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My experience of coming off sertraline

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I have found this site very helpful during the period that I was taking sertraline and felt I should share my experiences of coming off the drug, in the hope that they may be of help to others.

I was diagnosed with depression last year and have been on 200mg of sertraline for approx 10 months. I also had some therapy during this period and recently took the decision (with my doctor's support) to come off the medication. Wary of repeating the experiences some other posters on this site have had I resolved to reduce my dosage gradually over a period of about a month (more gradually than suggested by my doctor).

Each week I reduced the dosage by 50mg a day. So week one I went down to 150mg a day, week 2 100mg a day etc. The first two weeks were fine with no real changes. By the end of week 3 I began to feel a bit light headed, with hot sweats and dry-mouth also returning. As a result I remained on this dose another week instead of stopping altogether in week 4.

I have now been 5 days with no sertraline and have found the experience of quitting surprisingly easy. I still feel a little light-headed now and again, but other side effects I suffered during the full dose (yawning, tiredness, sexual dysfunction) have all but gone, and although I kind of miss the 'wrapped in cotton wool' feeling I am glad to be back to life without medication.

For what its worth I would suggest that gradual reduction of dosage is the most effective way to avoid the worse of the side-effects experienced when coming off sertraline and that the good news (for me anyway) has been the speed at which the side-effects disappeared.

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  • cindy23723
    cindy23723 Guest

    Posted

    Hello!

    This is the first time I've joined a forum. It is good to know I'm not the only one going through all of this. It's tough to explain it to my husband and friends because they don't know what zoloft withdrawal is like. I took 100 mg for around 10 years. I went to 50 mg a few months ago and then a few weeks later, stopped taking it. The 'out of body' feeling is almost over now. I do have restless leg syndrome which makes it really hard to sleep. That's been the toughest to deal with, along with being quite irritable. I really hope that this is due to withdrawal and isn't a sign that I need to start taking it again - that my body needs this stuff. I don't want to be dependent on it and I don't know where to turn. I'm going through peri-menopause also (beginning stages) so I'm not sure which is impacting me more. I just started going to a therapist which has been good but I definitely feel alone going through this process.

    • janharris56
      janharris56 cindy23723

      Posted

      Cindy, Much of what you are stating, I can relate to. I am past menopause though, I'm 58. I also was on Sertraline for about 10 years, but I reduced to 50 mg about 2 weeks ago, and continue on the 50.  Probably about 10 days after the decrease I had a very uncomfortable weekend.  I returned to work only to find I felt okay.  In fact you are the first person I have told that to. 

      I also see a therapist, mainly to talk to, because insurance pays for it, and I need to vent...  I'm here if ever needed.  Good Luck, Janice

    • cindy23723
      cindy23723 janharris56

      Posted

      Hi Janice!

      Thanks for your response. I have thought about taking 25 mg again but since it's been 3 - 4 weeks I hate to go on again to counteract the withdrawal. Boy it's not easy huh?!

      Sometimes I wonder if it's really a good idea to go off of Zoloft. I'd love to know if there are negative side effects in staying on. Do you know? 

    • janharris56
      janharris56 cindy23723

      Posted

      Hi Cindy, Haven't been on and wondering how you are doing? I'm still taking 50 mg. Of Sertraline a day. Thinking of reducing to 1 every other day. I have actually been feeling more myself lately and I'm wondering if its because I have reduced from 100 mg to 50mg. I don't see the therapist until 7/9. I work with my medical doctor, so I see her every day. Janice
  • k44451
    k44451 Guest

    Posted

    Hi I just wanted to add my two penn'orth. I was only on Sertraline 50mg for about  7 months (anxiety & depression) , feeling OK so I looked into stopping. A book 'Taking Antidepressants' advised to taper in stages with long spells at lower  dose so you can get past the withdrawals and see if you are still feeling stable or if the original problem returns. SO I did it like that, at least 2 months where I took 1/2 tablet (25mg) and that went OK so I gradually started to miss days till I was down to 1/2 every other day or so, stayed there for a while (couple of months probably), still OK, so started to cut the halves in half - not too difficult with a sharp knife, and not precise but I cannot believe that matters!.

    It hasn't been too bad but when I was on alternate days or once every three days I definitly oticed the head-spinning, wooziness by day 3; took a long time to pluck up courage to drop those last tiny doses (must have been only equivalent to about 5 mg a day by then!) and even then, would take a few crumbs if I had a big day, lot of driving, etc. Sounds silly but I had the tablets in reserve so why not, I guess. (GP advised much faster taper but I thought I'd do it my way!).

    Have stayed emotionally stable really throughout and I really think it has helped not to test myself/disrupt things by coming off any faster.

    Now a week since my last tiny crumb and still feeling a bit woozy, but functioning OK. Really in conclusion I would say the last bits of reduction on those last crumbs have been the trickiest if anything - I've been most conscious of the effects, anyway! So I am not surprised if anyone going faster than I did finds it tough going - not to mention if you've been on higher doses and/or for longer than me: I'm a lightweight!

    I would say to anyone - be kind to yourself, go super slowly and stabilise at each stage to check your head is OK with the lower doses as well as your body, iuswim. Why rush, when I think in the end, the race is not to the swift but the very very very cautious!

