Help, coming off sertraline
Posted , 3 users are following.
hi all. Its 5 in the morning and I've been awake for hours. Just one of the symptoms of coming off this drug. I was on 100mg sertraline and 30mg of mirtazipine for nearly 2 years. I went to GP to get advice on how to come off safely. this is my second attempt. my first one failed miserably. went into such a state, couldn't cope with anything, had a massive meltdown, felt so depressed so immediately started back on them. now trying again about 6 months later. I'm not sure if I'm having withdrawal effects or my depression has just come back. but I'm so emotional, can't sleep, takes ages to settle then have sweats, bad dreams and awake again in a couple of hours. feel so emotional all the time, constant crying, feeling useless and worthless and have such an active mind again about my past abusive relationship. it's just dragging it all up again. don't feel like I'm coping at all. So confused as to what to do. I was feeling so much better whilst taking the meds but I put on about 56lbs which I hate (the main reason for wanting to come off the drug) now I dont know whether I should go back on it to regain some control of my life or just persevere with the withdrawal. Can someone please offer some advice!
1 like, 3 replies
GodsServant debbie03588
Posted
Hi Debbie, been there where you're at right now, except I only gained about 50lbs. HA! Big difference (just kiddin'). Ok, I've been on and off this drug more times that I care to count or remember, at least a dozen times in the span of 2.5 decades. Here's all the advice I want to share with you.
If you're getting off sert simply because of the weight gain, there's a way around it. I gained weight while I was on it, but then I started eating healthier and taking long walks (uphill, almost like a hike) and I've lost all that weight and then some. So you have to realistically ask yourself if you're being lazy simply because you're depressed, which was my big issue. But then I found as I started exercising more I got less depressed. OCD/anxiety and depression often go together. Also, you have to be sure it's not the other drug that's causing the weight gain. I've never taken mirtazipin, so I can't stay.
You've gotten off once and that didn't work. What makes you think this time will be any different? I wish someone that asked me this question, at least the first few times.
If you are serious about getting off and maintaining your normal self, you need a lot of work to get there, I think. You need to be in the best shape physically, mentally, and emotionally. I suggest your work with a doc on this. I got back on this med in 2013, then slowly tapered it to 0mg a day in Mar 2016 and got a big attack again in Nov 2016, then got back to normal around May 2017 and have since been on 100mg daily and since my last attack, I don't think I ever want to reduce my dosage again. Unless I do well without another even small attacks for 5 years. Then I might considering tapering a bit, but I've decided the last time that I am never getting off this med, unless it stops working for me.
However, IF you are serious about getting off of this, then I recommend tapering off extremely slowly to reduce the side effects. And again, you need to work with a doc on this. But basically, you want to go down from 100mg to 75mg for 6 months and if you feel alright, then go down to 50mg for another 6 months and if you feel alright, then I suggest 25mg for another 6 months and then if you have no anxiety and all is good, then you can stop. That's how I would go about it.
I am sorry if I sound harsh above. I really don't mean to. I'm asking a lot of tough questions because it doesn't seem to me like you are ready to come off of it. If I were you, I wouldn't at all, for the time being. Until I'm at the very best physically, mentally, and emotionally in my life and have a great support system in place. But if you are determined, please work with a doc. Good luck and take care.
debbie03588 GodsServant
Posted
thank you for your frankness and straight talking. My doctor made me a plan of how to taper off. In total it was over 8 weeks!
just have all the uncontrollable emotions and thoughts rushing through my mind all the time. It feels like I've gone back in time to before I started taking them. just feeling so out of control and down. I have four gorgeous boys and I don't want them to see me fall apart, but it's getting harder to hide. maybe I just was not ready to come off them. I have so many scars from what i went through and think it will take a long time for me to heal and come to terms with it all.
praps I just need to give myself a break from all the hurt and accept that I need these antidepressants
GodsServant debbie03588
Posted
Debbie, I know how hard it is to have this illness with kids. I can only imagine because I do not have kids. My OCD is main reason why I didn't have kids. I was afraid of passing OCD to my child and I cannot even bear the thought of putting my child through what I went through. I've had childhood OCD that went untreated and grew to full-blown adult OCD. But I know how hard it is to have OCD and not let a loved one see you fall apart to pieces. This illness was the main reason my first marriage fell apart. I was tired of feeling guilty for dragging my then-husband down. We were each other's firsts in everything. You are a brave soul. Your kids love you. I don't know how old they are, but they will know you for who you are and love you even more.
8 weeks to come off a med you've been on for two years!? This is why I don't trust a lot of docs. I luckily have found a good psychiatrist who allows me to choose my own dosage.
Debbie, there is nothing wrong with being on antidepressants. It took me decades to finally accept this fact that there is something biologically wrong with me. It's the same for you, too. Think of it like diabetes and you need this drug to fill that missing piece of you. And, as the saying goes, if it ain't broken, why fix it? I understand you want to come of this med if it weren't working. But since it's working...
If your wanting to come off of sert is mainly due to weight gain, if you don't mind me asking, do you work out? Take walks? It's important to be active. When sert started working very well for me, I started eating like a pig. It's as if the drug made me eat. But that's because when I'm happy I tend to stuff lots of food in me. I had to learn to mentally control myself when I was happy and OCD-free and that was a hard part, but doable. I can help you if you really want to lose weight. Take care.