Symptoms related to Sertralin
Posted , 7 users are following.
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
longtalljules Maybeliza1
Posted
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
longtalljules Maybeliza1
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munro101 Maybeliza1
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gingemac1977 Maybeliza1
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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 gingemac1977
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Maybeliza1
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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.
longtalljules Maybeliza1
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Resigned2B Maybeliza1
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Maybeliza1 Resigned2B
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Maybeliza1 Resigned2B
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Resigned2B Maybeliza1
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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 Maybeliza1
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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 Maybeliza1
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Thank you so much for this info...
Maybeliza1
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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 Maybeliza1
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