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Stopping after one day on Sertraline due to sever side effects!

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Posted 9/27/2013 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and would like some advice, please. My doc has put me on Sertraline 50mg (one a day). I took it for one day (last night) and have experienced the worst side effects ever. Nausea, tiredness (in bed all day), dizziness, loss of appetite, diarrhea. Just feeling absolutely knocked out after the one tablet only. I have felt much better before taking the tablet. I was up and running etc.
My doc put me on the Sertraline because she thinks im getting anxious about my health. I was diagnosed with Dyspepsia (digestive disorder) and I'm quiet sure that I have IBS with it too. I had all sorts of symptoms and because i was concerned that I had something serious I was put on Sertraline.
Now for the sake of me getting off of my bed and getting back to my family I have decided to stop taking Sertraline (not taking my second tablet tonight). I have called the doc she said that she will give me something else and with a lower dose. Tbh, i'd rather have other methods of treatment (anything other than medicines).
My questions are, Would my side effects go away after taking only the one tablet? & how long will the side effects last?

Thank you so much.
H
Posted 9/28/2013 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome.

I am sorry to hear that your first attempt at an A/ D did not work out. It is hard to say how long it will take you to feel back to normal, as everyone reacts differently...but since you only took one dose, it should exit your system quickly.

As for your other concern...non medical anxiety management...you have come to the right place.;) We have an incredible Resource Guide on our main page. It is full of great self-help ideas to try. We even have some book recommendations specifically for health anxiety.

Try the breathing and relaxation exercises for a week and see how you feel. Meanwhile, hopefully you and your doctor can get your Rx plan figured out.

Keep posting with us if you find it helpful. We are here to listen and understand.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/28/2013 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
The normal beginning dose is 25mg. I don't doubt that you had terrible side effects from 50mg. I take this drug and it has helped me quite a bit. I do understand if you want to take the natural route though. Lots of helpful people on this forum that have been through it all and have great advice.
Posted 9/29/2013 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
I took my first Sertraline today. It was 25mg. I'm to take it for 7 days and then I take 50mg. I haven't noticed anything different. I believe as it slowly gets into my system it will help my anxiety/depression.  Hope you will find what works for you.
Posted 9/29/2013 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for all your replies. It's been 2 days since I stopped taken Sertraline 50mg. I can feel it coming out of my system slowly as I can get out of bed now and got some of my appetite back but still sick, dizzy, and really tired.
Dee75 good luck for your treatment. Hope it works well for you.
with regards to the natural route of treatment. Are there any success in healing? Or is it used just to manage anxiety? I'm considering to start yoga classes and general exercise plus try to stop thinking about anything negative by using the breathing exercises.
Thanks
H
Posted 9/29/2013 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm surprised you were put on 50 mgs as the initial dose. I was on this med for years at 25 mgs and it helped me tremendously. Could never go up to 50 though as the side effects were too bothersome. Sorry you had such an awful experience. I am very sensitive to meds and always ask for a low dose to start out.

I would rather go the natural route but I believe my symptoms are beyond that presently. Still, I find going for long walks, stretching, listening to music all helpful in alleviating some anxiety. There's a great workbook called "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" (I forget the author). It takes you through identifying and changing thoughts that contribute and has a ton of self help ideas. Very much worth the read if you are looking for more natural ways of coping.

Best of luck to you on your journey, glad you are feeling better since stopping the 50 mgs.

Sue
Posted 9/29/2013 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply and advice Sue. I just hope that this one dose didn't cause me any damage and how long will it take before I can feel normal again? It's been just over 60 hours since I took the tablet.
Thanks
H
Posted 9/29/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
hello, welcome dear, the corrupt medication is fully out of your system. Were you able to speak with your doctor in any of those 60 hours? If you have your mobility and can walk a little each day all of your concerns about your health might just vanish. IBS and your dyspepsia are changed with great success.
Add walking and drinking plenty of water and deep breathing, plus have contact with family and friends, you can be changed overnight.

