Coming off Sertraline

I was put on Sertraline about 3 years ago.  My house mate had told me that she thought I had chronic depression, and I mentioned it to my GP who then referred me to a Psychiatrist.  I was initially put on 25mg and gradually stepped up to 200mg.  About 6 months ago the Psychiatrist said that the maximum recommended dose had been increased from 200mg per day and put me up to 250mg.

During the last 12 months I had lost my job, had my gall bladder removed and continued to have my bladder cancer monitored.  I got to the stage that I was surviving on social welfare payments and my credit card and was getting deeper and deeper into debt.  I realized that I should be worried and concerned because I could be thrust out onto the street at any moment.  I took matters into my own hands and decided to wean myself off the sertraline  ... with Psych approval  (or at least reluctant acceptance after the fact)

I went down from 250 to 200 ... no problems.  200 to 150 for two weeks ... no problems.  150 to 100 for about 3 weeks  ... I did notice an increased frequency of headaches,   100 to 50mg  ... about 2 weeks ago  ... I have a mild headache almost every morning when I wake up, but I will persevere and when I feel ready I will cut down to zero.

I am feeling a bit more in control of my life now  ...  I have shaken some of that zombie-like existence of not caring about anything.  I still have a way to go, but I will get there.

I do wonder whether an exit strategy from Zoloft should be discussed more at the time of the initial prescription rather than have an open ended, lifetime prospect of taking them.

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