Please help, 2 weeks ago I was prescribed 50mg sertraline for intrusive thoughts, but was not depressed. I took my first one and about 6 hours later I had a very bad reaction I had a fever my blood pressure was high, I had diarrhea and my mind was cray I knew instantly that I had poisoned myself, it wasn't until a week later I read up on serotonin syndrome and realized I experienced all the side effects and still suffer some of them to this day, here are my symptoms I have and have got worse short term Memory loss, agitation, irritability, muscle twitching, shivering, restlessness, sweating(up my neck and scalp mostly), hallucinations derealization/depersonalization, feel disoriented at times, muscle spasms which are painful at times, tingling/prickling sensations in my hands feet chest arms and legs, pressure at the back of my head. I don't get it I was a happy outgoing person until the doctor insisted the tablet would take away intrusive thoughts, not only do I still get them but get even worse! hallucinations! I don't want this Have I got the effects from serotonin syndrome or is this permanent nerve and brain damage? please help I am quite worried and no one wants to listen to me
Hi Hayley, there are so many side effects with sertraline, I was warned by my Doctor, but its something one has to go through until the serotonin reaches the correct levels. Remember sertraline is also prescribed to patients whom have OCD to reduce the obtrusive thoughts. I also have had alot of the side effects that you have mentioned, the agitation, shivering, restlessness, sweating around my neck, tingling sensation in my hands. I think you are only experiencing many of the side effects. I would recommend that you get a tranquilizer until the worst side effects stop. Two weeks is still too early to experience the benifits of sertraline. I am in my third week, and suffer terribly with side effects and am trying my best to just get through the day. The morning being the worst. Try and stay active, I have to physically force myself to do just the simplest task, but there has to be light at the end of the tunnel. I have read it takes around 6 weeks to start feeling thew benifits of the tablet. There is no quick fix, just got to bit the bullet and get through one day at a time, belive me I am also suffering terribly and cant wait to get some relief from this nightmare.
So what I had and what I've got now is side effects from the sertraline?? should it last this long? it's been 2 weeks since I took it and have been getting worse
Hi Haley. It's difficult to explain all that you go through with this sickness but it should get better. Stay with the medication. It will get worse before it gets better. It has to build up in your system in order to work. Can I ask a personal question? Do you believe in God? It is important to believe and talk to our maker for he will help you get completely through. All these uncontrollable thoughts is something you obviously can't control on your own. God did not create us to be able to handle life's circumstances without him. I hope that you believe in Christ Jesus because ultimately the medication can do its part but the Almighty will give you complete healing if you would just call out to him as your Lord and Savior. This depression thing is evil. Can't you tell. All that we describe is Evil and confusion. Call out to God even if you don't know him and ask him to heal you. I am very straight forward and sincere with my words of encouragement. He is the answer. Sincerely Tonyag
It really is worth sticking with it.
Try having a word with your doctor about what you're experiencing, it might be easier maybe to write him or her a letter?
I know there are a lot of side effects associated with SSRIs but unfortunately we msut bear them until they ease of and we start feeling better.
Good luck x
Hi,
I also was prescribed sertraline two weeks ago and have experienced severe side effects. The worst is the diarrhoea and sickness. I have no appetite and have lost over a stone in weight. I can't sleep for more than three hours, constantly feel anxious (which is what I was prescribed the drug for in the fist place), I think I must be grinding my teeth because my jaw aches when I wake up. I have hot sweats and little or no concentration. I'm tired all the time. I know I have to see it through but does anyone know how long these side effects will last? It's making working almost impossible.
Dear Haley,
I was stunned to see that you are having such an obvious adverse reaction to this med and yet people are advising you to stay on it. My advice? Get off it now. The longer you take these kinds of meds the more likely the damages will be permanent.
The worst of the side effect from anti-depressants or anti-phsyc meds in a condition known as Tardive
Dyskinesia. Please look it up. It sounds like you knew there was an issue and stopped taking it right away. When I read all the answers then I wasn't sure what you had decided. These meds were NEVER meant for
long term use and can cause MANY side effects the longer you are on them. Some are irreversible.
Please read this article: https://www.nytimes.com/books/first/g/glenmullen-prozac.html
A simple little drug, Prozac, can cause THIS in two weeks! The other Serotonin up-takes can ALL do the
same thing!
Haley!
Please tell me that you stopped that medication. I'm presently going through seritonin syndrome after taking that pill while on an opiate for pain control. The symptoms started 10 days after I started this pill. Please talk to your Doctor or Pharmacist as soon as possible. Please update if you found the solution.
I wish you all the best,
lorlan
Hi Tony and Hayley I am on 50mg of sertraline due to depression to after being on 20 mg and that wasn't
working or having any real effect and I still have difficulty waking up..and mood swings and trouble
Concentrating.. im wondering if the side effects will start easing
Off or should I go back to the doctor.