The second change might be helping someone else.
what a fine example can really be helpful, for you and for a friend.........Heres a hearty Texas hug honey........regards..Cathy
Posted 9/30/2013 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
I am going to 6 mindfulness classes starting on 15th of Oct. This will help with meditation ,breathing and help in being a caregiver. Happy thoughts to all, Dee
Posted 9/30/2013 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome Dee!! I believe that this is really going to be a great help to you. Let us know how you like the classes.:)

S.C.
Posted 11/6/2015 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Expert,

My mother was advised a Sertraline 25 Dose for relaxation during her recovery from a small accident.
However sertaline did not suit her and she started to get anxious and behave weird at times. We stopped the medication after 3 weeks due to side effect and it took 1 month for her to completely recover from the symptoms.
After this, there was no indication of any side effect for next 6-8 months. Recently she was again treated for common cough and cold. Medicines included levocetirizine and montelukast tablet + Cefixime.
Surprisingly this time also she started to show the similar anxiety and confused behavior.
I am not sure if this is caused due to earlier dosage of Sertraline.

We have stopped the medication immediately after observing this. However it takes about 1-2 weeks for symptoms to vanish (as per my earlier experience).

Can you please advice me on below doubts ?
- How long the effect of sertraline remains if it does not suit the patient ?
- Is it possible that she has become non-receptive to some other medicines due to earlier side effects ?

Kindly provide your expert advise.
Thank you in advance for the help.
Posted 11/6/2015 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hello C.J. and welcome.

I am sorry to hear of your mom's difficulty recently with health and medication issues.

Sertraline would only last a short time in her system after discontinuation. (a matter of a week or so after wean is complete)

So this is surely not a factor in her recent issue.

Rather, it sounds like you mom is sensitive to medications, as some people naturally are...and is having a separate reaction.

Some cold and cough meds are stimulating in nature, and will therefore have an anxious effect on those prone to anxiety...or with an Rx sensitivity.

You will want to let her doctors know of how her meds are effecting her, so the right match can be found...and she can be as well and comfortable as possible.:)

Well wishes!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 11/6/2015 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Honestly i have never heard of a cure for anxiety disorder as anxiety is a natural response for humans and other living things. But what i do hear is a reduction of symptoms as well as feeling well most of the time.

As many have given solid advice, i'd only say that a change in lifestyle plus relaxation/meditation is good. Over time i guess we learn how to manage it so the panic attacks don't come, but the lower symptoms will still arise.
Posted 11/12/2015 7:30 AM (GMT 0)
I highly doubt taking just one tablet would take very long to leave you system. Zoloft has a short half life and is gone in a couple days. You should know though that if you do go down the med route there are going to be side effects but they go away with time.
Posted 7/16/2017 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
Sertraline1Day: I was prescribe the same med and have been on just 1/2 a pill (25 mg) for three days. OMG it's been horrible. So many side effects and really NOT working for me. Dry mouth, headache, hard to breathe, palpitations, and my throat feels like it's closing up. This is definitely not helping my GERD. My panic attacks are actually worse. I'm going to try Valium. I used it years ago and it does work. You have to take it in small doses. Hope that things work out for you!!
Posted 7/16/2017 7:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hello N.A.Girl and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of the challenges that came along with your start up. Unfortunately and ironically things can get tougher before better when first taking an SSRI.

It is certainly understandable if you want to explore your alternatives...

...and I hope that includes therapy and self help as well...for the best well rounded anxiety management approach.

Please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great material to work with...

...and keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 7/16/2017 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
starting dose for Zoloft is 50mg. it should be 25mg as even 50 is a little strong for many
Posted 7/18/2017 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Zoloft for only 3 days and had a horrid reaction to it as well - tons of side effects. Tomorrow will be three days that I am off of it and still having a terrible and scary reaction to it. I have severe GERD and it aggravated that as well. Everyone is different and reacts to medications differently. It's my understanding that it has to do with metabolism and digestive enzyme issues. Some people are slow metabolizers and some faster. If you are a slow metabolizer (I am) the drug somehow becomes twice as potent - then BIG REACTION. So even only on 25 MG it's like taking 50 or more. From what I found out, there is a test for this called Enzyme Activity. It would really be good to know to avoid this sort of thing in the future.

Good Luck!!!!
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