BaldPhoenix - 1 pill of 50mg Sertraline

[BaldPhoenix]

Hi all,

 

6 months ago, August 2022 I took a single 50mg pill of Sertraline. I decided to quit immediately since I felt very bad and developed sexual side effects within less than an hour.

The first 2 months, I felt lightheaded sometimes, had GI issues, and on and off sexual side effects. I figured these would improve with time - my life was bearable however.

 

At the 2 month mark, I started developing tingling in my hands and feet, and feeling like something in my brain "turned on" (left side)

These symptoms also came and left. My sexual side effects got worse. Total ED for like 2 months.

At this point, I started waking up with nausea at the mornings which usually went away after a couple hours, and developed brainfog.

 

This went on and off - until the 6 months mark (now)

I'm not sure what triggered this, I actually started feeling bad before this started so I'm not sure this is the cause, but I had to use antibiotics (Amoxicillin) because of a tooth extraction.

I remember feeling my sexual side effects subsiding during the week on the antibiotics. However, 2 weeks after stopping everything went to hell.

 

My hands and legs went numb, total ED again, brainfog. I rushed to the ER to try and understand what's going on - I was going back and forth between numbness and extreme muscle shakiness, anxiety and elevated heart rate.

No answers from the doctors yet. The next day my leg muscles couldn't stopped contracting up to the point where I developed hip pain and had problems sleeping at night.

My GI issues also got worse (started developing abdominal pain)

The neurological muscular issues went away luckily (I started taking B12 supplements as I thought the GI issues caused this due to malnutrition - also not sure)

My blood test are all fine.

 

This past week I'm in constant waves & windows, my penile sensitivity actually came back full force for 2 days after 6 months (I was shocked)

Then it left again (about 50%)

Then extreme nausea again. I am now suffering from brainfog & nausea again which comes and goes.

 

I'm now seeing a GI specialist to rule out other medical issues.

 

I really hope I recover from this.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @BaldPhoenix

 

We have a small population of people here who had severe adverse reactions to antidepressants almost immediately. See 

 

Adverse reactions to an antidepressant within a few doses -- how long for recovery?

 

These Intro topics are tagged with "immediate ADR". What we see is people have symptoms that look like protracted withdrawal syndrome and, like protracted withdrawal, they very, very gradually recover.

 

We have also seen antibiotics complicate adverse effects of psychiatric drugs or withdrawal syndromes. They clearly have some neurological effect.

 

How has your symptom pattern changed in the last 2 months?

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

[BaldPhoenix]

Thank you, @Altostrata
I edited my signature.

I'm not sure I'm an immediate ADR case. My initial symptoms were sexual dysfunction, GI issues and occasional light headedness in the beginning. (I felt bad the day I took that but that was it) Only after around 2 months the symptoms started getting worse.

 

Unfortunately my symptoms seem to be getting stronger, I'm not sure if it's because of the antibiotics or not.

In the last month I started developing muscle numbness which I didn't have before (this also comes and goes, previously I only had tingling)

Also my gut issues are as bad as they were in the beginning.

 

 

Is it common for symptoms to worsen 4-6 months after quitting Zoloft?

 

[BaldPhoenix]

Gut issues seem to be resolved now.

However muscle numbness is getting stronger and I'm having a lot of pain in my legs...

 

And there's also a lot of anxiety, I'm always on edge. I never had this before, hope it passes soon.

[Altostrata]

LIke withdrawal syndrome, post-discontinuation effects from an ADR may come and go and change into other symptoms as your nervous system repairs itself in patches.

 

Anything that might be causing the anxiety? Are you taking other drugs, supplements, alcohol?

 

Good to hear the gut issues have resolved.

[BaldPhoenix]

I'm not taking anything at the moment, no. (The physical anxiety is gone however)

I'm thinking of starting probiotics however (GI issues on and off again)

 

Currently with severe brain fog... It's crazy how much damage one pill can do and I'm not normal after 6 months.

 

I'll try to update here once in a week or two, the constant reading and researching makes me really paranoid that I'll stay like this for years.

Hope it gets better soon

[peaceandlove]

Hey same thing happened to me 9 months ago from a single pill.. you’re not alone 

[BaldPhoenix]

@peaceandlove What are your symptoms?
Do you have any gut issues?

 

I'm starting to look into gut because my symptoms are always worse when my gut issues are worse.

