Jg0482846: Adverse Reaction Sertraline 25mg / WD

[Jg0492946]

Hi everybody,

 

I don’t really know where to start with all of this as I am not the best writer. This is also way overdue as I have been creeping the forms for over 5 months now. What I can say is that this forum has helped me tremendously get through some very tough days. Thank to everyone that contributes and comes back to share their stories of success. Also thank you to everybody that finds the courage and will power to express what they are currently going through in their WD journey.

 

My Story:

 

My story begins with me going to my doctor which was the first time in 15 years or so. Short back story, I have dealt with anxiety since I was a senior in high school. I would maybe have 1 or two panic attacks per year and sometimes I would go years without any incidents. Every now and then I would get a little panicky but symptoms were always in the form of physical things like trouble swallowing or breathing. They we short - lived on only lasted an hour or two.

 

Fast forward back to my doctor. I scheduled and appointment because my wife thought it might be a good idea for me to try medication as I was having a hard time with not bringing home issues that aggravated me from work. We were about one year into us having our first child and we were both worried that this was going to affect my parenting. I have always been an anxious person but always lived life to the fullest. After talking to my doctor she prescribed 25mg of sertraline. 

 

After taking the Sertraline I felt increased anxiety within two days. Within a week it was so bad that I couldn't even go into work or be in front of customers without having a panic attack. I wasn't sleeping very well and literally thought I was going crazy. Despite all of this I pushed through because I kept reading that these were "normal" symptoms when first starting the medicine. All these things continued for over a month and a half at which point I began to experience intrusive thoughts and suicidal ideation. I want to say that I have never had a suicidal thought in my entire life. It had never crossed my mind. Not even during the times of anxiety and panic attacks that I have had in the past. This was the tipping point where I knew I needed to come off the medicine as it was making me depressed, which again I had never suffered from depression before.

 

I cut my dose of 25mg in half right at the 2-month mark and then proceeded to take 12.5mg for one week. After that I quit CT which I know was a silly decision but I couldn't live with the way the medicine made me feel any longer. After stopping I felt okay for almost a month. Not great but okay. At the one-month mark is where my hell began. All of my symptoms that I had when first starting the medicine came back maybe even worse. My timeline is below:

 

Months 1 - 4 - Severe anxiety, Depression, Anhedonia, intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, insomnia, more things that I cant even think of right now.

Months 5 - 6 - Same symptoms but potentially started feeling windows and waves. Also windows were not as intense or severe. 

Month 7 - Had my first Window that potentially lasted 2 weeks. I still felt the anxiety of what if this comes back and what if I am not done. (suicidal ideation calmed down a bit)

Month 8 - Wave came back in full force and I feel almost like I did at the beginning its hard to remember. This led me to the idea of starting my post and no longer sitting on the sidelines.

 

I will say that I believe my biggest trigger for Month 8 was the presidential election. I actually stayed up until 1am watching the results and I believe all of this stress is what may have triggered my flare up. That, coupled with daylight savings as I now get up at 3am or 4am every morning regardless of what time I go to sleep. My biggest issues that effect me the most are easily sleep and the suicidal ideations or thoughts. 

 

I know and believe that I will continue to get better as time goes on. The stories in this forum inspire me to continue everyday, along with the willpower to fight for my daughter and my wife. They are my biggest inspiration for continuing to fight through this battle.  Thank you again to everyone who has stayed active in this form! You all are saving people’s lives!

 

God bless and safe journies for everyone that is fight through their withdrawls. There will be a day where we all will end up on the other side of this.

 

[LotusRising]

Hi @Jg0492946

 

Welcome to SA. I'm sorry you've had this experience. As you're probably aware by now, there are many that have been in similar shoes. 

 

I'm glad to hear you're experiencing windows and waves. Although they can be difficult to navigate, it's a good sign that your body is working its way back to homeostasis.

 

On 11/11/2024 at 9:09 AM, Jg0492946 said:

I will say that I believe my biggest trigger for Month 8 was the presidential election.

Stress is for a sure a big trigger for waves of symptoms. We recommend to Keep it simple, slow and stable.

 

On 11/11/2024 at 9:09 AM, Jg0492946 said:

My biggest issues that effect me the most are easily sleep and the suicidal ideations or thoughts. 

Are you utilizing any coping skills to manage these symptoms?

 

On 11/11/2024 at 9:09 AM, Jg0492946 said:

I know and believe that I will continue to get better as time goes on.

