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Weaning off sertraline

Posted , 2 users are following.

alan0
alan0

Day 9 of weaning off 50mg sertraline taking one pill every other day. I have noticed the past two days I have been a lot more tired than usual and my bones are achy. I also experienced feeling a little jittery and slightly disorientated at times ( all of the symptoms described were quite mild). I was pretty wired and tired at the same time this evening and have not slept well the past couple of nights. No electric shocks or head zaps as yet, which is quite disappointing as I was looking forward to themcheesygrin All in all I would say this week went ok and that any difference was mild and tolerable. I hope next week is similar before I go to 25mg every other day for another 2 weeks. Just for anyone interested and also it helps me to right it down.

Alan

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • kim86725
    kim86725 alan0

    Posted

    Sounds like you are doing very well. Most of my side effects didn't start until I was completely off of them. My Doctor took me off in a month which I know now was to fast. Just go very slow and you should be fine. Good luck
  • alan0
    alan0

    Posted

    Hi Kim,

    Thank you for your reply. That sucks that the side effects came after. Where they bad? How did you wean off in a month?, and what dosage did you wean off. How are you now?

    Thanks Kim,

    Alan

    • kim86725
      kim86725 alan0

      Posted

      Hi Alan, I was on 100 mg. down from150 about a year ago( didn't take the 150 for very long). I started weening off the middle of March, 50mg. for 2 wks., 25 mg. for 2 wks., looking back that's when I started crying. Found this site so I took a sliver for 2 wks. The brain zaps started after I quit the 25, then the raging started, I walked every day and that helped the rage. I was so tired but had to keep going. I'm better but am moving out of state so still have mood swings. Trying to give everything a chance to calm down, about 3 more wks.  
  • kim86725
    kim86725 alan0

    Posted

    Hi again, I almost thought I would start taking them again, which I said I would NEVER do. Can't go through the withdrawl  again. Starting to think if things don't get better why should I torture myself? My friend said last night " you've got this far, don't do it ". Time will tell. Just go slow and stabilize every step of the way. Something my Doctor didn't do for me. Good luck
    • alan0
      alan0 kim86725

      Posted

      Hi again Kim and thank you. I appreciate your support. When you sat you went from 50mg to 25mg for two weeks was it taking them every other day? I suppose I am lucky to have stayed on the 50mg but I was on antidepressants for 5 years or more in total so this is a big step for me. I tend to look after myself with diet and excercise but was still always tired. Also the loss of my sexual drive was very frustrating. I feel pretty fine today but still very tired (nothing new). I am very determined to see this through as I just want to feel like me again. I know you get used to how the meds make you feel but its not the same and any alter in your mood makes you wonder if it is the meds. I would urge you yo stay strong as I believe you are in the same boar as me and really want this. There are alternative natural routes and lifestyle changes that are side effect free and dont suck the very life out of yousmile what do you mean by stabilize every step of the way? My of says 2 weeks of every second day then that's it!!!! After 5 long years! I decided myself to go to 25mg every other day for another 2 but might even go slower. Will play it by ear.......or head zapssmile

      And to Kathy, thank you. I have more to say on your reply, but will let it rip when I get to my laptop.

      Thank you,

      Alan

    • kim86725
      kim86725 alan0

      Posted

      Hi Alan, I took the med. everyday while weening off. My Doctor didn't even inquire about my life and what may of been going on with me, even if it was my decision To go off he should have offered advice. I don't know if he has any idea what I've been through. He knows I called for help at 3 wks. off and has never called to see how I am doing. Have to find another when I move so... oh well! I'm really trying to stay strong and know better days lie ahead. I hope you know that also. Give us an update. 
    • alan0
      alan0 kim86725

      Posted

      Hi Kim,

      interesting all the different advice people are given by their GP to wean off. Its just a guessing game for them really. I know what you mean, my doc never enquired as to why i made this decision. Anyway i had been thinking about changing my GP for ages now so this motivated me to go ahead and do with......which i did! I hope this one actually cares about the patients and am not just another €60 or so.

      Anyway that's my morning rant out of the way and the sun is shining. Would not like to do this in the winter. It helps a lot to be able to get out and get some vitamin D into yousmile

      Stay strong and remember this too shall pass.

      Have a lovely day,

      Alan

  • kathy_06966
    kathy_06966 alan0

    Posted

    Hi there, steady and slow seems to be the way to go  take your time and do what you feel is right. Its a good thing that sites like this exist  as you are never really told what to expect  when you go on or come off medication like this    Docs just give it you  and expect you to get on with it    I wish you the best  and hope everything works out
    • alan0
      alan0 kathy_06966

      Posted

      Hey Kathy,

      I have done a lot of research this week on coming off Sertraline and slow is definitly the way to go. A great site is surviving antidepressants. Why on earth would my GP advise 2 weeks then stop completly after 5 years!!! I 100% agree with you about Docs just handing these meds out like they are sweets. I dont argue with some of the benefits and definitly in cases where they are ABSOLUTLY necessary but if I could turn back time I would not have taken them. ( If I was better informed). I went to see my doc about 5 or 6 years ago with panic attacks and anxiety. It was pretty bad at the time. He handed me antidepressants and away I went without another word. No cautions, advise, nothing. A few days later I am in a living nightmare and never experienced anything like this in my life. I dread to think what might have happened had I been living alone as I am now. The experience was so bad at the time it has taken me this long to get the courage up to even consider coming off them as I never want to experience that again. I really think this is a big issue that needs to be addressed by GPs. Yes it might discourage people into taking something that they might possibly need or will help them but at least they can make an informed decision for themselves.

      Best wishes,

      Alan

  • kathy_06966
    kathy_06966 alan0

    Posted

    Absolutely   good luck Alan  I wish you well   keep posting  let us know how you are getting on  and remember we are only a click away
    • alan0
      alan0 kathy_06966

      Posted

      Thanks Kathy, I appreciate your good words.

      Have a fab day,

      Alan

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