Jennyy: Need help and direction to stabilize/taper off Setraline/possibly damaged my nervous system

January 7, 2024

Hello, just a little history about me I’m a 39 year old female who’s always had a bit of OCD/anxiety but never medicated. Around 6 years ago in 2018 my daughter was battling an illness that required my full attention/support so in order to cope with all the worry, anxiety I was prescribed 50mg of Setraline. I was on and off it over the years with no issues to deal with my daughter’s illness. Then in December 2020 I Cold Turkeyd Setraline and did fine for 4 months til I started having intrusive thoughts( which I didn’t know what these were) enough to freak me out and reinstated 50 mg of Zoloft in May 2021 just fine with no side effects. I stayed on this dose for over 2 years straight with no skipping. Fast forward to August 2023 I was in a better place mentally and my daughters illness was better so I decided to tapper on my doctors order to take 25mg of Setraline instead of 50mg for a few weeks. So I began to tapper in August breaking my 50mg pill in half. I never dealt with major withdraw symptoms or new what they were til these past few months have been hell. I started the crying non stop, lashing out, constipation, acid reflux, loss of appetite, urine issues as if I had a UTI, food sensitivity, AND WORST OF ALL A FULL BLOWN PANIC ATTACK. I called my dr and asked her what this was as I never experienced this before. It had been roughly 11 weeks of tapering from August to October so she advised me to go back to the original dose of 50mg ON OCTOBER 21, 2023. And that’s when I became worse. Two days later after updosing my Setraline to 50mg I was nauseous all day/vomiting , no appetite, trouble sleeping. This continued for 6 weeks when I was so dehydrated and my brain was not functioning correctly I went to the ER November 23 and told them what happened with the increase they said withdraw symptoms don’t last this long and it’s probably gastritis. So my husband told me to stop the increase and stay on 25mg of Sertraline since my dr was on Thanksgiving break. It’s been 45 days since I last changed my dosage back to 25mg of Setraline and have been feeling pretty awful: wake up with the cortisol spike/ anxiety in the morning running through my arms, Insomnia/broken sleep( wake up few times in the night), no appetite, depressed, OCD intrusive thoughts, panicky, nausea, sad/crying non stop, thoughts of death, tremors and back pain issues. I did cut out processed meats, fast food, caffeine, dairy and eating clean.

What’s scaring me the most is this dark/doom symptom I’m having like there’s no point to live and I’m never been suicidal in the past just anxious person who worries a lot, but recently been feeling depressed. I truly want off this drug but want to know if what I’m doing in terms of dosage was the correct choice or should I have stayed on 50mg back in November and stabilized. PLEASE HELP ME

Started my menstrual cycle 3 days early this month, today being day #1 and feeling depressed and down like I have no reason to live. I hate feeling like this I have 4 little kids who need their mother.

Current medication:

25mg of Setraline

magnesium citrate

vitamin D 50 thousand( dangerously low)

2mg of melatonin

My history

*November 2018-2020 on and off 50 mg of Setraline (never experienced severe withdrawal)

Cold Turkey Setraline December 2020 did fine for 4 months til I started having intrusive thought freaked out and started 50 mg of Setraline in May 2021

*May2021- August 2023 50 mg of Setraline

*August 2023 25 mg of Setraline

Didn’t know there was a such thing as severe withdrawal symptoms

*First Noticed severe withdraw symptoms late October Loss of Appetite, anxiety attacks (never had these ) freaked out tried to reinstate at 50 mg for 6 weeks had more nausea, acid reflux vomiting, and insomnia throughout the 6 weeks so I went back to 25mg Sertraline .

*Late December 2023 intrusive thoughts emerged.

January 7, 2024

I would also like to add that I didn’t notice my pharmacy changed my prescription to another Setraline generic in August so even though I was originally taking Lupin they changed it to Cipla. I noticed November 14, 2023 and made the switch back to Lupin. Can this have affected my symptoms or my 50% fast tapper. Can someone please help me.

