Sertraline Withdrawal .. Does it go away?

Hi , just read your message. I have been on a MAIO antidepressant for 20 years and through pressure from people, friends, couple of docs who i saw for unrelated things, when i had to disclose my meds, said, ( never heard of them) il 'look it up. So thinking that this med must be brilliant. I took 6 weeks to down my dose of MAIO. No side effects, felt good, went to bed early, better sleep, lost 14lb in weight. went swimming 3 times a week and took rescue remedy if needed.

So decided to go private and explain to doc that i need some of this wonderful SSRI med that everybody says is wonderful. This was the start of 14 weeks of Hell. As instructed took 25 mg sertraline for 2weeks( panic attacks during night) breathing heavy due to scary vivid dreams) sick feeling every morning, can not eat at all unless I drank at least two large whiskys before evening meal. could not face food during the day. Could not do anything, our life was failing as i ran my home and business like clockwork. Now nothing is being done, im on the settee, no motivation, no energy, sleeping every afternoon, palpatations, OCD, worst anxiety ive ever had, Depression, This is the first.

So I decided to a facebook site on sertraline and although i was at rock bottom decided that things would get better. Oh dont worry it take from 2 to 12 weeks to make you feel better. Why would i decide after 10 weeks on 50mg that i cant be a moron, zombie, a nothing for any longer. so decided to get off this poison as soon as possible. cant be bad, only done 10 weeks. Im a pretty strong person so Cold Turkey.

The more I read about sertraline the more scared i became.

I have now been off this med for 22 days cold turkey.

Withdrawal gets worse over two to three weeks. Ive had some times when i have actually wanted to do some decorating. i have to push myself to get out of bed because i dont want to join the day. im so depressed . Nothing is interesting any more. im existing now not living. Over the last week ive had to sleep in the afternoon. My eyes are half open, feeling sick, horrible vivid Dreams, palpatations, anxiety, used to love a nice hot soak in the bath. now get in it, whats the point. This has been 3 weeks in sertraline withdrawal cold turkey?after only taking this for 10 weeks. Tonight i satared crying for no reason and have got very nasty to 47 years hubby for a stupid reason. This scared me, just good luck that he understood. I have my docs agreement for me to stick with my old meds but reluctant to go back till this horendous withdrawal goes away. There is a facebook site that says Sertraline should be banned. i am totally shocked that doctors are giving this out without educating what is in store it you decide to stop. I now know that my pharmasist was being honest and telling me tbe truth when he said dont touch an SSRI AD, they are cheap rubbish and docs have limited education on what they do to a persons brain.

Im still waiting to get my life back.

I'm really glad to find these stories; I only took Sertraline for six weeks (1 week at 25mg, 5 weeks at 50mg) and have been struggling with terrifying side effects and now withdrawal after being poorly advised to drop the meds cold turkey. I was offered the meds to deal with ongoing anxiety issues (with the possibility of an, as yet, undiagnosed underlying condition). My first week was pretty standard - fatigue, insomnia, weird dreams, increased anxiety/panic attacks, dizziness, and headache. I was told to expect a week or two of these mild symptoms. What I was not told to expect was near-constant heart palpitations, jaw pain, muscle heaviness, and chest tightness. I had an ECG and even ran to a walk-in during that first week, and was assured in both appointments that nothing was abnormal about my heart and I didn't need to worry. I felt less panicky and more energetic after one week, but the chest symptoms only got worse in weeks two and three. I called my GP and the pharmacist multiple times to ask if I should be concerned, and I got mixed responses about how common or serious the symptoms were, but both asked me to persevere a little longer if I could. I finally saw my GP in person at the end of week three and by then I had a little bit of improvement, so I said I would stay on the meds on the assumption that things would continue in a positive direction. My mental state was much better by then, except for the fear I experienced from my symptoms. In week four I had to call my GP again because I was jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding, with shooting pains in my teeth off and on throughout the day. He was always willing for me to stop if I wanted to, but he thought that if I stayed on, again, it would get better on its own. Within days the jaw pain did reduce, only to be replaced by the chest pains, rapid heartbeat (that never fully stopped), panic attacks even when I was relaxing at home, and insomnia.

