Coming off anti depressants

[tempnamechange98765]

I've posted here for traffic, I know this should go in MH (sorry!).

Can anyone tell me their experiences of coming off anti depressants, specifically Sertraline?

I started taking 50mg Sertraline almost a year ago, and it really helped me, pretty much immediately.

I'm in a very different place to where I was when I started taking it, but obviously life still has it's stresses, particularly given the circumstances.

Would I be mad to try and stop taking it now (I wouldn't do it without advice from the GP on how to wean myself off)? I don't want to become reliant on it long term if I don't have to.

You're on a low dose. You're feeling well and better. You've taken it for a year well beyond being better. It sounds like time to explore coming off it. Talk to your GP.

I weaned off sertraline in January this year having been on 50mg for about 6 months. I put a schedule together where I cut the dose by 12.5g (25%) every 2 weeks. So I'd take 37.5g for 2 weeks, then 25g for 2 weeks and finally 12.5g got 2 weeks. I researched it and basically the longer you take to wean and the more gradually you reduce the dose, the less intense the side effects will be. It also depends how long you have been taking it, I think the longer you have been on it, the more time you should allow yourself for weaning. Definitely chat to your GP for their advice, I also looked at some Facebook groups to see other experiences which was helpful. I had some side effects when I weaned which were unpleasant but not horrendous. Mainly headaches, feeling very tired, a bit nauseous and occasionally I'd get a sort of buzzing sensation in my head. It all passed though and once they were fully out of my system, I was surprised to feel even better. Good luck

That's great to hear Parkmama.

Did you find you had any low/anxious days when you stopped taking them, or was it the physical side effects you had rather than mood?

I starting taking antidepressants about 10 years ago for PND. I came off them slowly the first time and then was put on them 5 years ago when going through a tough time after another DC birth and some personal circumstances. I was exposed to a trauma -and rather than counselling they just increased the dose (much higher than yours). Last summer I decided -actually I needed to accept and deal with the process. I spoke to my GP -but I did it really slowly. eg I was on 200mg and I did a week where I did 200mg every other day and 175mg -until I felt comfortable with that. Then 175 mg every day. Then I carried on -sometimes I spent weeks at like 100mg -before lowering. It took me over 6 months. At that point I started running which helped -me. With 50 mg - I would speak to your GP and see if you can get tablets in smaller doses. We all have different bodies and they respond differently. It takes time for things to kick in -and it takes time for things to leave. Have "alternatives" in place -that might be counselling, taking up a new hobby and so on. I know in winter I am going to be vulneralbe (dark and cold nights) so I've already got fairy lights clicking on around the house at desk, a SAD light, friends and counselling ready to start at end of September. For me antidepressants made me numb but didn't take away my trauma -time has helped and also suprising lock down -as I realised I wasn't alone in feeling lonely. Do you have a trusted friend who you can ask to help you by talking to you twice a week? or something? But yes a supportive GP is a must..

I stopped sertraline 3 weeks ago after almost 3 years for PTSD / postnatal anxiety and it was nowhere near as difficult as I expected.

It took me a few months to come down from 150mg and did a month at 25mg, I believe your GP will advise you to cut down before going cold turkey.

I've cried a lot, felt anxious and not slept great but I'm starting to have more even moods now.

Good luck

@tempnamechange98765 I did feel a bit anxious and jittery as i was weaning but not sad or low or tearful. I have since found my mood is actually much better without them. They definitely helped to give my emotions a rest, but like someone else has said they didn't take away the issue but numbed my feelings enough to give me a break. Therapy has helped enormously and I continue to have it even if I don't feel like I need it. I also agree that it's a good idea to get a hobby, running and exercise has also helped me. When I feel well I want to exercise but when I don't I just want to watch tv and eat crisps!!!

On the advice of the gp I started halving the tablets for a month or so, once I felt that was still okay I started taking them every other day for another month and then stopped

I did get some anxiety come back but I think that was more the nervous of dealing with life with out them after realising how much better I could feel

Well done for getting to a place where you feel better, particularly with everything over the last few months!
Are you doing any CBT along side? I find that helps to keep things under control

Sorry should have said I was on 50mg like you

I was on 100mg for 4 years. Took my last 12.5mg tablet 5 weeks ago today.

My advice would be to taper very very very slowly! Like, take 6 months if you need to.

I tapered over about 4 months and had minimal side effects while I was still taking the medication, however since taking the last tablet I've cried a LOT, felt pretty low, a bit sick and have struggled with memory and generally feeling 'not with it' (I've locked myself out of the house 3 times!).

I'm planning on giving it at least 12 weeks. Re-evaluate how I' doing and take it from there.

Good luck!

I should have said, I was on them for quite severe depression rather than anxiety

Thanks everyone this is all really helpful!

I don't have any therapy, I did have a few CBT sessions five years ago, but I didn't find them helpful. I've asked to be referred but NHS waiting lists are so long.

I like the sound of just tapering really really slowly. I'm going to ring the GP to get their advice. My main fear is seeing a return of the person I could be last year before I started taking them - so angry, obsessive, unreasonable, I refused to even try and rationalise. I mainly went onto the tablets for my little boy as I was ruining my relationship with him. He's only 4 now but our relationship is just wonderful now.