January 7, 2024

Hello, and welcome to SA. We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs. What happened is that your doctor had you taper too fast, and you developed withdrawal. Unfortunately, the vast majority of doctors do not know how to get people safely off these drugs. Then, when you doubled your dose, you had an adverse reaction to that which we call kindling, because your nervous system was sensitized by the previous drug starts and stops and fast tapering. It is very common for people to be OK cold turkeying and fast tapering a time or two or three, but then have a lot of trouble after that, because our nervous systems become sensitized. More in this later.

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's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses:

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

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the reduction becomes exponentially smaller.

Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage

Tips for Tapering Sertraline/Zoloft.

Here is information on kindling:

Kindling and Hypersensitivity

I'll give you more information in another post, because I don't want to overwhelm you. I suspect it was the 50% reduction that affected you mostly, but the changes in brand could also have affected you. Try to stick with the same brand. I would suggest that for now, you hold on the 25 mg dose, and give your nervous system a chance to rest and stabilize. The more we change the doses of our drugs, the more our nervous system destabilizes and we get symptoms. Your symptoms should gradually subside, and you will probably have ups and downs.

Q: Have you seen any improvement at all since you dropped your dose back to 25 mg in November 2023? Please explain.

Q: What time o'clock do you take your dose?

Q: How do you feel in the hours after you take your 25 dose?

Q: What is your symptom pattern? For example, are you worse in the morning, afternoon, etc?

It's very important to take your drug at the same time each day, and don't miss any doses. Take heart, we have dealt with situations like this and helped many people in similar situations to yours. It will take lots of time and patience, but we will get this sorted out.

January 8, 2024

9 hours ago, getofflex said:

Q: Have you seen any improvement at all since you dropped your dose back to 25 mg in November 2023? Please explain.

In terms of vomiting/ having to gag constantly  all day it has settled alot since reducing back to 25mg but still lingers every morning with nausea and lack of appetite instead of the vomiting. Having a hard time eating anything and even if I eat a small meal on some days I feel so full with a few bites like I need to vomit. I lost so much weight these past few months that my kids are noticing something is wrong. When I was hospitalized in November they had to give me an antipsychotic to stop the nausea and vomiting. My family Dr followed up with my ER visit and prescribed Promethazine which I only took twice but gave me tremors and brain zaps and felt off all day so I stopped taking it, can taking this sedative have caused more damage to my sensitive nervous system. I feel they keep throwing medication at me. For example I started having spinal lower back pain this past month in December( not sure this is a withdrawal symptom) but they prescribed a muscle relaxer which made me worse in terms of anxiety/trouble sleeping.

I was also jolting a lot and noticed this has subsided but still lingers when trying to fall asleep . The acid reflux has calmed down a bit because I been taking Pepcid as prescribed by the doctor who said will help with the nausea and lack of appetite since he thinks this is all due to gastritis( another ER. To shut down the idea it could be withdraw symptoms) Is he right in terms it’s okay to take Pepcid when needed. I have been taking it since I updosed the 50mg to help with the vomiting and nausea. Should I stop it? Can it interact with my withdraw symptoms. I have a referral to see a gastroenterologist who might order an endoscopy in a month will I be okay to go under anesthesia for this procedure.

I did experience a good week last month, is that a window? But was cut short when I started my menstrual cycle early this month. Then I was hit with a very bad wave with lots of depression and despair.

Q: What time o'clock do you take your dose?

I take it at 7:00 p.m every night except for 2 days  throughout my tapper I forgot to take it at 7 and remembered at 7:30 p.m to take it afterwards both times. I take magnesium citrate and melatonin at 9.

Q: How do you feel in the hours after you take your 25 dose?

I feel okay after I take my 25mg at night with no side effects I feel calm okay.

Q: What is your symptom pattern? For example, are you worse in the morning, afternoon, etc?

