Sertraline withdrawal please help
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi
Quick back story, was on Citalopran for 14 years on and off had a breakdown last June was put on Sertraline 7 weeks ago , 50mg 1st week the 100mg then upto 200mg , had a seizure psychiatrist dropped me down to 100mg had another seizure dropped down to 50mg had a partial seizure (Pusdo seizures) went into mental health ward for a week and have now stopped Sertraline its day 10 now , having withdrawals, brain zaps , upset tummy, no energy, feeling very low , can’t get out for walks due to lost confidence, how long will the withdrawal last ? Any tips on helping the symptoms?
Also take 15mg Mirtazapine at night and in the process of weaning off Diazipan, was on 5mg 3 times a day now taking 5mg in the morning and 2.5mg in the afternoon.
Don’t know how much longer I can stand this , please if you have any positive feedback please take the time to reply , I want off all this poison and have registered these withdrawals on the Yellow Card on the FDA , if you have experienced any harsh side effects/ withdrawal please report them too.
Thank you
Matt
0 likes, 68 replies
kerrie70127 matt39801
Posted
Hi Matt
I've just come across your post in my search for answers
I was put on 50mg sertraline in late December.. then 2 weeks later started increasing dose to 100mg .. then I had a seizure mid February.
I have a history of epilepsy buy had been fit free and no medication for 5 and a half years .
I would be interested to know if you had any history of seizures before starting sertraline .. or indeed if my story is similar to anyone else reading this.
The doctor who prescribed the sertraline said that it wouldn't lower my seizure threshold .. but then I seen a different doctor and he said that it would .. I then made the decision to wean off.
I then spoke with a nurse who was horrified that I was on sertraline with a history of epilepsy and seizures
I see a neurologist tomorrow.
I just want life back to normal .. I drive as a job and haven't been able to work for 2 months
I am receiving no treatment for depression and anxiety.. headaches.. back pain as I basically don't trust that I won't have another seizure
I desperately want to be able to drive .. has anyone else in a similar situation been able to drive any sooner than 1 year after seizure ??
matt39801 kerrie70127
Posted
I’m sorry to hear of your problems with Sertraline, nearly all antidepressants lower the seizure threshold although there is one more suited to people with epilepsy, I don’t know what it’s called.
I had seizures on Citalopran too , they ere pseudo seizures not epilepsy, I had about 5 on Citalopran years ago , a couple of times I had been drinking the night before the others were when I was under a lot of pressure from work and not sleeping.
I don’t have any solid proof but I do think Sertraline has a higher seizure risk , that’s going by what I found on the internet, I was slapped up to 200mg had a seizure, psychiatrist dropped me to 100mg had another seizure then another at 50mg , I see a neurologist at the end of May , my CT scan came back fine so I doubt they’ll be anything other than what I think is the obvious, antidepressants don’t suit me ! Even on lower doses I get twitches in my feet and leg muscles , problem is that these things are listed as possible side effects on the leaflet included with all antidepressants, my theory is that more people have these side effects than is reported that’s why it’s important to complete a Yellow card on the FDA website, it’s a way of people reporting side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy then Sertraline probably should not have been prescribed to you if your GP was aware of the epilepsy, this is my view only , I’m not a Dr but I am convinced that these drugs can do more harm than good because they don’t suit everyone, some people have great results on them but for me they made me worse, I was having manic episodes on them which then caused the Pseudo seizures, I am 3 weeks off Sertraline now and although the withdrawal is horrible I feel better off them than on them.
I am also weaning off Diazipan and when that’s done I’ll stop the Mirtazapine, I have gone down the CBT , Mindfulness route and will try really hard to stay med free. I have anxiety and depression but I’m convinced after reading lots and lots of research that we can retrain our brains, it might take longer than pill popping but for me it’s what I feel is best.
I can’t advise about your driving as I have no knowledge of the rules surrounding epilepsy and driving, if it was a Puesdo fit brought on by Sertraline you might have a case in ad much as your not taking it now so the risk had gone but like I say I have no knowledge so you would have to ask your GP or the Neurologist, they would be able to give you the answers your looking for.
