Withdrawal from Sertraline 19 months off
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hello Everyone
My name is Lee (female) I was on Sertraline for 9 years. On December 3, 2011 my GP and I decided I should taper from Sertraline. It took me a year and a half to get off it completely. Thing is, Sertraline here anyway, comes only in capsule form, 25, 50 and 150 mgs. I had to taper 25 mgs at a time, albeit stayed on that amount for a good 4 months, then dropped another 25 mgs for another four months, and so on.
On May 17, 2013, I was off completely. While tapering I had a multitude of side effects which were mostly physical. Pain in legs, groin, sciatica, IBS. I thought I was doing very well, but the worst of it started when I was off completely. Started with head pressure, face pain, lightheadedness, migraines, they were mild at first, but when about 9 months off things got worse...I got some reprieves we call Windows, and the Waves are when you are in badly with WDs....around 11 months off.....things got even worse....visual disturbances depersonalisation, and all the above just got worse with anxiety and depression.
I had a few Windows which were great...but now I am in another wave since two months now and It is one of the worst I have had....but I know through experience that this will pass too.
I hope this is not discouraging to some. It is a very long haul for some. I am off 19months and still suffering....but it will get better, it is called discontinuation syndrome. There are many success stories but for some it takes a good 2 maybe 3 years before we actually feel all better again.
So if you are in the same position I am...dont give up...you will get better..I have taken nothing to try to fix it....because really, in my opinion one best not try to take anything else to try to fix it. I worked in a Psychiatric Hospital and believe me what I saw was not pretty. People coming in with Life trials, trials we all face, divorce, deaths, losing a job, etc. only to be given antidepressants and then the trouble starts. I have seen it.
Dont give up, and if you are taking antidepressants and are trying to get off them, please do it very, very, very slowly, never cold turkey. And if you are on it and not intending to get off it, I wish you well on them. No one should try to convince you to go off it. That is only your decision and your doctors decision.
thank you for listen
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the Rainbow
So can.......you.......and.....I
1 like, 23 replies
livvyosc1 lee99674
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longtalljules lee99674
Posted
Thank you for your post ... I am currently coming off sertraline and my doctor suggested a further decrease which I was wary of..I will take your advice and take things slower.
I am so sorry to hear of the time you have had...from posts like yours on here, I realise the enormity of taking these tablets; the side effects, the withdrawal symptoms. ..long term issues also. ..I know I have made the right decision to come off.
Thank you again and blessings x
lee99674 longtalljules
Posted
Good luck....and be brave. You can do it. We will do it together.
Grab your coat and take your hat
Leave your worries on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
to the sunny side of the street
Love, Lee
longtalljules lee99674
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Resigned2B lee99674
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lee99674 Resigned2B
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No no Tardive Dysconsia symptoms but boy I have right now this new wave since two months.. from my neck up. Migraines every day, lightheadedness, facial pain, neck pain, depersonalisation, visual disturbances and I have 20/20 vision. I have all the blood tests imagined, and a CT Scan of my head....I am absolutely healthy, nothing wrong at all. Still I am suffering so much. I forgot to say that about 14 months off I developped severe anxiety, cried when I woke up in the morning and most of the day, but you know what...that is all gone now. Again I forgot to mention that I do have profuse sweating at night, my sheets are soaking wet and me too lol....but that seems to be getting better. So you see some symptoms leave and other come....
I hope you are doing well and if not hang in there it will all get better, just need to be strong.
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
So can.......you.....and......I
love
Lee
Resigned2B lee99674
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)))
lee99674 Resigned2B
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Love
Lee
Keep a song in your heart and I will too promise
maureen75524 lee99674
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I wish you all well on this journey ~ we'll make it. Merry Christmas and May 2015 bring us all Good health.
Resigned2B maureen75524
Posted
For some issues, there is not another option. But for MANY there are better, less risky ways than to simply pop pills!
Merry Christmas to all and a GREAT New Year!
longtalljules Resigned2B
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lee99674 maureen75524
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I am having a very bad wave this couple of months, but I have had mild ones too. They come and go and we just have to go for the ride with them. It will all pass.....just you wait and see....
stay well, be brave, and stare fear right in the face and let it be afraid of you.
Love
Lee
Keep a song in your heart and I will too xxx
lee99674 Resigned2B
Posted
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you
And you are always wished the precious things that mean the most to you.
Love
Lee xxx
longtalljules maureen75524
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maureen75524 longtalljules
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