I became desperate after another week of this crap and called my GPs office for a phone consult. Sadly I could not speak to my normal GP, and this woman told me brusquely to drop the meds if they were upsetting me and not to worry about tapering since I was on a low dose. She gave me no useful protocols to follow if I had an issue. I did stop the meds and had instant relief from the insomnia, and I had to amazing days of energy, good sleep, and elevated mood. Then the symptoms started, albeit mildly. I felt exhausted, flu-like, feverish off and on, headaches, rapid heart beat, chest tightness/pain (albeit MUCH reduced from when I was on the meds), and mild mood swings. I requested another phone consult and spoke to YET ANOTHER GP I had never met before, and she was much more empathetic but still didn't think I was in danger of any major symptoms. They were mild enough when I spoke to her that it seemed I was in the clear, and I continued with my life as best I could. I started to feel better after a few days... then I started having panic symptoms, chest heaviness, and waves of feeling off-balance and like I had a mild flu with no fever. I am two+ weeks off the meds now and I think the chest symptoms are slowly improving, and I had another ECG to rule out any cardiac issues or damage (thank God it was normal), but I am still fighting the flu-feeling, lethargy in the morning, occasional stomach upset (I already had IBS, so that may or may not be related), and random pains throughout my muscles. I still have pain in my teeth and jaw too. I have found some relief through yoga, talking to family and friends, and just taking things slow. I am frustrated that so small a dose could cause so much distress; I took citalopram for depression for two years in my early 20s and was violently ill for two weeks but recovered fully, then had no withdrawal when I tapered off. I am shocked that sertraline, which I was prescribed because it was more mild/safer than citalopram for potential long-term use, has made me go through so much. I am on a waiting list for therapy and am focusing on faith, 'self-care' and healthy lifestyle choices to move me forward after this. I will definitely be filling out a yellow card to report my experience, and am so comforted to see other people's stories.

I I have been taking setralinee for 6-months. I decided to stop taking them

about about a week ago. I do not appear at the moment to have suffered any withdrawal symptoms admittedly I do feel a bit light-headed but that probably is just me. hopefully I won't have anything

like you obviously have had, I haven't told the doctor I have stopped taking them as I'm determined to stop on my own. maybe I am stupid but we will see.

hi

I saw your post and wanted to tell you my story . I tried getting off them ...first time I tried probably rushed it ...got withdrawal symptoms...second time I read an article in which a guy was on 50mg and he would file or sand down the tablet by a really small amount and take that for two weeks then would do the same fine down a small amount and so on....i had been taking 50mg for two years ...i did what the guy said and boy was it so much easier i spread it out over 4 months....yep 4 months but was great . that is the issue we are in such a rush we make big jumps in the meds and end up going wrong....i measured the tablet fiked a bit of and measured it next to a full one. you could barely see a difference. but after 2 months no withdrawal issue.. i was looking at the size of the tablet probably on 34mg ish...after 4 months I was down to half and would just snap the tablet in half .they have a line through the middle. I just took half a tablet for weeks. I probably could of just stayed like that for as long as...but just took one half then missed the next day and so on foe two weeks then stopped ....got headache for a few days etc..

now the important bit ....and something I found out through research and other forums. I had been on sertraline twice. the first time for 12 months. came of them as per above ...three months later panic attack boom out the blue...6 weeks later back on sertraline.......as above 2yrs on came off 4 months later boom panic attack...coincidence apparently not . it seems that although your withdrawl goes great...your brain takes months to get back to normal and part of that is when after 4 months ish it realises no sertraline . it then starts about fixing it ...so what am saying is that you need to understand that even months after stopping you could still get withdrawl symptoms and actually get fooled as I did after stopping the first time that there is something wrong and start taking them again.

Hello there! I'm under my doctors care and have just started my sertraline tapering. I was on 50mg for about a year. Anyway, has anyone on this thread used cannabis during their taper for withdraw symptoms? I live in a legal state and have my license. I'm just hoping someone has some advice. All I have read are bad things and I'm scared but I also want to be off this medication.

Hi. I am very sensitive to mist medications and am withdrawing fro Sertraline at present. I think the problem that you're having is that you're reducing your dose too quickly. For a dose that you were on I would reduce over several months by 25 at a time, taking each reduced dose for at least four weeks before reducing again. The symptoms will pass.

