Big problems with Sertraline.

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi, I went on Sertraline Dec '15 ,50 mg after being on lots of different head meds over the last 20 years. Went up to 10mg April '16. All ok until had prescription mix up and ended up takin 2 half doses and even missed one during the gap. Back on 100mg for 4 weeks and side effects are hideous and getting worse. Under doc to get off now but having withdrawals now too. Has anyone been through this?

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    How has your GP advised you to taper? I was on it over two years and the advice I was given from my GP was very bad, in short he told me to half the dose for two weeks then stop. I had horrific withdrawals just by halving it so I reinstated to my full dose them did some research. I recently stopped after tapering over 7 months, I followed the 10% reduction method and by doing so avoided all the withdrawal symptoms.

    search on this site for the thread 'sertraline withdrawal, does it go away'.

    you will find lots of good advice on there regarding the 10% method, it works !! Good luck

    • Posted

      Hi Tezez, thank you, yes I read that thread a few days ago. Doc told me to go from 100 to 50 for two weeks then half again. Having read what you suggest I questioned this big drop but he really didn't seem that bothered tbh. What I don't understand is how a med can suddenly go from working to actually being worse than the original problem. I had the same with Ecitalopram two years ago.

    • Posted

      Yes it's a bit trial and error finding something that works for you. Having said that these are powerful drugs and shouldn't be the first treatment option or at the very least should be used in conjunction with other therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy. If the cause of the problem isn't treated then drugs alone won't change anything they will only numb your response to it.

      all the best

    • Posted

      Thank you again Tezes. Like I said I've been going through this for about 20 years on and off with different meds. I have had other treatment too but unless you can afford it, therapy is hard to get on NHS. So, twice now I have been progressing on a med with mindfulness and self CBT and the med has screwed up and I get horrible side effects ( fatigue, blurred vision, headache, palps, twitches etc) and I don't understand how this can happen. It's almost like I become allergic to the med. I can't get this explained by ( several) docs or even get taken seriously.

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