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Sertraline and diarrhoea

Posted , 34 users are following.

grahame84
grahame84

Hi guys been on this sertraline for about 8/10 months have had good reaction head wise but have had the odd bit of diarrhoea for like one week out of a month but this last spell has lasted nearly 3 weeks should i be concerned I'm due to see the doc on 10th June do you think I should see him sooner thx

2 likes, 74 replies

74 Replies

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  • mazza245
    mazza245 grahame84

    Posted

    Thanks Adam. Fortunately I'm functioning quite well but can't stand the slightest thing to be tricky or need sorting out and I got quite hysterical yesterday, stupid or what! Got in at the doctor this afternoon, unfortunately not the one who's seen me recently and the poor man doesn't know what's coming! Due to completely missing my tablets on Sunday, I took two 50mg yesterday and I'm back to square one with awful diarrhoea this morning. I have to try something else!
    • adam1972
      adam1972 mazza245

      Posted

      It's really good that you are functioning well - it's more than I was a couple of weeks' ago!  I was literally too scared to get out of bed which isn't like me at all.  I can completely relate to what you're saying about getting freaked out by the slightest stress or pressure.  You're not going mad and try not to be too hard on yourself about it.  It's your brain protecting itself from a perceived threat.  Also, the diarrhoea is absolutely horrible but 100% caused by the sertraline.  I hope it goes well at the doctors this afternoon - take as much time as you need to explain everything.  I'll check in later to see how things are.  Best wishes. 
  • mazza245
    mazza245 grahame84

    Posted

    Thanks Adam. How lovely you are!
    • adam1972
      adam1972 mazza245

      Posted

      Cheers Mazza  : )  Just wondering how you're doing and whether the doctor was able to help.  Hope you're ok.  Adam
  • mazza245
    mazza245 grahame84

    Posted

    Thanks for asking, Adam. Went to the doctor with two problems really. I've got the dreaded lurgy and a bad cough plus this diarrhoea thing. He was lovely and didn't rush me. He said that to come off Sertraline, I would have to cut down gradually over weeks then have a week off anything, then start on something else and he didn't think I was well enough just at the mo to do that. I asked why I couldn't just swap and he said you might get Sertraline Syndrome which is nasty. He also explained I couldn't take Propranolol because of my chest. So I've to stay on 75mg for now, get better from this bad chest, then think about changing the drug later on. It's a shame I can't cut the tablet into four so I got 87.5 mg a day but it's very difficult.

    Anyway, what about you, how are you doing? Also Grahame, whose thread we've hijacked, how are you going on now. Have things settled down?

  • sharcerv52408
    sharcerv52408 grahame84

    Posted

    Has anyone taken zoloft and experienced back pain?
    • sharcerv52408
      sharcerv52408 adam1972

      Posted

      I  took it last night and it gave me loose stools and a pain that comes and goes in the lower right side of my back near my spine. 
  • gill50535
    gill50535 grahame84

    Posted

    Hi. I'm New to the site but have been reading this thread as I've been suffering too. I'm on day 13 of diarrhoea due to sertraline. My GP took me off it and started me on mirtazapine 2 days ago. He said it may take a few days for it to settle. I'm hoping it doesn't take too long. Still have tummy and back pain but I'm taking imodium which helps alot. Mirtazapine is an snri so I'm praying the dreaded diarrhoea doesnt carry on. The DR said it shouldn't so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. But for the 2 days I've been on mirtazapine it's like a cloud has lifted head wise. Even my vision has cleared. It's like my world has become technicolor. Just need the bowel to slow up and i could possibly get my life back. I hope things have sorted for you too. 
    • justine12414
      justine12414 gill50535

      Posted

      Hi Gill,has the diarrhoea got better since you have been on Mirtazapine,and do you find it good so far for anxiety/depression? I am currently two weeks into Escitalopram after coming off Sertraline due to chronic diarrhoea. Am terrified it might start again on this med :-( x
    • gill50535
      gill50535 justine12414

      Posted

      Hi justine. The diarrhoea has completly gone now it took 5 days to completely go. But I'm getting on great with the mirtazapine so far. Much better effect than the sertraline. I feel almost back to normal already. Even been out and about in town today and on a train. I'm Really shocked with how good i feel. 
    • justine12414
      justine12414 gill50535

      Posted

      Oh Gill,I am so pleased for you,that's great news. Thank you for your reply x
    • gill50535
      gill50535 justine12414

      Posted

      Thank you justine. I hope you get sorted too. Good luck on your new tablets. X
    • paul09325
      paul09325 gill50535

      Posted

      Hi Gill... I am right now in the exact same spot you were in when you wrote this post over a year ago. 

      I'm going to ask my Dr to give me another medication and after reading about your experience with Mirtazapine I am thinking about asking for this. 

      Do you have any updates... are you still on it... how is it going? I'd love to hear more about it and since it's the weekend I have to wait until next week to speak to the Dr. 

