Lipsticklou:HI

[Lipsticklou]

HI everyone,

I am so glad i have found this forum, After 10 years of being on Sertraline 200mg a day, and Gabapentin 900mg a day for 7 years i am well in the throws of withdrawal , this has been the hardest thing i have ever had to go through , i was missed diagnosed 10 years ago and actually now realize that there was actually nothing  medically wrong with me , i just needed a bit of support and understanding but instead was put on medication, i am going through hell with these horrendous withdrawal symptoms, head zaps ,sickness, diarrhoea, hot sweats, fatigue, ear ache, painful mouth, headaches, severe mood swings, headaches, depression, dizziness, the list goes on , this now is just over a month it is wearing me down , sometimes i feel and see how far i have come but then  3 hrs later i seem to be back where i was, its hard to dig deep when there is no one around you that knows what your going through or what you feel ,will i ever be back to how i should be ??    

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Lipsticklou

 

When did you take your last pill of each drug and how did you taper?

 

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

[Lipsticklou]

Hi I have been pill free since the 25th May 2023 , I have reduced by 25mg every other week as instructed by my doctor,  it has been the most horrendous experience in my life and even though we are now in July I am still suffering with certain withdrawal is this normal and how long will this go on for ?

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Lipsticklou

 

Withdrawal symptoms result from tapering too quickly. They are normal only in that they are common because doctors don't know anything about tapering. Doctors presume that withdrawal symptoms are mild and last only a few weeks, but clearly this is not what has happened to you.

 

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

[Lipsticklou]

Hi yes it has I spent 2 1/2 weeks in bed with severe symptoms, sickness horrendous brain zaps vision was disturbed diarrhoea,  now I am left with moods swings digestion problems , bad tummy ,but there is obviously a vast improvement as I'm able to function alot better as in everyday routine with my children 

[Altostrata]

I am sorry you had those weeks of severe acute withdrawal syndrome.

 

You probably went off 2 drugs too quickly. If you've seen significant improvement in only 2 months, you might recover naturally. You'll need to be patient, this is likely to be slow. See

What is withdrawal syndrome? 
  
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Many people find these to be helpful:

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

You might try a low dose of one at a time to see what it does for you.

 

Please let us know how you're doing. 

[Lipsticklou]

Thank you so much I will try those suggestions I need to manage the withdrawal that I am experiencing now ,thank god I found this site it helps to know I am not on my own ! I have recently had a terrible argument with my mother who has no idea what I'm going through and at 85 years old has her own issues with an ageing brain ,this seems to have impacted on my recovery and I have spent the last 3 days feeling very unwell but I'm guessing my brain can not cope with additional pressure at the moment?

[Altostrata]

You might be very sensitive to emotional upset. Please avoid it if possible. You might assure your mother that you don't feel well but you're going to cope with it.

[Lipsticklou]

Thank you very much for your help I will update with regards to the supplements you have recommended which I have started today 😀 

[Lipsticklou]

Hi thought I'd share sine exciting news I have been taking omega 3 fish oil since Monday and vitamin E since Tuesday and now its Friday and the difference in my general feelings in my head is amazing, I am still suffering with mild brain zaps and a weird sensation like my brain is turning completely over but certainly not as bad as they were which is amazing ! I am starting on the magnesium tomorrow so watch this space! 

I have also been trying to find some advice on weight gain caused by sertraline,  I have over the 10year period of being on them put on over 3 stone which for a small person like me is excessive, I am hoping that now I'm off the drugs I will lose some weight but just recently I seem to have got bigger and feel bloated which worries me alot , is this normal ? Will I eventually lose this weight ? Anyone else had this problem?

