Sertraline Withdrawal .. Does it go away?
Posted , 276 users are following.
Hi. I just wondered if anyone had been through sertraline withdrawal and got better? I look on the internet and can't find anything positive about ssri withdrawal, particularly sertraline. I guess when people stop posting, it means they've got better. All I seem to see is posts from people who've been suffering for months or longer. I just want some hope.
I was on citalopram last year (first ever anti depressant) and came off it after 2 months because I had terrible reactions to it. A week later I was put on sertraline and reacted terribly to that too (I'm still suffering the side effects).
I took my last sertraline 3 weeks ago. My top dose was 100mg and I was going nuts. I dropped down to 50mg for about 5 weeks, 25mg for 2 weeks and 25mg every other day for a week.
Since then (and during titration) I have been having brain zaps all day every day and every time I move my eyes. I'm more exhausted than I've ever been in my life. I have sweats. I have worse sinus problems than I've ever had. I have loads of pressure behind and around my left eye. I can barely look at the television or read. I have long crying bouts. All this on top of the existing hideous and ongoing side effects which are worse than withdrawal.
I was on sertraline for a total of about 3.5 months and have been off 3.5 weeks. I've heard the average for withdrawal symptoms is around 6 weeks but can be much longer. Given my extreme sensitivity to medication, I'm afraid that I may be one if the unlucky ones. I was much better before I took any meds.
I'm taking loads of fish oil and magnesium, eating healthily and drinking lots of water. I was trying to be positive but am becoming less positive by the day.
Anyone else experienced this and recovered? I can't bear the thought of going on any more meds because I can't tolerate them.
Thank you.
31 likes, 714 replies
liam_55617 meteor63
Posted
Hi can anyone on this help I was taking 50mg of sertaline I went cold turkey 2 weeks ago would'nt of went cold turkey if I found this site but I did unfortunately basically I'm asking I'm havin withdrawals I sure off it being angry hopelessness depressed irritated blurred vision head feels fuzzy can't think straight at all crazy taught some times sucidal I was on it for 8 months not long time was wonder does the withdrawal get better cause I'm afraid it doesn't with some of the stories I have read please can some write back just don't wanna keep taking this medication should I just ride it out??
waqas28290 meteor63
Posted
ruth91434 meteor63
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I am a middle-aged woman and have been on 200 sertraline for 4 years due to ptsd, anxiety and depression. I felt it was time to try without it, and go to something with less relationship-ruining libido issues. I tried reducing it last year, but failed after a few weeks of suicidal thoughts returning. That was a very gradual reduction, but still not able to do it.
?This time, my GP reassured me that there wouldn't be such bad withdrawal reactions because he was going to reduce it fast - reducing by 50 every three days so completely off it in 9 days - and he was giving my mirtazapine to go on straight after the reduction. Well, I've been off sertraline for a week now, and on mirtazapine for a week, and the withdrawal symptoms are so frightening and debilitating, I'm at a loss what to do. I'm so dizzy I can't stand or walk. The electric shock brain zaps are extreme and vicious. The nausea is constant. The vivid dreams are frightening. I so want to be strong and persevere but I just can't. I'm going to stop the mirtazapine and go back on sertraline for now. My reduction will have to be MUCH longer and drawn out. I'm supposed to be starting a postgrad course in a few weeks time, and move house! I can't do that and go through this medication horror at the same time. I wish I had read these forums and messages before I requested the change. I would never have chosen this time in my life to do it if I had known about any of this. The only reason I know this is normal is because of you brave posters, so thank you from the bottom of my heart (that's currently having palpitations grrrr) xxxx
tony12044 ruth91434
Posted
Hi Ruth. I can definitely relate to what you're going through because as I detailed in my post I have been through a very similar experience myself. Although I am not an MD and cannot advise anybody from that level of expertise, I can give you my impression on what's going on and what you might consider as your next step. Most General Practitioners don't have enough background knowledge about how these meds work and affect people who take them for the long term. Even psychiatrists are unsure if they are Curative or merely palliative and can be discontinued at some point when the symptoms have been relieved. If you are having uncontrollable brain zaps and other symptoms, perhaps taking a small dose of Zoloft say 50 mg for a day or 2 will get you over the rough points and allow you to continue to try to function without needing to take it on a continuous basis.
