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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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  • jack38240
    jack38240 haz2476

    Posted

    Hi

    I've been taking Sertraline for about four weeks now. I work as a permanent employee too.

    I have to say, I felt extremely bad during the first stages, I know what you're going through. I was originally on Fluoxetine, But during the first two weeks, this made me unable to work, drowsy, dizzy & tired, pretty much had a bad term with these so I was put straight on to Sertaline.

    I started on the small dose of 50mg a day, during the first few weeks it was extremely hard. I had various stages of side effects, heaviness, couldn't move much, couldn't drive anywhere, no motivation, & difficulty with orgasm (which was a big pain....).

    I had some very bad turns, I've been suicidal, taken overdoses and hurt myself very bad. I can tell you that these do make you feel worse before they make you feel better. I haven't started feeling any better yet after having my dosage doubled (100mg now) since this. Luckily I've had support from my employer, and family and friends - This makes things a lot easier by the way, if you have someone to talk to about what's going on.

    I've spoken to my GP & also psychiatrist, they have advised me to allow up to 6-8 weeks before feeling any better (I was prescribed diazepam before suicidal tendancies appeared, but got off it as soon as I could to stop the withdrawel).

    You can have various side effects on these, if there's any serious ones, you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible. I've had to have numerous visits and been thrown back and fourth between crisis teams, my GP, psychiatrist, but in the end you will get there. Just persevere.

    If you have any of the below symptons you need to either speak to your GP straight away, or call 111 to speak with a doctor to see whether you need medical attention or not (better to be safe than sorry, they can be helpful and have a doctor speak to you within the hour).

    very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;

    agitation, hallucinations, fever, overactive reflexes, tremors;

    nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; or

    headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

    I hope my experiences and information help you and any others.

    P.s. - Over the difficulty with orgasms, it was more of a mind issue, after managing to deal with this I am now fine - no reported signs of impotency either.

    Thanks.

    • jack38240
      jack38240

      Posted

      Forgot to add - I have had serious issues with insomnia and loss of apetite too. I rarely eat one meal a day now, lost well over a stone, and was prescribed sleeping tablets, they helped, but as most i maybe get about 3-4 hours sleep a night. Which isn't great.
  • natalie99981
    natalie99981 haz2476

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I hate reading this you poor thing but it was me about 8 weeks ago.  I can honestly say the first few weeks were hell and even at 6 weeks I hadn't noticed huge improvement and ended back up at the doctor.  At the 4 week mark I went up to 75 mg and on reading back at 7 weeks I noticed improvement .. I am now back to my happy self the anxious and intrusive thoughts are gone completely, I am enjoying life/work my family again.  I must be about 9 weeks took first tablet on 17th oct.  Hang in there you will get there wink oh and exercise I try to get out and walk and I was listening to you tube videos about getting rid of negative thoughts and I think it helped.  I am in Australia so nice hot sun here probably helped wink

  • Lois1951
    Lois1951 haz2476

    Posted

    Hi..I was sick as a dog on Sertraline.  I couldn't eat, had a sore throat,  swollen lymph glands and more#  Depression was worse than when I started on it. 

      I finally told my doctor I was absolutely done with it!!

    I now take Venaflaxaline(Effexor) and am back to my old self. 

    My advice is to come off of it and try something else.

    • Digsby
      Digsby Lois1951

      Posted

      Interesting Lois, I couldn't tolerate Venlafaxine and so am doing the reverse of your journey (i.e. going from Ven to Sert). Reading the side effects does scare me but also reading the encouragement fellow-sufferers have for H., Leanne, Claire, etc is very uplifting. It reminds us that we are not alone, even though we are all different in our response to the meds.

      Very best wishes to all on this journey

      Digsby

      x

  • haz2476
    haz2476

    Posted

    Thanks for all the replies people!

    Well today, with the company and encouragement of my lovely sister I dragged myself out of the house for a trip to Meadowhall! Initially I was extremely anxious but I gradually sunk in to myself and felt relaxed and more in control. Ended up having a lovely day. Since I've been home the side effects have been less noticeable, though it comes in waves. Touch wood, hopefully my body's beginning to settle with the meds.

    Hope you're all well!

    H.

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