Sertraline Withdrawal .. Does it go away?

I followed this thread when I was going off sertaline this summer. It really scared me because it seemed like for everyone the withdrawals wouldn't go away. I promised myself I'd come back and comment on my experience.

I was on sertraline for just over 2 years at a dose of 50mgs. I had an AWFUL AWFUL time coming on it- constant twitchiness, a four hour panic attack that had me going to A & E (first time had to go there for panic but it just wouldn't subside) and lack of ability to concentrate.

After about 2 years on sertraline, it didn't seem to be helping anymore (and things were slightly more stable- although I'll have anxiety, panic and depression forever I'm sure as I've had it for 10+ years- just maybe easier to manage now?)

On sertraline after 2 years of taking it, I was constantly incredibly tired. Would require 8 hours sleep, 2 hour naps every day, and still would be in a fog of hyposomnia. Also my vision was absolutely terrible and all I would do was think about food and rest and taking it easy and being on my own- I had few other interests and no sex drive.

My doctor told me to halve my dose for two weeks, and then take half of a pill every other day. From threads like this, I made the decision to do it slower and not confuse my brain with taking sertaline every other day. So I did 25mg a day for a month, and then went off of it completely. 

I found the month where I took the 25mg dosage was the worst. I was self-harming like crazy and had suicide ideation (things I don't often do/have). Life seemed completely terrible and I wanted it over. Hyposomnia and blurred vision remained. Low interest levels in everything continued. 

The second month (when I went cold turkey) was fine- at first. Days 8 to 13 I had brain zaps like crazy and severe anxiety (though talked myself out of panic attacks). Kind of like hitting a funny bone in my head, painful, made it difficult to focus. I had to take a few days off work. I was really irritable, crying quite a bit, but still better than the first month overall.

Brain zaps after day 13 cold turkey gave way to a weird rush of numbness in my head (mostly near my lips and teeth) and a feeling of physical weakness. That's pretty much petered out now. Feeling better. Not needing naps anymore, I more interest in activities, and my PMS (where I am usually at a severe low) was so much better this month. Feeling much happier than I did in the first month and I think happier than I was right before I cut my dosage. 

It seems sertraline withdrawal does go away. Just thought I'd post a positive(ish) story as I saw much less positive ones on here. Good luck to all of you.

I decided this week to come off sertraline..50mg for 2 year..and felt terrible, never knew there would be a problem with withdrawal and my GP just said stopping would be no problem. Thank you all for writing in with your symptoms, don't feel so awfully alone and crazy! Have started back on the dose and will taper as advised here. Does anyone know if you can get a liquid prescription in the UK please? Many thanks.

Hi I've been on citalopram for years . Then went onto sertraline 150mg for a few years. Thought I'd reduce the dose slowly from 150 to 100 for around 2 months then to 50mg for a month reduced to 25 and finally I'm off but like you I'm still having withdrawal. Brain zaps not as bad. But night sweats. Tiredness. Not sleeping well. Been fully off around 5 weeks. Not feeling right but I don't want to go back on them. Feel I can't walk in a straight line !!

Hope this helps

Last year after a year of being on citalopram my gp decided to swap me to sertraline. She told me that I needed to come off the citalopram within a week and I did it. Felt like utter rubbish but I broke through it. I then had to start taking the sertraline. So here I am a year on from starting the sertraline. I feel exactly the same as I did two years ago except now I sweat so much it's ruining my life. I am equally as depressed and suicidal as before so I figure if I come off the sert at least I won't stink and sweat so bad which does me no favours. My GP is so unhelpful that I haven't seen her in over 6 months, I don't get more than 30 seconds with her and she can't wait to get me off Sert. So here I am, cut the meds in half tonight and I only have about 8 days of half dose left so here goes! Will report back with how I get on.

Hello, so sorry to hear you are also having difficulty.  I too was on Sertraline for almost two years.  I am very sensitive to meds and finally decided to try and antidepressant when our daughter attempted suicide and a week later I was diagnosed with arthritis. I am allergic to NSAIDs and some days can not handle the pain, when our daughter decided that life would be better with her not in it, I was flabbergasted to say the least.  At the urging of my PCP, i started Sertraline.  It seemed to numb the initial problems and when I described this feeling my PCP upped my dose stating "my levels were not therapeutic” After months on a "therapeutic/zombie state dose" I said it was enough!  I weaned from 150 to 100mg/day with no issues.  It was then suggested that I try Cymbalta; this would greatly help my daily pain from the arthritis and help with stress. Well what a huge mistake!  The Cymbalta moderately helped my pain, my body felt better than it had in years.  My brain, however, was another story.  I felt disconnected, even confused.  I had terrible dreams and sweats that would have me doing full dress changes twice a day.  I told my doctor that it was time for me to just deal with the pain and stress of teen years and reset my life unmediated.  I just felt so very out of my mind.  She agreed to taper me off, in one week.  I trusted my educated provider and cut my dose in half to wean off.  Another mistake!  The withdrawal has been worse than anything I have ever experienced in my life.  I totally understand why drug addicts cannot quit and have contemplated going back on the drug.  Some of my symptoms have been anger, aggression, horrible nightmares, insomnia, dizziness, instability, muscle fatigue, exhaustion, confusion, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and flu symptoms with severe sinus congestion.  Also, I believe, brain zaps as they are called.  So weird, all of it!  It has been a week since I stopped and the symptoms seem to be getting worse, more intense.  As a few have stated, my PCP seems uninterested in the symptoms of withdrawal.  I hope that they go away soon.  On one forum, it was stated to try drinking electrolyte replacement drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde.  Those have seemed to help a little.  Maybe the sweating knocks your electrolytes out of balance and these help bring it back to equilibrium and hydration.  Anyway, any suggestions would be welcomed.  

I have been on 150 mg for 6 years now and I notice if I go off of it any longer then 2 days I get really dizzy and can't walk or drive..the doctor told me it was withdrawal I would rather take the meds then go through the horrible side effects

Hi I was sertraline 150mg for a few years and before that citalopram. I have been off sertraline for around 8 weeks. Brain zaps are better but I ache wrists. Shoulders and arms. Very tired. Taking cod liver oil. Omega 3. Multi vitamins and minerals also taking 5-htp these are available at herbal shops 5-htp from what I've read act as a natural serotonin. 1 day at a time. I was also hungry as your body is looking for something that's not there. Hang on in. I don't want to go back on my tablets. Was not told of the withdrawal and how bad it gets. I believe it can last around 4 months so you are nearly half way.