I also read a lot about PSSD cases on Reddit where they fixed their symptoms by fixing their gut (Dysbiosis / SIBO)

 

Gut issues might just be a symptoms of withdrawal, but I wonder if the root cause of SSRI withdrawal is just your gut microbiome out of whack because of the drugs and takes a long time to normalize

[BaldPhoenix]

End of a week update:

 

Had a lot of symptoms this week, still coming and going:

- GI issues (diarrhea, sharp burning pain, acid reflux)

- Brain fog

- PSSD

- Burning skin in calves and palms

- Muscle weakness - mostly right leg

- Muscle twitching - Right leg, left eye, right triceps

- Right shoulder joint pain

- Major fatigue

- Shaking

- Tinnitus

- Mucus when breathing

 

At the end of the week I'm left with:

- GI issues (improvement in diarrhea, pain is gone)

- Still some minor skin burning

- PSSD

- Still a bit of tingling in palms and feet, mostly gone

- Still get mucus when breathing sometimes

 

I'm still very stressed out by this, really scared of the possibility of staying like this.

Trying to distract myself.

[peaceandlove]

On 2/13/2023 at 11:30 AM, BaldPhoenix said:

@peaceandlove What are your symptoms?
Do you have any gut issues?

 

I'm starting to look into gut because my symptoms are always worse when my gut issues are worse.

I also read a lot about PSSD cases on Reddit where they fixed their symptoms by fixing their gut (Dysbiosis / SIBO)

 

Gut issues might just be a symptoms of withdrawal, but I wonder if the root cause of SSRI withdrawal is just your gut microbiome out of whack because of the drugs and takes a long time to normalize

yes I have GI issues which include: constipation, acid reflex , stomach burning pain / cramps. It’s just like my whole digestive system isn’t working pretty much. This is the worse symptom for me. 
 

other symptoms that I’ve had:

 

physical:

fatigue

burning skin feeling

random rashes

heart palpitations 

Frequent urinating / weird sensations down there

 

mental:

intrusive thoughts that aren’t mines

ocd

crying for no reason

scared of stuff I was never afraid of 

depressed feeling

anxiety for no reason

 

I’m pretty much going through the same exact thing as you.

[Annaaa]

@BaldPhoenix Hi , I’m also going through something similar as you , after taking one dose of Lexapro 10 mg I have a lot of your symptoms, also the pssd and skin numbness & many more . I also couldn’t believe this could happen to me after one pill . 

[BaldPhoenix]

Not getting any better unfortunately...

[BaldPhoenix]

Hi all,

I'm not doing any better unfortunately. Many of my symptoms "improved" but were replaced by other symptoms.

 

I am starting to develop severe neuropathy and a neurologist just sent me to get a biopsy for small fiber neuropathy after the rest of my test were clear.

I got the results and they are inconclusive. Not negative but not extremely positive. Not sure what my neurologist will decide to do.

 

I have periods of hearing loss in my right ear (tinnitus and ear pressure), muscle coordination and weakness, blurry vision, nausea, dizziness, PSSD and more.. These symptoms come and go. I actually thought I was doing better until my last 2 flares.

 

It's been 1 year now since I took a single pill of Zoloft, and I'm afraid I've developed autoimmune neuropathy.

[BaldPhoenix]

A little update from me,

 

I was doing a lot better the past 2 months as my joint, muscle, tinnitus, and food sensitivities have improved by a lot.

My eyesight is not blurry anymore. I still have PSSD and shortness of breath.

 

Well unfortunately I ate gluten a few times, and now I have a severe flare up of all my symptoms again. Feel really devastated. I hope it's temporary.

[BaldPhoenix]

Doing a lot better, my vision is almost completely recovered, seems like I am getting less waves. A lot less brain fog.

 

No change in sexual symptoms.

[Farm24]

On 1/12/2024 at 3:57 PM, BaldPhoenix said:

Doing a lot better, my vision is almost completely recovered, seems like I am getting less waves. A lot less brain fog.

 

No change in sexual symptoms.

I also had several issues with my first dose. I don't have pssd but I have reduced sensations in my arms and legs and face.  I haven't had a wave where I have total feeling back. Does your pssd have waves?  You were smart to stop after one dose

[BaldPhoenix]

On 3/4/2024 at 12:56 AM, Farm24 said:

I also had several issues with my first dose. I don't have pssd but I have reduced sensations in my arms and legs and face.  I haven't had a wave where I have total feeling back. Does your pssd have waves?  You were smart to stop after one dose

Unfortunately I barely have any windows / waves... I had one for a very short period (maybe 30 mins) and then numbness again.