At least that is what I did when those zaps and other Sensations were more than I could handle. Eventually my body adapted and I no longer need to take mini doses of Zoloft to get through the worst of the withdrawal.
It all boils down to your resolve. How badly do you want to stop taking this pill that you think you may not need?
Don't throw in the towel until you've given a chance to make it work using some coping strategies in the meantime. If you have a Xanax, Ativan, or another benzodiazepine, you might find that useful to use temporarily when things get really rough.
I hope that you persevere and eliminate this psychotherapeutic agent from your life if you really do not need it. It truly has been a game changer for me to stop taking it, I feel alive again. And I would never dream of going back to the way I felt when I was taking it on a regular basis. If I should get intolerable depression or Panic symptoms again I will consult my doctor and consider restarting this med or another similar product.
The best of luck to you.
tony12044 meteor63
Posted
I am a psychiatric RN with 20 years of experience. I have had to take Zoloft for most of that time due to overwhelming panic and agoraphobia symptoms. Before Zoloft I could not drive the freeway, drive through a fast-food pickup Lane. Go to the movies etc etc. Flying was out of the question. I tried three times in the last 10 years to wean off this medication with no success. After the usual withdrawal signs, brain zaps, dizzy and feeling out of sorts. Feeling totally apathetic with no motivation whatsoever. Also no sex drive. About 2 months ago I ran out and forgot to get my Med refilled. I decided to just stop cold turkey and see what happened. After a week of dealing with moderate withdrawal symptoms, I decided to just let it go and continue cold turkey with no Zoloft.
Since that time I have experienced a transformation. My energy level is off the charts. I'm sleeping about 5 to 6 hours but don't seem to miss it. I thought I might be getting a little manic for a while but that feeling has seemed to subside. Appetite has been reduced. My thoughts are much clearer and more focused. And libido has returned. OMG.
This is completely opposite of what I would have expected under these circumstances. And as a medical professional I have never seen anything like this before. I'm going to research it further and talk to the psychiatrists that I work with to see if they can deliver some insight.
I have read the comments from others who use this medication and who expressed their reactions after one two three months of its use.
20 years of use and a cold turkey stoppage has got me wondering if it's better to avoid these mind-altering chemicals entirely, or use them judiciously as a bridge while going through rough experiences in our lives.
I'm certain that this applies to the other SSRI's as well since although their molecular formulaes may differ, their effect on the serotonergic receptors in our body is virtually the same. Now everybody will have their own experiences as individuals to taking this med or stopping this med based on their individual body chemistry. I know that this medication saved me from a precipitous downward spiral when I was living in the pits of hell. Without Zoloft I don't think I would have made it through.
Clearly this is a very serious issue and you're going once you consider that risks and benefits before taking any mind-altering chemical into their bodies.
I'll pass on any information I gather from my colleagues to see shed further light on this matter of stopping Zoloft.
ann55375 tony12044
Posted
i wish to do the same from mirtazapine, its never been effective properly and dosage couldnt be lifted due to awful side effects. Find myself down now to 5mg and no worse than at 30mg, just still waking with feet in treacle and srill anxiety. Dr suggests i try to use only diaz when off mirtaz then wean off it. I feel a vit stuck because i am still facing avoidance issues and social withdrawal.
Any wise words to one who is coming down from meds?
ann55375 tony12044
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marcia_33596 ann55375
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so what most of my mates especially at university avoiding our issues, never got a essay in on time, got into massive debt. my so called intelligent educated professional mates don't take or need anti-depressants..... some of them sex addicts, some shop lift, none of them in their words' over sensitive like me'!!!! some binge eat and drink, over spend.....but hey when they were offered SSRI's they said huh? i'm a little sad not desperate. they are no longer my friends.
ann-juliet88520 meteor63
Posted
I started sertraline for anxiety and after 6 days I stopped taking it. On the 5th day I had possibly one of the worse days of my life so far. I am in my 50's. The worse part was the paranoid feelings, anxiety and disorientation. I felt like I was walking into the gates of hell. I was advised that 'it can get better before it gets worse.' I wasn't prepared to continue for another week in the state I was in. I thought going cold turkey would be fine as I had only been taking these pills for under a week. It has been 10 days now and I am feeling better. I continued to have all the side effects with withdrawal for 8 days.
