Major digestive issues! Can anyone relate?!
Posted , 2 users are following.
I've now been on Zoloft for 12 weeks. Started on 25mg of the generic and had lots of side effects. Was lowered to 12.5 and paid more for the brand name. Overall, the brand name had less side effects (my body is very sensitive). Once on the brand name, was upped again to 25mg. Since going up again, the main side effect that I had to begin with is back. Majority of people complain that they have diarrhea as a side effect. For me it's the opposite. I have extreme constipation to the point where my lower stomach is in excruciating pain. I take magnisium supplements, drink a gallon of water a day, eat 2-3 Fiber One items a day, stool softeners and so on. Nothing helps expect when I take a laxative and that only helps for that day. I don't want to live on over the counter laxatives!
My other issue is acid reflux. I've always had acid reflux and it subsided for a while with my medication. Now on Zoloft my appetite has decreased. Between that and me avoiding eating because of the constipation my acid reflux is horrible! I'm assuming it is because the acid is just sitting in my stomach since I'm eating less.
These digestive issues are really irritating (figuratively and literally). Has anyone else has these issues? If so what did you do?
0 likes, 4 replies
a-new-day Caryn220
Posted
hi, though i cannot relate directly to your problem, it sounds like u gave sertraline a good try but after 12 weeks, if it is the cause of your ongoing problems (and you dont think it is because of anything else), perhaps you should try a different med? you could switch from sertraline over to escitalopram instead, which is a similar med and known for low side effects. you don't have to taper off sertraline, you can just take escitalopram the next day instead of when u take your sertraline. start low on escitalopram; you would only need to take 5mg to start (and then increase in the future if necessary).
Caryn220 a-new-day
Posted
Thank you for your response. I have found that in the past month I have felt a bit better when going out to public places and have not had panic attacks but the pain from the constipation is unbearable. My constant worrying now is about what to eat and if I can or can't eat certain things that may make my stomach worse.
As for the medication you mentioned, I have tried it before and it didn't help me. Just made me gain a ton of weight. Considering switching to an SNRI
a-new-day Caryn220
Posted
hoping you find a solution to this, i am quite surprised sertraline at the very low dose of 25mg can cause these issues you are having, but i suppose anything is possible with meds!
please let us know here on your progress as no doubt if you can find the solution it would be useful information to others. thanks
Caryn220 a-new-day
Posted
Thank you again. Yes, my body is very sensitive. 10mg of Prozac was like a nightmare for me. Still having these ongoing issues but find I'm not having as many panic attacks.