The nightmare of withdrawal, disappearing decades, and a sincere warning for you considering meds

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hello,

I have been off sertraline for almost 3 weeks now. Before that I titrated down over the period of about 1 month. Withdrawal symptoms didn't start until the day after my last dose. Since then, reality has been nightmarish. I weep at the drop of a hat, have been having anxiety attacks where I feel like I am suffocating. I feel like I am just now waking up to see the horror, meaninglessness and worthlessness of life. I wish I could tell you when and if these symptoms go away... but they haven't gone away for me yet.

Regarding long term sertraline usage: I have been on SSRI's for around 15 years. in my late 20s, I was maybe mildly depressed but mainly just a little stuck.. Nothing a new job (that wasn't working me to death and under paying), perhaps a girlfriend and/or a change of scenery..  and I'd have been fine. I should have went to a job counselor or match maker rather than a psychiatrist. Instead, I took some advice form a Physician and saw a psychiatrist - the first of a few that have kept me doped up since, and who have ruined what I once  looked forward to being a happy, fortunate, contributive  and rewarding life. Now, for the first time off meds, waking up middle aged, unmarried, jobless, and wondering where in the hell the last couple decades went. I was never an unhappy child or young adult. Now I find myself with nothing - alone, penniless and not ruling out suicide.

Please young people, find a different treatment. Exercise, or move somewhere, or find a church, or talk to a psychologist or social worker. Stay away from these Psychiatrists and their meds, or you'll slip into a daze 1/2 your life, without even realizing it,  and wake up to a nightmare worse than you can imagine.

Best of luck,

Drw

2 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    I couldn't have put it better. These medicines are terrible.

    drw that was a very fast taper. It may be dreadful to consider but it might be worth going back on a low dose and titrating off slower to help with the withdrawal. The surviving antidepressants website may be able to help you with this.

  • Posted

    Have you ever been on Abilify?  It is mainly given for Bipolar disorder but I took it for anxiety and depression and felt pretty good.  PLEASE RULE OUT SUICIDE! I don't know your age but I know there is always a way to get better tho ' I know it doesn't feel that way when we are in the depths of depression.   I am just coming out of a major depressive episode.  I am taking 37.5 mg of Effexor and feeling so much better.   Keep in touch if you'd like. 
    • Posted

      Hi Lois

      I am thinking of taking abilify and wondered how much you were on and any side effects?

    • Posted

      Hi Louise,

      Well Abilify seemed to be helping my depression but I was constantly hungry and since I am already overweight I stopped it.

      Gaining weight was definitely not going to help my depression problem!

      However, if you can take it I think it is worth a shot as many people do very well on it.

      I am now on Effexor and it works great for me. Take care. / Lois

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