Mornings are the hardest for me. I wake up from my broken sleep of 4-5 hours panicking , racing thoughts, fearful, anxiety shooting through my arms/wrists like pins and heat(only way I can describe it) nauseous, and have tried going back to sleep and can’t because I start to jolt. I find my self startled a lot lately( is this normal)

I can’t eat anything since I’m nauseous and queasy all morning and afternoon so I force down a few bites of banana/apple or crackers just so I won’t get dizzy.  Intrusive thoughts starts midday for me for example I start thinking I may need Xanax to cope with all this anxiety and the last thing I want is another medication. This worry’s me because my dr wanted me to stop Setraline and start a new antidepressant and I said no I want to stabilize. I’m so thankful I found this sight because i heard that can complicate things. By evening I’m less anxious and more relaxed but then I dread bedtime because of insomnia. I take melatonin but that doesn’t help staying asleep.

Question? You stated I should stay on 25mg Setraline until I stabilize. How will I know when I  will stabilize I’m worried this is the new me and will stay like this. I’m sorry for asking a lot of questions but I lost trust in doctors who keep shutting me down that these are not withdraw symptoms.

January 8, 2024

9 hours ago, getofflex said:

but the changes in brand could also have affected you. Try to stick with the same brand.

Can changing brands often cause symptoms to last weeks like this. I have made it clear to my pharmacy only Lupin. Sad thing is I asked them to check back a year ago to see what other brands I was taking and they prescribed me a 3rd brand of Setraline so in total they changed my meds to 3 different brands the past 2 years without telling me.

January 8, 2024

9 hours ago, getofflex said:

Your symptoms should gradually subside, and you will probably have ups and downs.

What’s so ironic about these symptoms I’m experiencing is they feel just like the symptoms when I first started Setraline back in 2018 as my body was trying to adapt to them.

January 8, 2024

@getofflex @AltostrataPlease Help me. I will do anything to feel better. My Dr wants to updose me back to 50mg of Setraline because I’m not doing so good I have tried to tell her that last time I tried to go up in the end of October I was vomiting and nauseous and didn’t do so well.

she feels because I have OCD intrusive thoughts, nausea, loss of appetite that I need to go back on 50mg Setraline.

she then stated I stop my 25mg of Setraline at night and start taking it in the morning because I will metabolize it better in the morning then at night. But mornings are rough for me as I already feel nauseous so by night time I’m less anxious and can better handle the nausea. Please advise me to do or tell my doctor. She said try the 25 mg in the morning and then updose to 50mg

January 8, 2024

It sounds like you have had significant improvement since you dropped to 25 mg in November 2023, which is very good. I truly believe that as you hold on the 25 mg of Sertraline, you will gradually feel better and better. Your nervous system has been shaken, and it takes a long time for it to recover and stabilize, but it will, as long as you do natural self care, and avoid a future drug carousel.

16 hours ago, Jennyy said:

my dr wanted me to stop Setraline and start a new antidepressant and I said no I want to stabilize.

Doctors are so notorious for doing this, and in most cases, it worsens and complicates the situation, so I'm glad that you said no.

16 hours ago, Jennyy said:

I lost trust in doctors who keep shutting me down that these are not withdraw symptoms.

Most of us on this site have also lost trust in doctors, for very good reason. Unfortunately, health care nowadays is heavily influenced by big drug manufactures. These drugs are very lucrative for them. If you have the time and inclination, you might check out this book by Robert Whitaker "Anatomy of an Epidemic". It is very eye opening about the corruption and ties big Pharma has to health care, government, and insurance companies.

16 hours ago, Jennyy said:

You stated I should stay on 25mg Setraline until I stabilize. How will I know when I will stabilize I’m worried this is the new me and will stay like this.

Here is a link that explains what we mean by stability.

Stability

Please be reassured that you will not stay like this. Is is a common worry of people in withdrawal that this is their new normal, but this isn't so. The fact is, as complex as our nervous systems are, recovery is a very very gradual and slow process.

16 hours ago, Jennyy said:

Can changing brands often cause symptoms to last weeks like this

I think it possibly could, but I think your symptoms are also caused by the drastic reduction from 50 down to 25 mg, and then upping your dose again to 50 back in November, then dropping down again. Frequent and drastic changes in doses very commonly cause symptoms that can take months to resolve. That is why we advise extreme caution when increasing or decreasing doses.

1 hour ago, Jennyy said:

My Dr wants to updose me back to 50mg of Setraline because I’m not doing so good I have tried to tell her that last time I tried to go up in the end of October I was vomiting and nauseous and didn’t do so well.

