Qqii: switch from tablets to liquid (sertraline), anxiety and panic attack

[Qqii]

Hey! I recently switched from pills to liquid form Sertraline. I took 1ml (20mg) liquid today and 1-2 hours later i get hard to controll to anxiety, almost went in to a anxiety attack. Should hold on to do this switch since it easier to taper liquid or should i switch back to pills? Im very sensitive to meds. Regards L

Edited May 27, 2017 by scallywag
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[nz11]

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[Altostrata]

Welcome, Qqii.
 
Please read Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline) carefully.

 

We suggest people take part of the dose in tablet form and part of the dose in liquid form for a while, to ease the transition to liquid.

[keepingdixie]

I'm sure if it were just one / two hours later it was a mental thing i.e. you freaked out as you knew you had switched and were anxious about what might happen...we are what we think etc. I find sometimes the thought of withdrawing is harder than the actual withdrawal you know?! 

[Qqii]

Hello! Im suspecting that antidepressant (or maybe any substance) is less potent in liquid than pill form. When i was on Lexapro (Escitalopram) i tried liquid form, the exact same dose, even though this I experienced more anxiety, and my cognitive ability began to increase (that's when I know the dose is lowered, because they screw up my mental ability). Fast forward. Half year ago i wanted to switch to a less potent ssri, so i went for Zoloft. Eventually i tried liquid form. I went from the same manufacturer, from pill to liquid. And also this time i experienced anxiety, panic attacks, increased mental ability. Which tells me that it somehow is less effective, so I went back to pill form Zoloft, then I was alright. Both time, if I recall correctly I mixed these liquids with water, stirred around and then drank it. I would love to have liquid instead of pill form, so i dont have to weigh it, because it is less time consuming with liquid, and less messy. Anyone know if im doing something wrong, or why it is like this?

[mammaP]

Hi Qqii, welcome to SA. There can be problems switching from tablets to liquid, even with the same maufacturer.  We suggest taking part tablet and part liquid and increasing the liquid over time while decreasing the tablet. You could cut a tablet in half then cut one half in half so you have one 1/2 and 2 x 1/4 . Take 3/4 of the tablet and the rest in liquid. After a few days ( I make it a week if I change brands ) take half tablet and half liquid, then 1/4 tablet and the rest liquid, then all liquid. Alternatively you could make a liquid from tablets yourself. Lots of people do this and it works well.   

 

Instead of tapering 1mg every other month we suggest tapering 10% of the CURRENT dose with 4 weeks between cuts, or some people make smaller cuts more often. Tapering 1mg every 2 months is slow but the % of cut gets larger each time, and that leads to withdrawal.  People often have to go back up in dose, especially at smaller doses and can take some time to stabilise before restarting the taper. I will post some links for you. I am glad that you joined us. 

 

How to make a liquid. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/2693-how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

 

Tapering sertraline

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1441-tips-for-tapering-off-zoloft-sertraline/

 

Micro taper

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2878-micro-taper-instead-of-10-or-5-decreases/

 

[nz11]

Qqii how are you doing?

[Qqii]

Hey guys! I really have an issue. I am extremely sensitive to any kind of drug. 

 

Ibuprofen: I tried really low does (60mg), . Side effects = Ringing in ears, eye pain, depressed mood, stomach pain, acid coming up my throat. anxiety. 

Blood pressure medicine (Propranolol) 5mg = Side effects, extremely tired, breathing difficulties, leg pain, chest pains, stomach pain

 

The lists goes on, the lowest possible dose. If i check the recommended dose for infants, i can barely tolerate it. Its insane. 

 

What do I do? Im in the middle of tapering, from 25mg zoloft to 12mg atm (1 1/2 years). And i started noticing this when i switched from clomipramine to escitalopram. Thats when i started not tolerating coffee. When i drank coffee i started having panic attacks, breathing difficulties, stomach pains, sometimes becoming aggressive. I saw these symtoms EACH time i drank coffee. So when i quit my anxiety got so much better. 

 

I mean, what if i need surgery some day, how the hell am i suppose to tolerate sedation, morphine etc? Thats a big fear of mine. 

 

I really want to hear if someone else have this, if anything helps, if it gets better when you get off the ssri maybe your cns will heal. I dunno. Just wanted to hear some others experience.

Edited February 4, 2019 by manymoretodays
merged to existing introduction

[eymen23]

Hi Qqii,

 

This is relatively common for those who’s nervous systems have been destabilised by adverse reactions, drug changes, rapid tapers etc. The nervous system can become hypersensitive to drugs, supplements and even foods. 

 

It’s best to avoid anything that is triggering reactions, which will help in allowing your nervous system to settle and find stability. in terms of when this gets better, it’s more of a mixed bag, everyone’s experience of SSRI’s and tapering is different.

 

I’ve read many intro topics here and many individuals found they could tolerate things like caffeine after their nervous systems stabilised. Sometimes this won’t happen until the taper completes and the body has an extended period to heal off the drug entirely, but there is no way to know for sure. You may find that as you slowly taper and your dosage lowers, you’re able to better tolerate things you couldn’t previously. 

 

For now, the best you can do is avoid anything that seems to trigger a reaction. In regards to your ‘what if’ around surgery. If this scenario arises, you will cross that bridge when it comes. Various members here have had to have dental work, vaccinations or surgery during this process and of those who have symptom flare-ups, things tend to start settling before too long. 

 

 If somebody reads this with more knowledge or experience, hopefully they’ll be able to share more specific details. 

[Qqii]

Hey thanks for answer! Im glad its a common thing (or well, you know...) 

[Carmie]

Hi Qqii, 

 

How are you doing?💚