  • H100H
    H100H grahame84

    Posted

    Hi Iv never written on one of these things before but I'm in such a situation I just really need some advice. Basically I'm 22 I started experience really bad panic attacks and a contrast feeling of anxiety it got so bad it started stopping my going to work / uni and I just was crying because I knew I was being really miserable to everyone. So I went to my GP and explained it all to her and I was put on sertraline 50g and Iv been on them since October and I have noticed an improvement (no panic attacks although the anxious feeling is sometimes still there ) but Iv started experiencing awful diarehea where I have to run to the toilet because i have no control over it and have to go frequently but I never put it down to the sertraline until Iv read the above comments. Also I run out of the tablets and it's been 2 weeks now and I literally feel so bad again I didn't realise you couldn't just stop taking them. Has any one else found they felt the same way once they stopped taking them and was it definitely the tablets causing the diarehea? Iv been back to the go about it but they keep saying nothing's coming back from blood tests and stool samples.... And obviously this isn't helping the anxiety either. Any advice or comments would be appreciated thanks 
    • justine12414
      justine12414 H100H

      Posted

      Hi,I'm sorry you're having problems. In my case unfortunately it was the Sertraline causing the diarrhoea,once I stopped the med it took 2 or 3 weeks to settle down. I am now taking Escitalopram and luckily so far no problems. Unfortunately Sertraline is known to cause significantly more diarrhoea than other ssris. Although I have friends on it that have no trouble and it works well for them. I hope your gp is sympathetic and will help you with any concerns. Hope all goes well and you feel much better soon
    • adam1972
      adam1972 justine12414

      Posted

      Hi Justine,  I was just wondering how you're getting on as you really helped me through my horrendous experience on sertraline.  Has the Escitalopram helped you?  Despite vowing to myself never to touch another table for my anxiety, it is really strong at the moment and I'm contemplating trying one of the tricyclic antidepressants.  Anyway, best wishes and let me know how you're doing.  Adam 
    • justine12414
      justine12414 adam1972

      Posted

      Hi Adam,nice to hear from you,although sorry to hear your anxiety is bad. I have to say the Escitalopram has been great for me,very few side effects,ie slight headache,nausea and lack of appetite for the first week or so. Now 6 weeks on I am anxiety free thankfully. Maybe you could give this one a try? Although tricyclics are good too. Have you tried any herbal supplements? Kind regards,Justine
    • adam1972
      adam1972 justine12414

      Posted

      Hi Justine, that's great news, I'm resally pleased.  I'd give anything to be anxiety free right now!  What herbal supplements have you tried?  Adam
    • adam1972
      adam1972 justine12414

      Posted

      Hi Justine, it's been a while.  I was wondering how you have been getting on with Escitalopram?  I'm not meds at the moment but anxiety has been bad and reconsidering my options.  Be good to hear from you.  Best wishes, Adam
    • justine12414
      justine12414 adam1972

      Posted

      Hi Adam,it's good to hear from you. I'm sorry to hear your anxiety is bad,you have done well to have been without meds for this long. Please don't feel bad about going back on them,it's a chemical imbalance that needs adjustment,just as diabetics need insulin,we sometimes need more Serotonin. Escitalopram has been great for me and luckily suits me. It took approx 4 weeks to work,starting at 5mg for the first week,then rising to 10mg,which I continue to take. No problems with diarrhoea either,or any other side effects. It is well tolerated and reputed to be one of the best for anti anxiety properties,however it is dearer than other SSRIs,so sometimes gps are reluctant to give as a first line. But as you have tried Sertraline and not got on with it,I would ask to try Escitalopram. Really hope you feel better soon,hope this has helped and let me know how you get on x
    • adam1972
      adam1972 justine12414

      Posted

      Hi Justine,  Many thanks for your reply and I'm really glad it's helped you.  My anxiety has been really intense recently which is why I'm going back to the doctor to ask about escitalopram I'm but unable to get an appointment until a week today.  Did you make a full recovery after sertraline upset your bowels?  Mentally, I've not really felt right since, mainly because it scared me to death and I'm left with anxiety about my health. Physically I think my body recovered ok.  Best wishes, Adam  
    • adam1972
      adam1972

      Posted

      Hi Justine,

      Well, I've finally admitted defeat and taken my first escitalopram tablet this morning.  I couldn't cope with the daily anxiety any longer.  I feel really quite frightened after the horrendous experience with sertralene but fingers crossed it works as well for me as it has for you.  Hope you're ok.

      Adam

    • justine12414
      justine12414 adam1972

      Posted

      Hi Adam,apologies for the late reply. I'm so pleased you went to the GP,and he prescribed you Escitalopram. How are you feeling 4 days in? Yes,I made a complete recovery from the bowel issue,luckily. I would never go back on Sertraline again. I really hope Escitalopram works as well for you Adam and you don't get any side effects. As I said before,it is very well tolerated and very good for anxiety. What mg are you on? :-)
    • adam1972
      adam1972 justine12414

      Posted

      Hi Justine, thanks for your reply and I'm really glad you made a complete recovery.  I'm 4 days in on 10mg once a day and, like you, I've had slight nausea/headache. Anxiety is still really bad, especially in the mornings, but it's early days.  In the back of my mind I fear reaching the 4 week mark which is when all hell broke loose when I was on sertraline...never again!!  I'm managing to do everything I would normally but it's like wading through treacle and the anxiety is absolutely exhausting. Thanks again for keeping in touch.  Best wishes, Adam  
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