Paroxetine withdrawal / Sertraline start.

[robthespur]

Hi fellow sufferers,

I have been suffering with clinical depression on and off for many years. Since 2000 I was prescribed Paroxetine. In fact mostly it worked for me, but being one who hates the idea of popping pills I've tried on occasions to reduce the dose. This time last year I was on 30 mg daily ( the highest I've been) mostly due to kidney problems which found me hospitalized. This dose had too many side effects for my liking so I decided once and for all, with the help of my health professional to decrease the dose and hopefully stop entirely. Before increasing to 30 mg I was OK on 15 mg. The plan set for me to decrease to 5 mg, then after a week start on Sertraline, 25 mg for the 1st week then 50 mg there after.

All fine down to 5 mg Paroxetine, but the first day on Sertraline I felt awful, dizzy, sweating and was sick. It was so bad I decided not to take another, which was devastating as I was informed by my neurologist Sertraline would be well tolerated. I really want to change, has anyone had a similar experience.

[Jwell53]

After being on paroxetine for over 20 years it stopped working and the doctor suggested sertraline. So last year over a 6 week period I went down from 30 to 10 mg and took my last tablet on 21st July last year and went onto 25 mg for two weeks 50mg for 4 weeks 100 mg for 24 weeks and now for the last 21 weeks I am on 125 mg. I have 5 out of 7 days good but still struggling. I have since found out that if you switch from paroxetine to sertraline it can take up to 2 years for you to level Paroxetine is the worst antidepressant and most doctors will not prescribe any more. Sertraline is good but because of the paroxetine it will take a long time to level. Stick it out it is a rollercoaster but I am determined that this tome next year I will be level. Feel free to ask me any questions

[Gopaljee in reply to Jwell53]

Thanks.I need your regular guidelines

[Letchford]

About seven years ago I was diagnosed with clinical depression. I had a very difficult time with the side effects of sertraline with vomiting in the morning, night sweats and involuntary movement of my head and neck. I was referred upwards and put onto paroxetine, where I slowly responded and have been ‘stable’ taking 30mg. I arrived on this site to see if there were accounts for people coming off it. My doctor is happy with the drug, and my wife and children like me stable. My father, having taken lithium for years, is struggling with kidney function, but is 86, so hopefully my kidneys will weather drug treatment as long as his.

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to Letchford]

I was on Paroxetine for 25 years before it stopped working. It was a nightmare trying to get on something else but am on Prozac now and that’s working.

I was very happy and level on the Paroxetine and would do it over again even though weaning off it took forever.

[Bela64]

Oh bless you ..I have tried both medication and they did not agreed with me it made me fell worse ..sertraline give a terrible stomach problems and paroxetine I cud no function and it made the anxiety worse But hey that was for me .. we all react different when come to medication as we already learned!!?I’m now on Mirtazapine 15 mg for the past 5 weeks the only side effect from mirta is that I feel very sedated specially in the morning and I haven’t Not yet see the light at the end of tunnel .. keep strong my friend and soon enough this will pass ,hope and pray that you find the medication that suits you best ... how long have you Ben taking paroxetine?

[robthespur in reply to Bela64]

Hi, thanks for info. Was on paroxetine for 20 years, now have successfully finished after carefully tapering down. Have been on Sertraline 50 mg. Not too many side effects at present. Keep strong.

[Bela64 in reply to robthespur]

OMG that’s I a very long time . I’m glad that you managed to taper Off paroxitine after all those years without any problems, and I’m Also please that sertraline is not given you to much sides effect ..me on the other hand . Still trying to find the medication that will suits the best ..A long 2 yers of trials end error....totally nightmare ! Even The psychiatrist cannot find me anything ..I’m very sensitive when it comes to meds ..wish you all best with the new med ..bela