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Coming off sertraline cold turkey update 5 weeks on

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itsonlyme
itsonlyme

The history - was prescribed 50 mg sertraline for post natal depression (low doseage because of breast feeding). Stayed on them for 2 1/2 years whilst I got better. Started to skip days here and there of taking the drug to start to ween myself gradually. Never really succeeded.

Went away for a week and forgot to take my pills with me and found the doctors unhelpful to give me an emergency prescription whilst I was away so I took the decision to try cold turkey. First couple of days were ok and then the brain zaps began (fun for a day). Upset stomach and nausious feeling came on also. Bought some calms which I think helped a bit. I commenced exercise too, to help whilst I was away. Was determined not to let it ruin our holiday

Week 2 - Brain zaps increased over the first couple of weeks but sickness subsided quite quickly. Took 25mg to 'take the edge off' the brain zaps when I got home.  Felt like I was slipping backwards, general feeling of unwell and darkness coming over, anxious, and anger along with the physical side affects like body ache and servers tiredness. Don't feel like I should be driving like this 😳

Third week - brain zaps starting to decrease but making me feel dizzy.  Am determined to come off these things. Have gone into my own world a bit as no one around a understands - hoping its not the depression again. Doctors useless! Can't even get an appointment 😠. Feeling very angry a lot of the time, have noticed my hands have stopped shaking though, which without sounding mellow dramatic, I thought was onset of some nervous disposition or Parkinson's. However this is an improvement so I'm going with it. Towards the end of the week and I've stopped feeling sick with the brain zaps. Took a parecetomal to see if would help with brain zaps but didn't make much difference.

Fourth week - was beginning to think I'm going to have to see doctor and ask for help but receptionist made me feel like an addict so have given up with that road. Suddenly noticed that my joints don't ache and don't feel as tired. Have begun running again. No sign of sickness and dizziness is minimal. Brain zaps are much less and it's almost like I am 'awakening' from a dark dream (things are starting to p1ss me off where as before I just couldn't be bothered to notice) sounds bad but I see this as a good thing because I'm starting to feel like me again. Not out the woods yet but am dam sure I'm not suffering with depression anymore - naughty kids and a lazy husband, yes but depression - no.

Week 5 - have actually managed to be able to talk to my other half and discuss how I'm feeling which has helped a lot (probably not for him but for me it's been a bit of therapy). Haven't noticed a brain zap for a while but looked right quickly to cross the road and was aware of a little zap going on. Feeling very well again, no darkness looming, starting to have fun again - not getting urges to binge on food which I had been doing recently and starting to think about my career which is more like the old me.

In summary

I keep taking an intake of breath and feeling great about life again, I think we forget how to do this sometimes. I have two beautiful to be proud of a husband to love and just basically life looks ok again. This drug may have got me through a bad place but coming off it has also been quite horrific. I felt like it put me through my symptoms of depression again as part of the withdrawals. Whilst I came though this I wouldn't recommend stopping the drug like I did at all. I do wonder if weaning slowly just prolongs the withdrawal symptoms as I've tried to do it that before but felt like I wasn't over depression and began taking them properly again. However now I am over the worst of it I will never let them put me on this one again. 

Hope this has helped to anyone who has found themselves in a similar position, good luck with getting well and off the tablets x

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • bibi35856
    bibi35856 itsonlyme

    Posted

    Well done you and thanks you for sharing your story...it gives me a lot of hope..Am on day seven since stopping mirtazepine and it is the lack of sleep that bothers me a lot and the feeling of tiredness but am determined to get through this..it is very hard, I have bought lavender oil to help but it only increases the nausea..I haven't been able to see the GO, it is appointment system...hopeless, but best wishes
    • itsonlyme
      itsonlyme bibi35856

      Posted

      Yeah felt let down by the gp's but it did me a favour in the end. I think if I had of seen them, they would have told me to keep taking the tablets. Good luck to you and my advice would be if you still feel unwell with no signs of improvement after a few weeks then consult the doctor (if you get to see them 😉) x
  • itsonlyme
    itsonlyme

    Posted

    Week 6 update

    Finally the brain shakes have stopped, can't tell you what a relief this is. Possibly one if the wrist bits of coming off this drug. I feel fine too, no deep depression although I've had an odd bad day this week where i did wonder what the point of carrying in was but I put that down to high levels if stress and hormones. With a good nights sleep I was fine the next day. I've become a very good counsellor to myself and been able to reason my through this.no more other shakes, no sickness and no anxiety apart from that one day. Definitely feel like I've turned a corner and writing this has helped. Wishing everyone out there trying to come off these tablets the very best if luck. Not easy but if you are well and have been for a while its worth considering seeing your doctor and discussing the best route to coming off them. I feel so much better, more energy now and starting to have an opinion on stuff again and fight my corner of life instead of just coping through. Good luck to you all xx

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