Citalopram & sertraline

Thanks. I haven't tried Paroextine before. Did that have unwanted side effects? Im just scared it will stop me doing the things I do and I will feel awful... I suppose reading other people's comments on here about bad side effects doesnt help.

(I also take propranalol - which hasnt given me many side effects other than if I take it late afternoon/evening I get disturbed sleep and nighttime hallucinations sometimes).

Yes I am going to start cutting down from 40mg--> 20mg -->10mg then start the sertraline. I am worried though because going on holiday on 8 August and don't want it spoiling with side effects of reducing my dose or of starting a new one, especially as I will be in Portugal so can't go and see my GP if I start to feel awful. x

Hi. Yes I found the Paroxetine was best for my anxiety but worse for side effects so I had to change. It's about finding a balance I guess. Do you need to change now or can you wait until after your holiday? On the other hand, a nice relaxing holiday may take some of the stress out of the switch over. You possibly will get some side effects, but it doesn't necessarily follow that you'll feel awful. I can hear that you're scared and I can relate to that. Everyone reacts differently to these medications and since you say that you've had no side effects from the other two you take, it seems just as likely that it could be the same with the Sertraline. Make sure you take some things on holiday with you that can keep you grounded and add a sense of security. For me these things are a favourite book that I've read time and time again, some calming aromatherapy oils and some chamomile tea. Just a little crutch to help get through those extra tough moments. 

I am thinking of waiting until after the holiday to be honest. I just dont want to worry about it, and be thinking about it, when trying to relax! Chamomile tea is a good idea - generally - yes. Always calms me! Do you find the sertraline is very effective for anxiety, as in, it stops a lot of the physical and mental anxiety-related sensations? Did it work within a couple of weeks?

Yes the Sertraline has helped me through a tough time and it was working within about 4 weeks of taking the full dose. (Started on 25mg and then onto 50mg as switching from Paroxetine). It greatly reduces my mental anxiety and persistent, intrusive negative thoughts which in turn relieves the physical symptoms of the anxiety too. I've been on it for about a year now and halved my dose about 2 weeks ago in an attempt to come off completely in due course. I too am off on holiday on the 8th Aug so I'm not going to reduce it anymore until I come back. Like you, I don't want the meds to affect my relaxing holiday with my family. Jen. 

Thanks Cherry123. I am going to try them, but I worry - I just worry about everything and always worrying what could go wrong and what other people think. I told all this to the doc yesterday and after a lengthy discussion I said I would try sertraline. Did you/do you get physical symptoms of anxiety such as feeling light-headed, unsteady on feet, feeling like you're going to fall over, the floor is moving etc? If so did it help with these?

Hi again Jane..yes I used to get terribly anxious..like panic attack symptoms, lightheaded shaky etc but I don't get them any more. I can honestly say they have helped me...the only reason I'm trying to come off them is due to the excessive sweating..it is quite bad & very uncomfortable. But then I may find I have to stay on them. I don't know yet..only went down to 50 from 75 few days ago & want to reduce very very slowly. If anxiety comes back I'd rather stay on them & put up with the sweating..going to gp nxt week for repeat prescription for the propranalol & BP tablets anyway so will talk to her about it then. I'm a dreadful worrier too so u r not alone there but I think these have even helped with that..I'd say I'm definitely calmer. I'd suggest u give them a go & keep in touch with your gp if u have any problems..definitely don't suddenly stop taking them once u do start though. Take care..try not to worry..easier said than done..I know!!

Hi cherry123. I posted earlier but just wanted to say I'm in the process of weaning off due to the exact same reason. The sweating is so awful I get embarrassed when I'm out. I dropped from 50mg to 25mg just over two weeks ago and was suffering with withdrawals of anger and  being bad tempered and sudden high anxiety, also a dry mouth (weird), but it's evened off again now. I don't feel  badly anxious on the 25mg but I'm still sweating like mad. Gonna leave it a few more weeks before halving again. Anyways, the reason for wanting to reply was just to say that it's easy to think that the anxiety is coming back when you drop the dose, when in fact it's a withdrawal symptom and will ease off. I was worried that the bitchy, snappy person of last week was my true self without Sertraline, but I'm much calmer already. Best of luck. Jen. 

Thank u Jen..it's good to b warned about that. Disappointing that the sweating is still so bad though. Maybe it just takes time. It is so embarrassing..ends of my hair get wet & everything. Face & neckline are worst but it's all over really.  Let me know if u have any tips for coping with it! I have to have a towel beside me if I'm sitting down in the evening & I also bring it to bed. Mornings & evenings seem to b worst for some reason..during the day at work it's not quite so bad but I can't figure out why. Please do keep me posted on how u r getting on...I may have said already but I was on 75mg for just over a year & went down to 50 about 5 days ago. Thanks. Take care.

Gosh, I wish I had some tips for you. I'll be out somewhere and look as though someone's tipped water over my head. My head, scalp, face and neck are worst affected. The sweating was worse when I was on Paroxetine - I had night sweats with that - woke up drenched. This is the third time I've tried coming off the sertraline, I think I did it too fast previously as I got the "brain zaps" and terrible withdrawals. This time not so bad - slower the better I think. I'm hoping the sweating will stop once it's completely out of my system. My dreams are coming back too (I rarely dreamt on the full dose) - so bizarre. Hang in there. I found days 6-12 worst for withdrawal anxiety and emotional highs and lows - now I feel as level and "normal" as when I was on 50mg. 

Hi Kim. Well I went to the docs and explained that whilst I was better than I was in 2013, I still had some persistent anxiety symptoms and had recently been feeling very tearful, sad, easily irritated, easily upset and I just feel like a burden. I have symptons such as feeling light-headed, unsteady on feet, feeling like you're going to fall over, the floor is moving and also fearful, not looking forward to events that I want to look forward to, feeling like something awful will happen to me and that I will go mad. So she suggested a change, and she said I can try sertraline. She said it's good at helping with anxiety. Anyway not starting it yet as need to ween myself of citalopram first!

How many mg per day did you take of sert? I have been given 50mg per day.

Hi Jane, I think I started on 50mg and went up to 100mg., at one point my GP upped it to 150mg. but I took myself back down as I never felt that it helped anymore at the higher dose. It worked well for me, was on it for 14 yrs. I decided to come off, I never thought I would stay on as long as I did. Good luck and don't be afraid, what's the worst that could happen? You might feel better! Kim