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Coming off of Sertraline 100mg after 2 years

Posted , 4 users are following.

kimmidoll
kimmidoll

Hi there, 

I am coming off of sertraline after 2 years of taking this medication for PTSD, anxiety and depression. 

I was originally taking 150mg of sertraline but managed to get down to 100mg - although when I tried to cut my dosage to 50mg, this seemed to be too soon and I had a complete mental breakdown. The positive was that I cut my dosage by 50mg. 

So now its been a few months - with help and advice from my Doctor - I am now taking 50mg for 2 weeks and then taking a 50mg tablet every other day for 2 weeks, in which then I will completely be off of the drug. 

So far it's only been a few days but I have noticed that I am extremely tired, have ringing in my ears, anxiety/stress levels are higher, I have hot flushes and last night I dreamt I was in a lot of pain - woke up to terrible stomach cramps. This has caused me to a miss a day from work. 

I just wanted to know your experiences and if you have any help or advice then it would be much appreciated. 

Thanks smile xxx

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • carol39655
    carol39655 kimmidoll

    Posted

    Hi Kimmidoll,

    ive noticed I have ringing in my ears too.mits worse at nighttime & I have to have a clock in the bedroom to take my mind off the ringing in my ears. It seems worse at night. 

    • kimmidoll
      kimmidoll carol39655

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. Yeah it's annoying isn't it! I try to read books until I am very tired and fall asleep. I've slept most of today as was up last night. Also - has your appetite decreased? xxxx
  • william74314
    william74314 kimmidoll

    Posted

    Hi there.Like yourself.I'm weaning myself off Sertraline.I've been on them for 3 years now.I was only on 50mg the whole time.

    This week i've been taking one every second day.Instead of every day.

    Side effects?.Not much to report really.A few dizzy and 'spaced out' at the same time moments.Mad dreams that have made we waken in a bad/uptight mood.

    I'm quite happy so far.But i guess the real story will come out when i stop altogether.

    My GP seems to think it's a 'short,sharp shock' treatment for me.

     

  • maureen75524
    maureen75524 kimmidoll

    Posted

    Kimmidol go to the link on this forum "sertraline withdrawal does it ever go away"?

    This helped me tremendously, thought I was going crazy until I found this forum. I've been off sert. for 16 months now and still having w.d.! Drs. do not know how these drugs affect people. Like you, I was on 150 mg for 10 months. I tapered down on the advice of my Dr. decreasing 25mg. every two weeks. It took me three months to come off. It has not been an easy journey. I still awake many mornings with tummy cramps and have to run to the bathroom. I still experience ear ringing, blurred vision, nausea, and tremours periodically. If I drink more than one cup of coffee, or glass of wine, I become anxious. I was not like this before I took this drug.

    I will never take another psychiatric drug after this experience. I ws put on it for anxiety due to seasonal effective disorder. I wish you well on this journey and hopefully you will have an easier time than some of us have experienced.

    My Dr. would not believe I was still suffering withdrawal after 6 months. They have no idea, as their only knowledge is the medical info. from the trials run on these drugs. Everyone reacts differently, however my DH was but on cymbalta for joint pain. He disliked the side effects so quit cold turkey, a year out and he's still nauseous, on edge, ears ringing and weird dreams with sleep interruptions.

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