If it were me, I would not updose back to 50 mg. I must stress the fact that the advice of this website will usually conflict with what the doctors tell you to do. The MO of many doctors is to throw drugs at people, and to increase their doses, in spite of the patient having an adverse reaction, such as you had, when you jumped back up to 50 mg back in October. Jumping back up to 50 mg again will put you at significant risk of kindling again, and going from bad to worse.

1 hour ago, Jennyy said:

I will do anything to feel better.

It is natural and human to feel desperate to fix your situation, and do it quickly. Unfortunately, the only thing that will heal you is time, and patience. It is important to learn non drug techniques to cope with your symptoms in the meantime. I know you don't want to hear this, but there is no quick fix for withdrawal. I will give you some links that will help you understand some of your symptoms, and how to cope with them. I want to repeat, that adding drugs, and making dose changes of your drugs, will only hurt you and make you worse 99% of the time, so I urge you not to do that.

Early Morning Cortisol Spike

Intrusive Thoughts

video: Claire Weekes: Managing Anxiety

video: Claire Weekes on Anxiety and Panic

Claire Weekes - Hope and Help for you Nerves Audiobook

Emotional Spirals

Acknowledge Accept Float

Music to Calm Anxiety

Breathing Technique for Anxiety

Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help ...

15 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Audio: First Aid for Panic (4 minutes) Female voice - getselfhelp.co.uk

Audio: First Aid for Panic (4 minutes) Male voice - getselfhelp.co.uk

Meditation

APPLE Technique

I just came across a very nice technique that really helps me. It's called APPLE. I have printed it and have it where I can see it every day and be reminded of it so I internalize this technique.

A - Acknowledge Notice and acknowledge the thought or uncertainty as it comes to mind.

P - Pause Don't react as you normally do. Don't react at all. Just pause and breathe.

P - Pull Back Tell yourself this is just the thought or worry talking, and this apparent need for worry or analysis or certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don't believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts.

L - Let Go Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don't have to respond to it. You might imagine the thought floating away in a bubble or cloud.

E - Explore Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, you are OK. Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell. Right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else - on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the thought or worry, or do something else - mindfully - with your full attention.

January 8, 2024

1 hour ago, Jennyy said:

she then stated I stop my 25mg of Setraline at night and start taking it in the morning

If you decide to do this, please move it ahead by an hour each day, instead of changing the time all at once.

Is this doctor in support of you tapering off your drugs? If so, you may want to inform her about the tapering protocols on this site.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Tapering and Withdrawal

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms:

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms:

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds. Please read the link about stability:

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

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

January 8, 2024

19 minutes ago, getofflex said:

If you decide to do this, please move it ahead by an hour each day, instead of changing the time all at once.

Is this doctor in support of you tapering off your drugs? If so, you may want to inform her about the tapering protocols on this site.

This doctor wants to medicate me because of my OCD thoughts saying going back to your original dose is better. It will be challenging to move my dose an hour each day because I already have broken sleep issues. She believes my GI issues are because it sitting in my stomach over night not metabolizing. I told her mornings are rough for me and I can’t even eat she Insisted I change it. But I want to keep at 7:00 P.M. at night. Do you think I should keep it at 7?

January 8, 2024

If you are an adult and not under court order, you can decline any drug or drug increase. You also may wish to find a new doctor.

I no longer provide day-to-day peer counseling on this site, please do not tag me again.

January 8, 2024

5 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

If you are an adult and not under court order, you can decline any drug or drug increase. You also may wish to find a new doctor.

I no longer provide day-to-day peer counseling on this site, please do not tag me again.

My apologies.

January 8, 2024

57 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

If you are an adult and not under court order, you can decline any drug or drug increase. You also may wish to find a new doctor.

As Altostrata said, you have the choice of what you put in your own body. You will need to decide whether to follow the dictates of your doctor, or whether you want to get off the drugs and do a harm reduction taper. We cannot serve as unpaid backup to your doctor. I hope you take the time to read the information in the links that I have given you.

