Side effects after 3 years?

Treatment and medication
1

Hi guys, so i started on 50mg of sertraline 3 years ago, I experienced all the normal side effects everyone does (headaches, shortness of breath, tiredness, nausea, etc) but they all went away and my panic attacks eased off. I must say, I never felt particularly happy on the drug, but im still here so hey! 

Anyway, about a year ago I started having weird bouts of illness, for example one week i'd feel extremely fatigued to the point where moving around is difficult. Im extremely active and love the gym, im 23 years old, male and in good health (sort of). Anyway I assumed this was just a bug of some sort and it would go away. It did go away, but returns all the time. Most days I have NO ENERGY. I barely go the gym anymore, I'm always poorly, tired, headaches etc. 

I must admit I was never great with my sertraline, and id sometimes miss doses, I tapered down to 25mg a day, but then decided to go back up a few months ago. Since I went back up I seem to be getting these bouts of fatigue more often. 

2 weeks ago I decided to go cold turkey and stop the sertraline, I know cold turkey isnt advised but I'm through the worst of the withdrawals now (THANK THE LORD)

I guess my question is, could it have been the sertraline giving me these chronic fatigue-like symptoms, did my body develop an intolerance due to the missed doses? 

its worth mentioning ive had my blood work done and all of my vitamin levels, thyroid levels, etc are completely normal - im a "picture of health" according to my GP  yet here I am posting on here... 

2

Hi dan38255

I get the same. Periods of exhaustion where my body physically hurts. How have you been since you’ve completely come off sertraline? I’m on 200mg a day and have been for about 2 yrs now. Things have levelled out so I’m now thinking of coming off them.

3

Hi Dan!

I think a lot of things can make ourselves develop tolerance to a med....a virus, stress coming back, poop out, skipping doses or alcool intake.

Maybe if you would like to ease the symptoms of withdrawal, you can reinstate a tiny dose and slowly decrease that one.

Do you want to try something else???

I also develop big time tolerance to antidepressants. No one seems to help and I just cant feel okay on even a low dose. But weaning is also a big pain. Im still on 25mg and when I try to lower that dose, I feel bad a few days later with anxiety, big time shaking, feel really low, digest issues and ectopic heart beat.

I dont know either if I should go on and try to pass it through those symptoms or if it means I have to stick to it.

Chronic fatigue is also a big issue.

4

Hi, yeah it’s awful I’ve tried everything even down to going gluten free! I’ve cut down smoking, cut my caffeine intake, everything I can lol! I’m 23 this shouldn’t be happening! I feel ok now my withdrawals symtoms are slowly passing (although not gone). The problem is, the withdrawals are the same symptoms as what I’ve been ezperiencing so until I’m completely over that I won’t know if it was the sertraline! 

5

Hi, my withdrawals symptoms are steady now, and if sertraline is making me ill I certainly don’t want to put more in my body! I do have all the symptoms of CFS but I’m convinced it’s either the sertraline or my mental health in general. All I can advise to you, if you feel “ready” to be without the sertraline, just stop. 25mg is a low dosage anyway, and your symptoms will get bad but then ease up, if I can do it you can! 

6

Sounds like you’ve been through it.  You’ve given me food for thought over coming off mine in a positive way. Well good luck and wish you well with a healthy and stable future off meds 

7

Its sooo hard to stop and Im scared!!!

When I go below 25mg, I shake so much and anxiety/feeling down just intensify!!!! I get palpitations when lowering and that scares me also.

Did you get that when you stopped ??? How long did it last?

For fatigue, maybe try to see a naturopath. Sometimes they can advise you how to work on that.

8

Hi Dan,

I’ve experienced many days and weeks when I don’t have energy and have to push (will) myself off the sofa. When I do, working out is a joy. Having said that, I’ve not had a panic attack since July, so I’ll take the sofa any day. I simply push myself off my bum to get a workout in. I can see how this could be an issue, but I truly am happier and I have my life back as panic and anxiety truly consumed me. Best luck to you, - x kat

9

Hi Dan!

Just wanted to know how you have been with your withdrawal ?

I am starting this and need some intake that its okay???

Take care