect of sertraline - all the more reason to stop.

Any replies will be much appreciated, thanks!

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

  • beth02382
    beth02382 rossyarch

    Posted

    Hi, I was on Sertraline for 4 months, didn't really have any side effects but didn't really seem to do anything, I went on Wellbutrin for two weeks, it was horrible, then went on Celexa, not really any side effects, it did help, and went off of it cause I thought I knew better than the Drs. I was wrong! I was on Celexa for 4 months, then off for 4 months, was gunna go back on Celaxa and the Dr suggested I go on Lexapro, which is a newer version of Celexa, less side effects and starts to work faster, for me it's amazing, I am so happy and have more energy, it's great for me, so sometimes u have to take a risk and make changes! Best of Luck😀
    • david43118
      david43118 beth02382

      Posted

      Are you talking about Zoloft? I am just starting to go off celexa 3 days now and I have been noticing dizziness and imbalance when walking. Not sure if it is the change. Doing 20 mg of cital and 25 mg of Zoloft. Appetite is not good and some headaches, nausea. Just not feeling right. Was on 40 mg of cital felt like it wasn't working so trying this. Any input would be helpful

      David

    • rossyarch
      rossyarch beth02382

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply! How long have you been on lexapro? Also did it take long before starting to work and is it consisistent?

      Think its time for me to try something else you've made me a lot more optimistic smile

    • beth02382
      beth02382 david43118

      Posted

      Hi David, yes Zoloft and sertraline is the same, sertraline didn't do anything for me, as far as side effects it was hard to tell, I was also sobering up, so had withdrawals from that. I'd have to check it again but sertraline is like one of the weaker anti depressants, I know I've said how great Lexepro(Escitalapram) has been for me. I was on citi and it made me feel ok, but then kind of felt like I had before, so when the Dr said Lexapro, I'm like y not. Less side effects and stronger! I was on 20 mg of citi and now on 10 mg of Lexapro. Which is the same as 20 mg of Citi. Not sure how high they can go on Lexapro. But I have never felt better, I can't express enough how truly great I feel! I hope this helps. Knowing how Lexapro works for me, I would for sure recommend giving it a try!! What do u have to lose?😀
    • beth02382
      beth02382 rossyarch

      Posted

      Hey there, I've been on Lexapro for almost 2 months, and it seemed to work immediately. I really can't say I had side effects, cause it was so nice to feel good nothing really was noticeable. I would say it's very consistent, I mean sometimes I'm not in a great mood, maybe tired, hungry or after work I'm just gunna sit and chill and relax for the night! Like I told David I can't stress how great I really feel. I know everyone is different, but it's great for me!!
    • rossyarch
      rossyarch beth02382

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply again I'll keep laxapro in mind when i see my doc tomoz smile
    • david43118
      david43118 beth02382

      Posted

      Thanks for the information. Will keep it in mind I don't know if I should continue and see if this helps. It has only been a few day? It is very confusing especially when I am not feeling overly confident about things in general.
    • beth02382
      beth02382 david43118

      Posted

      I really can understand that, being that Lexapro is the fourth and hopefully final one I am on. It does get frustrating though, but as u know so well, it's different for everyone, and stay strong!
    • david43118
      david43118 rossyarch

      Posted

      I have a question? I have seemed to be having a very difficult time getting up out of bed in the mornings usually by 12. I really want to get up earlier?? Do you think the medicine will help this eventually?
    • rossyarch
      rossyarch david43118

      Posted

      Yeah for sure, I mean I've had a couple strong weeks where I've felt myself at around week 10ish on the meds. I remember looking forward to the day ahead and getting up at good times to be productive. I also had a lot more energy to do stuff!

      Right now I'm sleeping about 13/14 hours a day which is a complete contrast, but when the meds are working you'll be energised and up well before 12!

       

  • philip46747
    philip46747 rossyarch

    Posted

    Give it alittle longer I had ringing ears up until around 15-16 weeks and low mood and tiredness, but now I'm entering 5 months and I'd say I'm 95% myself still have the occasional heart palpitation but other than that pretty good, even went away to France for a few days and was fine. I have removed all stimulants from my diet, caffeine being the main one, I also drink calming teas like peppermint and camomile, plus rescue remedy helps in the morning and the night time version helps me sleep, good luck, seems silly to change now as your have to taper off sertraline and start the whole process again with another anti depressant.
    • david43118
      david43118 philip46747

      Posted

      Philip thank you for your comment. I will stay with it a little bit longer. I go off the cital completely in a few days then start to increase the Zoloft and then in another week go up to 100mg. I hope it helps!

      David

    • philip46747
      philip46747 david43118

      Posted

      I started on 100mg and stayed on the same dose throughout, dr wanted to do it gradually and increase every 2-4 weeks but I could face going through side effects every time you up the dose, so I had it full blown from day one and like I said it's taken me 5 months to get to where I am
    • rossyarch
      rossyarch philip46747

      Posted

      Thats for the comment, ill stick it out I think. The doctor suggested the same thing also.

      Its nice to know the ear ringing wasnt just me! 

    • philip46747
      philip46747 rossyarch

      Posted

      I know it hard, I've had so many moments when I just want to give up but I just keep pushing on hoping tomorrow will be a better day, it seems to be good if you don't plan things either just do what you can when you can
    • rossyarch
      rossyarch philip46747

      Posted

      yeah I try not to be so hard on myself now days if I feel like I'm not up to something.

      So you said that youre about 95% yourself and it took about 15 weeks to get to that stage but is it like consistent?

      I've got a couple weeks in a row where I feel myself but it never seemed to last before thats why I got bumped up to 100mg a couple weeks ago.

    • philip46747
      philip46747 rossyarch

      Posted

      From 15 weeks I was having 2-3 good weeks a month but to get to 95% it's taken 5 months
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