gorgecat Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 Hi all, 3 months off Sertraline. Now feeling like my brain is a bit drunk, vision a bit blurry...but now experiencing random involuntary head twitch (for lack of a better term). Is this common. Wondering if I should see a neurologist. Any thoughts? Took Sertraline for 6 weeks and one day, started end of June 2023. 50 mg. For 2 weeks. 100 mg. (Thanks to my uninformed gp) for 4 days. 50 mg for 3 days. 25 mg for 7 days. Taper from. 25 mg by cutting pill. 3/4 for 3 days. 1/2 for 3 days. 1/4 for 2 days. Acute withdrawal when tapering down. Last dose August 13, 2023. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted November 19, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 19, 2023 (edited) Hello, and welcome to SA. We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs. Once you've been on an SSRI such as sertraline, your brain becomes dependent on it after 4 weeks. I can take months for your brain to completely return to normal. Have your withdrawal symptoms improved since you jumped off the drug on Aug 13? I'm willing to bet that your drunk feeling and blurry vision are probably from the withdrawal, and this should gradually resolve. However, if you wish, you could see a neurologist about it. When you say your brain feels a bit drunk, do you mean dizzy? Spaced out? Euphoric? What exactly do you mean by this? Blurred vision and visual disturbances are not uncommon withdrawal symptoms. I believe involuntary movements can also be a symptom of withdrawal. Vision Symptoms Involuntary Movements Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work. This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it takes a long time for the brain to fully recover. How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. Magnesium Omega 3 Fish Oil Give it some more time. Patience is the key to recovering from this. Please let us know how you are doing. Edited November 19, 2023 by getofflex Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
gorgecat Posted November 19, 2023 Author Share Posted November 19, 2023 Hello Thank you for the informative post. I would say light headed is a good description...or like I'm lightly swaying. Yes I've had lots of wd symptoms since August. First, acute withdrawal with flu like symptoms and cortisol rushes..unable to sleep. Neck pain (2 times for about 10 days each), chest pain, back pain, burning feeling in spots, tingling feet/legs (still have this), numb sensation in fingers and toes, tinnitus (current) and feeling like i had a uti (negative) for a week and.....all the emotions and anxieties that follow. Additionally my doctor didn't believe I should be having any withdrawal symptoms after only taking it for 6 weeks. I would not wish this on anyone. I'm thankful for SA and other similar sites that provide information and connections. I would love to connect with others who were on Sertraline for a short time yet still experiencing wd symptoms. Thanks again. Took Sertraline for 6 weeks and one day, started end of June 2023. 50 mg. For 2 weeks. 100 mg. (Thanks to my uninformed gp) for 4 days. 50 mg for 3 days. 25 mg for 7 days. Taper from. 25 mg by cutting pill. 3/4 for 3 days. 1/2 for 3 days. 1/4 for 2 days. Acute withdrawal when tapering down. Last dose August 13, 2023. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted November 20, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 20, 2023 3 hours ago, getofflex said: Have your withdrawal symptoms improved since you jumped off the drug on Aug 13? So I'm assuming your withdrawal is less severe now, than it was earlier? 1 hour ago, gorgecat said: I would say light headed is a good description...or like I'm lightly swaying. That could be derealization, a very common withdrawal symptom. Derealization/Depersonalization How is your sleep, your eating, and your basic functioning at this time? Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
gorgecat Posted November 20, 2023 Author Share Posted November 20, 2023 Hello I am sleeping. I am a first grade teacher so I have to function during the day but it takes every thing I've got. My husband picks up all the slack. I'm in talk therapy as well. Thank you again. 1 Took Sertraline for 6 weeks and one day, started end of June 2023. 50 mg. For 2 weeks. 100 mg. (Thanks to my uninformed gp) for 4 days. 50 mg for 3 days. 25 mg for 7 days. Taper from. 25 mg by cutting pill. 3/4 for 3 days. 1/2 for 3 days. 1/4 for 2 days. Acute withdrawal when tapering down. Last dose August 13, 2023. Link to comment
