Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: MIS71MUM on August 27, 2015, 05:38:17 PM
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Has anyone ever stopped taking sertraline at 25 mg after 8 days? Do I just go cold turkey? I feel so much worse than when I started taking them. I have more anxiety and feel very low. Any advice is very welcome xxx
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Sending you :hug:
It's a horrible place to be in but most ADs unfortunately make you feel worse before you feel better,try to hang on a few more days if you can you should start to pick up soon. Try to make sure you eat little and often and don't put too much pressure on yourself hope you pick up soon.
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Aw - thank you so much. I started taking the sertraline because of the anxiety but feel like it's making me depressed and weepy. I'm currently of sick at the moment because of my anxiety and feel under pressure to get well this week as I'm due to return to work on Thursday.
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I started taking ADS back in March for anxiety,palps,etc. It took about 14 days before I settled on them with support from someone on here as I was so groggy on them I nearly gave up . Start a mood/food daily diary see if any patterns/triggers occur,make sure you eat little and often,try slow release foods,like porridge,bananas,if blood sugars drop this can bring on anxiety surges ,also it's important to keep hydration up. If you start the diary noting down all things you can read it back over as when your in a particular bad spell things tend to merge into each other and sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees,I know I couldn't anyway,then if you still can see no improvement say in 10 days go back to gp and ask for a different type of ads but you should start to tiny improvements each day. Take care
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Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've been having intrusive thoughts that has really scared me especially when I have a 5 year and 6 year old daughters to take care of. For now, I've given them up and will go back to GP next week. This has all started/got worse since I've stopped the hrt, femoston 2/10. As soon as I get my cycle back to normal, I'll get some hrt from GP. This has been the worst 6 weeks ever since I stopped it. Thanks again
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Why did you stop the hrt,did you not find it helpful ?
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Some ADs can cause the opposite effects to what it is designed to do ::)
If you are getting intrusive thoughts, best to stop taking it. Why did you stop the HRT :-\
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Hi - I had to stop hrt because of heavy bleeding. I really got along with my previous dose of femoston 1/10 but my GP made me stop my 2/10 dose mid packet. Since them I've had hot flushes, anxiety and been a bit over emotional ever since. My last withdrawal bleed was 20 th July, so desperate for my cycle to restart so I can some hrt. As I have been struggling at work recently, I thought the AD's would help me get back on track and help me cope. Now I think I need the hrt before I consider taking any further AD's. Is there any hrt I can take before my cycle restarts? I'm 44 btw!
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Hello All - after what I can only describe as a massive come down since stopping taking the medication, I have tonight re-started 25 mg of sertraline. Maybe I have to accept that I do need them. I just hope they work and soon.
dazned - do you mind me asking which AD's you took?
I'm back at my GP on Tuesday so will tell him that I've been feeling worse.
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I take mirtazapine which has helped me with my chronic insomnia and anxiety,just felt awful before ,would of tried anything to be honest.
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Tell your GP that you need the HRT. Was the F 1/10 not enough to ease symptoms? There are several types on the market and heavy bleeding, once investigated, can be helped by a drug …… of course, name escapes me.
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Thanks for both replies. A couple of hours after taking the 25 mg, I feel relaxed and balanced tonight. Which is a welcome relief from the panic and anxiety I felt earlier. I'm in so much trouble, my husband was supposed to be going out tonight on a stag do but has stayed in with me as I was so nervous earlier! Now I've come round a bit, I feel super guilty 😊
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He's with you for a reason ;)
A stag 'do' at his age ……… :whist: is he Best Man?
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Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've been having intrusive thoughts that has really scared me especially when I have a 5 year and 6 year old daughters to take care of. For now, I've given them up and will go back to GP next week. This has all started/got worse since I've stopped the hrt, femoston 2/10. As soon as I get my cycle back to normal, I'll get some hrt from GP. This has been the worst 6 weeks ever since I stopped it. Thanks again
I was prescribed these last week - heavens - dizziness, migraines, upset stomach. I'm not depressed, I'm menopausal - I need HRT not these blooming things - have stopped taking them, still trying to get over the effects. What really annoyed me was the fact the doc didn't even have the decency to tell me she was giving me AD'S. I didn't find out until the pharmacist wanted a word with me - even he was shocked ! >:( :cuss: :steamed: :diablo:
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Mirtazipine works well for me, I tried sertraline and it was truly awful. But it's taken 7 months for the mirtazipine to help, or maybe it was being signed off work for two months that helped.
Stupidly I stopped taking it for 5 days thinking that I didn't need it and it really screwed things up, that was two weeks ago nearly and it's not working as well because of the break. I won't be doing that again in a hurry.
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Just to clarify ADS are not just used for depression! They help with anxiety,palpations,panic attacks and many women use them alongside hrt as I do or on their own,everyone is different and need to take what works for them .