    BTW to ensure I had enough prescription to hand I started on this process long before I said anything to the GP so I had a good stock to spin out for just as long as I felt I needed!

  • alan0
    alan0 Guest

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I have been to my GP today to come off 50mg of sertraline after four years. I am absolutly terrified but determined. I had very bad experiences starting on antidepressants and anytime I have tried changing my medication. I am just sooo tired all the time, I get headaches a lot and have no sexual appetite or cannot perform sometimes when I do. I have also had weird problems with my eyes like another user has mentioned here. I eat healthy, I excercise as much as I can and there after medical tests there is no other explanation for feeling this way other than side effects of the medication....which I suspected all along. My GP has advised me to take a pill every second day for 2 weeks and then stop, but I would also like to then take 25mg every second day and then stop as I feel two weeks of weaning is not enough? I have also been researching 5 HTP if I need it when I have come off sertraline and would welcome any advice or experiece with that? This is day one coming off steraline and I will post regularly with updates for anyone considering doing the same. Wish me luck!

    I wish you all good mental health,

    Alan

    • k44451
      k44451 alan0

      Posted

      mmm, that sounds as if it might be a bit fast - I took a lot longer over it, (see post above) though some people are fine. Depends on your relationship with your GP but one would hope if it didn't work for you they would be sympathetic about spinning it out a bit longer (although suspect they are told it takes x long, and that's what they believe, Others earlier up this thread may have shared their experiences. I didn't ever cut by more than about 1/3 of whatever I was taking. Other point of going slow was to see if my original problems came back before stepping down further, (as I was well when taking them, so would be willing to continue if my mental health deteriorated withou them) -but if you are clear you want out, then that may not be an issue for you?

      does seem that it takes the body a long time to copewithout any at all - I am still getting the dizzy when I  move my eyes thing several weeks after my last tiny no of mg dose

    • alan0
      alan0 k44451

      Posted

      Hi K44451,

      Thank you for your reply. I did think two weeks was way to quick which is why I think I will then go down to 25mg for another two weeks.Judging by the different posts it would seem it is a very individual thing and almost a guessing game. If I thought would be better I would 6 months to slowly wean off them, but my experience has been when I was on a lower dose or too low a dose it just made the experience worse and this might be the case if I wean off very slow on a low dose. Good advice to pay attention to the underlying issue while weaning off to see if it is still as before. If I feel I should continue with the 50mg every other day after two weeks instead of dropping to 25mg then I will make that call as I go along. I have no faith in my GP's knowledge around this subject but I cannot help but think there is some logic behind his advice as he knows my experiences with antidepressants and would suggest a much longer weaning off time if he thought it would be more beneficial. To answer your question, yes I am sure I want out as I have realised that problems with my health like fatigue, headaches, yawning etc are side effects of the meds and they are really holding me back in my life. I will hope to go down the natural route in the future if needs be. It sounds that you have taken to the other extreme of weaning VERY very slowly. I would ask If you have looked into the benefits of this before hand as too long might not be the way to go either. I would have no problem weaning off bit by bit for a year if that was the best way. Anyway we will see how it goes. I wish you well and thank you so much for your reply. I will post here again soon.

      Alan0

    • k44451
      k44451 alan0

      Posted

      Hi Alan

      the reason I went so slowly was 1) as mentioned, to check how I was doing - if I still felt well after "stabilising" on a new lower dose, I reckoned I was safe to go down another slot. Original issue was a paralysing consuming anxiety and I was very very keen not to go there again. 2) I was basically titrating to stop the woozy, head spin, slightly lightheaded side effects as they made it hard to concentrate at work (and I'm self employed so no sick leave!) - also I was not keen on driving with these side effects, again, a eal nuisance and I thought - well if I ease down slowly enough, I don't have to have them, and so couldn't see any benefit in "toughing it out" and going any faster. As it was I did still get the dizzies off and on, mildly, for a few weeks afer the last dose (in fact after 4 weeks I could not say for definite they have stopped yet) but they aren't interfering with my life. So in short, I was a wuss, but could see no reason not to be!

    • alan0
      alan0 k44451

      Posted

      Hi,

      Thank you for your reply. You are not a wuss at all. To be honest if I thought a crumb a day with be the best way I would certainly do that. When it comes to this I have no problem been the biggest wuss on earthbiggrin I think I was just wondering if that is the way to go, then why do doctors not tell their patients this. I suppose it is different for everyone, and what matters is the end result no matter how you do it. I will know in a few weeks. So how are you now? Still getting the dizzies? I love all these pet names people give their symptoms.