 

[Lipsticklou]

Hi anyone got any suggestions on sickness, mine seems to be really bad again , it was improving but last couple of nights it's been horrendous again to the point of having to go to bed with fans on ,as the cold helps for some reason ,I'm struggling with food as well.it either gives me upset tummy or raging indigestion this all seemed to have settled down but as bad as ever again, just when I thought I'd turned a massive corner 😞

[modelarz71]

My mom doesn't understand WD either, but psychiatrists don't either
 I'm glad my mom is close. Regards PS I took only 6 months of escitalopram and I also have WD

[Onmyway]

Hi @Lipsticklou, I've merged your post from the Symptoms forum here. Please search for existing threads before you start one - there is one on the topic of nausea and physical symptoms

 

[Lipsticklou]

Hi after coming off Sertraline last year after a very slow tapering off which was over seen by my new GP I find myself now really struggling with Depression which is something I've never had a problem with in fact that was not the reason I was put on the drug in 2013.

I am finding it really hard to cope with the highs and the more so lows, has anyone else struggled with this? my actual withdrawal was horrendous and my GP told me I has a severe withdrawal very much like someone who had withdrawn Heroin so I'm hoping its just my brain trying to find its level, any advice  ??? 

[Emonda]

Welcome back @Lipsticklou,

I've moved your new post back to your own thread. It is best to keep everything relating to yourself in one spot. It makes it easier for those trying to assist and for others who may read about your journey.

 

Sorry to hear you have been doing it tough. Stopping ADs CT can take quite a while to stabilise from.

 

Have you seen the following list of possible WD symptoms? Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

People experiencing WD symptoms often say things like you said, "I've never had a problem before", or, "This feels different to my previous symptoms".

 

9 hours ago, Lipsticklou said:

I find myself now really struggling with Depression which is something I've never had a problem with in fact that was not the reason I was put on the drug in 2013.

 

I note that symptoms that mimic depression are the first symptoms on the checklist. Have a read of the list. Can you relate to what you read? It's not at all uncommon to experience WD symptoms 9 months after a CT.

 

Have you read these links before:

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Can you identify these windows and waves in your life over the past ~9 months?

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Non-drug coping strategies

 

Are you still taking your magnesium and fish oil?

 

Are you drinking alcohol at all?

 

10 hours ago, Lipsticklou said:

I'm hoping its just my brain trying to find its level,

 

What you describe and the timeline suggests this is the case. It takes time and patience to stabilise from a CT. Have you noticed any improvement with any symptoms over the past 9 months?

 

Does gentle exercise help you? It does wonders for me, but others don't find it beneficial. Moderation is key.

 

I'd encourage you to read some of the success stories. I find they give me a real boost when I need it.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Emonda

 

 

 

[Lipsticklou]

8 hours ago, Emonda said:

Welcome back @Lipsticklou,

I've moved your new post back to your own thread. It is best to keep everything relating to yourself in one spot. It makes it easier for those trying to assist and for others who may read about your journey.

 

Sorry to hear you have been doing it tough. Stopping ADs CT can take quite a while to stabilise from.

 

Have you seen the following list of possible WD symptoms? 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

People experiencing WD symptoms often say things like you said, "I've never had a problem before", or, "This feels different to my previous symptoms".

 

 

I note that symptoms that mimic depression are the first symptoms on the checklist. Have a read of the list. Can you relate to what you read? It's not at all uncommon to experience WD symptoms 9 months after a CT.

 

Have you read these links before:

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Can you identify these windows and waves in your life over the past ~9 months?

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Non-drug coping strategies

 

Are you still taking your magnesium and fish oil?

 

Are you drinking alcohol at all?

 

 

What you describe and the timeline suggests this is the case. It takes time and patience to stabilise from a CT. Have you noticed any improvement with any symptoms over the past 9 months?

 

Does gentle exercise help you? It does wonders for me, but others don't find it beneficial. Moderation is key.

 

I'd encourage you to read some of the success stories. I find they give me a real boost when I need it.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Emonda

 

 

 

Hi Emonda,

Thank you so much for replying to my post,

I have certainly improved since last year and yes it comes in waves, just when I think I have made it I have a really bad  spell it seems to be totally uncontrollable, I do not have the anger so bad anymore even though I can be wound up very quickly which isn't me at all ,I always found the funny side of everything I don't  seem to be like that anymore which I find distressing , I am very tearful at times for no reason and that comes in waves too.

