joegg888
28-08-08, 14:03
Hi all. This is my very first message on NMP.
I have been on Sertraline for over 3 years and about 5 weeks ago my GP decided to change this to Mirtazapine. I was originally prescribed an SSRI for depression caused by a very stressful job.
Unfortunately I had a massive reaction to the Mirtazapine which left me practically asleep for 3 days, not knowing whether it was day or night and not caring anyway!!! :scared15:
I also have to take Warfarin tablets since I had a fall at work in April 2005 which led to a DVT and a PE (pulmonary embolism- a blood clot in a lung). I had another PE in July 2007. Anyway, due to being asleep for most of 3 days I missed some Warfarin tablets which led to low INR (my blood was too thick) and this unfortunately led to yet another PE on 31.7.08. :doh:
Having spoken to my GP I decided to go back on Sertraline, but to reduce the dose from 150mg to 100mg ( as I had already started to get withdrawal symptoms). My GP then prescribed Sertraline in suspension form so that I could slowly withdraw from it as we had decided that I should take a break from being on any SSRI's.
This did not go as planned, as everytime I tried to reduce by 10mg I ended up having terrible withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, feeling very shaky,diarrhoea,irritable,crying etc. etc. etc.
I spoke to my GP yet again and we decided that I may as well stop Sertraline and go through the withdrawal, rather than take another 10 to 12 weeks to get off it, yet still suffering from withdrawal all of that time. Anyway, it has now been 20 days since I stopped Sertraline, and I feel absolutely awful due to the withdrawal symptoms. I have had such bad nausea and vomiting and a horrendous headache that I have had to spend the last 3 days in hospital as the A and E consultant thought I had suffered a brain haemorrhage !!!!!!!!!
Thankfully a scan was negative. When I asked the hospital doctors if they thought my symptoms were still due to Sertraline withdrawal they dismissed this, and yet I am sure that all these symptoms are classic withdrawal from any SSRI.
As Sertraline has a short half life this means it should be totally out of your body in about 10 days after stopping, I foolishly thought that all withdrawal symptoms would have gone in this time.
Is there anyone out there who has stopped this SSRI and gone through similar, and can give me an idea of how long it will take for these symptoms to go? I have now been off work for more than 4 weeks and as I am self employed I do not get paid. This is also killing my marriage, as my husband is bored of me being ill and so I have nobody to talk to.:weep:
There must be light at the end of the tunnel, but as I have only just entered this tunnel I cant see any light yet!!!
Even though I feel so bad I cannot go back onto Sertraline. I just want to sort out my blood clotting/Warfarin doses so that I dont get any more PE's.
I look forward to any replies as I am sure they will help.
I feel so alone. Take care everyone, Jo :)
I have been on Sertraline for over 3 years and about 5 weeks ago my GP decided to change this to Mirtazapine. I was originally prescribed an SSRI for depression caused by a very stressful job.
Unfortunately I had a massive reaction to the Mirtazapine which left me practically asleep for 3 days, not knowing whether it was day or night and not caring anyway!!! :scared15:
I also have to take Warfarin tablets since I had a fall at work in April 2005 which led to a DVT and a PE (pulmonary embolism- a blood clot in a lung). I had another PE in July 2007. Anyway, due to being asleep for most of 3 days I missed some Warfarin tablets which led to low INR (my blood was too thick) and this unfortunately led to yet another PE on 31.7.08. :doh:
Having spoken to my GP I decided to go back on Sertraline, but to reduce the dose from 150mg to 100mg ( as I had already started to get withdrawal symptoms). My GP then prescribed Sertraline in suspension form so that I could slowly withdraw from it as we had decided that I should take a break from being on any SSRI's.
This did not go as planned, as everytime I tried to reduce by 10mg I ended up having terrible withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, feeling very shaky,diarrhoea,irritable,crying etc. etc. etc.
I spoke to my GP yet again and we decided that I may as well stop Sertraline and go through the withdrawal, rather than take another 10 to 12 weeks to get off it, yet still suffering from withdrawal all of that time. Anyway, it has now been 20 days since I stopped Sertraline, and I feel absolutely awful due to the withdrawal symptoms. I have had such bad nausea and vomiting and a horrendous headache that I have had to spend the last 3 days in hospital as the A and E consultant thought I had suffered a brain haemorrhage !!!!!!!!!
Thankfully a scan was negative. When I asked the hospital doctors if they thought my symptoms were still due to Sertraline withdrawal they dismissed this, and yet I am sure that all these symptoms are classic withdrawal from any SSRI.
As Sertraline has a short half life this means it should be totally out of your body in about 10 days after stopping, I foolishly thought that all withdrawal symptoms would have gone in this time.
Is there anyone out there who has stopped this SSRI and gone through similar, and can give me an idea of how long it will take for these symptoms to go? I have now been off work for more than 4 weeks and as I am self employed I do not get paid. This is also killing my marriage, as my husband is bored of me being ill and so I have nobody to talk to.:weep:
There must be light at the end of the tunnel, but as I have only just entered this tunnel I cant see any light yet!!!
Even though I feel so bad I cannot go back onto Sertraline. I just want to sort out my blood clotting/Warfarin doses so that I dont get any more PE's.
I look forward to any replies as I am sure they will help.
I feel so alone. Take care everyone, Jo :)