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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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  • alan0
    alan0 Guest

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    Some of you know my story here. I am in the process of coming off 50mg of sertraline after been on different antidepressants for 5-6 years. My doctor advised 2 weeks of taking a pill every second day and then STOP! Today I have finished that but have decided to do another 2 weeks of 25mg every second day and possibly another 2 of 12.5 for another 2. Anyway, the past two weeks have not been too bad and expected worse ( I think the worse has yet to come ) or notconfused However I have been feeling out of sorts and have been extremely tired and whopper head aches all week. This is nothing new to me and is the reason I decided to wean off in the first place. There does not seem to be any other medical explanation for my tiredness and headaches ( for a couple of years) so I have a sneaky suspision it might be a side effect of the meds ( definitly the tiredness anyway). I have not experienced any anxiety or depression theses past couple of weeks which is good so am hoping the next two weeks go the same (minus the headaches). Just thought I would share this with anyone in a similar position or considering doing the same.

    Best wishes,

    Alan

    • kim86725
      kim86725 alan0

      Posted

      Hi Alan, you've done really well so far, I think you're right about doing another 2 wks. at half the dose you're on right now. I was so tired coming off, I'm finally starting to feel better with more energy. It get's better. Happy to hear you're doing so well!
    • alan0
      alan0 kim86725

      Posted

      Hi Kim,

      Good to hear from you. Am glad to see things are calming down for you and you stuck with it. Am so looking forward to having some energy again and well, just feeling alive. If that comes with anxiety then so be it smile I have bought the natural supplement 5HTP to have on standby should I feel the need to try something out in the future, but am determined not to put anymore chemicals into my templesmile Will keep you posted on the next 2 weeks and am here if things change for you.....or indeed anyone else!

      To your good mental health,

      Alan

    • kim86725
      kim86725 alan0

      Posted

      Hi Alan, I did have a lot of anxiety after I came off because I'm moving from a state I've lived in my whole life. I'm working through it and it is getting so much better. I guess I'm accepting it better.  What have you heard about the 5HTP? Some on here say it didn't help. I will probably just tuff it out and hope things calm down more after the move, it's in 2 1/2 wks. I'll be glad when it's over. I think you will feel so much better with no chemicals in your head! Keep posting as I will check back to see how you are doing, it only get's better. Stay strong, Kim
    • alan0
      alan0 kim86725

      Posted

      Hi Kim,

      Yes moving can be difficult, but like I always say in times of uncertainty, what is the worst that can happen. Obviously I do not know your situation but am sure you will be fine biggrin The jury in the medical world is still out on the 5HTP and the internet has mixed reviews. Some say it is the best thing since slice bread while others say not so nice. Also there are possible side effects but I think this is pretty much a given a sour bodies all react differently. HOWEVER, I just baught a supply to have them should I need something, because from now on anything I take will be NATURAL or not at all. If I know anything about anxiety you are probably thinking about all the things that MIGHT go wrong. Try to think of all the good things this might bring, like a change is probably just what you need ( a fresh start). No matter what happens Kim I am staying chemical free.

      Best wishes,

      Alan

    • kim86725
      kim86725 alan0

      Posted

      Hi Alan, I think natural is the best if you can do it, I started getting off Sertiline because I didn't want to take anything I didn't have to. I have MS but have nothing else wrong and really don't have trouble with the MS except for fitigue. After getting off the Sertiline my energy level has went up considerly. I was on the Sertiline before I was diognosed with MS, a lot of people with MS take an andepressant. I only started taking it when my son was born 15 yrs. ago and needed it for feeling low. I didn't need it before that so I thought why do I need it now. I think everything will be fine once I can get settled in. Did you have anxiety? What triggered yours if you did? Keep me posted on how you are doing. Best wishes, Kim
    • alan0
      alan0 kim86725

      Posted

      Hey Kim,

      Sorry to hear you have MS not that I know much about it, but am glad to hear it does not affect your life to much. I have been tired for years now and always yawning. I take a nap evry day like an old man and I am only 39. I take care of myself and there is no other medical ( I have had tests) explanation other than the meds. I am happy to hear your energy levels have improved as I hope mine will too.

      Yes I had anxiety with mild depression ( who wouldnt be a little depressed when they have anxiety). Lets just say I liked to party in my youth and when I decided to lead a more " sensible and peaceful existence" I began to have panic attacks that led to a touch of agraphobia like fear of going into shopping centres etc. I would always want to know where the exits were incase I needed to get the hell out of dodge quickly :-) My life has Completley changed now, and if the medical experts are correct I should be a walking talking health machine. I quit smoking and drinking, I now hike, kayak, cycle, yoga, meditate and eat very healthy but I do not get the benefits of this as I should because of the meds. I do not over do it either and sometimes am too tired to bother. This is my main reason for stopping. So yesterday I started the 25mg for 2 weeks and I had headache this morning but feel pretty good now. I am so determined here that no matter what I will go all the way. I want my life and the real me backcool

      I think you will be fine once the move is done!