January 8, 2024

1 hour ago, Jennyy said:

But I want to keep at 7:00 P.M. at night. Do you think I should keep it at 7?

I think you can keep it at 7 if you want to. I seriously doubt that it is sitting in your stomach all night. If you would read the link I gave you previously about cortisol, I believe your symptoms of anxiety and activation in the morning are due to your cortisol spike, not the drug. Please read the link. It is very important to educate yourself about these drugs and what they really do by reading the links we provide - mainly just the first post in each thread.

January 9, 2024

37 minutes ago, getofflex said:

As Altostrata said, you have the choice of what you put in your own body. You will need to decide whether to follow the dictates of your doctor, or whether you want to get off the drugs and do a harm reduction taper.

Thank you for sharing the links I will look into them tonight. I don’t want to continue on this poison it’s ruined me mentally and physically and don’t understand why doctors are in a rush to prescribe more meds.

January 11, 2024

Can someone from the moderators please help me and answer my concerns.

I’m so thankful I found this website and all the links you gave me I have been reading about everything and feel overwhelmed.

If in withdrawal(as i am) but still on med(Setraline 25), doesn't this keep confusing the whole system and prevents healing?

I know stabilizing is best by not changing anything, But it seems to contradict body's repair response. Can I stabilize evn though I’m on 25mg Setraline.

I find my self so depressed have been in a wave for the past 10 days especially the last 2 nights no sleep but my anxiety/fear/ depression have been extremely high. Went to target to buy a few things and felt which was so hard to leave the house as I was walking through the aisle I saw cleaning supplies and had the weirdest thought of what if I drank this and ended this misery. The weird thing is I’m so against violence and would never do such a thing, could this have been an intrusive thought? Was on my menstrual cycle. Just feel like a whack job lately thoughts I would never think and my ocd are making them worse were I dwell on them and start to panic.

My PDoctor says you can’t get withdraw symptoms from tapering then I mentioned links and articles from this website and how it’s common to get withdraw syndrome later on so she actually listened and prescribed me hydroxyzine 25 mg for sleep issues instead of updosing .Can this give me more severe withdrawal symptoms if I take it as needed. My appetite sucks is there anything I can do to ease the nausea or fix my appetite as I didn’t see any links for this topic. So sorry to keep posting or complaining I feel at the lowest point and feel like I’m loosing my mind.

January 11, 2024

13 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

If in withdrawal(as i am) but still on med(Setraline 25), doesn't this keep confusing the whole system and prevents healing?

I know stabilizing is best by not changing anything, But it seems to contradict body's repair response.

In my experience, holding for a time allows for stabilization. Instead of my body going into reactive mode with changes, it gets the opportunity to adjust and have the time and energy to heal. I definitely want to hurry up and get off of things, but slow and steady wins the race (unfortunately!! I wish there was an accelerated course).

15 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

especially the last 2 nights no sleep but my anxiety/fear/ depression have been extremely high. Went to target to buy a few things and felt which was so hard to leave the house as I was walking through the aisle I saw cleaning supplies and had the weirdest thought of what if I drank this and ended this misery.

Lack of sleep, hormones, and high symptoms are a perfect storm for a thought like this. Glad to hear you aren't planning on going through on this. If you ever do find yourself with a concrete plan or overwhelming thoughts that make you feel like you're a danger to yourself, please get emergency help. Sounds like you're safe, just felt like I should pop that in there just in case!

16 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

The weird thing is I’m so against violence and would never do such a thing, could this have been an intrusive thought?

Classic intrusive thought, and I've found when intrusive suicidal thoughts pop up it often means I don't want to live like this anymore. I want something to change.

18 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

My PDoctor says you can’t get withdraw symptoms from tapering then I mentioned links and articles from this website and how it’s common to get withdraw syndrome later on so she actually listened and prescribed me hydroxyzine 25 mg for sleep issues instead of updosing

Glad she was open to our lived experience, because there's overwhelming proof that you absolutely can and do get WD symptoms from tapering! Good on you for advocating for yourself, not always easy. I'm not familiar with this med, maybe a mod can provide some insight on that. Had you started taking it when the suicidal thought came up, or was it prescribed after?

