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Sertraline withdrawal- horrendous symptoms

Posted , 3 users are following.

lynn260
lynn260

I am down from 150mg to 40mg after 7 months of Sertraline. I really suffer in the mornings. My head feels pressure and fog. Has anyone experienced this? I now take a bit of Valium to help. I improve in the evening. Any help is appreciated. 

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • kathy41116
    kathy41116 lynn260

    Posted

    hi Lynn - I had been on 200 mg/day for 4 years. I have been off of the medication now for just over a month. I too felt foggy on the med and coming off of it. I am currently taking fish oil (recommended by an APRN)  which I started taking prior to coming off the sertraline and my head is clear. I feel wonderful today! All the best to you!

    • lynn260
      lynn260 kathy41116

      Posted

      Dear Kathy

      You give me so much hope! You were on a high dose. My head has felt so foggy on the med that I have begun to wonder if I will ever feel the same again. Can you tell me how long it took you to taper the med?

      Many thanks xx

    • kathy41116
      kathy41116 lynn260

      Posted

      😊Lynn I tapered off very fast...less than a month. I just felt like enough was enough and wanted that fog to go away. I’ll be honest , it was really hard and you need friends and family to support you and understand what you’re doing...trust me it was so worth it.

  • kathy41116
    kathy41116 lynn260

    Posted

    Also talk to your doctor about starting fish oil ... it has been an amazing supplement for me.
    • lynn260
      lynn260 kathy41116

      Posted

      Kathy

      What were your withdrawal symptoms? I wake every morning and get awful anxiety. My head is constantly foggy. I also feel shaky. I did go to 25mg but the symptoms were so bad I went up to 40mg. From tomorrow I will go to 35mg and continue reducing. 

      What was your worse symptoms/s? Xx

  • kathy41116
    kathy41116 lynn260

    Posted

    I was extremely emotional, anxious , sweats, angry / happy. I was up and down.  It was awful. But to date my head is clear- I am so focused. Sleeping great- waking up excited to face the day. Finally feeling like I have a reason and embracing this thing called life !!
  • kathy41116
    kathy41116 lynn260

    Posted

    Good morning Lynn! 

    How are you feeling today? 🙏

    • lynn260
      lynn260 kathy41116

      Posted

      So kind of you to ask. I have come down to 25mg Sertraline today. I am taking a bit of Valium to deal with the withdrawal effects. I met with my doctor to discuss my constant foggy head. He keeps saying it’s not the Sertraline. I also have developed tinnitus!

      Was your head also very foggy on the drug and coming off it? I have read that dizzy/muzzy head is a symptom but doctors seem to deny it is the Sertraline. I am very interested in your views Kathy.

      Xx

    • kathy41116
      kathy41116 lynn260

      Posted

      For over three years on the med I lived in a fog ...my head was fuzzy, I lacked motivation, I basically had no desire to face anything or do anything. If it wasn’t for my boyfriend and children I probably would not have left my bed. Today ...I am genuinely happy - I usually awake before the alarm.  Clear headed ready to face the day. 

      I can say yes I was foggy both on the meds and coming off the meds...definitely!!! 

  • jan713
    jan713 lynn260

    Posted

    So sorry you are going through this Lynn. I know how your feeling. I was on Zoloft for only 2 weeks 25mg did 50mg for two days and I had to stop. Problem was that this week was hell. I still had insomnia, felt depressed and very agitated, frustrated. I felt my face and especially my nose feel numb. Brain zaps. Its been 6 days since my last dose today has been a roller coaster. One moment I am clear headed the next I am in the irritable tremor state. I am holding on and so please hold on it will get better,
    • kathy41116
      kathy41116 jan713

      Posted

      You got it ...you are absolutely correct! It will get better!!
    • lynn260
      lynn260 kathy41116

      Posted

      Kathy and Jan

      That’s very reassuring. I am bracing myself for this next stage in the withdrawal. There seem to be waves when I feel terrible (anxiety, sweating, constant fog) and windows when I can read, watch a film and feel almost normal. Xx

    • lynn260
      lynn260 jan713

      Posted

      Wow you were only on it for days! I’m 7 months into it with the highest dose of 150mg. Now down to 25mg so I am going to take each day as it comes..xx
    • kathy41116
      kathy41116 lynn260

      Posted

      Lynn!! Keep going!! Embrace the fact that soon you will be med free and clear as a beautiful blue sky!! Hoping you have an amazing weekend. 

      By the way did you ask your doc about fish oil?

      Kathy

    • lynn260
      lynn260 kathy41116

      Posted

      Kathy..sounds great. I am now taking the fish oil and vit D. 

      Have a great weekend too..xx

    • lynn260
      lynn260 kathy41116

      Posted

      Kathy

      I’ve had some bad days on the 25mg. Head feels waterlogged and pressured. Keep thinking I have something serious. Any comments or advice? Xx

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