Sertraline confusion

Posted , 8 users are following.

Hi. I've been on citalipram for years but it s stopped working for some reason. I developed awful anxiety (crying constantly and feelings of dread). My GP persuaded me to change over to sertraline 50 m after battling for many weeks. I'm a tablet phobe! The changeover was brutal. I didn't think my anxiety could get any worse ... but it did. At this point the Sertraline made me feel sick and gave me indigestion.

After two weeks I was still really anxious all day but especially on the mornings, waking up in a cold sweat and with dread. I rang my GP who told me to take 100mg. After being on this dose for 1 week I started to have the most chronic diarrhoea. It would wake me twice in the night and I would have to go up to ten times in the day. My tum was so sore as was the ache in the bottom of my back. I rang the GP again who said carry on, it will settle down. My anxiety I must say had started to improve but I felt so physically ill.

After 5 weeks of this and so much weight loss as my appetite was zero I went back to my GP who advised me to half the dose. I have done this for the last two weeks and the diarrhoea has halved to 3 to 4 times in the morning. However the sickness has come back with awful headaches and a feeling of walking like I'm drunk and dizziness. GP said this is due to the diarrhoea and being weak. I'm not so sure. Is it withdrawal side effects or still side effects of Sertraline. Anyway one been told to persevere for 3 more weeks as halving the dose as helped stop the diarrhoea by half and my anxiety is better.

Anyone else experienced any of this? Did it get better? Did you have to swap to another anti D. I really want this to work as u don't want to have to swap again with the possible brutal start up side effects and crossover. The sensible part of me just things this Sertraline is not for me and it's never going to settle.

Did it settle for anyone else after giving it a fair go of about 8 weeks?

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  • Posted

    Hi i suffer from social anxiety disorder and depression. i have been on more or less every ssri none seems to really work, so my psychiatrist suggested sertraline. started on 50 mg for 2 weeks then upped does to 100mg for last 3 weeks. thats 5 week and still feel anxious n depressed i would say depression has subsided a little. im meant to go upto 150mg but not to sure. you think i should stick it out longer. 24 year old male.. any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
    • Posted

      Hi Shaun. It does sound pretty positive as you said your depression has subsided a little. That's great progress as you said none of the other meds have worked before.

      If you're not suffering too much with side effects and with the guidance of your Doc it may be worth trying a higher dose. You can always lower it again if you don't get any extra benefit from it. It does take a while to kick in though.

      Best wishes

  • Posted

    Hi

    I'm not doing so great myself. Gone downhill dramatically!! After I went up to 50mg for 3 days then back down to 25mg the tummy issues have improved somewhat but my anxiety for the past 2-3 days has been horrendous!! I can't deal with it. Gp has told me to go back up to 50mg I feel like a yo yo. At this point I'll try anything I'm so lost. My family are getting frustrated as they don't get what I'm going through. I feel very alone right now and feel like I could end up losing my partner if this doesn't sort itself out soon 😭 X

    • Posted

      Stay strong Claire, the up and down of medication is bound to effect your anxiety levels, I'd try the 50mg as your doctor suggested and try your best to stick at it if possible. Has your doctor suggested CBT therapy? Are you on Diazepam or anything to help you through at the moment? I understand totally how you feel so please don't feel alone xx

    • Posted

      I started cbt but it's been stopped for 3 weeks whilst I get through this rough patch of medication change. She doesn't want me to waste sessions which is understandable. I was on diazepam as and when needed but I only have 1 left as I took one today 2mg but only had an effect for about an hour. Doc said she doesn't want to give me anymore as iv been taking them for 6 weeks, although not every day iv only had 34 tablets over a 6 week period. Although may be tolerant to it now I don't know. I'm really really struggling, to the point of pleading for help I can't carry on feeling like this it's hurrendous!! X

    • Posted

      Hi Claire. It's so scary isn't it and so isolating. Would your partner read some of this thread so that he can understand it a little more. I've started taking 25 mg for the past two days down from 50 mg because I can't stand the side effects any longer. I feel so poorly. I couldn't sleep last night for the diarrhoea all through the night. I've started to feel panicky again tonight. 