SertralineIssues29 Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 On 11/19/2023 at 6:39 PM, gorgecat said: Hi all, 3 months off Sertraline. Now feeling like my brain is a bit drunk, vision a bit blurry...but now experiencing random involuntary head twitch (for lack of a better term). Is this common. Wondering if I should see a neurologist. Any thoughts? Hey I know this post is a month old but if you read my story I’m verrrrry acquainted with the head twitches and spasms, feels like something under the skin of your skull or like someone’s poured a fizzy drink under the muscles in your head! I’m not sure how common it is but I’ve had it since April this year, it comes and goes with windows and waves! also I was on sertraline too so maybe there is a link there? keep up the good fight ✌🏻 Previous to pharma I was doing a fair bit of drinking and taking party drugs, mainly from the ages of 18 and 21 2014: started 20mg citalopram January 2015: switched to sertraline 50mg March 2017: dropped to 25mg sertraline Between these last 2 dates I was on and off the sert (now I know this was stupid) December 8th 2022: 50mg sertraline (adverse reaction: Suicidal images and homicidal images) December 19th 2022: ct from sertaline Sometime here had a paradoxical reaction to lorazepam (extreme anxiety, closed eye hallucinations) this caused the dpdr to start February 17th/19th 2023: WD from sertraline started Also had an amoxicillin treatment in February, not sure if this did anything but I did get akathisia from then "BUT I LOVE THE PAIN, LET IT RAIN AND WASH AWAY, LET IT CARRY YOU TO A BETTER PLACE AND FORGET MY NAME" Ambleside - Wash away Link to comment
gorgecat Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 Recently started having a bobblehead during the day. Hard to focus without head moving. Cannot rest comfortably on pillow at night. 4 months off Z. Anyone else having this symptom? Took Sertraline for 6 weeks and one day, started end of June 2023. 50 mg. For 2 weeks. 100 mg. (Thanks to my uninformed gp) for 4 days. 50 mg for 3 days. 25 mg for 7 days. Taper from. 25 mg by cutting pill. 3/4 for 3 days. 1/2 for 3 days. 1/4 for 2 days. Acute withdrawal when tapering down. Last dose August 13, 2023. Link to comment
gorgecat Posted December 18, 2023 Author Share Posted December 18, 2023 About 4 months off. Constant head movement for 4 days. Anyone else? Took Sertraline for 6 weeks and one day, started end of June 2023. 50 mg. For 2 weeks. 100 mg. (Thanks to my uninformed gp) for 4 days. 50 mg for 3 days. 25 mg for 7 days. Taper from. 25 mg by cutting pill. 3/4 for 3 days. 1/2 for 3 days. 1/4 for 2 days. Acute withdrawal when tapering down. Last dose August 13, 2023. Link to comment
Moderator FireflyFyte Posted December 18, 2023 Moderator Share Posted December 18, 2023 1 minute ago, gorgecat said: About 4 months off. Constant head movement for 4 days. Anyone else? I have moved your post here as we ask that you keep all of your questions and comments to your introductory thread. If you are not getting responses, you can use the search function to see if other members have experienced similar. 1 Pre- October 2022: Wellbutrin, Escitalopram, Citalopram, Sertraline, Adderall IR, Vyvanse, Propranolol, Buspar, Ativan, and Latuda Oct 13, 2022 - Oct 24, 2022 and Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Zyprexa (2.5 mg). Jan 14, 2023 -> Began transition to liquid suspension. Jan 29, 2023 = 2.375mg -> Feb 12, 2023 = 2.25mg -> Feb 27, 2023 = 2.14mg -> Mar 12, 2023 = 2.025mg -> Mar 27, 2023 = 1.93mg -> Apr 10, 2023 = 1.82mg -> Apr 23, 2023 = 1.74mg -> May 7, 2023 = 1.64mg -> May 21, 2023 = 1.56mg -> June 4, 2023 = 1.48mg -> June 19, 2023 = 1.4mg -> July 2, 2023 = 1.33mg -> July 16, 2023 = 1.26mg -> July 31, 2023 = 1.2mg -> Aug 13, 2023 = 1.14mg -> Aug 27, 2023 = 1.08mg -> Sep 13, 2023 = 1.02mg -> Jan 22, 2024 = 0.97mg -> Feb 4, 2024 = 0.92mg -> Feb 19, 2024 = 0.87mg -> Mar 3, 2024 = 0.83mg -> Mar 17, 2024 = 0.78mg -> Mar 31, 2024 = 0.74mg -> Apr 14, 2024 = 0.7mg -> Apr 28, 2024 = 0.66mg Oct 14, 2022 - Present: Prozac (40mg) upped from 20mg on Nov 1, 2022. Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Gabapentin (300mg 3x day) -> May 3, 2023 = 300mg 2x day -> Oct 1, 2023 = 570mg -> Oct 15, 2023 = 540mg -> Oct 29, 2023 = 510mg -> Nov 13, 2023 = 484mg -> Nov 27, 2023 = 460mg -> Dec 9, 2023 = 436mg -> Dec 24, 2023 = 414mg -> Jan 7, 2024 = 400mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted December 19, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 19, 2023 It's always best to do a site search when researching a symptom, as @FireflyFytesuggests. How to Do a Site Search Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Farm24 Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 On 12/18/2023 at 4:11 PM, gorgecat said: About 4 months off. Constant head movement for 4 days. Anyone else? How are you doing? Sertaline- tried 50 mg beginning of June 2023. Caused hyperreflexia. So stopped after one dose. Tried several smaller doses that month. Had burning and twitching so just stopped. Lexapro June of 2023' 2.5 mg for two weeks July of 2023 5 mg for two weeks July of 2023 7.5 mg for 2 weeks August to mid September 10 mg Mid September reduced to 7.5 October to October 15 reduced to 5 October 15 to October 30 reduced to 2.5 October 30-off Link to comment
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