I've accepted this is my new normal... 20 months now. I am getting better but I lost faith that I'm going back to my previous self.

 

And yes I'm glad I didn't listen to the gaslighting.

[BaldPhoenix]

20 months now.

 

I am happy to say my vision problems are completely resolved.
My GI issues are a lot better, even though they still exist from time to time.

My erections are starting to return even though I still have genital numbness.

No more numbness of arms and legs.

 

I still have issues, am no where near where I was before being drugged.

 

But I feel some progress. I hope I am starting to turn a corner.

[SouthernMan]

How are you doing now? Still

seeing progress? What’s healed and what do you still have? 

[BaldPhoenix]

On 4/21/2024 at 3:12 PM, SouthernMan said:

How are you doing now? Still

seeing progress? What’s healed and what do you still have? 

Seems like my body is going crazy... My libido is basically non existent since I took the drug.

A few nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night, with my entire libido restored, genital sensation back and full erection. It only lasted for 2 minutes unfortunately.

 

Since then genital numbness and low libido are back but my erections are back.

Now it seems like I'm entering crazy waves I didn't have before, my gut issues are triggered again, vision blurry again (but resolved again thankfully)

 

Had numbness and tingling again (but resolved again)

 

Now I also have air-hunger like symptoms, I feel like I can't breathe sometimes...

 

I'm not sure what's going on - one symptoms resolves then a few pop up and resolve again.

 

I guess this shows whatever this is , it is not permanent damage

[BaldPhoenix]

I am starting to lose hope though, will be 2 years soon, I'm not sure I'll ever get back to normal again

[BaldPhoenix]

Entered a massive flare. My gut is screwed, I have trouble walking. These are symptoms that resolved previously and they are back.

SD is back again. Severe migraines.

 

Feel horrible. Yesterday I got nausea just by looking at a screen, it's as if I felt extremely stimulated.

 

Can anyone comment and tell me if there is any hope given that this is my state after 2 years? I thought I was doing better but I feel back at square one.

[SouthernMan]

Hey there. I’m in the same boat, 19 months off, was doing much better then boom. Sleep has gone down hill, muscle twitching like crazy, high anxiety, ears ringing, etc. wild. Was doing so much better. 

[Chompoo]

1 hour ago, BaldPhoenix said:

Entered a massive flare. My gut is screwed, I have trouble walking. These are symptoms that resolved previously and they are back.

SD is back again. Severe migraines.

 

Feel horrible. Yesterday I got nausea just by looking at a screen, it's as if I felt extremely stimulated.

 

Can anyone comment and tell me if there is any hope given that this is my state after 2 years? I thought I was doing better but I feel back at square one.

I have an immediate adverse reaction like you, to only one pill. My gut is also messed up, like you. I've done a stool test of my microbiome and I have a severe overgrowth of bad bacteria and Candida. It's so severe that it's a bloodstream infection, affecting other organs like my eyes, brains etc. 

What I understand about my condition is that my immune system is fighting the infection. When the bad bacteria and Candida get killed off, they release a lot of toxins, which cause inflammation in the body and a whole range of symptoms.

When you're in a flare, it probably means your immune system has been active in killing these off. The activity of the immune system tends to wax and wane throughout the month, depending on our hormones.

Don't worry, what you're experiencing is normal and you are still healing. Don't give up, you will be 100% back to normal one day.
 

[Fairsome]

Definitely check your gut! Obviously the antibiotics have done some disruptions as well, focus on your diet and maybe try some probiotics or synbiotics (prebiotics + probiotics). It's actually best to do a microbiome test, too. You will be fine.

[BaldPhoenix]

Thanks for the comments!

 

I did previously do a microbiome test, and it came out with dysbiosis.

Unfortunately I had a period where I looked into this but no one actually knows how to treat it apart from throwing random supplements.

 

Did anyone have success with this approach?

[SouthernMan]

Cut out all carbs and sugar. I had it, went carnivore and cleared it up. 

[BaldPhoenix]

1 hour ago, SouthernMan said:

Cut out all carbs and sugar. I had it, went carnivore and cleared it up. 

Thanks, I thought you mentioned you aren't doing so well?

Did carnivore fix some of your WD? are you still doing it?

