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Switching from fluoxetine to sertraline

5 replies

LennonB · 05/09/2017 13:10

Just looking for some success stories/hope really!!

I was on fluoxetine for 2 weeks but after my anxiety sky rocketed to the point I could no longer handle and awful self harming thoughts my doctor suggested I switch onto sertraline. I have been taking nothing for a week - as advised by my gp to let the fluoxetine clear my system - and tomorrow I am due to start on 50mg sertraline.

I'm not sure I can face the gruelling start up of a new drug all over again if it's not going to help :(

OP posts:
27Harper · 07/09/2017 13:26

Hi hun, so sorry to hear about your anxiety, it's such a debilitating illness.

Fluoxetine was the first antidepressant I was on. I was on 20mg for just under 6 months. I found that while it did improve my mood, I had insane anxiety. It made it soo much worse! I was having panic attacks every day, constant racing thoughts, I was paranoid, delusional. Then I was told to take 20mg every other day, so essentially 10mg a day. It made no difference. I eventually ended up taking my whole prescription and ended up in hospital.

When I came out, I was off antidepressants for about 2 weeks, and then given a prescription for Sertraline. I started by increasing 25mg each week, and 4 days into taking 25mg i wanted to stop them. The anciety returned and the depression got worse.

BUT, I'm so glad I didn't! After a few days of increasing the 50mg, the anxiety went away and I felt 100 times better! I'm now on 150mg and honestly, I find it a million times better than Fluoxetine.

I would never go back onto fluoxetine if you paid me. I was a suicidal wreck. I just want to let you know that you really should give them a fair shot. Initially it may make your anxiety worse, but give it a few days to even out. That's what happened to me with Sertraline, and honestly it probably saved my life.

Don't give up hun! Give it a try, you've got nothing to lose. And if they don't work, there are tons of different antidepressants, and one of them will. But you also have to persevere with them, and don't be so quick to think that they're not working. Remember it takes about 6 weeks to reap the full benefits. Take care sweetie xx

LennonB · 07/09/2017 17:01

Thanks for your reply! That's pretty much how I felt too after only two weeks on the fluoxetine! my GP suggested the change as I just couldn't go on any longer with it!

I too have started out on 25mg with the view to increasing to 50mg.. took my first dose last night and so far so good. Fingers crossed this is the AD for me!

OP posts:
27Harper · 07/09/2017 20:33

You're more than welcome hun! Please do let me know how you get on, if you're anything like me, Sertraline should be a good fit for you, but of course everyone is different. I don't know why there was such a big difference between fluoxetine and Sertraline for me, but there was a massive one. Maybe because fluoxetine is the most activating SSRI? That explain why it helped with my mood but made my anxiety worse I suppose. Keep me updated! By 50mg I started to feel an improvement, which was by the second week xx

KCMummy · 09/09/2019 16:44

I know this post is fairly old but it has given me confidence already...
I started fluoxetine 2 months ago for mild anxiety & low mood, After 5 days it nearly ruined my life. I was having 10+ panic attacks a day, out of control anxiety and crying constantly.
Since then I haven’t been the same...I am due to start Sertraline this week, but I’m so terrified incase I have the same reaction I did last time.
Just wondered how did the the Sertraline turned out for you in the end 😊

Danx · 19/10/2019 21:14

Hi all,
So I was put on fluoxetine 20mg 6 weeks ago, I suffered such an increase in anxiety, my gp actually increased them to hope that would help, double the medication double the anxiety! Within a week I was adamant I wanted to come off them! At my appointment I was prescribed sertraline 50mg to start the following day and to stop my fluoxetine. I've been on sertraline for only 3 days and I instantly feel so much better, the best I have felt in about 3 years, I'm hoping it's because of the switch and that I stay this way, I am at such ease now, it's nice! And it's nice to read some positive stories too, gives you a little reassurance. Keep it up, you're doing amazing! It's all temporary xx

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