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Symptoms related to Sertralin

Posted , 7 users are following.

Maybeliza1
Maybeliza1

I've been on antidepressants (1st Zolof, then Sertralin) for 13 years now and have tried several times to come off them. I've had no withdrawal symptoms - but have  always returned to taking Sertralin after my anxiety and depression have started to creep back. But no withdrawal symptoms, brain zaps, chills, nothing.

However, I have had other symptoms that I believe are related to this drug but  rarely, if ever, are mentioned in discussion groups like this. I hope this group can shed some light on them.

Appr. 4 years ago, being on 150 mg of S for the ninth consequtive year, I started to suffer from reflux . The medication for reflux did not help. However, at the same time I was trying to get off S again, feeling I did not need it any longer. After slowly reducing the dosage to 0 - much slower than the -50 mg/week often mentioned here - my mental problems re-emerged but the reflux had vanished! 

I have been back on 50 mg of S ever since , feeling mentally ok, but I  am  experiencing new kinds of effects which may or may not be S related. What do you think of this:

- my mouth is extremely dry, drinking water does not help

- I itch, especially the scalp, sometimes overall. Tests show it is not a yeast infection.

- now for the weirdest bit: my tongue is rigid and presses against my upper teeth, less so in the mornings but quite "cramped" by evenings. I also bite my tongue very easily, especially when I eat, as if the tongue had become clumsy.

A doctor suggested thyroid deficiency, tests were negative. Sjögren's syndrome has been suggested, I have not yet been tested but my feeling  is that the test will be negative - I'm basically very healthy.

I suspect that 13 years of S has pretty much "poisoned" my body which reacts in these ways. I am scared of quitting S as my experience tells me that I need it. 

My anxiety and depression were not of the worst, paralyzing kind but unpleasant enough to make life bleak and meaningless. Therapy has helped but not enough.

I am pretty sure, based on my experience with reflux, that quitting S will make the other symptoms go away. - What does this community think of this?

A psychiatrist, Servan-Schreiber, wrote some 10 years ago a book where he explained various other ways than medication of dealing with the lighter versions of depression. One was regular, hard excersize. I do not excersize, I know I should but I cannot apply myself to it. - Again: what are your experiences and opinions? Should I for once and for all slowly decrease my intake of S while starting on a regular excercise routine, and sticking to it? What if my body gets fitter -  worse things could happen- but my mental issues return as well as the side effects of the medication?  Switching to another medicine may not help, I've been told that the side effects are the same, regardless the brand.

2 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • longtalljules
    longtalljules Maybeliza1

    Posted

    Hi May...I admit I have not experienced any of what you mentioned however my opinion us that yes these things are definitely related to the sertraline. I am convinced that my extended use of the drug has massively impacted my memory, so much so that it scares me! 

    In regards the exercise...do it. I have recently heard from 2 doctors that 30 minutes exercise a day releases the same amount of 'happy' chemicals in the brain as 50mg of sertraline a day. Who knows if it's true...but worth a shot! 

    Jules

  • munro101
    munro101 Maybeliza1

    Posted

    looks like you are caught in a catch 22 unfortunately.i think with the time that you have been on sertaline and your attempts to come of it, you may need it.which isn't a bad thing, I sertainly need the medication. you need to come to a decision on whether the sides are as bad as your depression and if your willing to try and fight this illness on your own, which is a very brave decision to make. Fortunently I have never experienced the sides you have experienced, I have only been on sertaline for a fraction of your time (4 years) I also exercise very hard 3 times a week, which helps alot.without the sertaline I wouldn't be able to exercise.hope you get things more balanced soon gd luck!!
  • gingemac1977
    gingemac1977 Maybeliza1

    Posted

    morning maybeliza1,

    i've heard quite a few people reporting the reflux from sertraline, and a few of them are new to the medication.  i didn't suffer from reflux but have done with other medication in the past and it turned out to be the coating that is actually on the tablets, if you don't swallow with plenty of water the coating melts onto your tongue and causes the most horrendous reflux i've ever experienced!! my findings from being on sertraline are blinding headaches and at night time i get very twitchy and my legs feel like i'm getting electric shocks up and down them when i'm in certain positions which is extremely irritating when i'm trying to get to sleep. my actual sleep has been unaffected which i was expecting to struggle with when i first joined this forum and seen how other people were coping.  it took a good 6-8 months for these meds to settle into my system, i started on 50mg also, but i am now on 150mg daily and i think i've found the right medication for me as my mental state has improved so much more than when i was on 50mg or 100mg.  i'm planning to have a baby soon and am going to have to speak to my GP as i am very concerned about coming off or reducing my dosage for that very reason you just said, the depression and anxiety returning, that will be the last thing i need when i'm carrying my first child, if i'm stressed the baby will be too and i couldn't deal with that...............thanks for sharing your story :-)