19 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

My appetite sucks is there anything I can do to ease the nausea or fix my appetite as I didn’t see any links for this topic.

At a certain point, anything you can stomach to keep yourself steady is a win. I'm a fan of ginger, sometimes I'll chop it up into hot water to make a tea. Getting on probiotics and digestive enzymes was a gamechanger, seems these meds can mess with digestion more than I knew. Gotta get back to work in a minute, but I think there are some links and personal anecdotes of things people have shared - it's definitely an issue many of us have.

21 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

So sorry to keep posting or complaining I feel at the lowest point and feel like I’m loosing my mind.

Posting on your thread and talking about what's going on is a good thing, you don't need to apologize for using the system as intended! You won't always feel like this, this will pass. All storms run out of rain. Have you been able to get any sleep or rest?

January 11, 2024

@Jennyy

I used gravol ginger chews, which helped to take the edge off a bit. Ginger tea is another option.

This is our topic on digestive issues:

January 11, 2024

29 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

hydroxyzine 25 mg for sleep issues instead of updosing .Can this give me more severe withdrawal symptoms if I take it as needed.

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine, often prescribed off-label for anxiety and sleep. I would take it sparingly as I have heard of individuals that require a taper from it.

The below link has useful info for sleep:

January 11, 2024

Here is our topic on hydroxyzine, and other antihistamines. If you do try it, I would suggest starting with a small dose, perhaps 1/4 tablet first, to see how it affects you.

Antihistamines for Withdrawal Insomnia

January 12, 2024

2 hours ago, littlebird said:

Lack of sleep, hormones, and high symptoms are a perfect storm for a thought like this. Glad to hear you aren't planning on going through on this. If you ever do find yourself with a concrete plan or overwhelming thoughts that make you feel like you're a danger to yourself, please get emergency help. Sounds like you're safe, just felt like I should pop that in there just in case!

Yes I haven’t slept for the passed 2 days no appetite and on my menstrual cycle which came 3 days early not sure why but strangely I felt normal the following day in terms of the suicidal though I also have PMDD but it has never been this bad so not sure if this is all withdraw or PMDD symptoms. Thank you for replying

January 12, 2024

2 hours ago, littlebird said:

Classic intrusive thought, and I've found when intrusive suicidal thoughts pop up it often means I don't want to live like this anymore. I want something to change.

Yes I was at my lowest I started to tapper my 50mg Setraline to 25 mg in August updosed back in end of October to original dose but crashed in end of November it’s January and I feel worned out like what should I do to stabilize.

January 12, 2024

2 hours ago, LotusRising said:

I used gravol ginger chews, which helped to take the edge off a bit. Ginger tea is another option.

This is our topic on digestive issues:

Thank you I’ll look into this can loss of appetite/nausea linger even after 5 months of tapering Setraline.

January 12, 2024

1 hour ago, getofflex said:

Here is our topic on hydroxyzine, and other antihistamines. If you do try it, I would suggest starting with a small dose, perhaps 1/4 tablet first, to see how it affects you.

It’s ironic how it can have the opposite effect and not help with sleep during withdraw. How do people manage sleep in withdraw in this situation. I am taking melatonin but sometimes feel it’s not doing what it’s supposed to anymore

January 12, 2024

10 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

can loss of appetite/nausea linger even after 5 months of tapering Setraline.

Yes, some people have the same symptom for extended periods.

January 12, 2024

15 minutes ago, Jennyy said:

How do people manage sleep in withdraw in this situation

Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

On 5/25/2021 at 4:51 PM, Gridley said:

There is, unfortunately, no "silver bullet" to withdrawal or any of its symptoms, including insomnia. If there were, SA would be a much smaller site than it is at this point. Sadly, it continues to grow as more and more people get caught in the psychiatric medication "web."

insomnia and disordered sleeping is a hallmark of psychiatric medication withdrawal. It starts earlier than that with many studies making it clear that SSRIs (and other psych meds) frequently suppress REM sleep for those who take the meds. https://www.sleepio.com/articles/sleep-aids/antidepressants-and-sleep/ Given this as a backdrop, it should be no surprise that coming off the meds can wreak havoc on sleep. The good news, however, is that the brain works hard to achieve homeostasis and, all other things being equal, the brain will return to a place where sleep becomes, as it should be, a matter of routine. How long that takes for any one person is impossible to predict.

