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Tapering Down on Sertraline - Please Help!

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gayle65630
gayle65630

Hi Everyone - Happy New Year!

I have been on Sertraline for nearly 2 years, mostly on 50mg, but I was increased up to 100mg 10 weeks ago. In the last 10 weeks I have had horrible side effects, and just felt spaced out and night sweats every single night, so I have decided to taper down my dose again, with the long term view to stop.

I am day 3 into taking 75mg.

Has anyone had experience in tapering? There are so many different stories (mostly horror stories) on the internet about withdrawal symptoms and I am scared. So far I am just feeling a bit jittery and spaced out with blurred vision

Anyone got any ideas how quickly is acceptable to taper? My Dr told me to do it quite quickly but I am scared and don't know the best way to go about it!

Many Thanks x

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • sue74917
    sue74917 gayle65630

    Posted

    ok firstly do not give internet/forum horror stories too much credence, if people are doing ok then only those who care about others take time to say "I did this and it was ok" where as if we are having a bad time we scour the net to find others in the same situation for reassurance and when you think of how many people are on this medication even that percentage is very small. Secondly with regards to withdrawing little and slow seems to be the way to go, unless you have an urgent medical reason, I personally, if thinking about withdrawal would go down a little give it 2 to 3 weeks on that dose and if I felt ok reduce it by a small amount again. However everyone reacts differently so all I can say is listen to your body and adjust your dose according to how you feel, you may find that you are happy on a lower dose and want to stay there, whatever you decide to do I hope it goes ok for you x

    • james97025
      james97025 sue74917

      Posted

      Hi

      During 2017 I tapered down from 50gm to 0 by reducing the daily dose by 10% every two weeks (over a ten/twelve week period). This approach worked very well for me with no major side effects or issues. A slow and steady reduction appears to be best when coming off this medication. I Hope all goes as well for you.

  • karin88115
    karin88115 gayle65630

    Posted

    hi Gayle

    i was on 100mg for 5months then reduced to 75 with no side effects apart from a bad headache a few times.

    Stayed on that dose for 3 weeks then reduced to 50mg. Same thing... stayed there for 3 weeks. No side effects. Felt really good.

    then done to 25mg. Had some mild depression but had some personal dramas going on.Coped really well though.

    Stayed on 25mg for 4 weeks to get through christmas season!!

    Now on 12.5 for 6 days. Mentally I feel fine but have have woken up with a headache most mornings. But it goes away after a couple of hours.

    Considering the nightmare 10weeks of horrendeous side effects i had when starting, the tapering off has been surprisingly easy.

    Let me know if you would like any more info and hope ive been of some help.

    good luck

    karin

    • gigi_53018
      gigi_53018 karin88115

      Posted

      Hi KAREN,

      IVE BEEN ON 25mg for about 1.5 years now and I feel much better outside of a few bad days here and there. I want to get off but Im terrified of the known side effects. Any tips or suggestions?

    • gayle65630
      gayle65630 karin88115

      Posted

      Thanks Karin!

      That sounds like the sort of plan i want to do. I'm planning 3/4 weeks on 75mg, then down to 50 mg. I am happy to hold at 50mg for a while as i was always ok on that. i just need to get rid of the Zombie feeling and the drenching night sweats that 100mg gave me xx

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