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Anxiety due to switch between SSRI
I was diagnosed with OCD 18 years back and since then have been on sertraline 200mg OD for first 16 years and then on 100mg OD(direct to 100) for last 2 years. It worked wonders . Twice I stopped it cold turkey in that 18 year period (after initial 2years and 6years). In both,had ocd relapse after 4-5 months which resolved after resuming sertraline.This May'22, after doing great on 100mg, i thought of tapering it further and consulted a psychiatrist. But instead, he switched me to fluvoxin cr 100 and amipride 100, both od.
After 6 days, started feeling extreme anxiety. Thus consulted another psychiatrist who put me back on sertraline increasing from 50 to 200mg in 12 days along with clonazepam 0.5mg BD for 10 and then 0.25mg BD for 20 days.
I started feeling normal from next day.
My question is what happened when drug was directly switched from sertraline to fluvoxin?
If it was withdrawal, then why didnt immediate withdrawal happen to me in the past when I had stopped it twice?
Answers (2)
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Do sports (at home, if you feel more confortable) but 3x 30min/week.
Eat more greens, oilseeds, fresh fruits and food rich in magnesium such as: raw spinach, fish, beans, lentils, avocados, brown rice, bananas, figs and chocolate.
If you have a pet, cuddle with it more often and take care of it. It will make you shift your focus from anxiety to something else.
Try to catch the sun everyday for 10mins.
Check your levels of vit D and B12 (adjust with supplements if needed).
Yoga, you can find plenty of stuff online.
Mindfulness meditation, itâs not hard, stick to it.
When you feel anxiety, let it come, donât fight against it. Take deep breath (inhale for 6 seconds, hold for 2, exhale for 6. Do it again). Just observe how tense and how bad you feel over nothing. Meditation can help to stand back.
Sleep enough (7 to 9hours/night).
Quit smoking and avoid drinking alcohol.
Smile. Smiling, even for nothing, tricks the mind and releases happy hormones.
Learn to manage your anxiety, itâs always going to be there because itâs a normal mechanism of protection but donât let it rule you anymore. You are not alone.
Next Steps
consult Psychiatrist/ Psychologist
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+184
Dr. Rayees Ahmad Wani
Addiction Psychiatrist
15 yrs exp
Srinagar
Hello,
It happens due to withdrawal.
We should cross taper the medicine rather than stopping one abruptly....
If u are doing well on particular medicine, better to use that medicine and avoid unnecessary experiment.
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.