So, what do you do? In no particular order, some of the things to try:

Don't place too much significance on sleep. Rest should be the key and when your body absolutely needs to sleep it will. The anxiety that comes with lying awake and saying "I must sleep" is far worse than the not sleeping. It's hard but it can be done.

Try a journaling practice before bed -- get out the things that are on your mind and add 3 things you are grateful for from the day

Get a sleep ritual in place so that you do the same thing day after day and start to repair your circadian rhythms

Take a warm bath with epsom salts few hours before bedtime and add in a cup of chamomile tea

Use lavender essential oils in a diffuser at bedtime

Exercise early in the day so that you aren't activated near bedtime

Get outside and get some sunlight early in the day so that your rhythms are reestablished

Make sure you have a consistent bedtime

Try not to be too activated in the couple of hours before bed and, of course, no caffeine

Add a meditation practice

Try yoga

Go for walks in nature

Most insomnia is the result of the body being "hyperstimulated." It is very hard to calm down an overstimulated body, especially when it is the result of chemical cascades that come as a result of medication use and withdrawal. But, it can be done to a certain degree and the skills learned will provide valuable as your body improves over time.

From my own perspective, my sleep is still not great, but it it better than it was. I went through many stretches of 2 or 3 days with zero or an hour or two a night of sleep. At this point, I have the occasional sleepless night, but most nights I'm good for at least 5 and usually closer to 6 hours. By "normal" people standards that's not great, but it feels pretty good when compared to 0 or 2-3 hours a night. As the saying goes, "in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king!"

Try not to let it become the dominant factor in your life. Over time, it will get better and you will heal. Just do your best to continue to live your life what your brain is repairing itself.

January 13, 2024

Need help as I have been stuck I believe in a bad wave. The jolts have returned when I try to sleep at night and the morning. Everytime I try to sleep I wake up in a fast panic. The gagging and nausea returned I been feeling weak and down. I do experience some acid reflux and burning sensation in my tummy sometimes under right rib cage. I started taking Pepcid to alleviate the acid reflux but I’m not sure if this is withdrawal. I also get easy started.

I didn’t change my dose and don’t know why these symptoms have returned all of a sudden. I still take 25mg Setraline every night at 7 pm so I’m not sure what changed. I have no appetite and on top of this wake up with nausea. It’s been 5 months since I fast tapered to 25mg 52 days since I went back to 25mg after a failed reinstatement of 50 mg in October. I’m trying to stay strong but it’s hard when old symptoms make there way back

January 13, 2024

2 hours ago, Jennyy said:

Need help as I have been stuck I believe in a bad wave.

I'm sorry to hear that you are in a bad wave. There is nothing we can do as an online forum to take away your pain. If there was, I would certainly do it. I have already given you all the information and advice I can. It's important that you work on learning non drug coping techniques for dealing with your symptoms. Waves and windows are part of the recovery process. Please go back to previous posts in your thread - we have posted links for you on non drug coping skills, topics about symptoms, etc. You can also use the search feature and search the site for topics about your specific symptoms. Check out the "Read this First" forum for detailed instructions on how to do this.

It is very important to completely avoid alcohol. I would also avoid processed and junk food, caffeine, sugar, and other mind altering substances, as well as intense exercise. Do things to try and calm your nervous system. Here are some ideas:

video: Claire Weekes: Managing Anxiety

video: Claire Weekes on Anxiety and Panic

Claire Weekes - Hope and Help for you Nerves Audiobook

Emotional Spirals

Acknowledge Accept Float

Music to Calm Anxiety

Breathing Technique for Anxiety

Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help ...

15 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Audio: First Aid for Panic (4 minutes) Female voice - getselfhelp.co.uk

Audio: First Aid for Panic (4 minutes) Male voice - getselfhelp.co.uk

Meditation

Edited January 13, 2024 by getofflex

January 13, 2024

32 minutes ago, getofflex said:

It is very important to completely avoid alcohol. I would also avoid processed and junk food, caffeine, sugar, and other mind altering substances, as well as intense exercise. Do things to try and calm your nervous system.