I suppose I am expecting too much but like everyone I just want to feel myself again what ever that is .

I do not drink alcohol and I was taking the fish oil tablets but had trouble with really bad vertigo and thought it might be a side effect of the tablet, but maybe not and I have not taken them since, maybe I should try them again?

I have read a number of links you have sent me and they are very interesting and everything regarding the waves is so what I am feeling and it has reassured me that I am not going mad after all ,it seems it is four steps forward and 5 back ,every time these waves come along maybe I am focusing too much on them and it make me feel down, the building of the waves have got shorter it used to build up over time until it was really bad now it seems to be on me before I know it , when I feel them building I fill with dread,  the check list also I can relate to so much , most of the things on the  list I have suffered with and that in itself reassures me  that I am progressing forward and getting better, if I didn't get these terrible low times it would not be so bad but it makes me feel like I am losing control  and losing my mind, certainly talking to you guys that have experience of what this is like is such a help as most people do not have any understanding.

Can you recap me on the best type of fish oil and the quantities roughly to take 

regards

lipsticklou x 

[Emonda]

16 hours ago, Lipsticklou said:

I suppose I am expecting too much but like everyone I just want to feel myself again what ever that is .

 

16 hours ago, Lipsticklou said:

I have read a number of links you have sent me and they are very interesting and everything regarding the waves is so what I am feeling and it has reassured me that I am not going mad after all ,it seems it is four steps forward and 5 back ,every time these waves come along

 

I hear you. Time and patience are key on this journey.

 

16 hours ago, Lipsticklou said:

I was taking the fish oil tablets but had trouble with really bad vertigo and thought it might be a side effect of the tablet, but maybe not and I have not taken them since, maybe I should try them again?

 

If you do try again, just start with a low dose and see how you go.

 

16 hours ago, Lipsticklou said:

the check list also I can relate to so much , most of the things on the  list I have suffered with and that in itself reassures me  that I am progressing forward and getting better,

 

Glad you found it reassuring

 

16 hours ago, Lipsticklou said:

Can you recap me on the best type of fish oil and the quantities roughly to take 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

I'm not familiar with the brands on England, but have a read of the link regarding amounts.

 

Wishing you well.

[Lipsticklou]

On 1/31/2024 at 9:19 AM, Emonda said:

 

 

I hear you. Time and patience are key on this journey.

 

 

If you do try again, just start with a low dose and see how you go.

 

 

Glad you found it reassuring

 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

I'm not familiar with the brands on England, but have a read of the link regarding amounts.

 

Wishing you well.

Emonda thank you so much as always what would I do without this group!

I do have another question ,since I have been off medication I have suffered with spells of upset stomach it doesn't seem to be a particular food just anything ,anything you have experienced??

[Emonda]

I note that stomach issues are on the WD symptoms checklist. Have another read of the list. It wouldn't surprise me if that's what it was.

[Emonda]

Hi @Lipsticklou

If you have a question, please post it here rather than e-mail us offline.

 

If a link you clicked on isn't working, please post it here too, so others have the opportunity to respond...we are a very small team.

 

Regards, Emonda 

[Lipsticklou]

20 minutes ago, Emonda said:

Hi @Lipsticklou

If you have a question, please post it here rather than e-mail us offline.

 

If a link you clicked on isn't working, please post it here too, so others have the opportunity to respond...we are a very small team.

 

Regards, Emonda 

 

20 minutes ago, Emonda said:

Hi @Lipsticklou

If you have a question, please post it here rather than e-mail us offline.

 

If a link you clicked on isn't working, please post it here too, so others have the opportunity to respond...we are a very small team.

 

Regards, Emonda 

OK thanks 

[Dahlia50]

@Lipsticklou Hi, how are you today, have you gotten better over time?

[mariamisery]

@Dahlia50how are you getting through your day?

