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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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  • andy2711
    andy2711 Guest

    Posted

    Hi. I have recently come off Sertraline, after a short period on the drug. I had anxiety based upon my work where I had been let go from a few jobs and believed everything I was doing was wrong or not good enough. It translated to daily life and I hated everything about myself. I started a new job and that job was the worst decision I’ve ever taken. My boss was never around, I was on an induction plan and was left alone for so long which made my racing thoughts worse. I had reactions to the medicine and the side effects were worse for me. I felt paranoid people were looking at me, getting confused easily,  and had hallucinations and vivid dreams. I got let go, basically because I didn’t go into the job and take control straight away, despite being new etc, and I felt so much better for it. 

    I went back to the doctors and discussed it and I’ve come off the drug. Whilst being on it was awful it allowed me to get back to the normal me. I had heartburn for a few days, and a tension headache. Apart from racing thoughts one day I’ve been so much better off them. I’m taking it day by day, and I’m seeing a counsellor to help me build up my confidence in myself for jobs and interviews 

    • sharon68052
      sharon68052 andy2711

      Posted

      Mine started as anger/irritation issues with post natal depression. I am a very confident person and look forward to being a happy go luck me again without medication! 

      Good luck Andy, looks like things are looking up for you.  Enjoy the journey. 

      Sharon 

    • sharon68052
      sharon68052

      Posted

      Hello again, 

      Just a wee update, nothing much to report another couple of weeks on.  I still have my anger outbursts with those closest to me but I hope they are getting less each week?! . I’m not so emotional either I don’t think, and my face is looking better too. All looking positive I think. I’ll try remember to keep updated on this site as hopefully it might be of use to someone?! 

      Take care and good luck everyone x

  • erica94469
    erica94469 Guest

    Posted

    Hello- I know this thread is about withdrawal symptoms, and Instarted following it because I was concerned about my own experience. 

    I stopped cold turkey. My DR stopped refills bc they wanted to see me in the office, and I thought what a better way to quit. I am on day 4- and I only feel minor brain fog, dizziness and nausea. But not a lot at all. It’s like the symptoms are in the distance, and if I move my head to fast they come on.

    My question now is, has anyone felt fine and then felt horrible? I waiting for a brain zap to come out of nowhere.

    Yesterday was my first time having sex with my boyfriend of two years ( who was with me pre-Zoloft) and OMG I’m honestly so glad to be off. 

    I started taking it for crazy anxiety that was pushing me into depression. I didn’t realize the intense rumination I constantly had or malevolent self talk wasn’t healthy. 

    I want to say over the passed two years I learned what Zoloft did for me, and I hope my brain is forever changed. Meaning, I feel like I can now adapt to how I was during Zoloft so a I continue feeling fulfilled and balanced.

    I decided to stop because I no longer wanted to be on medication. I felt like the hurdles that cause me to run to it had passed. I feel like I have finally gotten out of my own way. But, being honest with myself, who knows what will happen.  This is just a test for me. I am keeping a mood journal, and have told friends and family to pay attention to any changes in Personality etc.

    I’m excited to lose weight and return to being my energetic self. 

    • PJM1
      PJM1 erica94469

      Posted

      Hi Erica.

      You didn't say what dose you were taking...going cold turkey is not the best way to go but as you are already going down that road, good luck with it.

      I was on 50mg. I reduced by going 25mg, half a tab daily for 2 weeks then 25mg alternate days for another 2 week s then off it. I experienced one occurrence of brain fog. That has been all.

      I quit my moderate alcohol consumption while on it, and have continued to be 99% dry. I'm sure this has helped even more than the pills.

      There are (in the UK) some seriously good nalc drinks about, so I no longer miss beer at all.

  • len40382
    len40382 Guest

    Posted

    Hi just wanted to get some reassurance . Basically i was put on sertraline 50mg for panic attacks/anxiety from postnatal depression after my 2nd baby a month after starting i then increased to100mg everything was fine felt good . feel pregnant with my 3rd child a year later doctors reduced to 50mg to be on the safe side while i was pregnant i felt great all was going good. after i had my son the doctors increased again to 100 mg at 6 months to get me over the first few months so i could get on with my busy life with out feeling low.

    My baby is now coming 2 and i decided to start coming of the sertraline 50mg very slowly . i am on 37.5mg this past 5 weeks, the first two weeks were okay i am now getting a few side effects i.e. very low mood, crying, nausea and dizziness i feel a little bit zoned out is this normal and when does the withdrawals go i want to go another week on the 37.5mg to be sure as I'm afraid to go any lower incase it all comes back on me has any one else felt like this ?????

     

    • sharon68052
      sharon68052 len40382

      Posted

      Hi Len, 

      Your situation is similar to mine - post natal requirements. 

      I’ve been 8 weeks approx coming off totally mine and it’s not as easy as I thought, still unsure what the long term holds but but once you accept there is going to be a tough wee time coming off that’s half the battle. I am still having emotional and anger bouts (prob daily for the anger bouts) but weekly/ fortnightly for emotion bouts. I’ve started to try think a lot more positive about being off them as I have debated wether it was time or not. And honestly still not sure but only time will time! 

      Make sure close ones know and are there to support you. TAKE IT VERY SLOWLY coming off them and when ready start skipping taking them for a day but I can’t stress take it very slowly so to limit your symptoms. 

      It’s not easy but I’m now trying to tap into positivity to get through what I hope is a tapering off of with drawl. 