      My Doc is going to ring me on Wed but he hasn't a clue what to do next. He suggested going back on citalopram! I was told that wasn't working anymore!!! Why would I want to go back on it? No wonder we're all scared lost and struggling. 

      Claire, have you tried pepto bismal? It tastes absolutely horrible but it does calm the tummy down a bit. Just be warned if you do try it it does turn your poo black, so don't freak out like I did. 

  • Posted

    Hi

    I just feel at a loss as what to do. When you feel like your going to die because you feel so bad it's difficult to get past.

    Doc suggested me going back on my citalopram too but like you say why would I if they weren't working. I think they are at a loss as what to do as we are.

    Just really hope I can pull out of this and come out of the other end because at the moment I don't see any light at all.

    I hope your symptoms lessen on the 25mg.

    What side effects were you getting on the 50mg were you on the 50mg long? X

    • Posted

      Thank you, I hope the side effects lessen too but I'm also worried the anxiety will shout louder. We can't seem to win. 

      I started 2 weeks on 50 mg, then 5 weeks on 100 mg, back down to 50mg, now 2 days on 25mg. 

      The side effects??? where to start. Chronic diarrhoea up to ten times in the day and 3 during the day. Feeling sick, headache, achey  body, palpitations and dizzy. It was absolutely horrendous on the 100 mg. 

      After two weeks dropping to 50 mg the side effects have halved but still too horrible to cope with. I can't put up with it any more so I've halved it again. 

      It's hard to see the light but it must be there!!! Hold in there xxx

    • Posted

      Sounds awful.

      Any increase in anxiety from the upped or dropped dose? Like tension, agitation, pure fear?

      Hopefully the 25 works for you.

      Iv gone back up to 50mg tonight, after 2 weeks on 25mg then 3 days on 50mg and 4 days on 25mg I just don't know what to do with myself. Can't switch off my thoughts x

    • Posted

      Yes, each change brings all of that anxiety. Really don't know what I'm scared of, the feeling of dread is awful. 

      Are you still with your parents? 

      Are you able to sleep? 

       

    • Posted

      Came home yesterday. So I'm on my own all day. Iv taken my 50mg tonight and I feel worse than ever, I'm laid on my bed trying to calm myself. It's not working, I keep telling myself this must be my time to go. My anxiety is so high and I'm so tense I actually feel like im going to die 😭😭 I need something to calm me but I'm scared to ring 111 in case they admit me or think I'm just crazy. Been trying since 6:30 tonight to drop off to sleep but I just can't. Just as I feel like I could drop off to sleep panic floods my body and I start to feel like my skin is burning. This is all way more than I can handle x

    • Posted

      I know panic attacks feel terrifying but I  promise you (I've researched it loads) no one dies from these feelings. Try to challenge your negative thoughts (talk to yourself as you would if you were helping a friend). It's adrenaline and feelings. 

      if you need to ring 111, do it, that's what they're there for. You may feel reassured to speak to someone. No one will think you're crazy, there's hundreds of us feeling like this. It's nothing to feel ashamed of, we're poorly and need kindness, reassurance and understanding. 

      If laying there is making you more anxious, try have a nice bath or listen to a relaxation or some music. Xxx

  • Posted

    hi jane,

    I have been following your posts between you and claire,I have to say  know how you boyh feel so wanted to give you some advice,hope you dont mind.

    My journey through depression started at a very youne age when i was at secondary school,I always suffered with my nerves as a young girl,

    My mum took me to see a councellor at the age of 12 years old due to me constantly crying,not wanting to go to school,I was a very small timid girl at school and was open and vunerable,I was bullied as well as they picked up on my nervous disposition,

    Anyway in later life i would say when i reached mid 40,s i am now 51 i had to go on anti d,s, believe me ive tryed them all,some better than others.