This is good to hear that you feel this way. And yes! You will definitely continue to get better as time goes on.

 

Please continue to check in and reach out if you need support.

 

LotusRising

[Jg0492946]

@LotusRising thank you for your words of encouragement and advice. I have been trying to use some coping methods but it's just hit or miss. I'm guessing this is just a cycle of the waves and windows process. I do find comfort in all of the wonderful success stories. They are what truly keep me going and moving forward. 

 

A question I do have is if a wave 8 months out can feel just as bad as say month one wave? I know they are not linear but just looking for others experiences. Right now im in what seems to be one of my longest waves and most intense, in the sense that there is no relief. Even when I was in waves before I would get what I would call "breaks" between days. I just feel like I'm constantly on the edge right before a panic attack. 

 

It's just discouraging because I thought I was truly on my way to recovery because of the two week window I had right before this. 

 

I look forward to staying active on this forum and giving back where I can. I'm still early in my experiences but boy it's felt like a lifetime.

 

All we can do is hang in there and take it one day at a time. Healing happens everyday!

[LotusRising]

@Jg0492946

 

8 hours ago, Jg0492946 said:

I have been trying to use some coping methods but it's just hit or miss.

It can be like this on and off. Coping skills take time to become a habit, so don't feel like you need to learn them all at once.

 

8 hours ago, Jg0492946 said:

I do find comfort in all of the wonderful success stories.

The success stories are incredibly impactful. They got me through some very tough times and I referred to them often.

 

9 hours ago, Jg0492946 said:

A question I do have is if a wave 8 months out can feel just as bad as say month one wave?

Yes, this can absolutely happen, especially if you're experiencing more stress than usual. This thread below has some information. Little setbacks are unfortunately an uncomfortable part of moving forward. It doesn't mean that you're not on your way to recovery though. The stressors you were experiencing were just a little too much for your nervous system to handle. It just takes time. And a two week window?! Amazing! You will have that again 💚

 

9 hours ago, Jg0492946 said:

I look forward to staying active on this forum and giving back where I can.

Yes, please do! It takes all of us together, to support each other on this path. 

 

LotusRising

[Jg0492946]

@LotusRising You dont know how much these replies mean to me. They couldn't have come at a better time today as I am struggling through this wave still. Thank you for your reassuranace.

 

One last question I have for anyone that might be able to answer is if iron supplements can interfere with any of the healing process. I have low iron and the doctor has requested that I take these. I didnt have any issues for the first month but then this wave hit and I am scared that the iron may have something to do with it.

 

 

[bryman]

@Jg0492946 Following. This story is so similar to mine. My reaction to Sertraline was almost identical to yours and I too felt like I had no choice but to CT. 

[Jg0492946]

@bryman I'm sorry you are having to go through this and I hope that you are getting better by the day. 

 

It sounds like I need to follow your story as well as we share a similar experience! 

 

Please keep my posted on any break through or success you have. I'll be sure to update this post as much as possible.

 

We are in this together and like many others before us we will get better!

 

Keep on fighting the good fight @bryman!

[bryman]

Thanks @Jg0492946. I’m trying to take it one day at a time and accept the situation but as you know it is really challenging. So hard to just wait, when the pain is so heavy. I will definitely keep you updated and it feels good knowing that I’m not alone. I hope you get some good rest tonight and feel good in the morning. 

[LotusRising]

5 hours ago, Jg0492946 said:

Thank you for your reassuranace.

You're very welcome. I'm glad I could help!

 

 

[TimidTurtle]

@Jg0492946 I too have been experiencing a big wave ever since the presidential election. Been really paranoid recently and just really scared of what's going to happen to me and others. Hope it gets better.

[Jg0492946]

@TimidTurtle I'm sorry to hear you are in a prolonged wave. 

 

I made a post the other day that listed some really good resources that i believe have helped me out of this last wave. I dont feel completly out of it but WAY better and still trending in the right direction. Over the past 3 or 4 days ive started to adopt the Claire Weekes method of face, accept, float and let time pass. I got her book on Wedesnday and I'm almost done with it. I truly help this is going to be my rock moving forward. Like I mentioned this has helped tremendously in the past couple days.

 

Things will get better and the wave will pass. Remember that they always do and nothing about them can hurt you. This is hard to imagine while in the middle of one but it's the truth and you just have to keep reminding yourself this.

 

 

I truly help your wave ends here soon and you get that much closer to recovery!