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After 4 years at 50mg Sertraline, I'm thinking of coming off.

Posted , 5 users are following.

Rafiel
Rafiel

Having been on a roller coaster for 5 years now with anxiety, negative thoughts, and depression, I'm now thinking of coming off sertraline (50mg) I'm ok. Pretty good for most of the time, but with the occasional panic attack, which leads to anxiety for a while.... Which I hate, but I manage now. Mum at a point now where I feel I either reconcile to staying on it for ever, or have a go at coming off.

Has anyone done this? Just canvassing people's opinion?

Thanks.

2 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • debbie96569
    debbie96569 Rafiel

    Posted

    Rafael,

    i took sertraline for 4 years for panic attacks and excessive worry over a traumatic situation in my family.  3 months ago I stopped taking it  I felt like I was doing good no panic attacks for a year no tears and sleeping pretty good. It took 2 months for it to get out of my system brain n body shocks are common I read. But  for the past 2 weeks  I've started not sleeping so well,  and teary again. So I've decided to start taking it again. I guess I really need it. Good Luck to you with whatever you decide to come off it or not  I wonder if some other medicine would help you better since you didn't get total relief from your anxiety n panic attacks? Maybe ask your Doctor? Again Good Luck!

    • Rafiel
      Rafiel debbie96569

      Posted

      Cheers Debbie. Appreciate the comments there. I tried couple of years and went back on it. Feeling good now.... So maybe worth a try..... Good luck to you to. 
  • debbie96569
    debbie96569 Rafiel

    Posted

    Didn't mean to misspell your name I hate this autocorrect!!
  • e37242
    e37242 Rafiel

    Posted

    Hi!  I was on Sertraline for 12 or so years for depression. Life on the drug was great but I didn't want the strain on my body to be on for life.  I tried three times to go off and all times the side effects of withdrawing were too much to handle.  This last time, I've done it!  I'm now off three months. The few panic attacks and anxiety in my chest are profound at times but I'm better now.  Here's what I'd suggest -  never choose a time to go off when things are not stable in your life or you are not very healthy. You want to be your best to take on side effects. Your doctor will help you VERY SLOWLY get off the drug. That's very important.  During times of intense anxiety, I do lots of slow, deep breathing, light exercise and prayer. They all work.  So I hope you can have a good chat with your doctor if you are ready to stop. Good luck!  
    • Rafiel
      Rafiel e37242

      Posted

      Good advice. Many many thanks........ 
    • Tezes
      Tezes Rafiel

      Posted

      Am coming off mine now having been on 50 mg for two years.

      Second time as the first time was too fast (GP suggested cutting in half) I reckon dropping 50% is too much. So I took 3/4 for a month and I'm now on 1/2 for a month. All I've had is bad dreams and one or two days of feeling low. I'll go down to. 1/4 next month and eventually stop and see how I go. No rush id rather it took months, good luck to you x

  • tom06625
    tom06625 Rafiel

    Posted

    Yes please take peoples advice, I was on Sertraline for 3 years and felt absolutely fantastic, breezed through some big changes in my life and was really stable, I very gradually came off 50mg and had 5 clear months, I thought I was stronger than ever and mentally prepared for anything then out of no where I had the worst 2 months ever and I am still waiting to stabilize., everyone is different and have different circumstances in their life, I have my own company and a lot of responsibilities with 20 odd staff so the pressure isn't the best when I am trying to find some 'zen' in my life!

    Just take it steady, I thought I was superman, could deal with anything and probably shouldn't of come of the 50mg which is a very small dose and fine long term

  • e37242
    e37242 Rafiel

    Posted

    People often refer to brain zaps as they come off Sertraline.  I had them for four months once when trying to come off. Didn't succeed.  This time, I went from 100 mg to 50 for about 6 months. Then 25 mg for three months. Then 25 mg every other day for several months.  This time I had very minimal brain zaps. Must do this veeeeeery slowly.
    • Rafiel
      Rafiel e37242

      Posted

      Cheers! Having read people's responses I'm thinking of staying on them. You sY "brain zaps" how do you define these? I get rapid racing "uncontrolled" thoughts?
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