Weaning off sertraline - positive story and a few questions :)

hey! i wanted to ask firstly if anyone has weaned off sertraline and experienced headaches? or any other side effect?

secondly i wanted to share my positive experience and tips on how i reduced and weaned. please ensure you do this with a doctors help and also know that we are all beautifully individual and you need to find what works for you and to listen to your body and mind. this is my journey in the hope to help inspire and support and not to advise xxxx

i have been taking sertraline since 2012.

i started on 50mg and then moved up to 100mg. i work for a global organisation which triggered imposter syndrome and my challenge with mixing in large groups!

that said im still here and im a different person to when i started. lots

more self belief and confidence and a little less caring about what ppl think of me!

i tried in 2015 to wean but the timing was not right. i was selling my house (no agent), had an it upgrade at work that was causing many customer challenges, had a hr case at work that wasnt nice, had relationship problems so of course all of these moving parts and weaning wasnt the best mix.

first tip wean when there is stability in your life and also have counselling at the same time.

so fast forward 5 years and here i am. currently taking 50mg 5 days per week.

i personally weaned ultra slowly.

week 1 - 6 days of 100mg, 1 day of 50mg.

week 2 - 5 days of 100mg, 2 days of 50mg..etc etc..until i was taking a full week 50mg which i held at for a couple of weeks. im now dropping days but very slowly and holding at the new reduced rate for a few weeks.

second tip is be mindful of what makes you feel rubbish and avoud where

possible. For example i love crime drama but too much of it makes me feel down. Too much sugar and bad diet affects my mood. no exercise is also not good for me. etc etc

therefore my priority right now is

understanding and doing what makes me feel good. knowing the good feeling programmes to watch. exercising first thing 4 times per week, (my overactive mind will try and talk me out if things as the day progresses, first thing it cant talk its too tired haha)

i cycle while watching motivational videos on youtube (i watch my steps rapidly increase - its a great feeling!)

i compare to myself and not others.

i am reducing phone time...blue screens are bad for you and the biggest pandemic right now is addiction to these gadjets!

i journal every morning my positive i am statements and repeat them to rewire my thinking! i am motivated - the brain believes what you tell it even if its balony!!

every evening i journal the good stuff and what im grateful for i then link back to my affirmations. "i really enjoyed my cycle, i got up early and completed it while watching and amazing video....i am motivated!!

it really shapes the brain into how you want to feel!

i dont watch the news its all doom and gloom and not a true reflection of this beautiful world we live in.

i coach ppl in my job both corporately and personally and this also repeats the positivity!

if you have read to the end thank you! i truly do this to give hope and send you the message that i am doing this and so can you.

sending love and kindness xx

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