I was, and still am amazed that this drug is given out without fully enquiring into the person's personal circumstances. People who do not have a supportive family around them and those who are vulnerable are most at risk. It is little wonder recent studies have indicated anti-depressant links to suicide especially when first taking them. I felt like my mind and body were being poisoned. Even my eyes were affected. Alternative treatments should be suggested in the first consultation. I believe we need a big re-think on how to approach mental illness particulary when the reason people struggle is due to external circumstances. Suggestions from this web site are helpful but we must post our experiences as there is a growing amount of evidence now regarding the dangers of these drugs.
I know they have helped a lot of people and I do know people who have had no issues with them or, they claim they have been life savers. It is a case of Russian Roullette and the placebo effect/belief systems are part of the equation.
I wanted to post this so that people can understand that even with a short space of time - in my case nearly 1 week withdrawal symptoms can be debilitating. It will get better and we are learning all the time about our own tolerance and intolerance to chemicals. To actually ride the storm of anxiety rather than take tablets was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
clair26206 meteor63
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Hi I was wondering how long this took to rectify itself? I'm getting all of the symptoms that you have described. I was convinced that I had something serious until I saw gp,I was advised to come straight off the medication, as this was known side effects. I've been off it nearly two weeks but still getting these symptoms. Plus my mood swings are awful. Thank you so much for posting this as I wasn't convinced it was medication related but after reading your post I've realised it must be.
ann-juliet88520 clair26206
Posted
It is very disconcerting isn't it. I think it is now out of my system after 2 weeks but I can't be sure of the residule. I think stomach ache and some anxiety were the final part of it. I also think when I started to have an appetite it made me realise I was back to my normal. The trouble is Clair they know they work (or they are convinced as people say they feel better ) but they don't know how they work and this is very concerning. We need to make sure as many people know as possible as they will wrongly think it is the depression or anxiety and not the meds. It is a tricky one. I for one, am horrified that they can do this and I will never forget my nightmare week. It is very difficult to expalin to someone who hasn't gone through it but it takes you to a dark place in your mind and body. One of the side effects has a name (I have forgotten the name) which is where you are agitated and cannot stop moving. I had this. No longer thank god. Try Mag and B6 ! i know people say they feel marvelous when they get into them but I am dubious. It is like Russian roulette. It may also be that they really believe they are workikng and, as we are now discovering through Psychology belief systems are very powerful.
eddie2512 meteor63
Posted
hi i have been off sertraline for 2 weeks now it was very bad at fist
you will start to feel better .
i am up and down but i know that i am now in control.
you have to be strong and concentrate on all the good thing in your life.
if you feel down get out and go round the shops go for a brisk walk.
don't let you mind race
you are not on your own we all get down for no reason.
ps i am so glad am off it.
you will come out the other side keep positive.
tjr25998 meteor63
Posted
This sounds crazy, but have you heard of Kratom? I started taking this plant in capsule form (green leaf varieties) and it's changed my life. Are used to take benzo's opiates and antidepressants and I am completely off of all three. I know I sound like a crazy homeo pathic hippie but this stuff has been more therapeutic to me then marijuana or any other herbal remedy. Are used to describe something like what you described as being a cricket chirping in my head. Good luck and if you need a great resource Reddit (r/Kratom) and Forbes articles are a great place to start.
marcia_33596 meteor63
Posted
Long story but look for my other recent post. I took Sertraline for 10 yrs. tried to quite but wasn't determined enough.
It took me 8-12 weeks to wean off. Rarely get the brain zaps now. Can't remember last one.
When I truly believed it was out of my system my Crohn's Nurse helped me find a natural nutritionist... I have changed my diet.... I just started L-Tyrosine & 5-HTP. So far I feel fine. There are other natural happy pills out there so it's a bit trial & error. Well let's face it there are many SSRI's out there all of which are trial and error for other individuals. I have also bought a receipe book to naturally treat anxiety & depression with foods. This also seems to help me. 25 years ago I developed Crohn's disease got anxious so was put on anti depressants. Taken off when I accepted & learnt to live with my condition. Coming off that SSRI was also difficult. The I read a article stating there was a strong correlation between Sertraline & Colitis..... hmmm I then developed a rare form of Colitis.... I exercise everyday, meditate & do yoga. I will never ever return to a SSRI again in my life... hope this helps :0
Guest marcia_33596
Posted
Thank you for your input! I'm just having a really hard time with the whole thing. Every ounce of positive is helpful. I'm determined to get through this and I swear that I will never take SSRI's again either.
