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Am I having Sertraline withdrawal??

Posted , 4 users are following.

rachael29096
rachael29096

I started taking Sertraline consistently in October. Starting at 100mg. In January I increased to 150mg then early May to 200mg. I never had any side effects until I started 200mg and it was just making my period not stop and headaches. So very stupidly I tapered bad and too fast. Taking 150mg for a couple, 100mg for a couple days and then about May 12th stopping completely.

I wanted off the medication because I read about negatives to taking it chronically and because it made me gain weight. My doctors said it wasn't, but the first month of it I had gained 10 pounds and since I started it I have gained about 40, which is awful.

I'm sure I'm experiencing Sertraline withdrawal, but I didn't begin feeling nauseuous, dizzy, and extremely tired until about May 22 and it only starts after I eat something. Would the withdrawal really wait 10 days to kick in??

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Dove_from_above
    Dove_from_above rachael29096

    Posted

    Yes you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Normally you would tapper off over a period of months.

    I would also be concerned given that you have been on such a high dose that when the Sertraline comes out of the system you will crash back into depression/anxiety.

    Please go back to your doctor to discuss.

  • Holly1974
    Holly1974 rachael29096

    Posted

    Yes. 200 mg is a high dose and you really should withdraw under the guidance of a dr. I myself was on 150 mg last year and dropped to 100 mg and eventually 50 mg which I am still taking,  but each time I decreased the dose I would have withdrawal effects for a few weeks until my body got used to the new dose. There must have been good reason for you to have been on such a high dose and such abrupt withdrawal is best avoided. I cannot suggest enough that you see your dr .... I wish you well

     

  • PaulMar
    PaulMar rachael29096

    Posted

    Hi Rachael, I've been on enough AD's and benzos and I have had withdrawal from most of them. The only way I've been able to tolerate it is that I switch to a new AD. In the last month I switched from Cipralex to Sertraline and I became very depressed and even suicidal. It's only been the last week my depression has gone away. I was taking 150mg of Zoloft for 3 weeks and my doctor suggested I go to 175 and eventually 200. So I started 175 yesterday and bang my anxiety spiked along with nervousnes and tinnitus. I know that going up or going down will give you these side effects but it's still hard to tolerate. I go on these forums for support as it helps me. I also know what others are feeling and I want to help.

    What the others are telling you makes sense. You tapered too fast. Go back up to a higher dosage if it will make you feel better and then taper slowly. You could also ask your doctor to put you on another AD that may not have the same side effects and will help your anxiety and depression.

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