Coming off Sertraline. I'm trying so hard but I just can't do it

[SmileAndNod]

So I've been on ADs for 2 years. Firstly citalopram and then Sertraline since last summer. I now feel I want to try without them.

On advice if my GP I've been doing it slowly. I decreased my dose to 50mg from a 100mg and spent about 3 weeks on this dose. I then did 50mg every other day and then every two days.

I can't do it. I feel ok emotionally but physically I'm in agony. I'm getting weird brain jolts, I feel light headed and dizzy, my lips are tingly and numb. I honestly thought I was having a stroke yesterday 😐. I'm having horrible nightmares again so I'm to scared to get back to sleep or to go to sleep in the first place.

I can't go on feeling like this but I don't know what to do. Tonight I've given in and taken 50mg again. I want to be off them but I need to be able to function.... help!

Your brain is getting used to not having the drug innit any more. The withdrawal side effects can be difficult. this site here has comprehensive info on stopping Sertraline and all of the withdrawal effects. I found it really useful when I was stopping.

I broke a 50 in half and tapered more slowly in the end. It's worth it, and it does eventually stop.

Oh oh poor thing. I nearly three myself out a window coming off Sertraline. Taper as small.as you can, I think they even make 1mg dose tablets.

Hi GP's aren't often aware of the problems when trying to come off. The way you have done it is very quick.
Go back to GP and explain what's been happening so that you can come up with a slower plan.
Good luck !

Thank you. I've not had time to go back to the GP yet bit I have reinstated my tablet, cutting the dose to 25th. And two days I feel so much better. No more brain shocks or tingling.

I realised there may be side effects pig taking AD'S but I didn't realise it would be so tricky coming off them.

Hi

I was on sertraline for 5 years. 50 mg. for anxiety.
I decided with my doctors approval to come off them.

I tapered off slowly, cutting my pill in half for few weeks, then a quarter for few weeks, then every other day. Finally 3 weeks ago I stopped.

Side effects
Emotional - crying at everything
Dizziness feeling sick
Headaches,
Horrible nightmares and vivid dreams
Waking all times of the night.

I could cope with most things but the dizziness had been severe. I went back to the docs and have been given pills to take for vertigo and sickness. They work. I read that Benadryl stops some of the side effects. However I am anxious about taking pills in general so didn't try it.

The side effects are definitely getting easier.

I still have anxiety and probably always will. However I have learnt coping strategies and am hopeful that I can use them rather than relying on meds.

Message me if you wish. Best of luck

I was on Sertraline for 12 + years and tried a few times to come off them. The only way l managed it was to reduce the dose very slowly as in months at a time. Anything quicker just didn't work.

Hang in there. Been through it myself and it does get easier. PM me if you need any further tips xx

You need to reduce your dose more and go slower. Try going from 50mg to 33mg or 25mg (depending on what dose your current tablets are and whether you'd need to cut them into thirds or halves). Really take your time. I've been off it for nearly a months but I went slowly and went from 50mg to 33mg to 25mg, to 25mg every other day, then nothing. It took a couple of months. I came off it almost cold turkey a few years ago and the side effects were unbearable. This time, I've just had brain zaps, constant tiredness and eating everything I could lay my hands on. And it's almost eased off completely now.

I've come off citalopram very slowly (took about 18 months from deciding to cut down to stopping) having come off both that one and sertraline at other times more quickly and then needing to go back on them again.
It feels really slow but for me seemed to be the way that worked

I found this really helpful, but had to go even slower than he suggests
www.amazon.co.uk/Antidepressant-Solution-Step-Step-Overcoming/dp/074326973X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1494016936&sr=1-1&tag=mumsnetforum-21

I went bonkers when I tried to come off Setraline. The only way I could come off was to switch to Prozac in a liquid form and reduce milligram by milligram. Also, withdrawal not so bad with the latter.