Tapering off sertraline

[starfish4517]

Upon GP suggestion I have started going down to 75 mg from 100. Am on day 2 and already crying in bed and have my bad thoughts returning (day before period though).

Will it settle or should I resign myself to the higher dose?

Sertraline has a half life that means it takes 5 days for you to feel any impact from a dose change. I suspect this is a psychosomatic response. Did you/ do you feel ready to lower your dose?

Can you check with your GP or mental health professional?

I don't know what's an acceptable level but my niece just came off sertraline but misunderstood the instructions and went cold turkey. She's been in a bit of a state so you do have to be really careful.

I really hope you feel better and can get some proper advice.

It will settle. It took me a good 6 months once I'd stopped entirely for me to stop feeling unstable and teary. But it did stop. And it was better than staying on it. Just depends what you can cope with. It's a rough ride getting off of antidepressants once you're acclimated to them.

Gosh, yes. Period arrived and anxiety is sky high.
Going to hide the preppers on here...

So yes it could be psychosomatic + period related but it's awful. Don't think I will ever be properly ready to lower my dose, just have to try. Every time I have tried I have failed but lost weight, while it's impossible while on it and am fed up with this

Why do you need to come off it? I was on sertraline for years and only came off to switch to another medication. I'm never going to be medication free and that's fine.

The GP convinced me to try 🙄 I have been 5 years on 50 mg and 1 1/2 years on 100, she said many women settle on 50-75 😐

50mg is basically starting dose isn't it?! I've had it prescribed twice by psychiatrists and in both cases, the aim was to sensibly get up to at least 150mg as soon as possible. I was on 250mg for ages! If a higher dose is working for you, I don't see why you should have to reduce because 'that's what most women take'. Such a weird approach. Absolutely do whatever you feel most comfortable with, whatever dose that might be.

Could you try alternating 100 and 75 daily for a week or so before trying 75 daily? I think it’s too early for side effects to hit in, though.

Yes I also think it would be too early to notice if it wasn't for my period (but also that on lower doses periods might be really hard).
I could alternate for a while as I have a box of 100s I started a few days before the review. I should've chosen the start date more carefully!
She said to give it 2 weeks and if this doesn't work to tell reception to tell her and get a new early prescription.