My experience of coming off sertraline
Posted , 240 users are following.
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.
31 likes, 450 replies
alison7582 Guest
Posted
i came off sertrline ages ago and now take venlafaxine
liz69189 Guest
Posted
thanks for posting this. its so reassuring.
i accidentally came off my seetraline 150mg a day for 6 years, before that had a baby but was on it for more than ten years.
i forgot to take it for a good few days and then decided to tough it out, which i would NOT recommend.
its been a rollercoaster for a few weeks with brain zaps, dizzyness, etc, insomnia, weirdness and hallucinations. however, this time around the symptoms have been mainly physical. in the past when trying to come off i have been a weeping wreck.
. i have felt unwell, weak tired, blood sugar issues for a long long time and never put two and two together . zero sex drive for years, weird bitter taste in mouth constantly. these feelings have started to taper off as the sertraline has left my system and i dont know if anyone else has experienced this but i have felt a sort of contented euphoric feeling...
seetraline was an absolute lifesaver when i needed it, but i wonder if long-term use has caused an imbalance in me that is now trying to set itself slowly right.
i defonitely echo those who are saying to take strong probiotics. Reading about it, sertraline adjusts receptors in the gut and brain. i've lost a lot of my waterr etention since coming off too.
anyone else seen weight loss results after coming off it? i'm hoping once its completely gone i'll feel more 'alive' again.
len40382 liz69189
Posted
Hi Liz
Just wanted to know how you are getting on now with being off sertraline ? I myself have lowered my dose recently to try and come off it.
I feel 6 years is too long . my side effects are weirdness like out of body type thing , blurred vision, migranes, dizziness and anxiety . I am praying it settles down soon its been 2 weeks since i went from 50mg every day to 50mg every 2nd day . I hope I can get back to myself like I was before having kids as I don't feel I am enjoying them like i should be . My husband comes in and I panic inside for fear of him touching me its awful these withdrawals . Hope your keeping well x
as17522 Guest
Posted
Dear virtual friends,
I am wondering if there is a general guideline to wean off SSRIs in very gradual way. Would appreciate any links to websites or titration rates.
History: I was on Lexapro/Celexa for 12 years starting Oct 2006 for GAD, health anxiety and Panic Disorder (not full blown panic attacks but unexpected surge of anxiety that would persist for long durations). In December 2018 there was a major life stressor and I just could not bounce back with Celexa so P.Doc switched me over to Zoloft which I could not push higher to a therapeutic dose and I felt it was worsening my anxiety every time I tried to increase. Finally using beta blocker along with SSRI and finally for the last 4 months have been on 150mg/day. Anxiety symptoms are in remission but insomnia, sexual dysfunction, emotional blunting, memory loss and some degree of cognitive impairment (I dont feel as sharp as before) have been really an issue and interfering with my daily functioning and quality of life. I want to taper to the minimum possible dose after I wean off Clonazepam (Klonopin) completely.
I have tapered off Clonazepam from 1-2 mg/day taken for 18 months to 0.5mg/day over the last 4 months. Benzobuddies website is the unanimously recommended site for support and personal experiences for coping with withdrawal. I have greatly benefited and after trial and error settled on 7.5% drop in Klonopin per week which is roughly 25% a month of the starting dose. Using %drop rather than a fixed weight (mg) is better tolerated in my view.
For Sertraline I am thinking tapering at 25% a month using filing the pill and measuring with precision scales (Smart Weigh GEM20), after staying minimum of 6 months at therapeutic dose of 150mg. then reducing the taper rate at lower doses.
112.5 mg - for 1 month (25% drop)
84 mg - for 1 month (25% drop)
67mg - for 1 month (20% drop)
54 mg - for 1 month (15% drop)
46 mg - for 1 month (15% drop)
Evaluate before proceeding....
My goal is to minimize chances of return of the severe anxiety. The difference this time is I have addressed the root cause of underlying stressor, have been in therapy starting December 2018 (CBT, ACT and some ISTDP). Taking Vit D, B12, pre & probiotics, intermittent fasting recommended by doc for better glucose/insulin control, exercise 4-5 times a week, yoga stretches and meditation. Hoping complimentary activities will help cope should I experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
My sincere thanks in advance for any valuable insights.🙏
mirna82116 Guest
Posted
Hi there,
I have been on sertraline for the last 6 years. I started at 150mg and over the last year down to 50mg.
I have been on 50mg for about 8 months. Recently in the last 4 weeks i have been getting brain zaps and it's not pleasant as you all now. I feel ready to come off it for a good. I spoke to my doctor today and she said she never heard of it and what do i think i should do.... I was calling her for guidance. After pushing her for advice shw suggested i take them every other day for two weeks.. Or giving them up completely.. I am unsure what to do......
