Christine10590: Sertraline withdrawal

[Christine10590]

Hello, I am looking for some advice or success stories from other people who have been through a similar problem. 

 

Due to depression I was on 150mg sertraline for approx 2.5 years. As I felt I no longer needed to be on them I started the weaning process - dropped to 100 mg for 1 month, then 50mg for 1 month then 50mg every 2 days then every few days etc. I have now been off them completely for about 3 weeks. 

 

For the last 5-6 weeks I have experienced headaches dizziness and nausea with it becoming significantly worse over last week or 2. I hadn't even considered withdrawal until Dr at urgent care appt suggested it. He reckons I should go back on 50mg dose but I am loathed to do so as I have been off for while and weaned for so long. But I am also loathed to continue feeling like this.

 

Has anyone been through similar? Can anyone shed any light on how long these symptoms will last? Is it worth going back on the sertraline or just battling through? I have been trying to get appt with my own gp but earliest is end of the week. Any advice in the meantime would be much appreciated.

[SkyBlue]

Hi Christine and welcome to SA. 

 

Yes, it definitely seems you are in withdrawal --the doctor at urgent care was correct. (It is rare for doctors to acknowledge withdrawal, by the way, so I'm glad he did.)

 

50% reduction per month is way too harsh on the nervous system, and we never recommend skipping days/dosages. 

But there's good news. Your doctor's advice to go back on a low dose of Sertraline is likely to lessen withdrawal symptoms. Once you get stable, you can safely taper (at a maximum of 10% per month of current dose, but don't worry about that now) off completely.

 

I strongly encourage you to follow your doctor's advice and try the smaller dose he recommended. A smaller dose might even take care of the withdrawal symptoms (such as half of your last dosage, which would be 25mg). Please read this topic, at least the first page: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

 

Everyone's story is different, but many, many people have been in your situation.

The good news is that you're still in the reinstatement "window." 

 

Continuing to wait out withdrawal symptoms (without trying to reinstate) could take months or even longer. 

 

10 hours ago, Christine10590 said:

 I was on 150mg sertraline for approx 2.5 years. As I felt I no longer needed to be on them I started the weaning process - dropped to 100 mg for 1 month, then 50mg for 1 month then 50mg every 2 days then every few days etc. I have now been off them completely for about 3 weeks. 

 

 I hadn't even considered withdrawal until Dr at urgent care appt suggested it. He reckons I should go back on 50mg dose 

 

Also, please create a "signature" telling about your recent changes and dosages: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/12364-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Welcome. : )

 

 

Edited June 11, 2018 by SkyBlue
added one more thing

[SkyBlue]

You can probably try reinstating at a dose lower than the doctor recommended. It's always possible to increase if needed.

 

This is from the reinstatement thread: 

 

When reinstating, start low to see what you need. You can always increase if necessary. If you've been off the drug for a month or more, many people can find some relief from antidepressant withdrawal symptoms by reinstating as little as 0.5mg-5mg. Do not start at a high dose, your nervous system has been sensitized by withdrawal and you may make it worse -- see a fuller explanation below.