Hello! I've tried several SSRIs/SSNIs over the years and when I find I cannot tolerate them, I have gone off slowly. No matter what, I would always get brain zaps. I found that liquid Benadryl really helped. I tried Effexor and had a terrible withdrawal, but once I started using the Benadryl (as per medicine directions - and even just a teaspoon sometimes), it took the zaps right away. I've been on Sertraline for the past 6 weeks, but I am now having to come off because it's making me terribly tired all the time - and foggy. I'm not as afraid because I know the Benadryl helped before. You'll get through this. The side effects from withdrawal never stay forever.

Hi I'm currently just coming off of Sertraline after been on about 8 months. when first taken I felt quite OK, but after time the dosage was increased to 200mg and I was feeling no better. I'm currently reducing my dose. on 125mg a day currently. The anxiety has kinda turned into panic, I cry for no reason, my tolerance for things which don't bother me have me crying and feeling like my world is ending. I too am sensitive to antidepressants and this is currently my 3rd lot. it seems SSRIs might not work for me. please don't ever let the gp put you on Seroxat aka paraxotiene the withdrawalI had from thst after taking it for 16 years was horrendous. I felt like I didn't want to go on. Things do get better you just have to see it all as trial and error and a process to getting better. xx

Hello i am new hear and have found this forum so helpful in reading the posts by member having the same issues i am having withdrawing from Sertraline. I started sertraline in October 2020 50mg for Anxiety and Panic attacks . I was on 50mg for 3 weeks then my doctor upped it to 100mg as 50 mg was not controlling the Anxiety and Panic . I stared getting side effects 3 days after starting 50mg they were , flu like symptoms , headaches, fatigue, insomnia , palpitations , muscle joint pain, weight gain, so doctor upped me to 100mg. Was on 100mg for 3 weeks then put me on 150mg as side effects were still active. I was on 150mg for a couple of month and started to feel more relaxed from side effects so doctor knocked me down to 100mg as i wanted to come off them as well . When we started the withdrawal he did say it was a long road off them with 7 week gaps reducing sertraline. So we started reduce from 150mg to 100mg after 7 days i started to get the withdrawal symptoms many members have stated my first was consistant headache with tinnitus ringing day and night constantly, dizziness, vertigo, pains in my muscle joints shoulders , legs , chest coming and going, pains behind eye, weight gain . So i decided im going to try and get off this sertraline asap. So i never told doctor so after 4 weeks on 100mg i then went on 50 mg for 4 weeks and withdrawal symptoms were still present but tinnitus and brain zaps were bad but headaches did subside from constant to come and go sharp forehead and temple pain . So after 4 weeks on 50 mg i decided to go cold turkey as i thought the doctor started me on them so ill be ok to come off at 50 mg i was wrong. ive been off 3 weeks now tinnitus , brain zaps , dizziness, vertigo, dry mouth at night waking up every two hours needing water. Reading the posts i know were i went wrong now but wish i found this forum before i went on my own. I now know the withdrawal is going to be long now. I was only on sertraline for 6 month tops so i hope my recovery is not long. I have read Omega 3 is good for helping the recovery of the brain and i am just nervous to take it as i am trying to detox myself at this time. Any suggestion or input be most grateful in helping my withdrawal symptoms go be great and should i take this omega 3 to help the brain recover faster.

I have been on Zoloft for a week and don't like how I feel with the nausea, tremors and increased anxiety. Surely after only a week I can taper off?

I have to return to cutting hair but not with side effects already.

I so regret not researching this drug before starting.....

Hey, I've been on Setraline for almost 3 years now but I tried coming off of it cold turkey about 9 months ago. I had about 3 weeks withdrawal constant head zaps night sweats restless leg syndrome and dizziness but it did subside eventually. I then decided to go back on it as it does work for me.

I was about the same. Give it some more time.II took Zoloft around 4 months and then one day decided it wasn't for me anymore. I weened for 1 week at 25mg and then went off. Weeks 1-3 were hell, with exactly how you described it, I could barely move my eyes left and right, without a zap up my spine into my brain and through my eyes and scalp. After a few more weeks it tapered off almost completely and after 2 months it was gone completely.

omg i feel like how u did hope your still in here how u doing now ive been off mine a month but im suffeing with sinuses and ear pain im a wife and mum of three boy omg im struggling in bed alot of times feel awfull xxx