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Getting off Sertreline after 2 days (100mg)

Posted , 2 users are following.

Farseeker
Farseeker

Hi all,

I have two days ago started Sertraline 1x 50mg per day, taken at night.

I have experienced bladder problems; frequent urination, insomnia, shaking and downgraded but persistent anxiety (worse than before taking)

At 2000hrs last night I skipped my 3rd tablet as after going to bed experienced an episode of anxiety (couldn't breathe, felt detached, restless, shaking) worse than anything I have ever, ever experienced.. I came close to calling an ambulance. However that passed in an hour, but left me with residual nervousness and insomnia. I am considering taking 25mg (half a tablet) in a few hours as I can't face another episode. It's the weekend and I can't getto my GP until Monday...

Any thoughts/advice please?

Thanks

2 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • suzanne1963
    suzanne1963 Farseeker

    Posted

    Hi,

    I felt exactly like this, very very scary, but please get advice before Monday! Just ring 111 or go to walkin centre (if you have one).

    They do take a while to get in (and out!) Of your system, but its best not to change dose without advice. There is some excellent advice on here too. Once you feel reassured that its the med that is making you feel so ill, you know that they are working. You just have to get over this horrid time (different for each person). There is loads of advice on here. Dont feel you cant ring 111, they are really helpful and it is a medical need, so thy can g8ve you instant advice. Hope you have a better day.

    Take care

    • Farseeker
      Farseeker suzanne1963

      Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for the reply, 111 advised me to take the tablet I missed and they will check me at hospital later today.

      Thanks again!

      😃

    • suzanne1963
      suzanne1963 Farseeker

      Posted

      Well done! Glad you are going to be seen. It's such a frightening and anxious experience. By getting checked out, you'll have some reassurance and be able to look at things more clearly. Sertraline worked very well for me, but had various side effects along the way. I'm just come off after approx 4 years. Not a good experience, but after a month of nothing, I now feel 'normal' and ready to start over.... life is looking much brighter!

      The discussions on here help to make you feel you're not alone, but just remember, each and everyone of us will have different experiences, so don't get too hung up on negative views about Sertraline (or other meds). Also, it's worth keeping your GP informed about how you are feeling. If you don't tell them, they'll assume everything is going well and you may suffer needlessly.

      Good luck at the hospital today, please let me know how things go.

    • Farseeker
      Farseeker suzanne1963

      Posted

      Hi,

      I spoke with the on call GP and was told that it can be 'difficult' but to take the tablet I missed last night and monitor it for 24hrs, he checked my bp and oxygen levels and said all was well.

      I had very little anxiety going to the hospital but have this underlying anxiety constantly that I don't normally have.

      The panic attack really scared me as my nerves and anxiety don't normally manifest themselves that way.

      I have taken the tablet now, here's hoping for an improvement.

    • suzanne1963
      suzanne1963 Farseeker

      Posted

      Hope your mind has been put at rest now. There are quite a few side effects unfortunately, but after a few weeks, they will subside. I too ended up in A&E because I thought I was having a heart attack, but thankfully all was well. Panic and anxiety seems to differ in people and with new meds it's just understanding your symptoms and believing your not going round the twist. I used to get real tremors and lots of movement in my head (as well as headaches and nausea!), this does subside and you begin to feel 'normal' again, then before you realise it, you actually start living again. Don't stop or reduce the dose as this can lead to even more problems! Hope it's not too long before you feel the real benefits. There is loads of advice on here and it's nice to know others feel the same as us!

      If you really feel after a month or so that you aren't improving, speak to your GP. Hopefully you have an understanding one. They are there to help, so don't be afraid to say you're struggling

      Best wishes

    • Zio10
      Zio10 Farseeker

      Posted

      Try some kind of physical activity when anxiety gets to be to much. Walking helps me an walking with a friend is even better! Sertraline is a good antidepressant but unfortunately I cannot take it. Affected my liver twice. Enzymes went up a bit an had pain in rt upper quadrant or around the last rib on rt. Also,this time I started out low at 25mg for 3 wks. No diaherra. I dont understand why Dr's start out their pt's at such high dosage! Your body needs to adjust to the med. Or you will have some terrible sideeffects. Some can't take it an stop to early blaming the drug when they should blame Dr for starting out on high dosage! Ask your Dr if you can start out on 25mg for couple of wks then go up. Or try it at night. Im currently tapering off. Im at 12.5mg an will completely stop tomorrow . Lexapro didnt effect my liver nor any abdominal issues (no diaherra,etc.) It just wasn't helping mentally but was not on full dosage of 20mg. Only was on 10mg. But it made me very sleepy so took it @ night an gained 13lbs in 3mnths! No way! Walking alot now. That helps with anxiety. This coming wkend here in USA in Texas I'm walking in the March of Dimes walk. For premature babies. Our daughter passed away in 2000. She was born at 6mths. She's our Angel in Heaven. Never really got over it.Depression for a long time but used Tramadol for 8yrs to cover it up. It increases serotonin an norepinephrine in the brain. So when I stop in May of 2014, major depression an anxiety. Horrible feeling! Didn't want to do ANYTHING! Not even Christmas! I have two sons an a husband. Also Caregiver of my 80 yr old parents. So that's why I tried Lexapro an Sertraline. So thinkin of goin back to Lexapro but going up to 20mg on it. Lexapro is one of the stronger ones. 20mg on it is like 100-150mg on Sertraline. Sorry to blab so much. Just wanting to talk (or type that is!). I hope everyonegets to ffeeling better!

      God bless.

      Zio

    • Farseeker
      Farseeker suzanne1963

      Posted

      Thanks for the response/advice Suzanne1963, my only concern is the side effects, I think a lower dose would have been better to start me on, as this is hard to push through.

      I can't work like this and need to get back to it ASAP, I simply can't keep up with the different problems the Sertraline is giving me.

      I now have oral thrush because of the dry mouth so another visit to the GP is necessary which will mean more tablets/meds with yet more side effects.

      Crikey!

    • Farseeker
      Farseeker Zio10

      Posted

      Hi Zio, thanks for the feedback.

      To go through all that and be a mum of two, wife AND caregiver?

      Wow. Inspiring stuff!

      You are an example of just what is possible if you don't give up.

      (For my part nerves/stress would set off my IBS making things difficult or impossible, these meds seem like a bit much)

  • Farseeker
    Farseeker

    Posted

    Really struggling with this anxiety... I don't normally have it, it seems like a huge contradiction in terms.

    I can't relax, sleep easily, eat, stop shaking, dry mouth/cracked lips/urinating more, and have shortness of breath, no sex drive.. and had a massive anxiety attack last night.. I have taken THREE.

    I do so wish I'd not taken them as I don't suffer with daily anxiety.

    Sorry to rant on.

    • Farseeker
      Farseeker

      Posted

      To finish, I saw a GP at the hospital this afternoon and she advised me to stop taking Sertraline, as the side effects are worse than the problem they where prescribed for.

      I am going to cease taking them, only had three over four days the GP advised that this was fine to stop immediatly.

      Feeling anxious now, hopefully that will pass soon...

    • Farseeker
      Farseeker

      Posted

      48hrs since my last tablet - feeling better but still not back to normal yet, irregular heartbeat and anxious, still no appetite.
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