TMI - to stop taking antidepressants because of severe diarrhoea?

[HollyLondoner]

I started taking sertraline just over 2 weeks ago and my god I've never had diarrhoea like it.

It's every couple of minutes all through the day and night for days now. Is it worth stopping taking it? I wouldn't say I felt much better yet but just less emotional.

I can't leave the house or sleep. How long will this go on for!? People say weeks! I've lost a stone in less than a week.

YABU - keep taking

YANBU - stop taking/ try something else

Any insight would be great!!

Setraline is brilliant stuff for me. The first time I started it I had the worst stomach, not diarrhoea but like constant nausea acid reflux, indigestion, I finally asked the gp and the prescribed a stomach protector type pill to take with it. Sorted it instantly.

I came off it for pregnancy and when I restarted it I didn't have any of that again.

It really makes a huge difference to my life so give it a good chance. I consider it being like a diabetic taking insulin, my body is deficient in something/unable to process it correctly, so I take medication to support the proper function of my body .

@28andgreat after about 10 days of taking it.....

It's the worst diarrhoea I've ever experienced!! I'm already a stone lighter.

@DemelzaandRoss so sorry you had this too. It's just bloody awful! I've had 2 accidents at night too which is so horrible and embarrassing. I think I need to stop taking.

@Unrelated38 I completely hear you and I wanted it to be life changing for me too but I don't think I can put up with this level of stomach upset!!

I think I need some bloody sleep. I've told my partner I need help in the night even though he just screams for me I think we need to try it. I need rest.

Update - the doctor called and said to stop taking immediately. Said I'm having a bad reaction.

Will give it 10 days and can try something else if I want.

Please let the 💩 stop soon 🙏🏻

OMG I have this, docs just put me on another round and I haven't taken them yet because of how they make me feel, she did warn me this would happen but it should stop after a few days... I tried taking mine just before bed, and that helped a bit...still haven't started taking them this time though....

@TheIblisHasspoken so sorry you've had this too. It's just awful. I really can't cope with it any longer. Just hoping it stops soon 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

I had this! It does settle, promise!

Sorry OP, really does suck when all you want is to get better mentally.
I've tried sertraline twice and never had what you had
I did have every other symptom going tho, the sweatiness, the dizziness, the sickness, headaches, feeling so tired but completely unable to sleep.
I've gave up with antidepressants and just toughing it out. Even tho I feel so depressed, I can't manage side effects

@Sauvblanctime how long did it last??? I can't even have a sip of water without the squits right now.

@Season0fthesticks sorry to hear that. Have you ever tried magnesium? I've heard good things.

Anything you've tried instead? I'm wondering about a fitness class. I'm so exhausted but exercise would help. Any tips for surviving?

It’s known to cause that. Usually the gastric side effects settle down after a couple of weeks. As yours are not, it is to be expected you would request to switch to a different antidepressant due to this side effect. No one is going to question it and any doctor should be happy to switch you.

I think most SSRIs (the anti-ds sertraline comes under) have quite short half lives, i.e. wear off quickly once you've stopped taking them, so hopefully it will stop soon!

Definitely try another one after your 10 days, I had awful symptoms (Intense dizziness and nausea) with 2 (can't remember which now, but think sertraline might have been 1), but nothing at all other than a slight headache for the first day or so with citralopram, they all affect people differently, and once you get the one that works for you it's worth it!

But you really need to sort the sleep issue too, there's no anti depressant that will make up for lack of sleep, it's used as a torture technique for a reason! Honestly I would do anything that would give you some, even if it's sticking a tv/tablet on when the baby wakes up to distract them. Or having one/two nights a week where you stick headphones in and take a sleeping tablet and your partner is on baby shift - it doesn't matter if baby cries for you, you know he's being cared for by his parent, and tbh it might break the cycle if he doesn't get exactly what he wants (while still not being left to cry for hours).

Just seen your update. Great news. There are many many choices for antidepressants. It’s just a question of finding one that works for you.

@latetothefisting thank you, that's good advice.

Sleep is my number one priory right now. Starting tonight we are going to try me staying in bed and see what happens. Even if I'm not sleeping but resting it is better than me being with him all night in and out of his room.

Ha my MIL always says about it being a torture technique which always makes me laugh. It bloody it. I sit there every night thinking I can't spend every single night awake in his room. He just wants to be cuddled and screams when I put him down. It's tough.

@HollyLondoner it was my mum who managed to get my little boy into a sleep routine…sometimes you as the mum are “ too close” to your baby so having someone who can be more matter of fact and do the pat/ withdraw technique can make a big difference.

Honestly, within a couple of days of stopping Sertraline the squits went.
I carried on with nervous nibbling of plain white bread and as soon as I had a normal poo I was at the food cupboard like a woman possessed and made up for the month of misery, which had included Christmas.

You'll be right, OP. It won't take long.

@TheDork hahaha thanks for your sympathies.

I can't wait to eat something normal too. I just a sip of water and a piece of toast and it came straight back out! God help me. Let's hope tomorrow is better.

A couple of weeks I think? Tbh I function much better on duloxetine.