     

    • angela2014
      angela2014 gingemac1977

      Posted

      Be brave.  I found that as soon as I was pregnant, I gave up everything, immediately.  If you do not do this, you have a high probability of damaging the baby.  And don't worry.  In my own experience the happy hormoones, or pregnancy kick in straight away, and I never, ever felt depressed while pregnant.  Do have lots of support after the baby is born, as the symptoms will return (I believe it is just withdrawal symptoms from the drug, masked by happy hormones during pregnancy).  Then it is up to you to give up the drugs, or go back on them.

       

  • Maybeliza1
    Maybeliza1

    Posted

    Thank you all for your prompt and very helpful replies. I'm amazed at how quickly this community came to my help.

    So: my symptoms are probably side effects of S, and they are not unusual. I'm not a hypochondriac, either :-)

    With a "light" case of depression I shall try and risk, once again, giving up the stuff altogether, although previous experience says I will not be able to. 

    I plan to slowwllly, very slowly, decrease the amount I'm taking , - 50 mg/week is way too fast in my opinion - and at the same time build an excercise routine that I SHALL STICK TO until I croak...  3-4 times/ week, more often if I must. 

    I will keep this forum informed, if you would like me to. I owe it to you all.

     

  • Resigned2B
    Resigned2B Maybeliza1

    Posted

    Please look up the side effect caused my these meds called, Tardive Dyskonisa. Antidepressants are know to cause this even after the offending med is discontinued. It is a nerve damage issue. Let me know if you need more information.
    • Maybeliza1
      Maybeliza1 Resigned2B

      Posted

      Dear Resigned2B, thanks , I looked it up on wiki, scary stuff. However, I understood TD, tardive dyskinesia,  may be caused by the long term use of antipsychotics and Sertralin is an antidepressant. I hope they have different ingredients, in any case the article did not list S among the medicins causing TD.
    • Maybeliza1
      Maybeliza1 Resigned2B

      Posted

      Hi again, looked TD up elsewhere, and unfortunately, you are right. The long term use of Antidepressants may cause it, of Zoloft and Sertralin and a few others. Jeez, although I do not think I have the symptoms described, apart from the rigid tongue, I must ask if my family have noticed anything. NOW I am worried. Thks for making me aware of the possibility, S is definitely going to be replaced by...running the marathon?
    • Resigned2B
      Resigned2B Maybeliza1

      Posted

      ALL of the second generation antidepressants can cause TD. Some more than others, ie., Abilify. The longer you are on any of these meds the more chance you have of doing irreparable nerve damage. The tongue and swallowing issue is VERY symptomatic. 

      Talk to your doc about how much Viatmin E is therapeutic for TD. It has been known to help over the long-term.

      Good luck to you!

  • angela2014
    angela2014 Maybeliza1

    Posted

    Thankyou everyone for the discussion.  I am terrified.  Now I am out of this fuzzy mess and back into the land of the logical, I thank everyone for their information.

    I am luckier than most, I hope I have broken free, and hope not too much damage has been done, and theat I can continue some sort of life.  Lets hope there is life after these horrible drugs.

  • longtalljules
    longtalljules Maybeliza1

    Posted

    I cannot believe it. I was always convinced something was not quite right in recent years. Response times in particular. Now I know. After 15 years on these drugs I am glad I am already cutting down.

    Thank you so much for this info... 

  • Maybeliza1
    Maybeliza1

    Posted

    Hi,

    I've spent most of last night on the internet and am a lot wiser now.

    Fyi: I live in Finland and on the Finnish-language sites there is no mention of TD and antidepressants, none. Luckily I started looking on the English sites and landed here.

     3 important discoveries, thks to Resigned2B  1. there is something known as TD, 2. Sertraline and TD are actually related , 3. my tongue and mouth issues are symptomatic of TD.

     I am not happy about this but now at least  know I must  a) get rid of S , b)  treat my depression+anxiety some other way.  I've come a long way in just 2 days and thanks to this site!

    I started to reread Servan-Schreiber's book and must say it makes a lot of sense. E.g. it explains why "reasoning" with myself about my issues does not work. I suggest you all find a copy , it may be very helpful.

    Now I have a new challenge: stop taking S, compensate it with a rigourous excercise program and maintain a mental balance. Phew.

    • longtalljules
      longtalljules Maybeliza1

      Posted

      Good luck! Have to say I have learned so much from this site in under a week smile
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