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Sertraline Withdrawal or Problems restarting

Posted , 5 users are following.

Okapi
Okapi

Hi, Sorry for the essay i am about to write...just wondering if anyone else has experienced similar or can offer advise.

Prescribed sertraline a few years ago for low mood. Stayed at 50mg the whole time (about a year) but had problems with sleep and weight gain so decided to withdraw.

Was advised to take 1 less per week over a period and eventually came off completely. Few weeks later I got (what I now know) were the heavy head and brain zaps.

Stupidly (as I now know) I would just take one tablet to resolve these symptoms until they appeared again. Eventually seemed to no longer get the brain zaps.

Probably 1-2 months since last tablet I begin to get the heavy head and concentration problems. Took 1 50g tablet and within hours was completely wiped out and exhausted. Next morning took another tablet and by the time I got to work was suffering with shakes, chills, high anxiety, feeling like head didn't belong to me. Racing mind, headaches. Came home from work to rest.

The next day the anxiety was so severe and all consuming. Couldn't relax, shaking, constant wind, knotted stomach, unable to calm my mind. Random thoughts popping into mind. Not yet able to return to work. Concentration and short term memory awful.

Went to A&E where doctor suggested a virus as he was doubtful that withdrawal could take so long to appear like this or that just taking two tablets could have effected me so quickly.

Given GP appointment next day and doctor prescribed diazepam for a week and to come back after that.

Prior to taking sert. for the first time I had minor anxiety but never experienced anything even close to this.

Is it possible that just re-taking the two tablets could have caused this? Or perhaps its just some late developing withdrawal.

Or could it be a relapse of illness with some new anxiety and taking the 2 sertraline was just a coincidence?

So confused and worried and feel like the docs don't seem overly interested but my nervous system and brain fog/disassociation is in overdrive and I am finding it so hard to cope and can barely sleep.

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28 Replies

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  • bittybon
    bittybon Okapi

    Posted

    hi, i am also trying to wean myself of 50mg of sertraline this past couple of months im now down to 25mg every day but this past week ive been feeling low mood little bit of anxiety tired and like im about to get the flu...i really want to know how long this will last and has anyone gone through this and came out the other side feeling themselves again x
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 bittybon

      Posted

      Omg , we need to keep in touch, I'm on 25mg too now, and the flu thing lasts a week. It did for me anyway. I also got testy and quite low too. Just hang in there xx

    • bittybon
      bittybon lattifa7777

      Posted

      thank you lattifa for getting back to me as horriable as it is to go through its good to know im not alone with this..are you starting to feel better or are you still feeling some of the horrid withdrawals ? xx
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 bittybon

      Posted

      Hay, to be honest with you, I'm ok now, I get a bit anxious in the morning, but nothing major, I feel a bit NUMBER at certain parts of the day, and think to my self what is wrong with me, but again nothing major, as soon as I'm busy and around people , I'm comfortable and fine .

      I'm going to stick at 25mg for a long while now I think. What about you?

    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777

      Posted

      I meant numb not number sorry
    • susan32309
      susan32309 lattifa7777

      Posted

      Really lovely to know that you're starting to feel better, this journey is so complex isn't it.

    • bittybon
      bittybon lattifa7777

      Posted

      hi lattifa me too im not feeling as bad im trying to stay positive and tell myself that the withdrawals will soon pass which gives me hope ..im def stay on the 25mg for a long while as i dont want to come off them too fast i think a little bit at a time but we will get there :-)
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 bittybon

      Posted

      I hope we do, I shal have you in my prayers. I honestly don't know how we will reduce the 25mg? As it's sooo small, but I guess we can think about that when we get to that point lol.

    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 susan32309

      Posted

      Hi Susan,

      Thank you, it certainly is complex!

      I am very interested to find out how Ad actually work in making people better. I've researched so much, but it doesn't seem to make sense. I know that it stops the receptors in our brains form re absorbing these things, can't remember what they call it Lol. But once you stop taking the AD then what?? If anyone knows more please let me know or send me a link, I'm just intrigued 🤔🤔🤔

    • bittybon
      bittybon lattifa7777

      Posted

      Thank you i hope to keep intouch to see how you get on but for now i think we should stay on 25mg until we have been feeling good for a good while then when we are ready we can reduce it again..
    • lattifa7777
      lattifa7777 bittybon

      Posted

      Yes I agree, keep in touch xx send me a private message so I can find you and message you easy x
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