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Hi! Change from Citalopram to Sertraline

Posted , 9 users are following.

haz2476
haz2476

Hi there!

I've been lurking around this site for a while reading people's stories about their journeys with their medication and I finally decided to create an account. The community seems so supportive!

I had my first panic attack a few months ago and it caused a rapid downward spiral into depression and serious health anxiety. I thought my first attack was a heart attack so now I'm obsessed with the function of my heart. 

I got an ECG and it came back normal and got all the blood work done. I was prescribed 10mg of Citalopram to help me out. I had to drop out of university because of the agoraphobia I had developed and I'm now back home with my parents.

I managed to get through 5 weeks of my Citalopram course and although I started seeing some benefits I had two days where my anxiety went through the roof and saw another doctor. He changed me to Sertraline, 50mg. After taking my first tablet my anxiety absolutely skyrocketed, I was meant to be started some Christmas temp work at a popular retailer but had to go home because I had the worst attack I'd suffered in weeks. I thought it was serotonin syndrome at first and I was terrified. I was meant to work today but didn't go because I'm so anxious about my health. I've felt some awful side effects, I feel faint, heavy, like I have led in my arms and legs and I'm convinced it's going to kill me. I'm currently 3 days into the switch because the doctor said Sertraline is better for the side effects while adding that because of the similar interaction of the two medications I shouldn't feel any impact of the change. Yesterday I was sat in my living room and suddenly felt a stabbing in the left side of my chest that caused me to leap up and have an attack. My suicidal thoughts have returned and I feel completely hopeless again.

Can anyone reassure me that I'm safe and nothing bad is going to happen? Or should I return to the Citalopram? Should I stick this out?

Thank you so much, hope you're all enjoying your holidays! smile

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • rstep04
    rstep04 haz2476

    Posted

    I'm 4 weeks in 50mg sertraline and still get all the side effects doc put me on diazapam but kept prescribing it now I'm having withdrawal effects feel like I'm dying most days was only on 4mg daily not really sure whether it's the sertraline or diazapam withdrawal to be honest wished I have carried on with the beta blockers as in my opinion they are safer than the benzos they do say take sertraline for at least 8 weeks to evaluate them properly anyway hope your symptoms improve take care and merry Xmas x
  • leanne1480
    leanne1480 haz2476

    Posted

    Hi 

    I'm in the same situation as you . I was on citalopram for 12 yrs and my doctor changed me to sertraline because my anxety has come bk strong. I'm never felt so bad in my life , I've had sucide thoughts the lot I thought I was going mad.

    I've been on sertline now for 11 wks and I feel shocking so in new yr I'm going by to doctors to get off these horrible tablets 

    Hope this helps 

    Leanne 

    • haz2476
      haz2476 leanne1480

      Posted

      Hi Leanne,

      I'm sorry to hear that. What kind of other side effects have you experienced? I start a full-time job soon so I don't want to have to persevere if it's going to both waste my time and hinder my ability to work.

      Hi rStep,

      That doesn't sound pleasant. Are you going to carry on with the course or ask to be switched to a different medication?

      Thanks for the replies guys!

      H. 

    • rstep04
      rstep04 haz2476

      Posted

      Going to stick it out been on 4 different ones in the past few months and I need something to work for this anxiety disorder think my hormones are all out of sync need to give this one at least 8 weeks as I've taken it in the past and it has worked but quicker last time and no side effects 
    • leanne1480
      leanne1480 haz2476

      Posted

      Hi 

      I felt stoned didn't no what I was doing 

      My anxiety was through the roof , Im not eating much 

      I just felt bad , so irritated and in a perment bad mood , and I snap a lot for no reason 

    • haz2476
      haz2476 leanne1480

      Posted

      Leanne,

      That sounds rather like me! I felt high but without the good bit yesterday. Just feeling very light and wobbly. I've found a reduction in my appetite myself. Least we can be in company on those!

      rStep,

      Glad to hear you're going to stick it out, really hope things start to turn out right for you!

      H.

  • Clare1972
    Clare1972 haz2476

    Posted

    Hey there, the first weeks I had on sertraline weren't great.  At first my panic attacks were awful and I kept ringing the doctor asking if it was normal to feel so bad and to have such bad panic attacks, she kept telling me that it was normal and to be expected in the beginning. I couldn't believe how awful I felt and I barely left the house. I had the same as you with the heavy arms and legs and feeling faint. But they did all pass and it was worth it in the end, I'm now back out the house and slowly getting back to normal. All the side affects have gone and I am really glad that I stuck it out. 

    These are normal side affects and they do feel scary. if you are worried could you go and see the doctor again for some more reassurance? 

    X

    • haz2476
      haz2476 Clare1972

      Posted

      Hi Claire.

      Your post has been such a relief to read! I'm glad your determination has started to come to fruition. How are you feeling now energy-wise? And are you able to relax? I'm so tense when I'm sat down, can't stop jittering! 

      I'm seeing the doctor this Wednesday to review my progress so I'll be able to discuss it with him then.

      Thanks for the reply!

      H.

    • rstep04
      rstep04 Clare1972

      Posted

      What dose are you on and how long before side effects got better
    • Clare1972
      Clare1972 haz2476

      Posted

      Hi, before I went on them I could never relax, I was always like a tightly sprung coil, very veryjittery, over time I noticed that my anxious thoughts had become less and I was able to talk back to them in a stronger way (rather than buying into the thoughts and believe I was always near deaths door). I was so anxious that every ache and pain was anxiety provoking. I noticed that I had the odd evening where I would suddenly realised that I hadn't been anxious for a few hours in a row then a whole evening then bigger chunks through the day. It took time, I didn't wake up and feel amazing but I do feel more normal and much more able to cope on a daily basis.

      At first I was on 50mg then after 2 months I went up to 75mg. 

      X

    • Clare1972
      Clare1972 haz2476

      Posted

      Sorry . Energy wise - I went through a patch of feeling exhaustion all the time but it did pass. Exercise helped even if it was dancing around indoors!! And I had one of those mini indoor rebounders/trampolines, everytime I felt panicky I would get on it to try and jump away the anxious feelings.

      x

    • haz2476
      haz2476 Clare1972

      Posted

      Hi Claire,

      Yeah, I feel very jumpy! It's comforting to know you've been able to combat your anxious thoughts though, makes me much more optimistic! 

      People keep advising me to exercise but because of my health anxiety I'm finding it so difficult to gather the courage to start! Have you found this at all? 

      Thanks for the replies!

      H.

  • cloe46559
    cloe46559 haz2476

    Posted

    I was on 50mg sertraline for 2 weeks then was told to up it to 100mg which I have done for just over 2 weeks. First of all I felt no change and my anexity was bad. Then last week I had a really good week but have gone back down hill again the last 3 days and I get niggling pain in my chest and it goes tight as does my throat along with nesuea and that makes me panic more. What has helped me to stick it out for a few months is some of the positives feedback on these forums. But if you feel like it is not right go back to your doctors and explain everything to them. Good luck. 
    • haz2476
      haz2476 cloe46559

      Posted

      Hi Cloe,

      Good to hear that you've at least had some progress with the medication i.e the good week you mentioned. Have you spoken to the doctor about the chest pain and such? Hope you break out of your rough patch.

      H.

  • karen261
    karen261 haz2476

    Posted

    Hi i know how you feel im on sertraline and i have heaviness in my legs and my head feels numb inside, but i felt like this on other antidepressants. i also have had stabbing pains in the chest, i think its the side effects of these pills, although they all have their side effects. you could try them for a bit  longer, if you feel they are not for you, see your doctor again and ask him what else you can take. good luck
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