Pete81: Sertraline Withdrawal: awful diarrhoea

[Pete81]

I was only on Sertraline for a few months - 50mg. However, due to terrible stomach aches and little benefit I tapered off gradually, with 25mg for a few weeks before stopping around 14 days ago. I am posting because I am still suffering terrible diarrhoea and anxiety (the latter eases a bit by the evening) and don't know what to do.

 

Thank you.

Edited August 8, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to title

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Pete81

 

Did you have any other unusual symptoms shortly after you stopped sertaline?

 

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.

 

[Pete81]

My other side effects of withdrawal have been:

 

*vivid dreams every night, especially after dropping from 25mg to 0. 

*more emotional (crying) at certain things like films!

*anxiety when waking up, gradually fading as day goes on

*mixing my words up in speech and writing

 

I realise now I'm on this site that the consensus is a more gradual taper but I followed doctor's advice. 

 

With only being on 8 weeks, I am surprised I still feel like this nearly three weeks after stopping - is this normal? Or is it not withdrawal but simply 'me' without tablets? Any advice appreciated.

 

[Altostrata]

Taking sertraline for more than a month raises your risk of withdrawal symptoms.

 

When you started sertraline, how did it affect you at the beginning? How's your sleep now? 

 

For the time being, you might wish to go on a bland or non-irritating diet, see

 

 

Elimination or exclusion diets for reactions to food (food intolerance)

 

Histamine intolerance

 

SCD/GAPS/Paleo Diets

[Pete81]

Thanks for your reply. 

 

When I started sertraline I had vivid dreams, extreme tiredness, terrible tummy ache / diarrhoea and increased anxiety - again, particularly in the morning. The tiredness and bad dreams actually faded as I got used to the dosage but not the tummy issues - they wwre the reason for tapering off.

 

Now I'm off the tablets the dreams are still bad and so is anxiety / stomach ache / diarrhoea. Tiredness, however, hasn't been a symptom. I will try a blander diet, more exercise etc. and hope it helps - but wow it is tough going. I am astonished that I'm still feeling like this nearly three weeks after stopping, considering I only took 50mg for 8 weeks. Has anyone else experienced bad withdrawal after such a short time?

 

Thanks

Peter

 

[Altostrata]

Among our members, we have a small group of people who never did get along very well with the antidepressant. Many have had severe adverse drug reactions (ADR) within a few doses.

 

These people, who are tagged "immediate ADR", have symptoms that are like protracted withdrawal syndrome but they don't have withdrawal syndrome, they have similar symptoms because their nervous systems were upset by taking the drug. Their recovery is slow, with frustrating waves and windows, like people with withdrawal syndrome, but it seems their recovery isn’t as long. Since they had a serious ADR to an antidepressant, they probably should not consider reinstatement.

 

Please read Immediate adverse reactions to an antidepressant or within a few doses? How long for recovery?

 

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

[Pete81]

I'm still having terrible vivd dreams 3 weeks after dropping Sertraline - I was only on it for 8 weeks. Also still tummy ache /  bloating / loose stools still.

[Altostrata]

When you first started sertraline in June, what was the effect? When did the stomach pain start?

[Pete81]

When I started I had bad dreams, tiredness, diarrhoea and anxiety. I don't feel tired or anxious coming off but dreams and tummy issues are bad. Is this normal after only 8 weeks on Sert?

[WiggleIt]

2 hours ago, Pete81 said:

Hi @Pete81! 
 

I can’t say what the statistics or quantities are of people who have had these problems after such a short time on a psych med, which means I can’t make any claims about the “normalcy” or frequency of this happening, but I can say that yes, people in your boat DO exist. 
 

As Altostrata said, there are people on SA who have had immediate problems with psych meds, and who have had problems with psych meds after only a very short time on them. Yes, this absolutely does happen to people and you’re not alone. 
 

As you get accustomed to exploring the SA site, you’ll find stories you relate to and you’ll also find recovery stories.

 

Allow yourself to explore the site, visit the links Alto suggested, and also read the Recovery and Success stories on the website. And please do add to your own thread here as you need to ❤️

[Altostrata]

16 hours ago, Pete81 said:

When I started I had bad dreams, tiredness, diarrhoea and anxiety. I don't feel tired or anxious coming off but dreams and tummy issues are bad. Is this normal after only 8 weeks on Sert?

 

@Pete81 It appears you've been having an adverse reaction to sertraline all along. The only thing unusual is that you continued it for 8 weeks.

 

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

[Pete81]

When I had the dreams and diarrhoea I continued for 8 weeks because the tiredness got better and my doctor thought I just needed to settle down and get used to them. Over the last two weeks of being off them, my symptoms haven't really changed: maybe slightly less anxious upon waking but the same tummy issues and bad dreams every night. Hopefully it will improve in time, but if anyone has any tips please let me know.

[Altostrata]

What is your sleep pattern? How has it changed in the last 2 weeks?

[Pete81]

My sleep pattern has been constant for the last 2 weeks. Vivid dreams every night without fail.

[Altostrata]

What time do you go to bed, what time do you get up, how many hours of sleep do you get?

[Pete81]

I get 8 or 9 hours - 11 til 7 or 8 uninterrupted. No insomnia

 

It's the dreams and tummy problems I'm suffering with.

[Altostrata]

Have you tried a non-irritating diet?

[Pete81]

I have - and will contonue to try. I simpmy don't understand why this is happening 4 weeks after stopping Sertraline when I was only on a small dosage for 8 weeks.

[Altostrata]

Please re-read this topic from the beginning. I have explained this to you.

[Pete81]

Apologies. I know you said other people have bad reactions, but I wasn't sure you said why they would carry on 4 weeks after pills. You said more than 6 weeks on Sertraline raises chance of withdrawal but it is now over a month without taking anything.

[Altostrata]

On 8/12/2023 at 6:03 PM, Altostrata said:

Among our members, we have a small group of people who never did get along very well with the antidepressant. Many have had severe adverse drug reactions (ADR) within a few doses.

 

These people, who are tagged "immediate ADR", have symptoms that are like protracted withdrawal syndrome but they don't have withdrawal syndrome, they have similar symptoms because their nervous systems were upset by taking the drug. Their recovery is slow, with frustrating waves and windows, like people with withdrawal syndrome, but it seems their recovery isn’t as long. Since they had a serious ADR to an antidepressant, they probably should not consider reinstatement.

 

Please read Immediate adverse reactions to an antidepressant or within a few doses? How long for recovery?