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Coming off Sertraline

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elaine30474
elaine30474

Hi, I have been on Sertraline for about 7 years now and was prescribed 200mg tabs. I decided about 5 weeks ago to stop all my meds including this one, just to give my body a break. I have stopped suddenly without weaning myself of this drug, I was fine up until this week, I have been having dizzy, spaced out feelings in my head but my mood was ok. Now this week I am feeling terrible, my mood is at an all time low, I feel irritable and angry, and it has been the worse I have ever felt so I am thinking of going back on them tomorrow as I cannot bear feeling this way any more, it is total despair. I would be interested to hear of any views, should I carry on and see if these side effects will pass or should I go back on them and feel happy again, maybe I just don't produce enough seratonin and will have to stay on them indefinitely.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Resigned2B
    Resigned2B elaine30474

    Posted

    You have come off this med with good intentions with a bad execution. Coming off this med, as with others, suddenly is not a good idea and isn't giving your body and mind a fair chance. I would suggest you work with your doctor to step off.

    I commend your reasons for wanting to adjust to life without meds. These anti-psyche meds were NEVER meant for longterm use. When used longterm you can develop 'longterm' side effects. Be careful and titrate safely!

  • meteor63
    meteor63 elaine30474

    Posted

    Hi. I agree with Resigned2B. It's best to go back on them and come off very slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I came off sertraline too fast and am having a terrible time so I am having to reinstate and come off more slowly. Good luck.
  • elaine30474
    elaine30474

    Posted

    Hi, many thanks to Resigned2B and Meteor63 for your comments, I realise now this was a bad move going cold turkey, I dont think I have ever felt so bad sad  Decided today to go back on them as feeling this low is not an option. Great Forum will continue with feedback, having people out there who understand makes me feel I am not doing this alone; making decisions a lot easier. Thanks again.
  • Resigned2B
    Resigned2B elaine30474

    Posted

    Good luck Elaine. We will pray for your successful exit off these meds. There are many other healthy choices to persue in dealing with depression and anxiety. They may take more time and effort but are well worth avoiding the paralizing side effects of longterm use of psyche meds! 👍
  • Joe_Slim
    Joe_Slim elaine30474

    Posted

    Yikes!  Going cold turkey can be very dicey, especially if you've been on the medication for quite some time.  If you've been on the med for more than a month, you gotta take baby steps.  

    Be sure to consult your doctor about tirtration.  He'll specify how much you can reduce the dosage by, and how frequently you can reduce dosage.  For example, he might say something like reduce dosage by 25mg every month.  But pay close attention to how you feel.  If you notice you are feeling crappy, bump the dosage back up.  Once you feel you are comfortabely re-stablized, try bumping the dosage back down.

    Docs will tell you that the summer months are the best time for trying to wean yourself off a med, because you'll be getting more Vitamin D ("Vitamin Daylight").

    Best!

  • elaine30474
    elaine30474

    Posted

    4 days now back taking Sertraline after stopping for 5 weeks.  Although the irritability has gone and feeling awful, its back to feeling tired and demotivated, I dont want to be on this medication for ever but unsure what to do next, just want to sleep all the time, can't seem to make any decisions.  Will there ever be any way of getting off this merry-go-round and getting back to some sort of normality?
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