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SSRI review on Monday - wanting to come off after 20+ years

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Zuzuspetals
Zuzuspetals

I'm a 57 year old female and am looking for some advice/support. I've been on SSRIs since 1998 (apart from a few years in the middle on an SNRI), but basically I've been on antidepressants all of this time. I've had a couple of unsuccessful attempts at coming off (around the early 2000s and in 2012ish). I'm currently on 150mg sertraline and, when I got my last repeat prescription a few weeks ago, the surgery said the GP wanted to have a review appointment. This is arranged for Monday morning - 1st Feb.

Although I hadn't been thinking about coming off, the appointment has made me have a real think about whether I should have another try. My life is fairly settled at the moment - although we're in a pandemic, I'm able to work from home (which I'm finding ok), I have job security, no money worries and no other health worries. My husband is also working from home, so I don't feel alone and am quite happy just getting on with it; I'm much luckier than many during the pandemic. There are lots of good walks where I live and there's nothing stopping me getting out every day.

The reasons for coming off would be two-fold. Firstly, I'm not sure if I still need them and I've read online about their efficacy being affected a lot in long-term use. Secondly, I'm having two of the most common side effects in weight gain and loss of libido. I slowly put on 5 stones in the first 3/4 years and have taken 2 stones off in the past decade. But, despite fairly regular exercise and an ok-ish diet, I'm still overweight (my BMI is a shade under 30). My sex life is non-existent and, whilst my husband is very understanding, I know this is frustrating for him. To be honest, these two things are what I like least about my life, so I'm even thinking that the medication's indirectly making me feel less happy with my lot.

So I'm just wondering what others think as this would help me enormously when deciding whether to say to the GP that I want to come off.

It would also be great if there was anyone else on here going through the same thing as we could maybe give each other mutual support.

Thanks for reading!

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1 Reply

  • chris16418
    chris16418 Zuzuspetals

    Posted

    hello, im sorry to hear about your ongoing issue as I can totally relate. This is my second run on a ssri and its been a rough one this time around. First thing to go was the appetite, zero hunger ya know??? Then next was the sex drive, out the window as well. lol whats next my eyesight?! To cure one thing it takes away multiple others? kinda an unfair trade if you ask me!! I too suffer daily, but I'm slowly going up this hill again. All I can say is hang in there, keep your head up and speak to jesus!! If there's anything else, inbox me 😃

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