Sertraline, need help, memory problems

[Tiggyangel]

Hi, I've been taking sertraline for the last 2 years i think and i've been on 150mg for about 12 months. I thought things were improving, ot a new job, was slowly getting fitter and got a new crafts project to focus on too.
But i've had 2 episodes in the last 6-8 weeks where i've been unable to get out of bed and i've had panic attacks, i'm currently in the middle of my second one now. On both times i've had to have time off because i'm too anxious to go in, in case some one judges me, i do something wrong, have a panic attack in work.
But the other reason is that my memory isn't too good now, i'm only 23 but my jobinvolves working with precise ammounts of dangerous chemicals so not remembering how much of wht i put into the other things isnt great. But whats scared me the most is that last night i couldn't remeber the death of my lae uncle who died last year, i thought he was still alive until my partner reminded me at which point i just broke down.
I don't know what to do, im seeing my doctor hopefully tomorrow/today but i was trying cbt therapy before and it didn't help me or make any sense. i'm terrified im going to loose my job if i have any more time off.
please someone help

[Tiggyangel]

I just wanted to mention as well that i'm not sleeping and have spasms/ twitching daily, all any doctors have told me over the years is that it could be depression, but ive no idea. I don't even know how to describe it and it scares me and only makes me worse

[SteveW]

I think you are wise to consult your doctor. Aurobindo Pharma, one of the makers of Sertraline don't list memory problems or panic attacks as possible side effects of sertraline. But depression itself can screw memory pretty decisively. I have had terrible memory problems in the past, easily as bad as you describe. Depression can also cause anxiety and agitation which could easily be taken for a panic attack. My guess is that you are suffering from a deterioration in your depression.

Sertraline is one of the drugs approved for the treatment of panic disorder. A logical course of action might be to increase your Sertraline dose. Spasms and twitching can happen in depression but they aren't symptoms you meet that often. They could also be symptomatic of some physical condition. At your age that isn't that likely but you could raise the possibility of a CT or MRI with your GP. That would be being really thorough. Probably your GP will be thinking that your depression has just taken a turn for the worse.

You could ask to be referred to your Community Mental Health Team for a more specialist assessment but I think I would give my GP a chance to try and improve things first. I hope you can keep working. But only you can judge if you are still safe.

[Amanda_George]

I don't know what to say to help other than that I read your messages and I care.  I hope your GP can help you when you see them... I know it's scary when it happens but hopefully your GP will be able to offer you a better alternative... yes, it could be your depression getting worse and an increase may help, but more than that, you should be listened to and offered support when you see them too!    if you want it?

[Pip]

Will you be taking up Steve's suggestion to see your doctor?

I hope you do.  I have had minor problems with my memory for a few years but not bad enough for me to worry about as it's no doubt an 'age' thing.  It might be worth you asking your doctor for a prescription for something to help you sleep.  I was prescribed Amitriptyline (sp)  which helps me sleep better.

[Tiggyangel]

Thank you so much for the reply guys,it means so much just hearing from other people. Sorry I've not replied in a while things have been pretty hectic.
I went to the doctors and they prescribed me with 15mg Mirtazapine which i started after reducing down the sertraline by 50mg per week to zero.
So i started the mitazapine on Friday, i slept fine was a little groggy in the morning but 24 hours later i was feeling really dizzy and had ringing in my ears, the last one i had was Tuesday night. its now the following Saturday so over a week since i started and 4 days since i last took one, and the dizziness and ringing hasn't stopped.
It has been driving me insane, i haven't been able to go to work for the last week, have hardly slept, my mood swings have returned as well as worsening panic attacks, and a return of my self harming. Basically it feels like Ive taken 10 steps back. 
Went to go see the doctor for a second time and explained all of this so now they've perscribed me with 20mg of Fluoxetine which I've not taken yet as i wanted to wait until the dizziness wore off. Strange thing was though that the doctor never mentioned about checking my ears or blood pressure. Actually she didn't say much about this new medication either.
But its difficult atm to figure out if my memory has gotten any better after this horrific past week.
Needless to say if he dizziness is still there on Monday I'm calling the doctors again and if hat fails I'm finding the nearest walk in centre because I'm now stressing on top of everything else about my job security as I'm the main breadwinner (i think hats he phrase?) in the flat.
Sorry if it's really confusing, trust me its very confusing first hand.
Thank you again though for the responces, it really makes a huge difference. Hopefully i can have a nice day today with my fiance for his birthday.  :scared003:

[Amanda_George]

It sounds like you've really been through it!    I hope that the Fluoxetine helps you when you take it... would it be worth phoning NHS Direct if you still feel cruddy on Monday?    if you want it

[SteveW]

Sorry things haven't gone smoothly. Dizziness is reasonably common with Mirtazepine. Ringing in the ears isn't listed as a side effect but I think just about every drug can give rise to that. The chances of there being anything wrong with your ears is pretty small. Mirtazepine can give rise to postural hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when you stand up, but I am not aware of it affecting blood pressure more globally. Your GP couldn't pick up postural hypotension easily, other than by description, so there wouldn't have been much point in measuring blood pressure. When I had it I had to go to a specialist at a hospital.

You should be getting clear of Mirtazepine. There is a figure called the elimination half life, which is known for every drug. People
usually work on 4 times the elimination half life as to how long it takes for a drug to be eliminated completely. The EHL for Mirtazepine is 20-40 hours so 80-160 hours to elimination. That is about 6-7 days at the top end. I suppose on that basis you could still have Mirtazepine in your system. But the dizziness should be abating soon.

I hope the fluoxetine works better for you.

PS
Don't bother trying to contact NHS Direct. It ceased to exist on March 31 2014. 111 is the replacement.

[Amanda_George]

I thought 111 was NHS Direct?     What's the new name for it please?    :smile:

[Tiggyangel]

Thank you so much again for the replies, the dizziness has finally worn off and theres no more ringing in my ears  i've only taken 1 of the fluoxetine so far so i'll have to see how it goes. Thankfully i've now got this next week off as a pre booked holiday :smile:

[Amanda_George]

I'm glad the dizziness and ringing in your ears has disappeared!        Please keep taking the Fluoxetine as prescribed though?