LyraWinter: Withdrawal-like symptoms since sertraline (50 mg), Lithium, Ashwagandha... Should I taper off or discontinue it??

[LyraWinter]

I had never taken antidepressants before and since the single dose of Sertraline (50 mg) on 12/4/2014 I have something like withdrawal or discontinuation symptoms, I think, I am not sure why and what has happened to me but I never experienced anything like that in my life not even with depression. I no longer feel any emotions or my body, etc. ... now I don't know if I should take the medication again and then reduce 10% of the last dose every 4-6 weeks or if I should better not take any more? Does anyone know a solution? 

 

Well my situation is all the more complicated because I was taking Ashwagandha (600 mg) 2 or 3 times a day and Lithium (250 mg) a day for around two months until 12/4/2014 (the day I took sertraline for the very first time), I fear it may have interacted with Sertraline, but I don't know that

I immediately stopped Ashwagandha and Lithium the next day after taking Sertraline, but I don't think that was a good idea. Should I take Ashwagandha and/or Lithium again and then slowly taper off 10% every 4-6 weeks or leave it completely and stop taking it?

 

My life is ruined since sertraline...I am only 23 years old. Now I question my mental health before taking sertraline, I was ok, and a healthy individual and still somewhat happy with my life. I always felt my emotions strongly, was in love with my boyfriend (still in relationship), also had a lot of thoughts that were creative, colorful, sad or deep, was interested in people, the world and hobbies even when I was depressed or anxious. It wasn't necessary for me to take anything like that.  Now I feel nothing (not even anxiety even though I was an anxious person with OCD), even lost my libido, skin and whole body is numb and everything that made me special is gone. Everyone around me believe it is only my depression and that I am imagining these symptoms. I'm really looking for help here 😓

 

Thank you very much for anyone who answers or tries to help me ❤️

 

I am still truly amazed that so many are also affected and still carry on with their lives, you are stronger than you think and I hope that you can see it the way I see it

 

 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  What you had from the sertraline was an immediate adverse reaction, not withdrawal.  I suggest you do not take it again.  There is no brain dependency since you only took 1 dose, so no tapering is needed.  What happened was that the drug did not agree with your nervous system, and you developed a bad reaction to it. 

 

I would also suggest you resume taking your Lithium again at your previous dose.  Stopping your other psych meds will further confuse your brain.  It is almost never a good idea to abruptly stop taking any psychiatric meds.  Ashwaganda is a supplement, and I'm not familiar with it.  I don't know what advise to give you about that.  Here is our topic on that: 

 

Ashwagandha

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  Only give us drug names, dosages, and dates, as best you can remember, in a list format.  Read the link below for instructions.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Unfortunately, it can take some time to recover from an adverse drug reaction.  It is good that you only took the one tablet, and no more.  Here is information about recovery from ADR (adverse reaction).  

 

Immediate Adverse Reaction

 

This helps you understand how your brain recovers:  

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important.  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

 

There is a major drug interaction between sertraline and lithium.  Your doctor should have known about this.  Here is what drugs.com says: 

 

 

Interactions between your drugs

Major

lithium  sertraline

Applies to: lithium, sertraline

Talk to your doctor before using lithium together with sertraline. Combining these medications can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitaminsand herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

Good luck, and please let us know how you are doing. 

Edited December 19, 2024 by getofflex