Reducing dose from 200mg per day
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Hi everyone, new to the forum and keen to get your thoughts. I've been on 200mg per day for around 9 months now. I've been on Sertraline since 2002. My initial dose was 100mg per day and over the years it's been increased, each time as a result of stress-related breakdowns (due to my working environment)
Since my last bout of illness at the end of last year, I have completely revamped my working life and feel I have finally achieved the correct balance. The last few months have been the happiest of my life.
So my attention turned to reducing my medication. The doctor said 200mg is the maximum dose I can take. I don't suffer any side effects at all and, having spent the last few years working hard to lose 3 stones, do not want to be put onto any other medication, as I understand they all have weight gain as a side effect. Gaining weight would definitely put me on a downward spiral!
I feel as if, while helping me, the medication 'holds me to ransom.' I know you'll know what I mean when I say that. I would like to have 'wriggle room', the ability to increase the Sertraline if I ever need to in the future.
So, I came up with a plan which would see a super-gradual taper down. I decided on a Monday, to take 150mg and after a 4 weeks, do that on a Tuesday too, until I was taking 150mg every day. Surely, I thought, a 7 month long process would mean I wouldn't notice?
4 weeks in I began to feel spaced out and pressure in my head. Also waves of nausea, although not actually sick. The ones I'm most scared of are losing the rag with people and having brain fog. Thankfully, I haven't experienced those.
If I hadn't reduced my medication and this had happened I'd just think I had a sickness bug, but because I have, I'm super aware of every little sensation. The fear of going on a downward spiral is terrifying.
I am going on holiday at the beginning of September so I've decided to put the doseage back up to 200mg and try reducing again when I come back. If I experience the same symptoms I will KNOW it's because of the medication reduction.
I just find it very difficult to believe that reducing by such a tiny amount can cause all this.
Appreciate your thoughts and experiences guys.
Thanks x
1 like, 19 replies
maureen75524 Shed1976
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Shed1976 maureen75524
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smiler3476 Shed1976
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Shed1976 smiler3476
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Tezes Shed1976
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Good luck
Shed1976 Tezes
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smiler3476 Shed1976
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Shed1976 smiler3476
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smiler3476 Shed1976
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smiler3476 Shed1976
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julie393 Shed1976
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Shed1976 julie393
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Shed1976
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Came back from holiday and embarking on another attempt to reduce medication.
I decided, with doctor's approval, to cut down extremely slowly. On a Monday for 6 weeks I'd take 150mg instead of 200mg, then after 6 weeks cut down on a Tuesday to 150mg and so on. I felt very little change after cutting down for 6 weeks on a Monday, now I'm 5 weeks into cutting down on the Tuesday too.
I am acutely aware of everything I'm feeling, as obviously, I don't want to fall ill again. I'm experiencing some zaps behind my left eye and the world just doesn't seem so bright anymore. I basically don't feel as 'up' as I did a few weeks ago and although I'm laughing at things because I KNOW they are funnny, I'm not FEELING it. Nothing has changed in my life other than reducing the medication, so that has to be the reason I feel I'm struggling a bit.
It would be easy to tought it out if I knew there would be an end point and this is as bad as it will get. Trouble is, I don't know on either front. I'm scared it gets worse, I start becoming irritable and unable to function properly.
The doctor says I should go back up to 200mg, but I don't want to 'give in' when I've come this far. I'd be happy knowing I've managed the Monday and Tuesday cut, then think about the Wednesday when spring (and more light) come around.
I feel as though I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Everyone around me says 'you were great on the 200mg, you coped brilliantly with whatever was thrown at you.' I worry though, where would I go next? I can't increase any further on Sertraline. It's on my mind all the time, so an advice would be gratefully received. Thank you everyone x
longtalljules Shed1976
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I too am cutting down from 200mg. Been on this dose for several years and doctor has advised to ho to 150mg daily for December then January go down to 100mg...etc. Only been a few days but staying positive - oh the irony!
Good luck and would be great to hear how you are getting on...
ltj
maureen75524 Shed1976
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Shed1976 maureen75524
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