Stopping Sertraline, feeling awful, any help?

[Stoppingsertraline]

I recently started Sertraline for PTSD and OCD but have had unbearable side effects. I was on 25 mg for the first week, felt fine, and increased the dose to 50mg, was on that for 3 weeks. I felt more nervous and absolutely knackered (would fall asleep literally by 8 pm), constant teeth grinding, jittering, plus lost my libido and unable to have an orgasm! GP told me to increase the dose to 100 mg and I developed severe migraines (I do suffer from migraines but these were awful, every day, even my triptans couldn't touch the sides) I only took the 100mg for three or four days, so a grand total of 4 weeks and a couple of days on the medication.

It's now been nearly ten days and I'm starting to feel the fog clear a bit and I'm not grinding my teeth anymore. But my hands are randomly shakey and I have waves of nausea throughout the day, plus being wide awake until 3 a.m. I have young DC and getting 2.5 hours sleep is not ideal! Any idea how long this will last, or suggestions for coping? I'm mostly only having flat 7up and water crackers as I'm feeling so ropey. (Absolutely not pregnant, but reminds me of those early days!) I have read about tapering down slowly but had hoped that since I was only on for four weeks I'd be able to stop altogether, and not keen to re-start now just to taper down.

DS is on high dose of sertraline. His psychiatrist said under no circumstances should he just stop taking it. It has to be tapered down.

You'll need to take advice from your GP about how to stop. And also maybe about finding an alternative to sertraline if it doesn't suit you.

I know it was only a month (that’s four weeks), but a month is enough. You absolutely must taper down, unfortunately, back to 25 for probably only a week, and then maybe you can quit. I don’t know the exact taper schedule but you absolutely need to call your GP. If you don’t taper down, you may feel like shite even longer. Since you already quit cold turkey, maybe you could take the very lowest dose (I think 10mg) for a week or so and then be able to quit. Can the 25mg pills be cut in half? That might be an option, depending on what the doctor says. If getting a hold of your GP isn’t an option, say so, and I’ll do more research on a tapering schedule for you, so you won’t be wandering around blindly. I understand medications are great when they work, but when they give you as many side effects as you had, they can really be hellacious. Sorry, OP!

I also think you need to discuss this with your GP. I tapered when I came off antidepressants, I don't think anyone recommends just stopping. Are you ok currently? Any intrusive thoughts of harm or intention? Please reach out if you do. The lack of sleep sounds unbearable so maybe this isn't the drug for you but like the previous poster said, there may be others that suit you better.

Yeah you cant just stop it, it is strong stuff. Going on it you can expect to feel weird for a while too. All the stuff you described. If it really doesnt suit you, duloxetine can be more gentle-- but it takes even longer to wean off it. I reacted badly to Fluoxetine so different horses for different courses.

Thank you everyone for the replies. I’ve not any thoughts of harming myself or others but thanks for checking. It’s more for repetitive thoughts and intrusive thoughts related to a trauma (assault) I experienced when I was younger. Several stressful things happened this year (mum died, baby niece died) and it sort of pushed my coping just beyond to where my usual CBT techniques didn’t feel enough. But now I regret ever going on this mediations!

@FFSToEverythingSince2020 thank you for offering to look into the tapering schedules, I’ll have a sniff around online when the DC are in bed. I’ve just been hopeful that after only a few weeks I’d be able to stop in one go as I’ve been feeling like absolute rubbish 😭 (a few sources online say this is true if you use the medication for four weeks or less though lately I find it harder to discern reliable information from AI crap!) I do have a telephone appointment with the GP on Thurs but unfortunately can’t get in any sooner.

I’m sure things are very hectic with DC and feeling as awful as you do AND trying to keep Christmas happy and magical. So, let me help you; I have the time. I found this and I think it’s what you need. This is what your GP will be using as well, as it’s the NHS guidance on how to taper and then quit sertraline, and it definitely specifies a certain way to do it if you’ve been on less than two months, so it’s not you! You really have to taper down if you’ve been on this medication more than a few days, because that’s how long it takes to get a supply in your bloodstream. Someone online said to expect all your side-effect symptoms to disappear within 12 weeks or less. I know that’s a bit of a long time BUT it’s easier to bear something when you know for certain that it’s temporary, and who knows, as it may turn out to be only 2-3 weeks. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been reduced to 7-Up and water crackers. You’re not alone, OP ♥️ Here’s that link, from NHS Berkshire:
www.choiceandmedication.org/berkshirehealthcare/generate/handyfactsheetcomingoffsertralineuk.pdf

You need to reduce slowly I think given the way you’ve reacted.
I was on 200mg, reduced to 150mg two weeks ago. Started on 100mg today got two weeks. I’ve had no ill effects going it slowly like that.

The side effects at first were truly awful, I sympathise op. I stuck with it as the GP was so insistent it would be worth it. It totally was and it’s changed my life. But I remember how I felt at first, it’s rely tough thing to go through. Defo taper it slowly down (or up) on doctors advice only.

@Stoppingsertraline really important you tell your GP about those side effects…eg. Teeth grinding ( bruxism) is a known less common side effect of sertraline and is related to its impact on serotonin…there are other meds that may be more suitable for you. Sertraline is also an SSRI that can be tough to come off so tapering important…though as you have already stopped then just speak to gp. I get on really well with citalopram after trying other meds, but everyone is different in what suits them best. I know CBT can be really effective but sometimes with an abuse/ assault history, other types of therapies can be useful …people often have a deep sense of feeling unsafe after assault so often you have to let your body relearn safety .

Honestly talk to your gp - did they explain to you that it’s normal to feel worse before you feel better? Takes about 6 weeks to start feeling better. If I was you and knew then what I know now, I’d ride it out as it gets so much better

I’ve had to stop sertraline suddenly in the past (I have bipolar and it sent me high) and was fairly horrific for the first week, slightly horrific for the second and then got better from there. The brain zaps went after a month.

If you can taper down I would - withdrawals are brutal.

@FFSToEverythingSince2020 Apologies for leaving the thread, DD had a fever of 39.6 and I've not had a moment to myself. I am so grateful to you for taking the time to research this and share it with me. Really and truly, mumsnet at its best ❤

And thank you to everyone else for sharing experiences and advise, with the holiday I haven't been able to speak to the GP but have booked an appointment for tomorrow. My headaches seem to have finally gone so I'm hoping the worst is over. I only have the 100mg tablets left so will ask whether I can have the 25mg for tapering if needed.

Thank you again and wish you all well 💕

My son is alive because of sertraline.

I‘m endlessly grateful.
I do know though that the first 2-3 weeks were hard. Stick at it and see if it improves. I wish you all the best OP.