Coming off sertraline

[Darklava09]

Any advice with experiences coming off sertraline?

been on 50mg for around 16 months. Started to taper off slowly end of may to 25mg. Still on 25mg but started to notice the old me coming back…

I didn’t like the old me… who was angry, hot headed, aggressive.

I actually didn’t mind the person I’ve been on sertraline. I didn’t really cry but equally didn’t feel much either. Just always steady. Didn’t suffer many side effects apart from night sweats, strange dreams and just emotional blunting.

i do want to come off as don’t want to be on them forever and have gained a shit tonne of weight the past 6 months and also because DH says that they haven’t made a difference and how bad they are for people long term. And I agree to an extent.

however, I’m being angry again, aggressive, agitated. He isn’t supportive in understanding that my emotions are going to be variable he’s just said he’s had enough of me being this way for 10+ years.

I don’t have the patience right now to deal with the kids especially my eldest who most likely has ASD and he’s pushing my buttons to no end. When I was on the 50mg I felt I was more patient and could manage DS meltdowns and stuff better than I am now. I need to be calm in order to deal with him.

when I’m angry or quick tempered it does not help then how I respond to him.

do I just go back to my 50mg pill or find a natural substitute I’ve been looking into supplements to try and balance hormones naturally.

Any advice please.

Have you done any counselling/therapy while you have been on medication? While your husband says he can't see any difference, it seems that you find that they do make a difference to how you are able to cope so I wouldn't be taking his opinion into account. Maybe see if you can do any parenting courses/CBT while you are stable and steady on an effective dose of sertraline, and once you have some other tools to help you manage your emotions, then come off them.

It is horrible when you feel out of control - the tablets help to a degree, but you need other skills as well. Talk to your GP or IAPT (if you're in the UK). There are some good online options as well.

Op, why do you feel the need to come off it if it helps you so much?

If it’s helping why come off it? (I am on it and am staying on it for now - do not want the crippling anxiety back!)

50mg is a low dose. I don’t think you need to come off it, as it seems to be working for you.

I understand some of your reasons for wanting to come off but at some point you just have to accept that life is better on them and that may be for the long term. I've been on various ADs for the last 6/7 years and will likely be on them for life. It's just what it is.

@FoFanta I did had EMDR to treat PTSD flashbacks I had suffered from childhood. I have to say it worked really well for me and I don’t suffer with any of those before.

the thing is I know I should either walk away or take a breath or that but In the moment it’s incredibly hard. I know all the right parenting things to do.. but I don’t have a diagnoses yet for him and until I do, It’s hard to ensure we are doing the right thing and not just allowing the behaviours to continue. Either way he still needs to respect rules and boundaries.

Because anti depressants are a short term thing I don’t want to rely solely on them for life. I just would like to be free from medication if possible. Like my GP said it sticks a plaster over it but doesn’t always solve everything.

I think the view of ADs as being a sticking plaster is really unhelpful and dismissive to those of us who need them long term. You'd hardly tell a diabetic that their insulin was a short term thing.

I agree totally and that’s my view point but hard when my DH continually says they are no good and also the panorama documentary came out few weeks ago. Not sure if you saw it or not but it really doesn’t paint AD in a good light

I did see the panorama. My view remains unchanged. Anti depressants have saved my life and given me something approximating a normal life. The risk of coming off them, for me, far outweighs any risk of staying on them. I also don't think that it's for anyone other than me (and to some extent, my doctor) to decide what medication I take.

They really are not a sticking plaster. Some people need them forever, including my daughter and one of my friends. If they work stay on them. It is up to you not your husband.

Why are you allowing your husband so much control over your health and well-being. Is he medically trained? I'm guessing not.

I don't understand why so many people want to come off them when they help so much. It's medicine for the brain.

I've had the same issue - trying to come off then slowly but then the old me creeps back and I end up going back on them - it's not easy - sounds to me like you stay on your maintenance dose

I understand not wanting to be on them forever. But, it sounds like now is about the right time to come off them. Maybe see how the land lies in three months time.