Sertraline Withdrawal
Posted , 5 users are following.
In 2017 (one year postmenopausal) I suffered bad insomnia and anxiety. In August I was put on a cocktail of meds, including Sertraline (150mg). By December, I was only on Sertraline. In January I started to taper off. I got down to 100 mg and started to get even worse side effects/withdrawal: anxiety, shaking, muzzy/foggy/dizzy head. I continued to reduce and got down to 25mg after three further weeks. The symptoms got worse as I woke every morning with a dizzy head and crying spells. I decided to go back to 40mg which I have been on for three days. My head continues to be muzzy/foggy/dizzy. I visited an audiologist last week who said that she thought my problems began with my chest infection last March 2017, which resulted in vestibular neuritis, which caused the anxiety and insomnia. I was never depressed! I am now really suffering from SSRI withdrawal and would be very grateful for any advice, particularly the horrible head pressure and dizziness. I really regret taking this me. My sleep is now very good but I am so distressed by the effects of trying to withdraw from this med. many thanks.
0 likes, 17 replies
linda17258 lynn260
Posted
I am coming off Venlafaxin and going through hell even though I was only on it for under 3 months. (It made me ill. )My GP is putting me onto Sertraline but after reading this...no way!!! I'm better off depressed tbh. 😢😢😔😔
lynn260 linda17258
Posted
What are your symptoms of withdrawal? I would caution against going on Sertraline as all SSRIs have side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Xx
linda17258 lynn260
Posted
Giddiness. Very very nauseous and loose bowels. Shivering. Sweating. Headaches. Sleep disturbances. Can't really think straight...really really having to concentrate. Look like I'm drunk tripping over myself and bumping into everything or knocking tgem down. List just goes on and on. These drugs need sorted. Tell you what. I'll happily remain low.
lynn260 linda17258
Posted
I agree, the drug is worse than the original problem in many cases ( see other posts).
I also have developed tinnitus and hearing loss while on Sertraline. I am determined to get off it and look for other ways to manage my anxiety.xx
debra34304 linda17258
Posted
linda17258 debra34304
Posted
I don't know hun as I didn't take it. I've been given a script but not collected as still coming off the Venlafaxin. Extremely difficult and horrific to come off too.
faye00841 lynn260
Posted
Hi Lynn,
Did the sertraline actually work for you when you started taking it ? Don't worry just take your time coming off it . I'm tapering from 50 to 25 have been on 25 for last 3 weeks I have only been on sertraline since beginning of January. They say Benadryl helps with withdrawal from sertraline but don't quote me on it xx
linda17258 faye00841
Posted
Luckily I've not started taking it or anything else and after all this not going to. 😞
lynn260 faye00841
Posted
I don’t think the Sertraline helped at all. My problem was anxiety which I think was brought on by my vestibular problem.
I was also not sleeping which made me very anxious.
I now sleep well but I wake with awful anxiety. My main concern is that my head feels muzzy/foggy/dizzy. I have read that SSRI withdrawal causes these symptoms. I am very interested to hear about withdrawal symptoms from SSRIs.
Doctors tell you that your symptoms are part of your initial problem but they are usually withdrawal. Xx
linda17258 faye00841
Posted
I wonder if it would work with the Venlafaxin withdrawal? I'm just NOT going on it. I'm gonna wait for my cognitive therapy and hang on in here for now.
susan82111 lynn260
Posted
Omg Lynn
I've been on sertraline 50mg for 2 weeks & in that time I've had little sleep or at the wrong time, palpitations, dry mouth & throat, dizzy spells, foggy head, increased anxiety, fluttering heart, stabbing pains under my ribs, my eyesight gone blurred, & a once healthy sex life has become non existent I was not depressed when I went to my gp it's always been anxiety which became more severe after becoming menopausal I'm taking ellestte duet 2mg for that aswell, if I wasn't suffering from depression before I am now, it's disgusting how they can get away with it, doctors fobbing you off & not telling you any of this, any advice or similar stories plz share, sorry for the rant, but no-one seems to understand or care xx
lynn260 susan82111
Posted
I am horrified to hear about your symptoms after only two weeks and 50mg. I was put on 150mg to start and I have just managed to get down to 40mg after 7 months. I have also developed tinnitus and hearing loss in my left ear.
For what it’s worth, I would taper off the drug if I were you. Your symptoms are awful and if you stay on it, you will face bad withdrawal coming off (like me).
I am now taking vitamin supplements, walking every day and trying to stay positive.xx
linda17258 susan82111
Posted
Right. I had already decided I don't want to go on this. Thank you for this because you have just reinforced my feeling that this will be just as bad. GO has done a script which I will NOT be collecting from the pharmacy.
I owe you one as I was unsure 100%. Now I am. 👍
susan82111 linda17258
Posted
Sorry Linda I don't want to alarm you this is just my experience at the moment, I'm desperate for help with anxiety but after being on this medication for 2 weeks & only having extremely sporadic "good moods" which don't last, then being given another prescription for mitrazipine which after researching were in fact worse than the sert I'm seriously considering weaning myself off these as I'm not much more than an unfunctioning zombie I don't go out anymore or to the gym as I did & have no sex life.....im waiting to start CBT & it can't come soon enough , much love to you xx
faye00841 linda17258
Posted
I don't think it's as bad for everyone and I haven't heard of any long term damage that this drug can do other than yes the horrible withdrawal symptoms however the more you focus on them the more they stay at the forefront of your mind . I had to taper due to stomach problems but they were doing wonders for my anxiety! Hang in there and try battle through the fogginess it's just a withdrawal along with the dizzy spells and anxiety xx
susan82111 faye00841
Posted
Having no sex life is causing me more problems where I had none beforehand & this medication is also prescribed for premature ejaculation so what does that mean for women in general who are in happy & loving relationships, why should we have to sacrifice one for the other!!! Xx
faye00841 susan82111
Posted
It's rediculous isn't it . So so hard as others don't understand that have never had anxiety or depression . I used to be the same I would say anxiety doesn't exist what on earth do people even mean ! Then all of a sudden something hit me out of nowhere like a horrible wave of gloom and dark and fear and I could barely function !!