    My latest one was sertraline,which may i add was not good,i still felt depressed on them,as you know the docs mess about with the doses,this is where the good advise comes in,

    Everytime you up or lower the dose of any anti d,s you will get side effects.

    I think that if your not stable within 3 months then that tablet is onot working for you.

    My doctor was not bothered didnt seem to care and certainly didnt listen when i said sertraline are not working for me,i tryed 50mg right up to 200mg,didnt work,so i went bk and told him i was still feeling depressed on the 100mghe said up the dose yet again.

    I had had enough of this rubbish so 5 weeks ago i went cold turkey off sertraline,I am now into the 5th week and have to say yes side effects had them all but before i decided to do this i went online and read up on all side effects so braced myself for the storm!

    IVE more or less got through it,the worst side effect is itching of the skin,but not everyone will have this, i am taking piriton tabs and applying aqueous cream, its calmed down a lot and it will eentually go,you have to be patient.

    Now you must be thinking well what are you going to replace your tablets with,if you are prone to depression,

    well heres where cognitive behavioural therapy,comes in,it helps you manage the way you think and behave,and used to treat anxiety and depression,you can look it up online.

    This is what i am now doing and feel absolutely great,the best ive felt in years,ive been on anti d,s for about 15 years and to be honest,still felt depressed.

    CBT is working for me,you have to think positive,wish i had done it years ago,

    I have also created a really calm chilled out zone in my kitchen with canvasses with positive thinkng quotes on them,and lanterns and candles,this is really great to look at.

    I am feeling sooooo good right now and wanted to share my story with you both.

    my advise to you would be taper off the drugs and try CBT what have you got to loose,

    I hope this post helps in some way

    best of luck to you both

    jo xx

    • Posted

      Hi Jo. What a breath of fresh air to read this. Thank you so much. I must admit I am really tempted to taper off these awful sertraline and see what happens. I am scared of the anxiety coming to bite me though. 

      Thank you so much for taking the time to get in touch, so helpful xxxx

    • Posted

      hi jane thankyou thats is why i wanted to share my story with you if it helps you,

      I am never going back to what broke me and i think it was all the meds ive been on,

      Yes i would taper off go on to the cbt website,read up on this treatment,i always thought it would never work,but it has,for me,if you are a facebook user they have positive thinking quotes,it really does help,it helps ith anxiety,as well,

      it bascially teaches you to train your mind to think differently,ie positive thinking,

      for me i think medication made me worse because they cause side effects even when youve been on them for ages,ie

      sweating mood swings and still depression,hence why i came off them,

      please read up on cognitive behavioural therapy before tapering off and see what you think,youve got nothing to loose,

      also stay strong minded whilst taoering off,stay postitive as well thats the most important thing,there is light at the end of the tunnel,

      if you need advice anytime im here to help if needed,

      keep me posted as to how your doing

      good luck

      jo x

       

    • Posted

      Hi Joanne.

      Thank you for sharing. I started CBT and felt I was making progress even if it was small but I was having both good days and bad days. My therapist stopped my sessions for 3 weeks while I was going through the tough switch of meds as she didn't want me to waste sessions while I was in such a state from switching. Since starting the sertraline i thought they were working the first week and I was positive.

      2 weeks on 25mg then 3 days on 50mg then back down to 25mg for 4 days then tonight I'm back to 50mg again!! All on the advice of doctors!! I don't know if I'm coming or going. I feel severely poorly, my head feels like mush and I feel like someone has injected pure fear in to my veins, my body is so tense.

      Like I said in my reply above I laid on my bed and I thought it was my time to go.

      I have just called 111 but unless I'm a danger to myself then theirs not much they can do, although they are arranging for a clinician to call me within 2 hours.

      Can I just ask how you managed to get through the cold turkey?? For me being in such a heightened state of anxiety 24/7 is unbearable. Earlier I thought I was going to have a breakdown because I was struggling to control my racing thoughts and couldn't calm myself down.