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Just to clarify ADS are not just used for depression! They help with anxiety,palpations,panic attacks and many women use them alongside hrt as I do or on their own,everyone is different and need to take what works for them .
Yes, dazned I understand that. Each and everyone one of us is different. What was annoying was the fact that I wasn't told. :(
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Morning All - thanks for your replies.
CLKD - you made me chuckle last night, regarding the stag do! My husband is a toy boy, and is 40! It's his best mate from work who's getting married for the 1st time at 43! 😍
Bluebell59, how long did you take the Sertraline for? And what do you mean, you are still feeling the effects? I started off okay for 6 days, then had increased anxiety. Which could have been my hormones or the Sertraline! But I agree I definitely need some hrt.
Peri penguin - glad you found something that works for you. I think I'm going to back to work next week after been off a fortnight. How long did you try Sertraline for btw? Did you have any side effects coming off it?
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I can't remember now, not long because I felt much worse when I was on it. I had to have a week off before going onto mirtazipine and it was the week from hell, serious anxiety issues.
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Morning All - thanks for your replies.
Bluebell59, how long did you take the Sertraline for? And what do you mean, you are still feeling the effects? I started off okay for 6 days, then had increased anxiety. Which could have been my hormones or the Sertraline! But I agree I definitely need some hrt.
I took them for just 2 days ! Last thurs and fri, still feel bad, but better than yesterday !
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I'm quite happy to take an AD, took Venlefaxine 12 years ago and it did the trick for me. But would like to see what the hrt can fix first. My problems are I overthink things and let me worries get out of control, 1 day I want to get better and take whatever's necessary and the next, I think I don't need any medication. Suppose it's all part of the anxiety😐
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I'm quite happy to take an AD, took Venlefaxine 12 years ago and it did the trick for me. But would like to see what the hrt can fix first. My problems are I overthink things and let me worries get out of control, 1 day I want to get better and take whatever's necessary and the next, I think I don't need any medication. Suppose it's all part of the anxiety😐
Ditto Mis71Mum
I also 'think too much', I'm trying to be logical and think things through first and discuss them with my husband before I waste yet more money buying stuff. I see something and think - 'yes, that'll work' but doesn't ::)
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Glad I brightened up a moment for U - is he Best Man? and was he bothered particularly about not attending the Stag event?
How have you felt 2-day?
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Hi CKLD - I've had an awful day, ended up in the back of an ambulance having a panic attack. Can't believe this afternoon. I took 25 mg yesterday and 12 mg today at 12, and not sure if the crossover, ie taking them too close together brought on my first ever panic attack. Went for a walk to try and clear my head and ended up flagging a policeman down.
Won't be taking them again.
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It should say that I took yesterday's dose at 4pm!
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Panic can over-ride medication. How does the anxiety affect you, i.e. what symptoms do you suffer with?
Some medications can do exactly opposite to what they are designed for >:( it really can be Trial and Error!
Did the Ambulance Crew reassure you?
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I thinks because I felt so hyper after taking the quarter of a tablet, so tried to walk if off.
The ambulance woman was on fluxietine, the paramedics wife had pnd and was on diazepam. The policeman said i could walk his dog to take my mind off things! Yes they were all sympathetic to me.
I need to try another AD next week when I see my GP. I know it probably is wonderful for many people out there but I just need to find the one for me.
No my husband is not the best man and I think he knows I need him right now. Don't know what I'd do without him.
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It's good that your Man is supportive. :medal: Nowt better ;).
Glad that the emergency crew were so good! :great:
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What a scary day. Hope you are feeling more chilled now. :hug:
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I'm sorry you are feeling so awful :hug:
I tried a couple of ADS until I settled on the one I use now so I empathize with you .
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Thanks all for your kind words. Just checked my paperwork from the ambulance and my bp was 166/126 so something wasn't right with me was it? I've come round a bit now and for the first time in nearly 2 weeks, I've felt hungry! Just eaten 3 slices of pizza and 2 bits of cake and feel much better. Lost 7 lb in weight since I started the AD's so think I'm allowed to stuff my face tonight.
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I'm not telling you what to do but I'd stay off those tablets if I were you. I am so very happy to hear that you now actually feel much better - long may it continue ! :tulips2:
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You know the answer this morning, it was the medication upsetting your system. I had several different types of AD before the GP found something which suited. It wasn't a cure but the 'side-effects' were preferable to the symptoms.
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I've tried several types as well, when I had prozac it made me suicidal, I lost lots of weight though because I went for long walks because I knew staying in would mean I felt like doing something stupid, sertraline was awful because of the side effects. Mirtazipine seems to be the best for me now, though either it or the betablockers give me weird hallucinations at night unless I leave the landing light on.
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What dose mirtazapine are you on peripenguin ?
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45mg once a day
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I take mine at night do you ?