I’m trying to figure this all out and thankful for this platform but feel alone and lost and keep wondering if these withdraw symptoms are actually from me kindling or tapering fast. I have been seeing peoples symptoms ease up roughly around 9 months is that common? How long can the nausea/loss of appetite last I read the links you sent me but will have to navigate through the search bar and see what others have posted about in terms of symptoms.

January 13, 2024

55 minutes ago, getofflex said:

I'm sorry to hear that you are in a bad wave. There is nothing we can do as an online forum to take away your pain. If there was, I would certainly do it.

Thank you for your kind words I really appreciate it any positive feedback is greatly needed during this difficult time.

January 13, 2024

2 hours ago, Jennyy said:

I’m trying to figure this all out and thankful for this platform but feel alone and lost and keep wondering if these withdraw symptoms are actually from me kindling or tapering fast.

Tapering too fast is what I think, and I think kindling could be a factor as well.

2 hours ago, Jennyy said:

I have been seeing peoples symptoms ease up roughly around 9 months is that common? How long can the nausea/loss of appetite last

It is different for everyone. This link will go into all the factors that affect length of time for recovery.

How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take, Factors Affecting Withdrawal

I'm wondering if you could be having an adverse reaction to the 25 mg of sertraline. You seemed to have an adverse reaction to the higher dose - 50 mg. The way to find out is to do a daily drug and symptoms journal. Keep track of taking your drug, symptoms, eating, sleeping, etc. Write the time on the left, and describe the event on the right. Pay attention especially to how you feel before, and then after, you take your drug. Please do this for 24 hours, and post an entry in here for each 24 hour period. Here is an example:

January 31, 2023

6 AM woke with anxiety

8 am took 2.5 mg lexapro

10 am stomach is upset

10:30 am ate breakfast

11:35 am got a headache, lasted one hour

12:35 ate lunch

4 pm feel a bit better

5 pm took 2.5 mg lexapro

6 pm ate dinner

9:20 pm headache

10:00 pm took 50 mg Seroquel

10:30 pm feeling dizzy

10:30 pm fell asleep

2:30 am woke, took 3 mg Ambien

2:45 am fell asleep

4:30 am woke, but got back to sleep

Edited January 13, 2024 by getofflex

January 13, 2024

Have you seen any improvement at all since Nov. 23, when you when to the 25 mg dose? I'm asking you to give me an overall average of how you feel.

January 14, 2024

2 hours ago, getofflex said:

I'm wondering if you could be having an adverse reaction to the 25 mg of sertraline.

Is my body completely rejecting the Setraline know?

January 14, 2024

2 hours ago, getofflex said:

Have you seen any improvement at all since Nov. 23, when you when to the 25 mg dose?

I was doing fine after I dropped back to 25 mg for a few days then got hit with a bunch of symptoms the dread/fear insomnia and worst of all the anxiety especially in the morning. I have been on 50mg for 5 years could my body be having a hard time with adapting to 25mg. I mean how much is 25 any different then 50 in terms of blocking the serotonin neurons

January 14, 2024

11 hours ago, Jennyy said:

Is my body completely rejecting the Setraline know?

I have no way of knowing the answer to this, but I doubt it.

11 hours ago, Jennyy said:

I was doing fine after I dropped back to 25 mg for a few days then got hit with a bunch of symptoms the dread/fear insomnia and worst of all the anxiety especially in the morning. I have been on 50mg for 5 years could my body be having a hard time with adapting to 25mg. I mean how much is 25 any different then 50 in terms of blocking the serotonin neurons

This does not answer my question. Please just say "yes", or "no". Overall, have you had any improvements in your symptoms since Nov 23, 2023?

January 14, 2024

3 hours ago, getofflex said:

This does not answer my question. Please just say "yes", or "no". Overall, have you had any improvements in your symptoms since Nov 23, 2023?

No

Jennyy: Need help and direction to stabilize/taper off Setraline/possibly damaged my nervous system

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