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Intend to wean from Sertaline

Posted , 5 users are following.

rebecca23041
rebecca23041

I've been taking only 50 mg of sertraline for about seven or eight years for a mild anxiety disorder. Over the last couple of years I have felt increasingly sad or depressed. I have gained weight. This makes me unhappy.

My healthcare provider tells me that this low-dose would not cause weight gain. What do you think?

My healthcare provider discourages me from coming off the sertraline, but I feel like I want to try. I'm thinking to start with skipping a dose once a week for a month and so on.

Any thoughts? Thanks so much.

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Tezes
    Tezes rebecca23041

    Posted

    I'm currently tapering off Sertraline, been taking 50mg for two years.

    check out 'tapering off ' antidepressants on the web it has some good advice. In a nut shell the slower the taper the better for your body with less side effects. I aim to take approx 4 months to come off. So for a month at a time I am cutting down a quarter of a tablet. Am still in the first month and so far so good.

    All the best

    • don45258
      don45258 Tezes

      Posted

      Hi did the med work for you it's just I've been on them 50 mg for 5 weeks 100mg for 4 weeks doc said it was to high for me back down to 75 could you please give me some advice please
    • rebecca23041
      rebecca23041 don45258

      Posted

      Yes. I believe it has helped my anxiety. I don't want to get that back like it was, but I think I've been on it too long and might be experiencing mild side effects including ?? Weight gain?? And ?? Increasing saddnes??

      Good luck to you.

    • rebecca23041
      rebecca23041 Tezes

      Posted

      Did you experience any gradual weight gain? Thanks.
    • Tezes
      Tezes don45258

      Posted

      Yes they worked really well, I resisted increasing the dose as they take some time to do their job. Why the increases for you, I'd say 5 weeks is not at all long enough for your body to adjust. 50mg is a maintanence dose for a lot of people. These drugs are powerful and not intended to be taken long term so I've been on them far too long and am glad I've taken the plunge.
    • don45258
      don45258 Tezes

      Posted

      I went increased because after 5 week still felt the same so doc said go to 100 then 4 weeks later numb head and foggy head so doc said they to high go to 75
    • Tezes
      Tezes don45258

      Posted

      I'd say they took  about 8 weeks to kick in properly. I think some GP's advise increases and decreases far too quickly.

      hope you find your level soon

  • kikidee76
    kikidee76 rebecca23041

    Posted

    Hi

    I've been on 100mg for around 6 mths and for the past few weeks have gone down to 75mg. I've not really read up on tapering down but in my mind it makes sense to reduce by 25mg at a time and over months rather than weeks. So far so good for me, only had one or two days near to start of 75mg dosage where I felt slightly uneasy. The one thing my pharmacist said was to never just miss a dose. I sometimes think they know more than Drs.

    Wish you well with it.

  • Tezes
    Tezes rebecca23041

    Posted

    Hi Rebecca, I'd say I've put on about 4lbs in weight which dosent sound much but it shows as fat around my waist and stomach which I hate.

    i also take clonazepam and propranolol so think the combination dosent help. 

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