      With all this up and down of medication in such a short space of time i can't cope with it my brain and body is probably wondering what the heck is going on! The same as I am x

    • Posted

      hi claire

      so sorry to hear your feeling like this,

      reading what your going through is not nice.

      For me going cold turkey was a bit tough but im into week 5 now off sertraline,i have had all the side effects but the way i got through it was to think and stay positive, it wasnt going to beat me i was certain of that and had made my mind up that whatever happened i was not turning back,all i can advise claire is try to stay calm and relaxed, breathing into a paper bag helps with panic attacks,but i do think you need to go back to the doctors first thing tomorrow,and discuss tapering off this med,dont sound like its good for you, i dont see a councellor i just read up on cbt,its great and works for me,i think you should try it,read up on it on google,i hope this helps you

      xxx

    • Posted

      Hi Jo. Did you suffer from anxiety along with the depression? 

      What were your withdrawal symptoms this past 5 weeks? 

      Ive reduced from 100mg to 50 mg for 2 weeks. This made me feel very sick and dizzy with an upset stomach. The last two days I've taken 25 mg. I've got headache, feel dizzy and still got tummy upset.

      my GP is ringing me tomorrow, I want to stop taking these sertraline, they've made me physically very poorly. I'm unsure as to what to ask him to prescribe for me in terms of another anti depressant (he hasn't a clue!) as I'm really scared the anxiety will come back full force if I stop altogether  As I said before, I feel a bit lost at this crossroads

      xx

    • Posted

      hi jane,

      yes i did suffer with anxiety always have done,and the withdrawal symptoms i have had have been whats expected but worse because i went cold turkey,my advise come off them slowly,I still have itchy skin but am treating that and is calming down,it will go away eventually.

      My withdrawls as i have kept a diary are these

      FIRST 5 DAYS IN WITH NO SERTRALINE NOTHING.

      FIVE DAYS IN 

      DIZZY HEAD

      NAUSEOUS

      YAWNING

      SLEEPY

      TWELVE DAYS IN

      ITCHING SKIN

      AGITATION

      MOOD SWINGS/ELATION, THEN LOW MOOD

      everything gone now except for itching skin,dizzeness went away after three weeks which worse one of the worst side effects.

      I have read up on all the side effects and can say that the slower you withdraw the side effects might not even happen,but in my case i just wanted to go cold turkey.what i will say though is throughout all this i have never felt so good mentally due to the cbt therapy.

      I have never felt depressed or anxious since self teaching with cbt.

      if you want my advise jane i would just taper off the sertraline and not use anti d,s go onto anxiety management and conscious awareness coaching on google, while tapering off,it will teach you to greatly enhance your ability to deal with anxious or difficult situations.

      or you could go for clinical hypnotherapy services/speak to the doctor about this one.

      hope this has helped you xx

    • Posted

      You've done amazingly well!!! You've shown some real strength and determination there!!! 

      Youve been so very helpful. Thank you xx

    • Posted

      thankyou jane,how are you feeling today,and have you decided what to do yet x

       

    • Posted

      Hi Joanne!

      I spoke to GP today who told me to go back onto the citalopram (the very one that they said wasn't working!).

      This makes no sense to me😳

      I've reduced the Sertraline to 25mg this week. My tum feels better. I have had a horrible headache and feel dizzy (like I'm drunk!) whilst reducing.

      I'm seriously considering not taking anything as you suggested as I'm wondering if I've already started withdrawing and these are symptoms of that.

      I would love to be off medication altogether but there's that worry about anxiety coming back which is difficult to cope with. I have started looking at cbt online as you suggested.

      How are you doing today? X

    • Posted

      hi jane im doing good thanks,

      I would not go back on any other drugs,i have no faith in the doctors,they dont give a damn,they just want you in and out of their room so just fob you off,they dont understand how people feel,look up online the cbt therapists have just gave the name and number to you but this website have not allowed it,let me know how you go on

      jo xx

    • Posted

      hi jayne, i know this is an old post but just wondering if you went back to citalopram and did it help?

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