      Am just curious here and dont want to get personal but you mentioned moving states? Are you in the USA? The reason I ask is is because the forum is titled .co .uk and I thought most people using it were in the UK. I live in Ireland so thats the internet for you eek Just curious is all.

    • kim86725
      kim86725 alan0

      Posted

      Hi Alan, yes I do live in the U.S. and it does seem odd that I found this site in the UK but thankfully I did. This site has helped me more than my Doctor did. We all partied when we were younger but then you grow up or at least we should hope so! Lol. I think you will find out after awhile you will quit yawning, I finally did! I know exactly what you mean...can't believe how much more energy I have, not a miracle but better. You'll do fine, just stick with it,better days ahead for both of us. My Grandfathet came from Ireland,he passed in 1986. Keep me posted. Kim
    • alan0
      alan0 kim86725

      Posted

      Hi Kim,

      If I had a € for everytime a yank told me they had a relative from Ireland I would be a rich man :-)

      I agree with you about sites like these helping more than the quacks. I sometimes think its a guessing game for them and they are experimenting with our brains. Unless you know first hand how these drugs make you feel how are you in a position to give advice.

      So It has been 2 and half weeks now of weaning and actually feel ok. After weaning down every second day on the 50mg for 2 weeks I have started doing the same with 25mg. No issues at all and sometimes I actually think I am feeling better Here is something you might find funny : I actually went on a date lastnight which I havnt done in a while. I mean think of the timing ha! I decide to start dating again while coming off these drugs lol. I was a little nervous as in the back of my mind I was thinking " I havnt had any major withdrawals so far, but maybe they will decide to show their ugly head mid date), but they did not and she actually wants to see me again ( I am sane...yippee! ). Although the yawning was there and I think she might have thought she was boring melol, but my good looks and Irish charm carried me through :-) I hope you are well Kim and thanks for your support. Moving day is upon you soon??? Drop me a line if you are anxious near the time.

      Alan

    • kim86725
      kim86725 alan0

      Posted

      Hi Alan, happy you are doing so well! That's great you are dating, bet you were nervous, getting off the drug and all. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again and more relaxed (after3 1/2 months). I agree with you about the Doctors, they don't have a clue about being on or getting off. I liked the"good looks and Irish charm" comment, you seem to be in good spirits. Please keep in touch and let me know how things go. From a yank,  Kim
    • kim86725
      kim86725 alan0

      Posted

      We move 7/21,will keep you posted.
    • alan0
      alan0 kim86725

      Posted

      Hi Kim,

      I will surely keep in touch and I wish you well with the move. Dont forget to give me a shout if you need to.

      Alan

  • natasha55283
    natasha55283 Guest

    Posted

    Hiya, I just had to say thankyou for posting this. I have recently started coming off sertraline even though I was on the lowest dose of 50mg. I am currently having one every other day and my doctor suggested after a week or two, I could just stop. However, today I have felt slightly light headed at times so may go down to 25mg every other day before I completely stop. I was sat at my computer and my vision went a bit funny. I am also coming off propranolo at the same time and have gone from 40mg twice a day down to 20 mg twice a day for now smile
    • alan0
      alan0 natasha55283

      Posted

      Hey Natasha,

      Looks like we are on the same road. I went from 50mg every second day and am now just finished my 1st week of 25mg evry second day. I think I will then take 12.5 every second day for another 2 and will even consider 6.25 after that. So far so good for me. I mean I have whopper headaches and serious tiredness and yawning but these are the reasons I am getting off the meds, because I believe they are side effects for me. Some days I actually think I am feeling lighter which is good but am also expecting the worse has yet to come...or notcool Anyway I will take it a day at a time. Drop me a line and let me know how you are doing.

      Best wishes,

      Alan

    • natasha55283
      natasha55283 alan0

      Posted

      Hiya Alan, thanks for replying. Nice to know there is someone else out there experiencing the same sort of thing.I have just had my first week of 25mg sertraline every other day and 10mg propranolol morning and 10mg night. I dunno if I should keep taking my meds or should just stop now as my doctor said I should be ok. I'v been weening off for 3 weeks now and dont think I can cut my 50mg sertraline down anymore haha
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