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Considering stopping taking sertraline.

Posted , 4 users are following.

kayden1996
kayden1996

Hi anyone who actually reads this, I'm new here so not particularly sure how to write this so please bare with. 

I've been on sertraline since June I was on 50 mg and last week my doctor increased it to 100mg. I just don't know if I feel comfortable with taking it, since I've started it feels like I'm just not getting anywhere. I'm fully aware that I need to find the right dosage for me and it's only just been increased but it feels like I'm hitting a brick wall. The side effects I have experienced are incredibly draining, my stomach is so unsettled, I can't get a good nights sleep without waking up for no reason of drenched in my own sweat from the nightmare I've just experienced, I feel like a nervous wreck and so put of control of all of my emotions. 

I don't know if it's related but I've got so much anger inside, I feel like I'm no longer in control of it. I'm currently going through trauma based counselling though and I'm scared if I do decide to stop taking it (I would be going to my gp for their advice on the correct way to do so) that I won't be able to cope. I have previously struggled with self harm and suicidal thoughts, I am now 18 month clean of self harming. I'm proud that I've managed to get so far I just don't know which avenue is gonna put my own safety in more danger as I've been getting thoughts about returning to that coping mechanism a lot lately. 

I guess I just would like some advise on what anyone thinks I might be best doing. My GP isn't the greatest, they don't really listen too much and seem to just want to feed tablets to mute the problem. 

If anyone actually reads all this and has any advice or any questions please feel free to let me know. Thanks smile

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • pamela51740
    pamela51740 kayden1996

    Posted

    Hi kayden first of all well done for not self harming anymore that is such a big achievement ? why not try the 100mg of sertraline it might be your therapeutic dose. I know all this is a pain in the ass but one day you will feel better x I'm exactly the same but I've been on sertraline 4 weeks with hardly no improvement considering I've been have severe anxiety and panic attacks since July (the absolute worst time of my life and still is!) Every day is like waking up in hell but I know one day it will get better x

    • kayden1996
      kayden1996 pamela51740

      Posted

      I think I'm going to try and stick with it for the time being. I have a very anxious mind also it tends to worry me it completely knowing exactly what it is I'm putting into my body and the long term effects. I don't want to end up addicted. 

      Good luck in your journey and I hope you find some improvements in the near future x

  • Anonymous111
    Anonymous111 kayden1996

    Posted

    You’re depression isnt better - so stay on the Sertraline - you only come off it once things are better.

    General advise. Dont drink, smoke or use RD. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Dont eat refined sugar everyday - only as an occasional treat. Exercise everyday and make sure that you go outside to get some sunlight everyday.

  • kerryhs
    kerryhs kayden1996

    Posted

    My advice would be to stick with it. Keep telling yourself that the sweats etc won’t last long. 

    I have recently gone up to 150mg and am experiencing the same. Im sticking with it because it helped me before. (Was on 150mg 3 years ago - weaned down to 75mg) I was back to normal with a couple of months and made further progress with counselling to.

    Gradually you will find that some days are better. Moments you will feel normality or calm. Then back to square one but after a while you will experience ‘normality’ everyday until this episode is just a distant memory.

    Keep with it my friend it will get better and you will recover.  I’m here if you need to talk x

    • kayden1996
      kayden1996 kerryhs

      Posted

      I've noticed a lot of my anger centres around the reason I'm going to counselling. It seems to of opened up my brain to the memories of what happened and they're slowly seeping through. Any advice on what to do when it all feels too much? 

      There's days when I feel great in the morning but by tea time I can't stop crying, I know it's just part of the depression and stuff but it's help my life up for the last 2 years. I can't seem to do 'normal' things. The thought of going back to work terrifies me right now but I know I want to go back in the near ish future. 

      I feel like I'm fighting too many inner battles and it's making getting 'better' that much harder. I don't want to rely on tablets though, it scares me not knowing what I'm actually putting into my body. It seems to play on my anxious mind but at the same time I try to convince myself it's only temporary. 

      Thanks for any help you can give x

  • kerryhs
    kerryhs kayden1996

    Posted

    P.s I had trauma based counselling and it’s tough going. Getting angry is part of the recovery. You may also experience grief to. I grieved for myself and how I was feeling. Be kind to yourself, your brain is working so hard x
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