Emmajf Guest
Posted
Hi there
I'm in process of coming off sertraline as have been on for over a year and was on 50mg then was advised to take 100mg at Christmas this year but don't want to be on it anymore. I have reduced by 25mg reducing every 2 wks. I'm now on 25mg. I've noticed I get a really dry mouth in the early evenings but thought nothing of it. I'm hoping to stop completely by end of this wk or as I'm on such a low dose now can I just take for afew more days and stop. Can't wait to be sertraline free.
Gingerwest Guest
Posted
Did you feel less drowsy in the daytime, and did you sleep better after coming off sertraline Colin
patsy38838 Guest
Posted
hello. Ive been on sertraline for many years, too many to remember. I started on a lower dose and ended up on 200mg for roughly, the past 2 years. Im sick and tired of being on it! I want 'me' back! I dont even know if sertaline benefits me anymore?
2 weeks ago, my psychiatrist and I decided it was time to try and come off it. A quick withdrawal was planned. I am now on 100mg, alternating 150mg every other day, for at least a week. I have many health issues so it's hard to say if i have feel bad because of the withdrawal, or, other medical reasons. I do feel tearful at times, irrationally so. I feel tired, lethargic, despondent, completely flat line in relation to everything and everyone. My dreams have been quite vivid, but not in a nasty way. i have essential tremor in my head and find that it is going nuts of late.
it is so reassuring and helpful to read all your comments. It's like the 'me too' comfort blanket. Thanx guys x
len40382 Guest
Posted
Hi I was diagnosed with ptsd after my second baby and was put on to 100mg sertraline each day to help with the anxiety and panic attacks.Its been nearly 6 years from I started the anti depressants although they did help I found I was losing myself and my feelings towards my love ones. I did'nt want to go out or drink alcohol incase I went "crazy " as I have a fear of being put into a mental home if the panic is bad .
I am now down to 50mg of sertaline this past 2 years and want to come off them as i feel they are'nt working and I don't want to rely on antidepressants to be happy .
With the advise from my doctor Im down to 50mg every second day but am finding Im dizzy , blurred vision off balance a bit and also have been feeling really jittery and if my husband comes home from work i don't want him around me , I know I want my husband but these tablets are making me want to sometimes hide away from it all is anyone else feeling similar on this dosage ??
hazel31658 Guest
Posted
i was the same 100mg a day for over ayear,ran out and decided to go cold turkey,going into my third week without any side effects a part from dizzy spells i feel great ,happier and loads more energy ,im hoping no other side effects kick in but would of thought i would be having them by now or is it still to early to tell
jill12761 Guest
Edited
hi just looking to see if anyone has similar symptoms to coming off setraline. have been on setraline for 4/5 years (200mg). Recently decided to come off them myself as cannot get to see GP. did it sensibly and gradually - now 2 weeks off them and feeling grim. Flu like symptoms, hot/cold - bad headache - upset stomach every day - feels like a hangover - with that "fear" every morning and quite jittery. Does anyone know how long this will last and anything i can do to help alleviate symptoms. Have done covid tests as thought i had that!!!! thanks guys
ela33044 Guest
Posted
I am suffering from Anxiety . I have been on Prozac for 2 years and switched to Lustral ( Zoloft) for almost 4.5 years. After Prozac, I got panic disorder and claustrophobia. because of that my doctor changed it to Zoloft.
I tapered it off from 50 mg to 25 mg. I stopped it completely on May 9. Today is 83 days without the medication. I feel good during the day, however once the evening and darkness come, I start to have fear, panic attacks and low energy. It is between 7-10 .
Meanwhile I immigrated to the US 3 months ago. I think all the situations are working together to make me feel like that.
I was wondering if it is the relapse or withdrawal symptoms.
since I want to get pregnant, I can't take Zoloft again.
Has anyone suffer from the evening anxiety?
dayna69582 Guest
Posted
it has been 8 days since my last dose of zoloft. I weaned myself from 100mg to 50mg over a months time. But the last 2 days I have been experiencing the most severe withdrawal symptoms. The brain zaps happen when i move my eyes side to side, and when the brain zaps happen my tongue goes numb/tingly. Last night started extreme agitation. The dizziness is so bad that I am afraid to drive or do anything alone with my children. The nightmares are extreme. I havent slept in 2 nights. I have never experienced anything like this in my life. Hoping this doesnt last much longer.
carey1973 Guest
Posted
I was on 150mgs and got myself down to 50mgs within about 2 weeks.... I cut back 25mgs until I got down to 50.... I'm not noticing any difference except with sleep.... Didn't (or have not) had any
withdrawl
angela06909 Guest
Posted
hi, i am curious to know if anybody lost the weight they had gained after coming off sertraline.