Weaning off Sertaline...advice!!

[Tasha2106]

I’m going to the doctor this afternoon to discuss coming off sertaline. I’ve been on 50mg for 8 months for PND and anxiety. I feel ready to come off now. Anyone got any positive stories in regards to weaning?

First 2 weeks were hell not going to lie to you, but after that I found I settled down. The first two weeks I struggled with insomnia & mood swings but I think it’s worth it I wouldn’t go back. Get to two weeks & it gets better
Good luck

How did you come off them? I’ve heard people half their dose over time others say to take one then skip a day?

Can I ask, how do you know when you are ready to come off it, i.e. because you are taking it, how do you know you will be better without it iyswim? I ask because I've been taking it 4 days and I currently feel terrible!

I felt like that at first but it honestly does get better. I was suffering panic attacks every day and just general really bad anxiety. I just feel like now I’m back to feeling better than I have felt and want to be able to see if I can come off it. I thought I wanted to 2 months ago but then anxiety crept in agai. I suppose anxiety is something that will always reappear but now I feel like I know how to cope with it better so I feel ready to stop the medication

I got down to 25mg overtime and then I just stopped after 25mg. Should have said that but my friend did the take one then skip a day which really worked for her I guess everyone’s different

I'm weaning off slowly too so jumping on this thread with the hope of some positive stories. I've been on 100mg for a couple years so I'm going slow slow slow, much slower than my GP recommended.

I've been on 25mg for years. Now and then I drop a day but I just can't face actually coming off. The slightest flicker of anxiety sends me right back to taking them every day.

I was on 100mg, then dropped to 50mg no bother, then 25. But I can't seem to take that last step.

So...I’m currently 4 days into the weaning. GP advised to take one have a day off. I have never felt so out of sorts in a while. Extreme tiredness, not wanting to do anything nausea and increased anxiety. Is this normal?!

Hi how much did you reduce by? If you are suffering you may want to go back up to 50mg and reduce more slowly? I was on 100mg and my first reduction was a slightly pathetic 12.5 down to 87.5mg which I've done for nearly three weeks now with no adverse effects to date....

My GP hasn’t actually reduced my dose. She told me to take 50mg every other day and nothing for the day in between. And to do this for 2 months and then take 50mg every two days. It’s the days where I’m taking it that I feel the worse

Ah ok. I'm no doctor but my best friend is, she said she never recommends to alternate doses as all it does is cause a rollercoaster of chemicals in your brain. May be worth trying 25mg per day for a bit, or if you're a wooss like me, 37.5mg for a bit?

I also am no doctor, but I second what umbongo said. When I was on sertraline and accidentally missed a day, the following day I would feel absolutely awful and crying for no reason etc. I would have taking it one day on, one day off would really mess with you. But if the doctor has advised this.....I don't know. I do agree that it would be better perhaps to do 25mg every day (or whatever).

Good luck and glad you are feeling well enough to think about coming off!