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Sertraline Withdrawal Symptoms - Advice Please

Posted , 6 users are following.

gayle65630
gayle65630

Hi All,

I am tapering down on Sertraline and have been since 1st January. I started on 100mg, went to 75mg for a month , then onto 50mg. I held at 50mg for a bit longer

I reduced down to 25mg last week and for the last 5 days have had an upset stomach and diarrhea along with really bad anxiety (the anxiety I was expecting).

Did anyone else have an upset stomach during the tapering down process? I am aware lots of people get it at the start of taking their medication but not a lot is written about diarrhea as a withdrawal symptom

Thank you!

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • pauldriver
    pauldriver gayle65630

    Posted

    just woulnderd why you are tapering down, iv only recently started have you been on it a long time.

    • gayle65630
      gayle65630 pauldriver

      Posted

      I have been on over two years, and just feel like its time to come off. I am nervous of the long term consequences. It has been really helpful for the two years though

  • Sphyd
    Sphyd gayle65630

    Posted

    Hi - I've recently tapered from 75mg down to completely off. It's taken me since last November and took my last dose about a month ago. i think gastric disturbance is not uncommon and i've had an upset stomach each time i reduced the dose. Obviously a good idea to check in with a dr if it goes on but it is probably part of the taper and will get better over time. Just get some rest, stay hydrated and eat well.

    i felt the most symptoms at 25mg oddly. You are tapering quite quickly but well done and stick with it. It's tough but it is do-able. Hope you feel good about yourself!

    • gayle65630
      gayle65630 Sphyd

      Posted

      Thank you so much for confirming. Well done in your taper . How do you feel now you are off? Did you do 12.5mg after 25mg? x

    • Sphyd
      Sphyd gayle65630

      Posted

      I feel very much better off the Sertraline than on it. I was on Duloxetine then Sertraline for three and a half years. I did jumps of 25mg which I wouldnt necessarily recommend. The worst was 50 down to 25 which left me very very tired, unmotivated and very low. I'm pretty sure that this was discontinuation though - not a return of the original illness. I forgot to take my Sertraline with me when i went away for a few days about a month ago and just didn't take any when i got back. I feel much more motivated and energetic and less woolly in my thinking. So therefore much more able to cope with a lower mood. I don't think this medication works for me - it makes me very tired and lacking in energy. Personally I'm better without. But I do have weekly therapy and take lots of exercise. I also make sure I have enough sleep and limit alcohol. Much more effective. Swimming is particularly good! Fingers crossed for you. Wish you all the very best.

  • Kells123a
    Kells123a gayle65630

    Posted

    hi yes, took me two weeks, from 100mg, to 50mg then zero.. yes, you will get some tummy issues, but it gets better over month or 2..

    • gayle65630
      gayle65630 Kells123a

      Posted

      Wow, that was a super fast taper! Thank you for confirming. How are you doing now you are off? x

    • Kells123a
      Kells123a gayle65630

      Posted

      hi Gayle, Sertraline did not work 100 percent with me, i was still getting syptoms after 10 months. so doc changed them back to my old ones which i was on for 12 years... I am only 8 weeks on them still a while to go... yes, i remember the tummy issues, it does get better..

  • sophia93180
    sophia93180 gayle65630

    Posted

    Hey,

    I came off sertralin a month ago, did it really quickly which was probably not very clever, and yes, I had intense stomach cramps, diarrhea for about three days. I think I read that you your body has too little sertralin when you go on ssris and sertralin controls stomach activity etc.. So it should be normal, although I was quite worried when I discontinued sertraline..

    • dawn0904
      dawn0904 sophia93180

      Posted

      i want to come off my sertraline due to weight gain. ive been on it for two years and it has helped but i cant deal with the weight gain. how bad was the withdrawal and what symptoms did you have coming off?

    • sophia93180
      sophia93180 dawn0904

      Posted

      Hey,

      I would definitely advise to reduce slowly. The withdrawal symptoms are less intense then, but I think you won't be able to avoid them at all.

      At first I got a bad headache and felt really hungover. You can also feel a tingling or pulsating sensation in your body or brain (brain/body zaps). That was definitely uncomfortable.

      I was unconcentrated and tired all the time, but that went away quite quickly.

      I also got very aggressive and moody and cried a lot.

      The withdrawal was quite exhausting but it's

      manageable when you have people to support you..

      I wish you good luck and the withdrawal will get better soon..

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