  • Catfan
    Catfan Guest

    Posted

    I've been on 100mg Sertraline for 6 months after about a year on 50mg.  As my problem is anxiety rather than depression I didn't really want to stay on such a high dose.  A different GP gave me propranolol which have helped my anxiety no end so I decided to start weaning myself off the sertraline.  I decided to take 100mg every other day and a half a tablet on the other days.  After a week I've started having more frequent minor anxiety attacks not helped by the fact that we've booked a holiday for November (I get anxious about being ill when overseas) so I'm now thinking this was not the right time to start the reduction and maybe I should stick to the 100mg for a while longer

     

    • alan0
      alan0 Catfan

      Posted

      Hi catfan,

      For me it is more anxiety also with mild depression. It s hard not to get a little depressed when you suffer with anxiety.It is interesting you mention propranolol as I had been looking into that also. I am happy to hear it is doing you some good. I suppose I am lucky to have never upped my dose to 100mg which is usually the advice of my GP if your not "enjoying" your medication. Suffering from anxiety there will always be something coming up in the future that will make you anxious so there probably never will be a right time, but you know best and everyones experience is very different which is why I would be very cautious about giving advice. In my experience the only way I can deal with anxiety is to face it head on and loose the fear of it. Are you taking the 100mg and the propranolol? Anway it is still early days until November so it might be an opportunity to wean yourself down to 50mg before the holiersbiggrin, but only you know that. Have  you been experiencing any side effects on the 100mg or is it a case of prefering to be on a lowest dose as possible?

      Best wishes

      Alan0

       

    • Catfan
      Catfan alan0

      Posted

      HI Alan, thanks for you reply.

      The only side effect I can really say that has possibly affected me is weight gain, but I have a weight problem anyway so can't be sure.  Yes I'm taking the 100mg and the 80g propranolol at the same time. After really reading the posts about how long it has taken some people to come off sertraline and the effects they've felt I've decided to stay as I am until after November.  Other than Christmas there's nothing planned for a long time so I'll have more time to cope with it.  I really want to come off them sooner rather than later though after the scary tales above.

    • alan0
      alan0 Catfan

      Posted

      Hi catfan,

      It is interesting that your side affect is possibly weight gain ( and a lot of others have also experienced the same). This year I have been trying to put on a few extra pounds and cannot ( I wouldn't mind but I eat like a horse and have always had a good appetite). Its funny how we are all made differently which is also why we experience medication differently. I have just had enough of feeling sooo tired all the time and after 5 years of meds I am now brave enough to come off them. In my expereince the dose is essential to feeling better and the only time I would consider dropping a dose that works is when I have decided to come off them. Also I would say not to rush in coming off them unless you are having negative side affects. I never invisaged been on antidepressants for 5 years but that is how it worked out for me. Just to say I have done my research before making my decision and there are a lot of positive reviews out there also. It is so easy to zoom in on the bad experiences. If the 100mg dose was working for you it might be a good idea to go back to it until you are feeling more confident, but dont be put off by this experience of dropping down as it also depends whats going on in your life at the time. These discussions are a great support and I wish I had found it sooner, but at the end of the day our experiences are all very individual and only we know when the time is right to lower the dose or make a decision to come off them. In general terms you are not on these meds that long really so if they are helping you then let them. I have completly changed my lifestyle and gained knowledge of mental health issues ( my anxiety was caused by stress) so am now better informed and more confident to make the decision now. I wish you well catfan.

      Alan

  • jen48611
    jen48611 Guest

    Posted

    Hi. I really need some reassurance that what I'm going through right now is "normal". This is my 3rd time of trying to come off Sertraline; the previous two times the anxiety has come back so suddenly and severely that I've just had to start taking them again.

    I've been on the Sertraline  50mg for about 2.5 years, about a month ago I started getting careless with the doses; missing the odd day here and there. Four days ago I started taking 25mg rather than the usual 50mg. I've been so incredably snappy with my family and I've had a headache every day. Today, however, I started to feel nausiated and when I got out of the car at the petrol station earlier I felt  as if my head was spinning but my eyes weren't moving (I know how odd that sounds!) Now I have this tingling and mild numbness over my scalp and a really dry tongue. Has anyone else experienced this? It's really worrying me despite the fact that I know I'm already highly anxious from the withdrawal anyway.

    I so desperately want to come off the medication for good this time. I've put on about 3 stone in this past 2.5 years and the sweating is making me want to hide away from everyone. It also makes me tired and kind of detached from what's going on around me - and I've just about had enough of it. I'd really appreciate any responses.

    • k44451
      k44451 jen48611

      Posted

      Sounds like withdrawal to me, not that I had it that bad, but dizziness, headache, nausea and snappishness all made their appearances for me too. I would say go easy, try 25/50/25/50  for a few weeks maybe? if its been 21/2 yrs I'd say it was worth taking a good number of weeks or even a few months (like I did, see above) over it to increase your chances of success?

      BTW I am still off and feeling OK (though no slimmer sad ) - anxiety has not come back touch wood, still occassionally a bit dizzy but not a problem at all as it is very mild.

    • kim86725
      kim86725 jen48611

      Posted

      Hi Jen, sounds like withdrawl, I didn't have all your side effects but the snappiness and feeling dizzy was diffently part of mine. I also cried everyday for the first month off. I was on 100mg., 50mg. everyday for 2 wks., 25mg. everyday for 2 wks. and then I decided on my own to take 12 1/2mg. for 2wks.  That wasn't even slow enough for me but decided to hang in there and it is getting better. Almost gave in and went back on, but didn't ever want to go through this again. Hang in there, I hope you can do it.
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