5 minutes ago, AAoffZ_2 said:

@Chippy yeah I’ve held since Dec.

 

 

But a few weeks after that tiny drop is when I began using the tea tree oil heavily. And after a few weeks of use, I started to get intrusive thoughts and vivid dreams and night sweating (all tell tales of CNS dysregulation for me). And I thought it was from the drop so I didn’t stop the tea tree oil. Until I started getting aka so I knew that wasn’t from the drop. 
 

Upon stopping the tea tree I had 2 horrible weeks of physical symptoms, then a week long window and now I’ve been in another horrible wave of mental symptoms that started mild and built up to this for over a week.

 

It’s all over the place. Before my drop in Dec, I held for 4 months and felt great with no symptoms. 

It’s good you are seeing waves and windows. Your system is fighting hard for you. I hate this is so tough right now.  What was your previous dose out of curiosity?

10 minutes ago, Chippy said:

It’s good you are seeing waves and windows. Your system is fighting hard for you. I hate this is so tough right now.  What was your previous dose out of curiosity?

I only dropped .001 .256 to .255. Just to test waters. I highly doubt this is from that tiny .3 mg drop. 

18 minutes ago, AAoffZ_2 said:

I only dropped .001 .256 to .255. Just to test waters. I highly doubt this is from that tiny .3 mg drop. 

So you were totally stable on 82mg?

 

You dropped to 81.7mg. 
 

Then 2 weeks later something like that? You started the tea tree oil and then started having issues?

 

At your dose it’s highly unlikely that tiny drop caused you issues. I would like to think you would be fine until 50mg at least. Everyone is different but I can’t see that being the issue. 
 

What was your starting dose of sertraline? 100mg?
 

Have you had any wd before? Any prior issues? Other tapers etc…. Or this your first?

 

Its so odd/out of the blue without a previous history of nervous dysfunction to been so activated by something like this but I agree it sounds like the culprit doesn’t it. 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Chippy said:

Its so odd/out of the blue without a previous history of nervous dysfunction to been so activated by something

Oh no. I have a huge history of being activated by many different things, supplements, etc. 

I’ve just checked your sa signature. I can see you’ve had issues in the past. It’s upset that Apple cart again for you hasn’t it.  Argh. I’m so sorry. 
 

You’ll stabilise again. It’s terrible how sensitive our systems can be once they get knocked. 
 

Be worth copying your sa signature over when you get a chance. Nice to have it there it’s very clear. 
 

We’re all here for you this will pass! X

@AAoffZ_2 honestly I tried to use tea tree oil for what I thought was nail fungus. I just put it on a couple times and had panic. When I researched it further, I saw how toxic it can actually be. I think your CNS has really taken a hit from it.

Are you able to stick to a low histamine diet....it probably would benefit you right now considering how histamine affects us. So sorry but we know with patience, things will settle.

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/228-histamine-intolerance-food-lists/?do=getNewComment

❤️🙏

9 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

honestly I tried to use tea tree oil for what I thought was nail fungus. I just put it on a couple times and had panic.

 
When was this! @LostinCanada

18 minutes ago, AAoffZ_2 said:

When was this!

Last summer ....For some reason, I had a gut feeling about it not being good. I remember buying it, applying it then throwing it out.....I just had an uncomfortable feeling when I put it on my nail. I was so freaked about nail fungus and not wanting drugs.... In the end, I think it was just a nail injury because it cleared up as the nail grew.

 

Edited March 22Mar 22 by LostinCanada

1 hour ago, LostinCanada said:

Last summer ....For some reason, I had a gut feeling about it not being good. I remember buying it, applying it then throwing it out.....I just had an uncomfortable feeling when I put it on my nail. I was so freaked about nail fungus and not wanting drugs.... In the end, I think it was just a nail injury because it cleared up as the nail grew.

 

Did it cause panic because of use?? Or did you just feel panicked because it made you anxious? 
 

sorry I’m really struggling. I haven’t had this deep chest anxiety and fear in a long time. 

 

 

54 minutes ago, AAoffZ_2 said:

Did it cause panic because of use?? Or did you just feel panicked because it made you anxious? 
 

sorry I’m really struggling. I haven’t had this deep chest anxiety and fear in a long time. 

 

 

It made me feel anxious which caused a panicked feeling.

1 hour ago, AAoffZ_2 said:

Did it cause panic because of use?? Or did you just feel panicked because it made you anxious? 
 

sorry I’m really struggling. I haven’t had this deep chest anxiety and fear in a long time. 

 

 

Sorry to hear this @AAoffZ_2.  It is a struggle.  I had those symptoms that came back to me at months 10 on this journey.   I'm at month 15 and they are a lot better now.   This second round brought many old symptoms back but they lasted a lot less time too.    I'm finally seeing improvement again with sleep.

 

I read many stories and people were saying that after months 9 to 12, old symptoms tend to come back before more improvement happens.   

 

You will get better.    It will go away ...

 

Prayers for you my friend....keep holding..

1 hour ago, AAoffZ_2 said:

Did it cause panic because of use?? Or did you just feel panicked because it made you anxious? 
 

sorry I’m really struggling. I haven’t had this deep chest anxiety and fear in a long time. 

 

 

I have recently and to some extent still am going through the same thing. Not sure if it's been mentioned but I was and still am having frequent Epsom Salts Baths .They really help to calm the body and mind down ,well for me they do .Try not to add a second fear to the initial fear ,be mindful of your breathing, if you can lie down in a darkened room and listen to a guided meditation. 