      It’s not easy and maybe not the right time for everyone but I wish I knew a bit earlier it was going to be tough to come off them .

      I’m also making sure I take multi vitamins and about to start taking other supplements too. 

      Take your time!! 

      Hope it works out good but if not maybe try again in a few months/year. This is my 2nd attempt (a year apart).

      Fingers crossed for both of us xx

    • len40382
      len40382 sharon68052

      Posted

      Thanks for tour reply yes I’m taking omega 3 and have been seeing a reiki man which I find good he helps me to stay calm and teaches me how to control panic no body ever tells you all about this when having babies lol I have great kids and love them so much just wish I could be back to my self like I was before kids I feel sorry for my hubby weeks I want him about and there’s weeks I hate the thoughts of him looking at me life can be so crazy but on a positive note we are strong and will get through this x

    • sharon68052
      sharon68052 len40382

      Posted

      I totally get you! 

      Yes I understand what you say about being back to yourself like before having kids - I NEVER even had a hormonal problem EVER before kids . I think that a lot of our feelings etc are “hormone imbalance” and not “types of depression” but it’s easier for Docs to prescribe anti-depressants that investigate hormones. 

      And yes no-one tells you how tough it is having kids - like you I adore my kids and wouldn’t change it for the world but just wish someone let you into motherhood’s ups and downs. 

      I also get what you say about your hubby - I’m the same, I didn’t tell mine at first about coming off the pills then had to as some of my symptoms were causing arguments - I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me or blame the pills etc but in hindsite I should have told him earlier so as he says could support me, but I’m very independent and thought I could do it on my own - silly me. 

      So we will keep our chins up, positive thinking and accept it’s not a walk in the park and be honest with ourselves and others and hopefully slowly we will feel ourselves again without medication. 

      Dont be be hard on yourself - it’s gôing to take time.

      big hugs

      Sharon 

  • sarahjane25607
    sarahjane25607 Guest

    Posted

    Hi all, I know this post is quite a few years old but I’m thinking of coming off of my sertraline 200mg due to weight gain and loss of sex drive amongst many other side effects. I’ve been on this for 2 years and am really scared about coming off of it. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow but I was just hoping and praying someone who has been through it could give me some advice and just tell me I will be ok ??

    • sharon68052
      sharon68052 sarahjane25607

      Posted

      Hi Sarah, 

      Have a look at these recent posts - I’ve been coming off it now for about 6/8 weeks - see my posts above. 

      Hope they help

      Good luck 

      Sharon 

  • Baaji_26002
    Baaji_26002 Guest

    Posted

    Hi there.I would like to know whether a use over 20 days could cause addiction.I am currently medical student,its difficult to cope up with exam days.I even dropped exam due to the anxiety.When consulted a physician,he prescribed serlift 25 .please help me...
    • sharon68052
      sharon68052 Baaji_26002

      Posted

      Sorry can’t advise on that one. Hope you get through your exams ok. 

      Sharon 

    • danny09
      danny09 Baaji_26002

      Posted

      Zoloft is believed to be physically non-addictive, but a psychological addiction can be developed through continued use and it does not need to be abused to become addictive, dependency can develop also by abusing the drug. In your case you've used Sertraline for over 20 days and I don't know if you still taking the medicine or if you talked to your doctor,  but reading your question, I hardly think you have an addiction, just take a deep breath and don’t let your negative thoughts control you, you have a bright future ahead of you!

  • MF6699
    MF6699 Guest

    Posted

    Hi everyone, I'm a 27 year old and I've been on sertraline for over 3 years now. My primary care doctor initially prescribed it to me when i was 24 and experiencing great loss in my life. Now fast forward and I have two different psychiatrists in the past 3 years who have been upping my dosage, trying out different drugs with me (because I have multiple issues besides depression) and lowering my dosage and going off of it completely last year when my former shrink opted that i try a different SSRI (lexapro) which I did NOT respond well to. The tapering was a slow process but she didn't guide me through it at all, I had to research how to do it. The Panic attacks got worse, anxiety got worse and was admitted to a hospital last year for suicidal ideation, where they also gave me other drugs....(when i was admitted they wouldn't let me have the lexapro I had been taking and gave me something completely different..) So now, since about June 2017, I have been back on zoloft and my brain feels much better, and I regret ever letting her try to taper me off of it...however in the past 6 months alone I have had issues sleeping, I will sleep in the entire weekend because my body feels worn down after working or any prolonged concentration is hard for me (I play the piano and guitar and have noticed I cannot get through a few measures without headaches) or I will stay up until 4am with insomnia. I eat very well, whole foods, fruits and vegetables. Balanced meals and lots of supplements and exercise....I'm about 5'6 125 lbs. I still can't kick the insomnia and agitation that comes with the drug though and now I am wondering if my brain has somehow gotten used to it, and I don't like the irregular sleeping patterns as it messes with my overall quality of life. I want to get off of it but I just don't know if I can. Any advice would be welcome at this point....thank you..

    • sharon68052
      sharon68052 MF6699

      Posted

      Hiya, 

      Sorry I can’t offer much advise here but wanted to reply.

      I hope you find a solution but don’t be hard on yourself up about being on medication- yes it would be great if we didn’t need to take it but our bodies and brains are so complex that needs must. 

      Is there nothing your doc can do to help with the your sleeping issues? 

      Anyway best wishes to you, hears to a happy and healthy life. 

      Sharon

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