Good luck , I hope things work out for you and you have no more seizures
Matt
Lolita40 matt39801
Posted
I have been throught reading your post about withdrawal....How have you been doing now?
How long has it been since off med? Hope you two are doing better?
I have on med for 11 years. I have tried all of the in those years. Had some stability from 3 of them for coyple of years but never without side effects. I also have anxiety.
Since a year, its like my body doesnt want meds??? I had been trying to switch but I dont tolerate them anymore even at low dose.
I am on zoloft since 8 weeks.
Week 1 at :25mg
Week 2 to 4 :50mg
Week 4 and 6 :37.5mg
Week 7 : tried 50 mg but no way! Too much shakess, anxiety... so down to 37.5mg
And now at 25mg since a week.
I still feel miserable ! Sooooo tired! Feel like my head is space and like I have hard time focusing on thing or even reading. I am anxious, nervous and feel like its a mix of withdrawal or that the med is making me ill or worse!
Considering that Im on it since 8 weeks, low dose, ...would you still take 25mg or go down to 12.5mg???
I was on prozac before the switch...
I am interesse in your responses because you describe a lot what I feel.
And Im even off of it!
Maybe i would be better of!
lynn260 Lolita40
Posted
Everybody experiences different withdrawal symptoms. I have just come of Sertraline five weeks ago having been on it for the best part of a year. I have suffered bad insomnia, head pressure, headache and anxiety. Some people get off the med without any symptoms but I definitely have experienced severe symptoms. Withdrawal can last a few weeks or several months. Your taper looks sensible but it does not mean you will have an easy time getting off the med.
you need to look after yourself and try to get plenty of sleep and eat well. Keep in touch as it is useful for people to learn about withdrawal as the drug companies don’t spend money on this research. But plenty of people report withdrawal symptoms.
Good luck
Lolita40 lynn260
Posted
I thought you stopped sertraline months ago? Maybe you restarted.. Anyway, now you are off them again and I really hope this time is the good one for you!
Your on 5 week off...Did some of the symptoms got better???
Do you take supplements?
I know some people do fine going on and off them...Definitly not my case! Its a nightmare even starting it.
What do you mean by my tapering is sensible? Do I go too fast?
Im on 25 since a week and I dont know if it okay but decided to take off a bit of my caps today. So probably 20.
matt39801 Lolita40
Posted
I’ve been off Sertraline since the beginning of May I was still on Mirtazapine at that time and Diazipam, off Mirtazapine now but still on a low dose of Diazipam.
All your withdrawals symptoms are common, it’s a pretty hard time getting off these drugs but you must go slowly there’s no hurry.
Most people come off meds because they are well I had to come off due to severe side effects so I’m not fully well but I’m a better place than I was .
I can’t advice you on your taper as everyone is different and will have varied experiences of how they got off them.
I suffer with severe anxiety which I am trying to get on top of some days are better than others .
I have started HRT as in my case I feel hormones have played a part in my breakdown last year I have also started CBT which I’m positive about.
Take your time , rest when you can but get outside in the fresh air for a walk when you can Tomas this will help.
All the best
Lolita40 matt39801
Posted
Thaks for your reply Matt!
I think its normal for you to have anxiety with all the taper and withdrawal you are going through since a few months.
I definitly think I am also doing worse on those med now.
I never did settle on zoloft or either the ones I have tried in the last year!
Going med free when you've been on it for 11 years is sort of scary!
But I think you did well going off zoloft...what was your symptoms going off it and how long did they last!
Im pretty tired and have brain fog... its really annoying feeling my brain is "not really there"!!!
Also bouts of anxiety...mostly in morning.
I take my med in afternoon. Maybe taking it in morning would be better while I taper!?
Hang on on withdrawing!
I also had been put on clonazepam since a year. I try to take only a quarter of 0.5mg at night but sometimes I need half.