6 minutes ago, Beehive said:

Try not to add a second fear to the initial fear

💯

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/340-dont-fight-the-panic-claire-weekes/?do=getNewComment

 

2 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

💯

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/340-dont-fight-the-panic-claire-weekes/?do=getNewComment

 

Love me some Claire Weekes 

Me too ,she calms me down just listening to her . I am guilty of adding the second fear at times at other times when panic / anxiety arises I try and get out of my head by scanning my body and feeling what is happening from my head to toes .Also I look around the room and name 5 things I describe them to myself in detail then name 4 things I can hear 3 things I can touch and describe their texture 2 things I can smell and name one thing that is a truth ..its about grounding yourself and getting out of your head . The Brain is trying to keep you safe by making you afraid ,it doesn't know any different. Don't be afraid of it and show it whose in charge 😉

Hi everyone. It’s been a while. Been doing okay lately after the horrible reaction I had to tea tree oil. I’m currently pacing out a wicked bad panic attack. Two days ago I think I missed a dose. But because I wasn’t sure, I waited until the following day to take my dose. I was fairly confident at the time I did take it. But now it’s becoming evident that I did miss a dose. I had bodily agitation most of the day as well.

Anyone have any hope/encouragement for me on missed doses?

4 hours ago, AAoffZ_2 said:

Hi everyone. It’s been a while. Been doing okay lately after the horrible reaction I had to tea tree oil. I’m currently pacing out a wicked bad panic attack. Two days ago I think I missed a dose. But because I wasn’t sure, I waited until the following day to take my dose. I was fairly confident at the time I did take it. But now it’s becoming evident that I did miss a dose. I had bodily agitation most of the day as well.

Anyone have any hope/encouragement for me on missed doses?

Hey, Im sorry to read this. Loads of people miss doses, or even take the wrong dose at the wrong time and double dose, obvioulsy it is not ideal, but they stablise and you will too. Hope things ease soon for you. You can get apps that remind you to take your dose, perhaps look into that? Chippy

So far, the severity of symptoms down hasn’t been bad since Wednesday evening, thankfully. Thanks for your supper @Chippy. It was SO BAD. I’m hoping I don’t get smacked again with symptoms 🙏🏼

4 hours ago, AAoffZ_2 said:

So far, the severity of symptoms down hasn’t been bad since Wednesday evening, thankfully. Thanks for your supper @Chippy. It was SO BAD. I’m hoping I don’t get smacked again with symptoms 🙏🏼

Glad things are not too bad this last couple of days. Thinking of you.

@AAoffZ_2 Just stay in the present moment and deal with any issue as best you can until it subsides ,please don't overthink what you may or may not have done .In the end its done and ruminating over it won't change anything. Certainly learn from.past mistakes but don't dwell on them ,it won't make you feel any better and what is happening will happen regardless of what your thinking it won't change the outcome 😉🙏

On 5/6/2026 at 10:30 PM, AAoffZ_2 said:

Hi everyone. It’s been a while. Been doing okay lately after the horrible reaction I had to tea tree oil. I’m currently pacing out a wicked bad panic attack. Two days ago I think I missed a dose. But because I wasn’t sure, I waited until the following day to take my dose. I was fairly confident at the time I did take it. But now it’s becoming evident that I did miss a dose. I had bodily agitation most of the day as well.

Anyone have any hope/encouragement for me on missed doses?

I'm glad you are doing well again. Missing a dose can happen to everyone. Just don't over think about it. Things will settle again. I will suggest to put a reminder so you won't miss it. Keep moving forward.

@AAoffZ_2 you have really had a tough go lately. Sending hugs. ❤️🙏

Little update. I have not been well. Based on my symptoms I’m pretty sure I missed a dose. I feel acute. Really horrible aka at times mixed with anxiety and exhaustion. It started about a 2 days after my missed dose. And since I was only a month out from feeling better from the essential oil issue, I feel like my nervous system just gave out on me 😭

I cannot wait for some relief. I don’t know how long this will last, but since last Wednesday, I’ve only had 2 one day windows (this past Wednesday). Wednesday was pretty decent. Yesterday and today have been horrible.

On 2/9/2026 at 7:56 PM, AAoffZ_2 said:

Update for all who are following. My body has seemingly calmed down overnight and I’m back to baseline upon ceasing the tea tree oil salve. It was likely too heavy on the tea tree (I did a 50/50 combo) and when applied every day, 3 times a day for 7-8 weeks I don’t know if it built up or what but it was NOT GOOD. Hind sight there were signs of the reaction starting but I thought it was an illness causing it 🤦‍♀️ listen to your body, folks! 

Tea tree oil is basically a natural poison that the plant uses to protect itself. And yeah, as lostincanada says its super potent. I had some foot stuff and used “fungicure” which is basically just a strong acid, and it only effects the area its placed on. Took a good month and it killed it off with no ill effects otherwise. I’d echo chippy here and go for a topical acid

6 hours ago, Talltreescoldseas said:

Tea tree oil is basically a natural poison that the plant uses to protect itself. And yeah, as lostincanada says it’s super potent. I had some foot stuff and used “fungicure” which is basically just a strong acid, and it only effects the area its placed on. Took a good month and it killed it off with no ill effects otherwise. I’d echo chippy here and go for a topical acid

I’ve successfully made progress using diluted apple cider vinegar! But thank you. And I agree TTO is not suitable to be putting our our skin. Or perhaps using at all except in very tiny quantities.

Edited May 15May 15 by AAoffZ_2