[Lipsticklou]

Hi Dahilia,

Yes, so much better. I'm over a year clear of all drugs, and I'm finally feeling how I should be ,what ever that is, my system has for sure taken a battering in everyway but it does get better, whether my system ever returns to how it should be who knows ? But it's certainly better than it was .

How are you doing ?

[Dahlia50]

@Lipsticklou Hi, good to hear that it has improved. Glad it got better for you!
In your thread you previously wrote about gained weight and stomach problems/bloated in WD, has it gotten better?

I'm unfortunately very bad, 8 months off, tapered too fast. Can only hope it gets better with time.
 

Wishing you continued healing 🌿

 

[Lipsticklou]

Hi Dahlia,

Do not despair it will get better, unfortunately I too was tapered off the medication far too quickly, the Drs that prescribe this stuff have no idea( which in my opinion is disgusting) , the worse thing you can do is keep going back onto small doses , you have to bite the bullet so to speak and get through it, its not easy its the hardest thing I have ever done and one I will never do it again , but you will get there believe me !

I gained  so much weight I was a size 20 but now a year on I am a 14/16 and my frame in its self has shrunk its very weird, I do still get bloated and there are a lot of foods I can not tolerate since coming of the meds its seems my whole system has changed! 

The way I manage it now is I fast for 16hrs then have a 8hr eating window this seems to work for me but I would leave that until your feeling a lot better.

What symptoms are you suffering with ? I had sickness horrendous brain zaps, indigestion( really bad), dizziness, anxiety, upset tummy all the time! flu like aches the list goes on ! Are you taking any vitamins ? I started taking fish oil capsules which I found really helped that was a suggestion from one of the main people on this forum .

Dahlia hang on it there it will get better , you will have bad days and the odd good one but you will get there, you have to allow your body to recover from this horrendous trauma .

Feel free to message me anytime and I will help you as much as I can ,

sending my blessing YOU CAN DO IT XX 

[mariamisery]

@Dahlia50 Thinking lof you.  How are you? Hope you are getting better. I am slowly healing. Sending Hugs❤️

[Dahlia50]

@Lipsticklou   Hi, thank you for your kind words, it means a lot.

Agree, Drs prescribe this stuff and have no idea, it's disgusting. It's definitely the worst thing I've ever been through. Hardly know how I got through some months/days.
 

I went from 12mg to zero at the end, far too quickly. Was it similar for you? I missed the window but got bad reaction when tried to reinstate, made it worse in my case. Have no choice but to endure it. I do take fish oil capsules.
Been really bad, almost 9 months off. My worst symptoms now are brain burning, extreme pressure, pain headaches, agitation, body ache, weak, only managed to walk shorter distances, low, fatigue, digestion/bloating. Wave after wave. But there have been other symptoms as well, loss of hair, dry skin, pressure in the ears, tired eyes. 

 

Glad to hear you are feeling improvements a year off. I saw you took sertraline for 10 years, how are you feeling with emotional numbness/depression?
It feels hopeless but I promise, I'll hang on, hope it gets better…
You're right, it really is a horrendous trauma for the body and brain.

Thanks again for your encouragement and support.
Wishing you continued healing. 💛🌻

[Lipsticklou]

Hi Dahlia,

Sorry for the delay in replying, I reduced my dose by 10mls every two weeks then when I got down to 10mls a day I started taking it every other day for a couple of weeks then every third day for a couple of weeks until I got to the stage where I only had one last tablet to take, I was fine for three days then BANG I was really Ill and that continued from the end of May last year until that Christmas .

I had what they described as Brain Zaps which feels like an electrical current going through your brain, these were horrendous and my whole body used to twitch uncontrollably, I too had body aches just like severe flu and I was actually constantly in bed for a month unable to function at all in fact my children had to look after me , they even had to take me to the toilet, I was unable to drive for about 6 weeks in total as my eye sight went and I had trouble focusing, I had terrible fatigue and do still have that to a point but it is a lot better, I have also had severe indigestion which I never suffered with until I came off Sertraline ,in fact I have it so bad I have recently found that the high levels of acid are damaging my stomach lining and causing it to bleed , showing as a low blood count in a very recent blood test, so I'm due more bloods next week to confirm and have been given stomach liners, this is most definitely in my opinion been caused by long term use of this drug. 