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Yes, I found it's better if I take it about an hour before bed rather than at bedtime.
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Me too.
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Prozac made me :cuss: ………
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:thankyou: Just want to say that I appreciated all your support and kindness this weekend. My MM friends have helped me get through this.
Tomorrow I have got my GP appoitment and I need to beg for some HRT. What do I ask for in my circumstances? I originally went to see my GP because my periods disappeared between September and January every year. Since stopping taking the Hrt, I had 1 small withdrawal bleed and nothing since for 6 weeks. I really want to try another type as can't face another AD just yet.
Any ideas most welcome.
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I can't help but if you pull down the menus, top of screen; make notes …….. it will depend on if you have a womb/not ……..
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Hi Mis71Mum
If you got on with Femoston 1/10 can you go back to this one - Femoston is well tolerated? Not sure why you increased to 2/10?
Otherwise you could try a transdermal HRT such as Evorel sequi or Femseven sequi ( more difficult to stick) - that contain medium dose oestrogen. Alternatively separate oestrogen (tablet patch or gel) and micronised progesterone ( utrogestan).
Some women on here are using a CCP such as the newer Qlaira which contains bio-identical oestrogen and obnly has two tablet free days - so prevents some of the mood swings.
All the HRT types are under Treatments/HRT preparations above as CLKD says.
Good luck and do aks anything else if we can help! :)
Hurdity x
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:thankyou: Hurdity - there's no 'one fits all' is there ::)
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Hello - just a quick update! I have my Femoston 1/10 and 1 weeks supply of Diazepam to get me over this tricky time. Took 1 Diazepam and have felt quite tired/groggy for about 10 hours. Will start the F 1/10 tomorrow as the pharmacist mentioned oestrogen can make the effects of diaZepam stronger. Fingers crossed, this will get me back on track.
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How :-\ as oestrogen is 'natural' …….. What dose Diazepam has the GP prescribed? I found 10mg initially helped then had 5mg on an as necessary basis. If I had an event to attend I would swallow one the previous evening and if needed, 1 at breakfast. I would feel 'drugged' but it was better than the panic attacks. By mid-afternoon I could quite happily have slept [I did at his parents', his Mum would often comment >:( ]
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They gave me 14 x 2 mg. I took one yesterday and still feel quite tired from it! I've also started my F 1/10 and my iron tablets as my ferritin is 6 apparently.
Hoping that I can get through the next couple of weeks without any AD'd or Diazepam, then I can go back to my GP and discuss the next course of action. My GP wasn't pleased with me for quitting the sertraline as she said I had chronic anxiety that needed treatment >:(
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Doesn't she realise that some side effects are unbearable >:( and that some medications can cause opposite symptoms to what they are designed for …..
2mg is calming …… go with it!
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CKLD - you've been a tower of strength to me. :crutch: :crutch: :crutch: Do you mind me asking what meds you take? Are you on AD's at all?
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this might help you Mis71mum, CLKD posted this thread a few days ago
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,29050.0.html
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Gosh you're good, I can't remember what I had for breakfast let alone what I posted yesterday ;D
In the 1980s I took an AD beginning with 'G' which worked well until 2001. Then I had a couple of medications and now settled on Escitalopram 5mg p.m./a.m. ………. in the 1980s I took Valium 'as necessary'. Now I have a Beta-blocka at night [40mg] to stop anxiety surges in the early morning. As well as an emergency anti-anxiety pill.
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Thanks to you both. I've been signed off for the next 2 weeks so am thinking about how to get myself fixed for my return. I've heard of that AD before. Not needed a Diazepam today as didn't feel the need. I'm taking just one day at a time and hope that I start to improve soon.
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Did you have benefit from the Diazepam ?
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Hi yes they knocked me out for the day but not taken once since. Currently double bagging my camomile tea to keep me calm. Think I have a bit of bounceback anxiety from stopping taking the AD's. Hopefully it will pass soon ??
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Morning All - thanks for your replies.
Bluebell59, how long did you take the Sertraline for? And what do you mean, you are still feeling the effects? I started off okay for 6 days, then had increased anxiety. Which could have been my hormones or the Sertraline! But I agree I definitely need some hrt.
I took them for just 2 days ! Last thurs and fri, still feel bad, but better than yesterday !
Bluebell59 - can you remember how long it took you to feel better after the Sertraline?
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Morning All - thanks for your replies.
Bluebell59, how long did you take the Sertraline for? And what do you mean, you are still feeling the effects? I started off okay for 6 days, then had increased anxiety. Which could have been my hormones or the Sertraline! But I agree I definitely need some hrt.
I took them for just 2 days ! Last thurs and fri, still feel bad, but better than yesterday !
Bluebell59 - can you remember how long it took you to feel better after the Sertraline?
It took 4 days
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Thanks for that - I'm on Day 6! This last 6 weeks is not something I'd like to repeat again ever!