1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

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

Posted , 4 users are following.

lanesorensby
lanesorensby

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

  • meteor63
    meteor63 lanesorensby

    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.

  • Lois1951
    Lois1951 lanesorensby

    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. 
    • louise79427
      louise79427 Lois1951

      Posted

      Hi Lois

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

    • Lois1951
      Lois1951 louise79427

      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

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.