I have to use eye drops everyday due to very dry eyes and my skin is very dry too which it never used to be  I do also have bloating and there are so many foods I just cant eat anymore its a vicious circle to be honest with the indigestion and the bloating I also had pressure in the ears ,Tinnitus and episodes of earache.

The numbness has completely gone I am so alert now it makes me realise how numb I was all the time, I have never suffered with depression really until coming off this medication I was actually prescribed this drug for OCD not depression, I can find ways to bring myself out of feeling down but it is hard sometimes but to be honest I function so much better I used to lose days sat doing nothing and not actually realise it.

You will feel like you are making progress and then it will feel like you have gone backwards its like taking two steps forwards and then six back but this will shorten each time it happens its also comes in waves like you described , I found it useful to write down in a diary each day how I was feeling and what symptoms I had each day then you can actually look back and you will see a pattern and the waves become less and the duration shorter and that actually gave me hope and pushed me on to keep going.

Dahlia it will get better I know that for sure , its the hardest thing I have ever been through and one I never want to do again but you will get through this , your body and brain is in an utter state of confusion and its going to take time for it all to level up,

Keep going you are doing great !! Always reach  out on here and message me if you need anymore support or advice, always happy to help you 

Sending positive vibes! you are a warrior!, remember that YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS XX 

  

[Dahlia50]

@Lipsticklou Hi, thank you for taking the time to write. It means a lot to me. Good thinks to hear.

I recognize a lot of what you wrote earlier in your thread. Among other things, there was nothing medically wrong with me but put on a medication, just needed support understanding and grieving after being suddenly left after a long relationship. Normal stuff, to develop. Instead put on a downright dangerous medication who seems to have restructured the brain and made one very numb. I read that you had depression like waves around 9 months off, kind of what I’m experiencing right now. 
 

Sorry I didn't reply earlier, don’t have much energy when frequent waves hit, but I'm wondering about your taper. Mine was a disaster. May also have been aggravated by one reistatement. Looks like you dropped 25mg every other week. Was it when you came down to a low dose that you reduced 10ml every two weeks? I went from 12.5mg to zero and that's when I was hit by worst WD. What dose did you come off from?
It seems that we both did more or less c/t. Although I didn't understand that at the time because of wrong information by Dr. Horrible that you ask a Dr for help and advice and then it turns out like this.
THANKS again and hope you continue to improve and heal moving forward. 🌿🌻

[Farm24]

On 7/7/2024 at 2:32 PM, Dahlia50 said:

@Lipsticklou   Hi, thank you for your kind words, it means a lot.

Agree, Drs prescribe this stuff and have no idea, it's disgusting. It's definitely the worst thing I've ever been through. Hardly know how I got through some months/days.
 

I went from 12mg to zero at the end, far too quickly. Was it similar for you? I missed the window but got bad reaction when tried to reinstate, made it worse in my case. Have no choice but to endure it. I do take fish oil capsules.
Been really bad, almost 9 months off. My worst symptoms now are brain burning, extreme pressure, pain headaches, agitation, body ache, weak, only managed to walk shorter distances, low, fatigue, digestion/bloating. Wave after wave. But there have been other symptoms as well, loss of hair, dry skin, pressure in the ears, tired eyes. 

 

Glad to hear you are feeling improvements a year off. I saw you took sertraline for 10 years, how are you feeling with emotional numbness/depression?
It feels hopeless but I promise, I'll hang on, hope it gets better…
You're right, it really is a horrendous trauma for the body and brain.

Thanks again for your encouragement and support.
Wishing you continued healing. 💛🌻

Looks like we got off at the same time.  I get pressure sometimes too. Today it is in .y tongue and finger tips.  So tired of dealing with this.  I heavy heavy head..weak neck...numbness...