Sertraline withdrawal symptoms

Treatment and medication
1

I was asked by my GP if I would like to try some tablets when my dad got diagnosed with Cancer in April last year. After alot of thought, I thought well anything has to help me cope with the troubles we had as a family and myself trying to work my own life, plus being a community nurse help with my emotions while nursing patient who were also being diagnosed with cancer.

Sadly my dad died in March and it hit me like a brick wall. I was taking 50mg of sertraline at night before I went to bed. I felt terrible when I started taking it and the side affects were terrible. Sickness, dizziness, mood swings it was crazy. I took some time out from work.

I decided two weeks ago I wanted to start reducing my dose with the view of stopping the medication altogether. So I started with 1 tablet every other day suggested by my GP. Then after a week half a tablet every other day for a week being 25mg every other night. Not feeling much different hahaha untill about three days ago. WOW something hit me like a bus. Feeling dizzy, tingling all over like pins and needles but the tickling kind. Sore joints. Disrupted sleep. Unbelievable tiredness through the day. EATING (I recently lost 5 1/2stone with slimming world) now putting weight on like mad. I truly hope that this stops. I don't know when it will but I know they can't last forever.

Now knowing other people are going through the same symptoms I feel so much better as o was about to go to my GP and request blood samples taken to check my sugar levels and iron etc. I actually feel like there is something wrong.

I will say I am a big guy who is very head strong with a very stable life. Crazy work life but fantastic. I can see the light and now know this hasn't been easy but will be worth it after the medication goes from my body. Thank goodness.

Talking and having a good cry really helps. I have two rotweillers who I talk to and the most supportive husband to help me. Plus I have an allotment and it has never looked better as I take my frustrations out on that. I felt like I couldn't grieve for my dad till now and can finally have a good cry. Sertraline blocks all emotions so I would definitely say it isn't a good drug at all x x take care everyone and smile

2

One thing I try to tell myself during rough times is that like everything else, this too shall pass.  Sometimes when anxiety creeps in, it's hard to see past the moment.  If you feel you are better off the sertraline, hang in there.  I took it only for three days a few weeks ago for mood and slight anxiety and could not handle the side effects.   I have heard it's an adjustment.  My pharmacist said sertraline is a clean long used medication and altough tapering off is key to limiting withdrawals, one should be fine once the drug is out of one's system. Now I have trouble sleeping, so writing on these message boards helps me wind down. I am sorry to hear of your dad's passing.  Good luck processing everything and coming off sertraline.  

3

Hope you will be fine as you taper off the medicine

4

Hi Drew,

I too lost my Dad to Cancer. He was diagnosed six years ago at which point anxiety hit me like a freight truck, I saw traumatic things and events when I went to visit him (Wont go into fine detail).

He passed away whilst Mum and I were at his side three years sgo and since then I have been suffering with chronic Depersonalization where the body has had to much anxiety so the brain puts down a shield to protect you from more and you feel detatched from your normal emotion, feelings and life, its like living in a dream but awake.

Currently on 150mg Sertraline and to be honest I have never felt as bad, the first few weeks were horrendous.

Currently experiencing panic attacks and sleeplessness, seeing a psycotherapist who said I have Post Traumatic Stress Dissorder due to stuff I was unable to process mentally as it was so traumatic.

Pets ate a great therapy, I have two cats and a loving Wife...