OtherSide: sertraline and olanzapine

[OtherSide]

Hello everyone,

This is the first time I'm writing here, even though I'm an old reader. Today, I decided to share my story here with you. In March 2022, during a very quick visit to the doctor, he prescribed sertraline and olanzapine together. I took them for 3 months and then stopped them abruptly (cold turkey), mainly because of their side effects associated with lack of motivation and ambition, some cognitive problems, and worst of all, beginning to develop a distressing hypomania. Other side effects such as sexual problems, hair loss, etc. existed, but I didn't seem to mind them. During the first two months, the medication was very effective and I did perform well, but at the same time, I found myself engaged in unwanted challenges with certain people at work, which I would have strongly avoided before taking the meds.

After 1 or 2 weeks off meds, the WD symptoms came on and were the worst I'd ever experienced. Normally, before taking meds, I was faced with many serious problems, but I overcame them because I was a spiritual and ambitious person and saw things in a positive way. However, in WD, the problem is that there is no spirituality or emotions at all to feel what is positive or negative; everything is chaos. I repeatedly forced myself to use my strong positive emotions, but my situation became increasingly difficult. I gave up everything and my main focus was then getting back to my “oldself”.

After about three months, I somehow relatively succeeded achieving this purpose (maybe I'll talk about this period later), some of my emotions returned and my situation improved. However, the fatal mistake I made was to quickly get involved in the community and quickly return to work with the same people and the same environment. Two months later, the WD symptoms reappeared with another face accompanied by racing and depressive thoughts. Unfortunately, this time I had no purpose other than to deal with the outside problems I was already involved in, and there was no turning back.

After a few months, I sought help from doctors again, but I refused to take their meds, especially ADs. I read a few books by well-respected doctors and decided to take Lamictal. I bought it but didn't touch it for a long time, hoping to heal naturally, but unfortunately I was on the wrong track and healing is a mission impossible. After a long period, I took Lamictal, but stopped it after 2 weeks. I also took Lithium supplements and they really gave me some relief, but I only used that relief as an energy to engage in more bad challenges I'm already in, like someone who barely finds small sources to win money, but loses them in the night at the casino. In March 2024, I left the group I was working with, even though it was very important to me (not the money, but my works there). My situation was very difficult, and I ended up taking Seroquel.
Thanks.

Edited November 22, 2024 by Emonda
Name to title

[Jane318]

Greetings @OtherSide, and welcome to SA!  We are a community of volunteers providing peer support in the tapering of psychiatric medications and their associated withdrawal syndromes. 

 

Thank you for completing your signature.  Can you please add information about the lithium supplements you were / are taking?  Type and dose, please.  There are different forms.

 

Thank you for sharing your story, and I am sorry for all you have suffered.    

On 11/21/2024 at 1:46 PM, OtherSide said:

he prescribed sertraline and olanzapine together. I took them for 3 months and then stopped them abruptly (cold turkey), mainly because of their side effects associated with lack of motivation and ambition, some cognitive problems, and worst of all, beginning to develop a distressing hypomania. Other side effects such as sexual problems, hair loss, etc. existed, but I didn't seem to mind them. During the first two months, the medication was very effective and I did perform well, but at the same time, I found myself engaged in unwanted challenges with certain people at work, which I would have strongly avoided before taking the meds.

The side effects you describe, including onset of hypomania, are documented side effects of many ADs.   I too found myself behaving in ways that were definitely not "me."

 

On 11/21/2024 at 1:46 PM, OtherSide said:

Normally, before taking meds, I was faced with many serious problems, but I overcame them because I was a spiritual and ambitious person and saw things in a positive way.

From my experience, the drugs interfere with our ability to overcome our problems. They just mask our emotions for a while.

 

On 11/21/2024 at 1:46 PM, OtherSide said:

However, in WD, the problem is that there is no spirituality or emotions at all to feel what is positive or negative; everything is chaos.

Research shows that long term outcomes of people with depression, anxiety, etc., who do NOT take drugs are better than those of people who do (Robert Whitaker:  "Anatomy of an Epidemic.")

 

On 11/21/2024 at 1:46 PM, OtherSide said:

However, in WD, the problem is that there is no spirituality or emotions at all to feel what is positive or negative; everything is chaos.

Well put - I can relate.

 

On 11/21/2024 at 1:46 PM, OtherSide said:

My situation was very difficult, and I ended up taking Seroquel.

It is possible that your situation was made worse through your exposure to stopping and stopping several drugs previously.  The different drugs affect the brain in different ways.  Sudden stops are hard on the central nervous system.  

 

Please let us know what you are looking for from us.  Are you looking for input on how to taper off Seroquel?

 

This is your introduction topic.  Each member gets one intro topic- please post updates and questions here, in this thread.

[OtherSide]

Thank you @Jane318 for your greetings.
 

17 hours ago, Jane318 said:

Thank you for completing your signature.  Can you please add information about the lithium supplements you were / are taking?  Type and dose, please.  There are different forms.

Ok, I will. It is Lithium Orotate from Swanson.

 

17 hours ago, Jane318 said:

Please let us know what you are looking for from us.  Are you looking for input on how to taper off Seroquel?

For the moment, no. But I'm here to learn more about brain disorders and withdrawal syndromes (i.e., healing), and to share info and experiences.

Thank you again for your warm welcome and helpful info.

[Jane318]

11 hours ago, OtherSide said:

For the moment, no. But I'm here to learn more about brain disorders and withdrawal syndromes (i.e., healing), and to share info and experiences.

We have much information on the site.  You can browse the links on the home page, the lists of forums (menu at top), and/or use the search for specific topics.  The best way to search this site for specific information is to use your favorite search engine. Type in survivingantidepressants.org then the symptom, treatment, supplement or information you wish to search for.

 

Also, feel free to read and comment on the intro threads of other members.  This is how you build a community of people who understand what you are dealing with.   It is so helpful to connect with others who are experiencing the same things.

 

Again, welcome to SA.

[OtherSide]

Thank you again.
 

On 11/23/2024 at 12:01 AM, Jane318 said:

Research shows that long term outcomes of people with depression, anxiety, etc., who do NOT take drugs are better than those of people who do (Robert Whitaker:  "Anatomy of an Epidemic.")

In regards to this, I don't think that's entirely true. Long-term depression (Dep.), bipolar disorder (BP), and anxiety are not good, as research studies have shown that they significantly affect the nervous system and can lead to premature death. And that without counting people who end their lives because of these disorders. These disorders are another world of chaos, and leaving it is very difficult, which is why most of us turn to another risky route (meds). In fact, meds are a double-sided coin, they may give some relief at first, they may save people from some serious levels of the disorder, but after some time they start to affect our nervous system in a bad way. So either way, we're in trouble. 
The best thing I've read from some doctors who specialize in BP Dep.; they said that these drugs are not good for people with BP Dep. disorder, but if they take them they will first feel some relief for some time but then they will suffer from them. At this moment, if they withdraw them in a safe way, then this is one of the best strategies to get out of the disorder. 
But I can't deny that before meds, most people with these disorders develop very particular emotions and feelings, and that's a very good outcome. But the main problem is the high sensitivity, suffering and frequent relapses. 
This is my understanding so far, maybe this is the best route for us. So we have to accept our fate and hope that this difficult period will open new horizons for us that we never imagined.