Tips and advice needed for coming off sertraline please
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hello, I've been on sertraline since beginning of December. I was going through a really stressful time, quite a few negative things had happened over the last few years and one final thing tipped me over the edge and I had a breakdown with horrendous anxiety.
Anyway, I feel absolutely fine now! Everything in my life has calmed down and I've finished my counselling which has helped me move on or accept the negative things. I also feel more in control if I am feeling anxious (which is mild and rare).
So, I've been to the doctors and she agrees I can come off them. She has suggested take one every other day for July and 2 a week for august. I'm on 50mg.
Has anyone got any advice about coming off and what worked for them to have as less side effects as possible! I'm thinking of doing it really slowly to see if that works?
Thanks in advance :-) And sorry for the essay!
1 like, 27 replies
kathy_06966 Yorkshire
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itsonlyme Yorkshire
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I think also be aware that if you do begin to feel down/anxious etc again that this could be the tablet withdrawal and not that you are relapsing. Again regular reviews and any concerns should be discussed with your doctor. My side effects haven't been too bad apart from the electric shocks feeling in the head and this is thing I can't seem to get past at the moment - quite literally doing my head in lol 😊x
kim86725 Yorkshire
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Daisy121 kim86725
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Hi I'm really worried I've been on sertraline for 18years and I've started tapering off I did 100mg every other day for 5 months ,I've now dropped to 50 everyday for the last 2 months but are having withdrawals like hot flush,tummy pain ,itching,rash sleeping disturbances,low and restlessness.
I'm worrying if I'm not doing it right? .
Also I must say from the day I went on them I've never once been ask by my gp how am I doing....... It's now 18years later .
doug77372 kim86725
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Was it easy for you? Any tips? I have been on 15 yrs. I am currently on a low 6.25 mg, but apprehensive about going entirely off. Success stories are always nice to hear.😀
Yorkshire doug77372
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Hello
All tho I wasn't on it for as long as you, I have been off now for nearly 2 years and have been fine and it wasn't nearly as bad coming completely off as I thought it may be.
I did it very slowly and started by doing 2 days on 1 day off for a few weeks, then every other day for a few weeks, then 1 day on 2 off. That way my body didn't seem to notice.
Also I felt the pharmacist at my local chemist was good for advice.
Hope this helps and good luck :-)
alan0 Yorkshire
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I have been on sertealine 50mg for 2 years now but have been on antidepressants for 5 in total for anxiety and mild depression. I had such an awful time starting on these meds that it has taken me this long find the courage to attempt to come off them. I really want this as I suffer a lot of fatigue from the meds. My GP advised me to take one pill every other day for two weeks.....then that's it!!! I was pretty shocked by this short weaning off period and have decided to then take 25mg for another 2 weeks. I cannot help but think there is some logic/ evidence for this short period as surely my GP is informed of the best way to help his patients...or not! Anyway I am now on day 6 of taking one every other day and have no major changes as yet. However yesterday and today I am quite tired and a little spacy but nothing new there and it might also be the fact that I know I think everyones experiences are different but i will keep you posted of my progress or my destruction as the case may be as it helps me also to write it down.
Best of luck,
Alan
alan0 Yorkshire
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Muchos gracias,
Alan
Yorkshire
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I'm gonna go even slower then what the doctor said then; I think I prefer the idea of 25mg a day rather then every other day. I'll work out a plan so I know what I'm doing!
I just want as little side effects as possible as I need to be able to be a mum and go to work!
Surely nothing can be as bad as the side effects from when I went on them in the first place tho!
Alan - I tried 5htp before going on these, the health shop sold me 100mg, think you should start on 50 - anyway, I didn't like how they made me feel, quite spaced out - but then I was in the middle of a break down so I don't know. I gave them to my depressed friend who took them for a week and said they made no difference and that her pharmacist friend said not to bother.
Thanks again everyone. I will keep updating you and would love to hear how you're getting on too xx
kim86725 Yorkshire
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alan0 Yorkshire
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Thank you for the advice on 5 HTP. There are mixed reviews on the internet, but I am just looking for some NATURAL alternatives, should I need them. The only problem I have ( Just me ) with coming off too slowly is that when I was on a too low a dose of other meds the effect was similar to bad side effects. I want to get them out of my system ASAP would have no problem with reducing by a crumb a week if it helped reduce possible bad withdrawals. I will continue with the 50mg every other day for two weeks then 25mg every other day for another two then stop.However if my courage fails me I will then do 12.5g, for 2, then 6.25, then 3.....you get the drift
Take care Yorkshire,
Alan
kim86725 Yorkshire
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alan0 kim86725
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kim86725 alan0
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itsonlyme Yorkshire
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