[SouthernMan]

I’m getting better. Just had a set back with antibiotics. Nothing you can do to speed up or fix withdraw, no diet, workout, etc. but, yes Carnivore helped my gut a lot. I’m about 2 1/2 weeks off antibiotics, just climbing back out of the hole. Just ramped up symptoms and brought back symptoms I hadn’t had in a while. 

[BaldPhoenix]

I'm gonna try it again then. I already went down this rabbit-hole previously with all the gut theories but gave up on them.

Carnivore was very good for me for 5 days before I developed severe heart palpitations and almost passed out. I think it was because I didn't supplement with electrolytes.

[Fairsome]

3 hours ago, BaldPhoenix said:

Thanks for the comments!

 

I did previously do a microbiome test, and it came out with dysbiosis.

Unfortunately I had a period where I looked into this but no one actually knows how to treat it apart from throwing random supplements.

 

Did anyone have success with this approach?

Depending on what dysbiosis you have, you can treat it with probiotics, prebiotics, antimicrobials, prokinetics etc. You can look at the post history of @Chompoo, she has explained in detail her approach into this.

[SouthernMan]

Yeah you have to salt heavy or electrolytes while you transition 

[Chompoo]

@BaldPhoenix if you've done a microbiome test, it would have told you the root cause of your gut problem.

Low IgA = low immune function
You need to eat a diet rich in these vitamins or supplement- Vitamin D, Zinc and Vitamin A and Vitamin B3, 6, 9, 12.
Some people in reddit recovered within a few weeks of taking high doses of zinc. Others recovered when they corrected their Vitamin D deficiency.
Personally, I'm not at the stage of recovery where I can take high doses of anything. My body is unable to detox off the die-off toxins when too much bad bacteria / candida get killed at one go

High steatocrit = low bile
Taurine and glycine increase bile flow. You can also supplement with ox bile. Other things that increase bile flow in your everyday diet - healthy fats (e.g. extra virgin olive oil), bitter vegetables / herbs, and cruciferous vegetables (eaten as raw as possible).

 

Low elastase = low stomach acid / digestive enzymes
Zinc, magnesium and calcium increase stomach acid. Black pepper increase stomach acid and digestive enzymes. You can also get digestive enzymes from supplements.

Probiotics are helpful, but you need to take it together with prebiotics for it to work. Even then, it's not a magic bullet. Many people in Reddit took high doses prebiotics for 6 months before they recovered.

 

The carnivore diet is helpful as it contains a lot of Vitamin Bs, which help in both digestion and the immune function. If you get heart palpitations from it, you should start slow and taper up. As in one big meal of meat a day for 2-3 weeks. Before going up to 2 meals a day, and then 3 meals a day.

But I wouldn't advise you to stay on the carnivore diet long-term. Because fiber is important for building up the beneifical bacteria in your gut. Of course, some people have negative reactions to fruits and vegetables, mainly due to the oxalate and lectin content. You can always start with low oxalate and lectin fruits and vegetables first, and slowly re-introduce others slowly over several months. Personally, I'm on a high animal protein, high healthy fats, high vegetables and fruits but no grains, legumes, beans or seeds diet.

Most of all, stay away from inflammatory food. They will hinder your recovery. These include simple carbohydrates, added sugar, diary yeast, gluten, trans fats, monosodium glutamate, chemical food preservatives, processed food and high histamine food.

The recovery time can be as long as 6 months - 1 year, even if you stick to the right diet and take the right vitamins /supplements every day. And even then, the recovery process can be up and down as you experience inflammation from the die-offs. But as long as you stick to it, you will eventually recover. All the best!

[BaldPhoenix]

Just a little update, I went keto a week and a half ago... Had a transition period but my "widthrawal" symptoms are moderately reduced. Worth a try it you are suffering.

I'm going to to continue and maybe even go carnivore for a month and then do gut work and see what happens.

[hussy]

YEs carnivore helped me also i have been carnivore for 2 years. i had completly resolved my PSSD and withdrwals and was almost 100 percent for almost 1 year plus. I recently just ***** up and took benzos a month ago. only 3 doses. i am having another withdrawal now. bad waves . but i am sure carnivore will help u a lot. it resolved my lingering issues. etc. give it 3 months atleast. u will notice lots of imprivements

[Farm24]

On 6/17/2024 at 3:28 PM, BaldPhoenix said:

Just a little update, I went keto a week and a half ago... Had a transition period but my "widthrawal" symptoms are moderately reduced. Worth a try it you are suffering.

I'm going to to continue and maybe even go carnivore for a month and then do gut work and see what happens.

Any updates