marcia_33596 Guest
Posted
Hi
I couldn't agree more. Never ever taking it or any other SSRI... even if it means I have to exercise everyday, only eat food that's good for boasting and making me happy. The more I researched long term use the more my body wA becoming immune to the drug. I've always been laid back, had a great memory, then mates noticed I was getting little over excited, hyper.... lots & lots of side effects. No more for definitely. Sar of luck everyone
marcia_33596 Guest
Posted
mate i get you. i wish i had never ever taken any drug in my life...... been weeks now since I took sertraline, lustal, whatever each country calls it...... surgery forgot and automatically issued a new prescription to my local chemist. I ignored text reminding me to pick it up.... they delivered 6 boxes.... i got the courage to throw them out straightaway. this was the day after i was told my Crohn's disease and rare form of colitis had returned. this drug should never had been given to me in the first place. the correlation between this drug and an crohns sufferer developing my type of Colitis is extremely high... the pain and suffering i am going thru right now beats any of my temptation to take this drug or any SSRI again....... i ain't lying when i say its like going to hell and back.......... at this time of night my steroids and other drugs keep me awake all night, anxious, speedy, itchy, hungry and frightened.... i want that drug in my body, not to want to keep bursting into tears. each day is getting better. but pls lay off the alcohol. my error, on SSRI's i drank and went to parties.. now 1 glass of bubbly hits me big time..... i get over excited then i crash. some days i wake up see half a wine glass of rose...... dread that feeling, depression hits me hard. drag myself up, have hot shower and each day i do something positive, i still believe i am a crap and a failure .... every day my mates see a massive improvement in me. I look at them and think whatttt, jeezzz for real, i trust them and now i see my own positive steps of improvement....... i hate not having enough doper-mine and serotonin levels in my body..... i dont believe SSRI's encouraged them to grow, i think over the years they depleted more and more.... Weirdly i used to be a ex social worker,watching my client die of smack. who'sthe bigger fool i hate that they died...... but they had a blast.... first 2 weeks on this drug i attempted suicide twice that wasn't a blast, i didnt feel any peace neither did i die with a happy grin on my face...... pls folks hang in there. exercise like mad if you can, i joined a choir, i sing loudly making me breath deeply, i eat healthy.... i dont want to be a drug addict and make drug company owners rich. i want to be free and be like rest of my family, not dreading the dreaded zaps, the nerves, being un- confident...... i don't want a false buzz anymore.....i know i can and will get thru this.... always knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel i can reach that end of tunnel so can all of you out there xx
Concerned314 marcia_33596
Posted
matt39801 Concerned314
Posted
I’m still on Sertraline but have halffed my dose I am now on 100mg I plan to wean down slowly it’s the best way .
I take B complex and also magnesium, getting out for a walk helps to if she can manage.
I am also starting CBT in the next few weeks, it’s not a chemical imbalance we have it’s just a mixed up load of emotions , we need to retrain our brains
Good luck to your friend, she’ll get there but baby steps
Concerned314 matt39801
Posted
Thanks, Matt. My friend's son has started CBT and that has been a huge help. The medication and the therapy working together were key in his case. Magnesium and B complex make sense. Magnesium is incredibly calming. Good luck with your therapy. CBT is work on the patient's part but helpful in changing the way we think about our problems and stressors.
matt39801 Concerned314
Posted
Hi Concerned
Well I had another partial seizure yesterday, didn’t last to long but has made me even more determined to get off these antidepressants! Studies show they lower the seizure threshold, I had a couple of seizures years ago when I was on Citalopran, of course not everyone will experience seizures it’s a small percentage and shown on the leaflet that comes with AD’s that it’s a rare side effect, how do we really know how rare !
Anyway spoke to my Dr yesterday and told her I want off all this poison, so today I’ve dropped to 50mg Sertraline and after a couple of weeks will go to 25mg then hopefully couple of weeks after that none at all then I’ll start the taper from either the 15mg Mirtazapine or the Diazipan, will discuss with Dr which one first .
What a mess , wish I’d never started these drugs I’m sure I would have been better with no drugs but have talk theorpy and CBT.
These to much research now that AD’s are actually bad for a lot of people.
I’m pretty down today but will get my fight back 👍
Take care