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Please advise?

Posted , 5 users are following.

janharris56
janharris56

I am reducing Sertraline slowly& want opinions. Was on 100mgs. reduced gradually to avoid symptoms. Im down to 50mg. every 3rd day. I feel I did better on 50 mg. every other day. Im going on vacation the 25th and debating whether to return to the 50mg every day or stick with the reduction. I am from the U.S. and have been on Sertraline since 2004. Started at 25mg. graduallyincreased to 100 mg.

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • kim86725
    kim86725 janharris56

    Posted

    Hi Jan, I'd go back to every other until after your vacation. I got off in March and it didn't go as well as it could have if my GP had taken me of slower. Slow is how you have to do this, maybe 3-4 months to get off. Good luck and there's always someone to talk to on this site. Kim
    • janharris56
      janharris56 kim86725

      Posted

      Hey Kim, Thank you so much for your thoughts.  I work in my docs office, and the doctor does act as though its not difficult, but I have had issues.  I appreciate all the responses. Janice
  • maureen75524
    maureen75524 janharris56

    Posted

    Jan I was on 150 mg for 10 months, never felt well on them. My Dr. tapered me starting in Sept., 25 mg for two weeks at a time. I finished my taper 3 months later. I took 25 mg for the two weeks, then 25 mg every second day for two weeks, then 25 mg every third day for 2 weeks. I then just quit. I`ve been totally off now for 7 months and still experience w.d symptoms especially nausea and shaking periodically!

    We`re all different, but I`d go slowly, as beleive me, it takes you brain many months to return to normality, at least it has for me!

    Good Luck and keep us posted. `Welcome I`m from Canada!

    • janharris56
      janharris56 maureen75524

      Posted

      I am concerned about coming off. I don't like anxiety, who does.  I thought all would be okay, but now I'm not sure. Thanks
    • maureen75524
      maureen75524 janharris56

      Posted

      Jan you'll be fine. I really never had anxiety coming off, just felt miserable and irritated for awhile. If you feel better on 50 mg. every second day, use your own judgment, then resume after your vacation! You don't want to be miserable on vacation. Take Care.
  • kathy_06966
    kathy_06966 janharris56

    Posted

    Hi jan  I am on Sertraline 50mg at moment but have been taking for 3months  started off on 25mg then 50 then jumped to 100mg withing 2 weeks   This was way too fast for me and got really bad diarrhea for 3 weeks  doc put me back down to 25mg to help and said I should take as long as I needed to go up So now am about to go onto 75mg every other day So basically when its time for me to come off them I will do exactlly the same in reverse  slowly     good luck hope everything goes well for you
  • alan0
    alan0 janharris56

    Posted

    Hi Jan,

    I have been on antidepressants for 5-6 years now and was on Sertraline 50mg for about two years which I am now weaning off. I was prescribed them for anxiety and mild depression. I was very apprehensive about coming off them as I had an awful time at the beginning which makes me afraid of these powerful drugs. I started taking one pill every second day for 2 weeks ( my doctor advised to stop completely at this), and then I started taking 25mg every second day for 2 weeks, which I have now finished today. I have decided (just to be on the safe side) to now take 12.5mg every second day for another 2 weeks and then stop completely. My reason to come off was that I was extremely tired all the time ( I had to nap every day, which made me even more tired, and am only 39), and also I have been suffering with headaches which the doctors cannot find any other medical explanation, and then there is continuos yawning. Anyway it has been a month now of weaning and I actually think I am feeling better than I have in a long time (lighter like). I have had no real withdrawal symptoms and have had fewer headaches this past month. I have another two weeks to go and hope this goes as smoothly. I just cannot believe it could be this easy or I would have done it years agobiggrin However I am expecting some withdrawals ( I was expecting this to be a nightmare to be honest), but maybe I will get lucky. I have also been excercising more and eating healthy so this is possibly helping aswell.

    Just thought I would share that with you, and hopefully help.

    I wish you well,

    Alan

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