Withdrawal From Sertraline

[Keyani_Penguin]

I've been taking 50mg sertraline per day since July. My rx ran out and my Dr has been slow as hell with contacting the pharmacy to get me a refill. I've been in contact with both the pharmacy and my Dr trying to get a refill, it seems that they are just missing each other about the rx. Anyways, I've been without for 3 days. I feel horrible. Everything I've read says that the withdrawal is pretty immediate. I have shakes, "brain saps", confusion and am horribly dizzy. I don't know when my rx will be filled. My question is, what can i do to minimize the withdrawal? I've heard that proxac helps (which i have), but would ativan help as well? Any suggestions welcome.

Thx.

 

[Allein]

I guess the first question is do you want to continue to take Sertraline or at least an SSRI drug ?

Given you 3 days in the worst should be over although a taper would have been much more comfortable, I stopped taking Sertraline CT after about 6-8 weeks (and many more on other SSRIs) due to an internal bleed and really didn't suffer to much and didn't, at that time move onto another AD, the bleed was the end of the road for me and SSRIs.

The Prozac ( I assume that what you meant ) is another SSRI so might help but given your 3 days in, I would talk to your doctor before taking these and it also very much depends on the answer to the question at the top. They just make me throw up !

Activan is a benzo it may help calm you down and there is no interaction between SSRIs and benzos so your OK to take these but I would start with a very low dose just in case it makes things worse, although I can't see why it would again though, if its possible talk to your doctor on the phone first

The list of side effects for SSRIs are as long if not longer than the list of problems from withdrawal so don't be concerned about any permanent damage or increasing withdrawal effects.

I don't understand the American medical system, how can they have left you in this situation, I'm currently taking Venlafaxine (Effexor) and if I miss a dose I'm in trouble in 5-6 hours, if I went CT for 3 days I dread to think what kind of state I'd be in.

Best Wishes and I hope you feel better soon

 

[F1n1shed]

I went through the exact same thing when they were slow on my refill . The worst was random dizzy spells, i could handle the rest as i have been through many drug withdrawals and comedowns. I found xanax to help, and ativan is also a benzo so yes by all means take the benzos until you have the refill.

 

[Keyani_Penguin]

Thanks for the replies. I finally got my refill about 2 days after posting this. I never want to go through a withdrawal like that again. Took a couple days to readjust but thankfully I'm back to "normal"