Sorry its Haley..my error
Haley: does sound like serotonin syndrome; had it three years ago and spent three months in bed with complications. There are long-term side-effects such as peripheral neuropathy (such as the muscle spasms and tingling/numbness in lower legs) but suggest you try foods rich in magnesium for those issues. It will get better BUT please be careful about NEVER taking any medications in the future that can take you "within the threshold" of serotonin syndrome (your chemist will know which they are). Good luck, be patient, things will improve.
Hello! Can anyone tell me whether their doctor or health website lists tingling in legs or arms as symptoms of serotonin syndrome? I have many of the same symptoms as you do Hayley, including shivering, chills, sweats, tingling in feet, legs and arms , tight muscles...especially hamstring. Itstarted In January when I tapered off lexapro and tapered onto to cymbalta. It got really bad, and the a bit better once I was on cymbalta only. But it's still there. Why doesn't my doctor know of these side effects?
THANK YOU!!! So much for your advice, I was researching serotonin syndrome because I had it several months ago after taking Brintellix for three days after being switched from Lexapro. If anyone even remotely thinks they may have it, STOP taking it, and get yourself to get emergency treatment immediately. Better to be safe than sorry when you are dealing with your brain and its chemistry.
I would not ever wish what I went through on anyone Ive met and not liked.
you need to stop the medication asap... ive just come out of hospital after a severe seretonin syndrome..i only took 2 tablets of paroxetine and within hours was in hospital on a drip..i had all of the sytmptoms you are explaining along with vomiting, burning temp... are you aware that severe cases can end in death so if i was you i wouldnt tk anymore chances.. the only cure is to stop the tablets and let it come out your system but i would stop them right away...it will only get worse..you could have seizures or heart failure.. its not a joke.. i was so ill id hate for anyone to feel like i did.. luckily my doc came right out and called the ambulance.. you need to stop taking them.xx
Thank you Lisa for your post. Many people do not understand just HOW these meds can effect your entire nervous system. Prolonged use may bode well for the doctor and pharmaceutical companies bottom line but for patients? Not so well!
So serious are the side effects that many times they are permanent and patients LONG for the days of simple antiexty or depression!
I would just add for Haley, whose post was five months ago, to step off with her doctor knowing every move. Each person is different. I was alarmed when I read her symptoms as well. I didn't have the dramatic story you have shared so I was more cautious.
Good luck to all of you...
thank you for posting your comments and the link for the article...it was very enlightening...
I had serotonin syndrome and found out by reseaching my symtoms myself. My doctor had no idea about it, even as she kept increasing my dosage of Cymbalta as my symtoms grew worst. Cymbalta caused my depression! among other symtoms. Today I am trying to find the cause behind my major short-term memory issues as well as the noticible change in my personality, among other symtoms I am experiencing since the worst of my time on that medication. I so often use the phrase "I used to.." . But that is what everyday life has become. I used to do a lot of things I no longer can do. Reading is one example of that. I was an advid reader, but can no longer keep the gist of what I am reading in my memory, so it loses its appeal, because I have to constantly re-read. I'm sure these are minimal issues compared to what other people go through, but losing "yourself" is still a great loss to yourself.
I couldn't agree more with you! Well said!
Hi Hayley,
how are you doing now? Did you recover?
Cheers,
Laura
Hi Laura, I noticed your post was the most recent,I took two 5 htp tablets and on the third day I started to feel very poorly, my head,neck and shoulders were so painful and tight.i couldn't eat and I was having very bad panic attacks,and couldn't sleep,my doctor thinks I'm intolerant to seratonin anyway that was a month ago, I ve just started to eat a little more, but I hardly sleep my arms and legs are tingly.i just wondered if you knew how long these symptoms last for.i hope you are well x
Hi Fudgeybear1,
I'm sorry to hear what happened to you. It's incredible what damage even a freely available supplement can do. I've read some horror stories about 5HTP, Inositol and other supplements that "hack" the bodies natural regulatory systems.
You're doc is probably right, your body is not tolerating this stuff. It's great that your doctor acknowledges this and doesn't just call you "crazy", like all my doctors do.
Unfortunately there is no way to tell you how long these symptoms will last. You're probably lucky that you didn't try an antidepressant. That would have likely damaged you even worse. There is some people who just can't handle antidepressants. You and I are probably among those.
What I've learned from my experience:
- Don't try to "fix" this situation with medication or supplements. I have seriously damaged myself trying to do so. It's very tempting but it just doesn't work.
- Be very kind to your body. Eat well, take time off work if needed. You need to focus on healing.
- Don't despair. There's more people out there with the same symptoms. This will pass. It's just like a car accident. S*** happens in life, but it also passes.
I would recommend to not ever touch an antidepressant under any circumstances, given your reaction to 5htp. Doctors might not understand the full risk because these reactions are quite rare.
I hope you'll heal soon.
Best of luck, Laura
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