SSRI's - Sertraline and Escitalopram _ Fybromyalgia
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Hi Guys.
Been on every anti - depressant over last 9 years for chronic anxiety. 18 months ago I was put on max dose of escitalopram -huge mistake - put on over 2 stone in weight and although it helped my depression it didn't touch my anxiety. I changed my GP when I moved and he decided to switch me to Sertraline on a starter dose only of 50 mgs despite me telling him I was highly sensitiveto medication. I couldn't move out the house for 2 weeks I was so bad with severe flu like symptoms, increased anxiety and generally in terrible physical pain and weak. GP tried to then put me on 100 mgs but in my wisdom I thought that as my life was stable for the 1st time in a decade if I could wean myself off 5omgsI wouldn't have to go through the same horrible process. I havedropped to 25 mgs and 5 weeks later I am feeling terrible. I have suffered from some physical pain due to my anxiety but now I have been told that I might have fibromyalgia. I am in the most awful pain all over my body and apparently some SSRI's act as a mild painkiller. I am so anxious with the pain that my GP has put me on Gabapentin. I feel everything I have gone through has been pointless as my intention to be drug free has failed. I am thinking that I might as well continue to come off the last 25mg of sertraline but I have 2 questions as I don't trust my GP now (sorry it's taken so long to get to them !) Has anyone experienced severe pains and aches when coming off and if so do they ease off, and secondly what is the best way of coming off the last 25mg? I hope someone out there can give me some hope as I feel so anxious and alone.
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adam1972 pauline139
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pauline139 adam1972
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adam1972 pauline139
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gustav54502 pauline139
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After a month of being off medication, I began to experience cold pain in my thighs and forearms. NSAIDS, especially Aleve, helped with this, but the symptoms persisted even after two months.
What I eventually did was being my sertraline regime once again as the doctor ordered, but VERY slowly tapered off. Even when you reach taking very small doses daily with no side-effects, stopping completely may cause discomfort, no matter how small a dosage you have reached.
But the most important thing is to go by what you feel. Sertraline withdrawels vary greatly even for one person. The first time I stopped, I had brain zaps and couldn't sleep. The second time was the experience I just described. The third and most recent time I have had zero symptoms at all. Listen to your doctor's advise, but if you are willing to endure a bit of discomfort I would recomend responsibly tapering off.
norton77 pauline139
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Whart i will say, is it's best to really make a serious attempt to change your lifestyle or and learn to live with anxiety and depression by learnin and putting into practice ways to reduce the symptoms when you experience them, use local charities, meditation, relaxation techniques, change diet, reduce if not stop alcohol use completely and of course stay off drugs including and specially caffeine and nicotine, once you have done all you can, then you should decide whither you feel well enough in yourself to life without medicatin, and then finally take that step, it's not the same for evey one just as the mental illnesses itself isn't either, but when I next try to come off the meds, I will doit as slow as possible, even if it takes 18month. certainly never give up, aim for a better you, but remember perfection is never attainable, set yourself small goals, and recovery is possible, and don't give yourself a hard time if you think you're not doing well enough, I like to remember a phrase, it was oriinally in the bible, but a local charity I'm ivolved with use it too,
Grant me the Serenity to accept the things that I cannot change,
the courage to change the things that I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference
It made me cry listening to people say it, I finally realised i'm just me, and it's okay, that i didn't have to try to please anyone else, or prove i wasn't well,it was me finally forgving myself for not being perfect, for not being what my dad wanted me to be, or what my mum wanted me to be, or my partners etc, it's my life, and i'm living it, not them,
So my philosophy now, be a better me, not a perfect me, just better, every chance i get, help someone carry something that's too big or heavy for them, or give directions, or save a life, things i wouldn't of been able to do through my anxiety and depression and in failiing to do them, making myself worse,
Lol I've ranted for a bit here, anyway, if you're ill and not ready for coming off meds, but the meds are making you ill, then there are others you can try, you should be awware of what withdrawel you might experience, and be sure that living without meds is what you really want to do and you're ready, then go for it, A doctor can't stop you coming off them, but listen to their advice, eat as healthy as you can, raw or at least fresh veg and fruit, nuts and seeds, as these foods will give your body what it may lack otherwise, see the sun, even if you are alone try to see as much daylight as possible, I'm not sure wha the stance is on exercise and withdrawel but i'm guessing gentle exercise will help, particularly with sleep patterns
adam1972 norton77
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pauline139 norton77
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