I’ve stopped my sertraline

[Allbay]

Hi I have stupidly stopped taking sertraline, I have not taken it for almost 3 weeks I have had suicidal thoughts, my anxiety is really bad and tonight I have being unable to stop crying whilst having a panic attack and trouble breathing, the last few weeks I have suffered from pain in my shoulder going down my left arm and restless legs so unable to sleep, I have tried to get a telephone consultation with Dr but being unsuccessful, should I start taking my tablets again ?? Am unsure of the harm iam causing myself

[Hidden]

Emergency hospital try

[kenster1]

you will tend to get adverse reaction in most cases if you suddenly stop it usually does settle down but maybe you could start again halving them till you can get an appointment with the doctor.

[Allbay in reply to kenster1]

Yes iam so wired iam thinking about taking one now just to get them back in my system, I did consider 111 earlier but I have calmed down, hopefully I can speak to the GP tomorrow. All the aches and pains dizziness numbness and restless legs are making me think there could be other issues, thanks for the reply

[Bella1012buster0317]

Ring your doctor's and explain that you need to see a doctor today as you are struggling with your mental health and having suicidal thoughts i was the same 3 weeks ago even though I was taking. My amitriptyline i have been put on an additional antidepressant please speak to someone today if doctor's can't give you an appointment today Ring 111 xxx

[Corndolly]

Sorry to hear you are feeling so ill. It is such a horrible feeling . kenster is right . coming off sertraline needs to be managed if you think you are ready. Don't be fobbed off by your gp surgery. You are poorly and need their help as much as any other person suffering physical illness. When I ring they always ask reason for call. I just say anxiety and depression and no more questions are asked. Lean on them for help . all the best Cdx

[timbits123]

I’m about 4 weeks off Sertaline, after 2 weeks every other day and two weeks every 3rd day. I have read it takes a week for the drug to leave your system but up to 8 weeks for the chemicals in your body to re-adjust. It hasn’t been pleasant, Taking one won’t help, get to the doc. Try to do the other things that help: exercise, sleep, eat well, talk to people.

[dash123 in reply to timbits123]

it would be v helpful to know where u are at? I have been on it for 9 weeks and I now have major tremors and I am thinking of getting off it and could really do with some advise? I m shaking like a leaf and am worried what the withdrawals will be like

[timbits123 in reply to dash123]

Hi dash : 9 weeks is the end of the ‘normal’ acclimatisation period. If you don’t feel mentally better, DO NOT STOP TAKING THEM, go see your Dr!! From the blogs, you’ll see that lots of people try lots of antidepressants before they find the right one. Maybe Sertaline isn’t for you. ( it was my second SSRI.). Give it try for longer, but if you stop dead now, you may be in for another mentally unpleasant 8 weeks.

[Milynda]

Either start the tabs back up or talk to your dr about a different antidepressant that might work

[tommothytompkins]

I came off them last year. I reduced the dose over several months because as others have said it takes a while to adjust. You can come off them if you want to but please don't do it like this. Taking one won't help today. Phone the dr and insist on being seen or or have a phone consultation with them. Tell them what you have told us. They will help you but you have to be firm and insist on it being today. Good luck and let us know how you get on x

[dash123 in reply to tommothytompkins]

did u substitute them or did u come off all medication, I have been on them for 9 weeks and have bad tremors and feel I should slowly come off them

[tommothytompkins in reply to dash123]

Always slowly. The slower the better. But check with your doctor that thats the right thing to do for you. I didn't have tremors but I did have other side effects. I ended up substituting st John's wort at a low dose after I finished sertraline because I was scared of a major relapse. Every one is different though. Good luck with what you do and try and get help through your doctor to make sure you are safe.

[Allbay]

Hi thanks for everyone reply I’ve just had a phone consultation with my GP and he wants to see me at 4pm today just to check me over, he has recommended I half my tablets to get back on the like you said gradually, cannot believe ive been so silly. Thanks again everyone

[Bella1012buster0317 in reply to Allbay]

So glad you managed to speak to someone today you have been playing on my mind all day in work xx

[Allbay in reply to Bella1012buster0317]

Oh you know what iam so overwhelmed by how many people replied and are so thoughtful, the doctor prescribed me more sertraline and also diazepam to take if I start to feel anxious or panic like I did last night, also gave me some antibiotic cream as I have also started getting roseate unsure how to spell it red patch on my right cheek not particularly helping my mood let’s put it that way x

[Bella1012buster0317 in reply to Allbay]

Maybe have a diazepam tonight to help you get a decent sleep you will start to feel a lot more relaxed after having a good sleep and just take it a day at a time and if you start to feel as though tablets are not working ring doctor's and ask to try another tablet please don't just stop them xxx

[Allbay in reply to Bella1012buster0317]

Yes I did ask about taking one at night, with me having that horrendous panic attack last night it’s made me anxious all day incase it happens again so I told the doctor and said the same might help me relax and hopefully have a decent sleep, I usually go to bed with my children always no later that 10 for me but I’ve being up after 1 not being able to sleep so a good night sleep sounds amazing. Thanks everyone again for all your kind words support and advice really meant allot last night when I needed it most

[TheVoid]

When I came of them I did slow reductions in the end I was doing 1/4 of a tablet and still getting vertigo and really dizzy. It's best to wean of them for sure can be stranger comming of than when you first start them. As already suggested try and contact drs or even local pharmacy may offer some guidance.good luck hope you feel better soon

[Hidden]

Allbay, if you came of your medication because of your Doctors instructions. You need to arrange a telephone appointment to talk to A Doctor in Surgery.Does the Surgery have an Internet connection for patients to use, in my Practice they have a site for making appointments and prescriptions.

If you have not been told to come of your medications, go back onto the original does, three weeks is not long, You may have a short period of side effects, they will slowly disperse

BOB