Came off Sertraline too fast

[Beggingforsleep]

I’ve come off Sertraline too fast and I feel awful. But it’s been 8/9 days now so should I just carry on rather than go back on to taper?

the GP just said to stop taking them when I was ready. I was on 100mg for a while and then about a month ago took myself down to 50mg. That was fine and i was feeling fine mentally and last Thursday I just forgot to take it and then again on the Friday so I just thought I’d continue not taking them. But for the last couple of days I’ve had strange dizzy spells, hard to describe but I’ll be walking and feel an odd sensation across my whole body. And I’m very tired and have quite bad tinnitus.

I now know I should have tapered more after reading some threads. But I was already snapping 100mg into 50 and it would have been hard to quarter it.

I feel fine mentally, it’s just physically I’m struggling. But do I just crack on at this stage? How much longer will this last?

I’m in bed now taking a break!

I have very limited knowledge, but personally I'd go back on the 50 for at least another month, then maybe alternate one day on, one day of,f for a couple of months, or something like that? Can they prescribe you pills in smaller amounts?

We reduced DD's fluoxetine over the summer in a very slow controlled way, started at 40, got down to 20 but that seemed to impact negatively on her, so settled on 30.

It can be a very weird experience. Electric shock type sensations. Flashing lights. Wobbly vision. Plain weird. But it helps if you are aware it's normal and will wane over time and to not be stressed about it. No idea if you should take a quarter or not.

@TeenDivided they can prescribe smaller amounts, I used to get 50mg which I could easily split in half when I was starting out but I have to order my repeats online and I’ve asked twice for 50mg rather than 100mg and they just ignore it/don’t see it/just order what’s on the system for me. I can try and call though, I just feel like seeing as I’ve done over a week without maybe I should just hold tight. If someone said it would just be another week then I’d like to push through. But I know everyone is different.

@pocketvenuss knowing is definitely helping! If I didn’t know then I’d think I was about to fall down dead on a dog walk! Such a weird sensation.

@Beggingforsleep did you get more tablets? Are you feeling any better?

Hi @anxiety2000 the electric shock type sensations and tiredness wore off about Wednesday so they only lasted a week really. I had one week with no physical symptoms, then a week of them and then fine again. I’m still having quite vivid dreams but the subject matter has got nicer.

Emotionally I’m a bit more anxious and some of the old feelings have resurfaced but I also have more energy so I’m going to try and manage that with exercise (just waiting for it to be less cold so I can get out for a run!). I’ve been very tempted to go back on them though, just to stop all the feelings but then I can also see what else could help manage them and I’m making more future plans. I’m also eating less than I was on them (not because I’m depressed, I’m just not snacking, still having good meals).

I’m not 100% sure I won’t go back on them but I’ve been on them for three years now (with a two month break last year) and at other points in my life and I want to give it a good go off them. There was something about taking the tablets everyday that reinforced that I was depressed if that makes sense. On them I was very stable but also quite flat and going through the motions so I’m hoping off them I can make some changes to help me cope long term.