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Still feeling unwell after finished setraline a month ago..

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deirdre72189
deirdre72189

During tapering I felt ok, but now that i have been fully off setraline since the end of August (tapering very slowly from 100 mg gradually over a 6 month period), this month I felt terrible.. was sure I was sick, weak,no energy, blurred vision, inability to focus, and all that anxiety coming back.. terrible PMS and irritability.. just scared that this may mean i need go back on an anti-depressant for anxiety, or is this still part of the discontinuation syndrome?  How long will this last and what can i do to feel better?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • a-new-day
    a-new-day deirdre72189

    Posted

    hi, sorry to hear you are not feeling good, how long were you on sertraline for, and what were your reasons for stopping it (eg.  you did not feel it was working, or you didn't like the idea of taking antidepressants long term, etc)

     

    • Theworldisalie
      Theworldisalie a-new-day

      Posted

      I'm not the person you asked, but I would like to tell you my answers to your questions ..  I began taking Zoloft on Sept 12.    Was prescribed 50mg.  Took that for 4 days and had the very first and horrific panic attack of my life.  Felt strongly inclined to get up and commit suicide.  Felt i was losing muscle control.  It was just Crazy.  So i began to split tabs in half to 25 mg and continued a few more days.   Broke that in half and took 12.5mg the next three days.  The last three nights have been utter hell trying to sleep.  Suicidal thoughts, then feeling like on a rollercoaster unable to get off, visions flashing through my mind.   This is my second day off of it entirely.  My doctor was on vacation during this time so i used my medical friends and best judgement to get off.  It's sure been a little slice of hell for me, and I hope I'm getting around the corner.  In total i had taken 637.5mg worth of this medication over the course of a month and been off nearly 2 days now..  Sorry again for interrupting... John.

    • deirdre72189
      deirdre72189 a-new-day

      Posted

      I was on set realize for 2 years, at 100 mg, when I started the taper... Again, did taper very slowly.. Last taper was in August, 3mg per day.. I primarily gave it up as I had tremendous weight gain (despite exercise and healthy eating).. Also, I felt it was controlling anxiety but made me complacent and lacking any real emotion... Just afraid now, not sure if September has been hell because I read it takes a few weeks after stopping before it is fully out of my system...or is this an indicator I need to be on something.. I am taking plenty of fish oil, calcium, magnesium, and 5htp but still feel lousy...
  • Theworldisalie
    Theworldisalie deirdre72189

    Posted

    It is my opinion that you should get as much exercise/work in as you can during the day.   Sweating is really healthy for your body.  Begin the day with nice hot showers.  Drink plenty of water through the day and end the night with a nice hot bath if you can or shower.  Through heavy anxiety just keep repeating in your head "it's gonna be ok, it's gonna be ok."  I alsoe repeat the "Our Father which art in heaven... " prayer.  The hot baths do help settle my nerves and muscles and I hope it is some benefit for you also!  John.

    • deirdre72189
      deirdre72189 Theworldisalie

      Posted

      thank you... Did you ever taper fully off a medicine, only to find a few weeks later that you feel so terrible? I just hate think I spent 7 months tapering, and could be back to square one... Thank you again for advice... At the moment, I am too drained to exercise but will push myself as I am a regular exerciser...
    • a-new-day
      a-new-day deirdre72189

      Posted

      could you consider going onto a different med instead of sertraline?  not all of them give you weight gain so you might fare better on the next med you try, eg. you could try citalopram? (plus, the next one you try may not give you the 'lack of emotion' effect' )

  • rachel16687
    rachel16687 deirdre72189

    Posted

    Hi there,

    At first not intentionally but after 5 years of antidepressants (first fluoxetine then sertraline most recently) I have stopped them.

    I seemed okay for the first week but now I am constantly dizzy. The other withdrawal symptoms do not seem to affect me as much.

    It is discontinuation syndrome I know that much. But after being on antidepressants for so long now I'm off them I feel so much more in control of my own emotions.

    This dizziness is awful though. I get numerous spells through out each day.

    Does anybody know long the dizziness will last???

    • a-new-day
      a-new-day rachel16687

      Posted

      hello rachel i have had dizziness in the past also, when coming off antidepressants.   it should pass by itself but if it is too troublesome you could go to your doctor and get Cinnarizine which is used to treat problems affecting the inner ear and balance, such as dizziness and sickness.  you could get a months worth of that which would help your transition
    • rachel16687
      rachel16687 a-new-day

      Posted

      Hello,

      Went to see doctor today. Been told to just rest and take it easy. Not so easy to do when you have school runs to do 20 min walk each way and housework to do!

      Had bad episode today, felt so dizzy and sick. Went back to bed for a couple of hours after school run and had bad night terrors then sleep paralysis. Woken up by a text message but could not move or open my eyes.

      Since then bad shakes and very bad dizziness sad

  • hans82434
    hans82434 deirdre72189

    Posted

    What was your reason for taking them to begin with? If the way you are feeling now is different you are most likely having withdrawals.� I just quit and feel like crap daily but am happy to be off and am experiencing what I suspect to only be withdrawals.� Take care of yourself, stay hydrated, eat smart, excercise, and keep your mind engaged. Dont make it any harder for your brain to readjust.�Hopefully, it will get better. Good luck.
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