Lc79: Reinstating sertraline

[Lc79]

Lc79

 

Hi everyone!

I had been on setraline 100mg for 8 months. I was feeling pretty good so decided to taper off this is what I did:

75 mg two weeks

50 mg two weeks

35 mg 1 week

15 mg 1 week

Then off for past 8 days...

 

Each drop down I got two days of irritability but then felt ok .

 

I have been off completely for 8 days , next day felt exhausted, with rage that flairs up from nowhere. Have had to have daily naps, frequent brain zaps when I look around, weird heart beat when I look side to side and more ringing in my ears.

 

I felt really good two days ago, but last two days really low, exhausted and generally being a horrible person to be around!

I guess I tapered to fast. I really don't want to go back on,  but reading here I should consider reinstating and 10% taper?

 

But my question is what dose should I go back on? Thanks so much for any ideas/guidance?

Edited May 10, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Lc79.

 

You tapered very fast and are now experiencing withdrawal.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

Reinstatement of a very small dose of the original drug is the only known way to help alleviate withdrawal syndrome.  The only other alternative is to try and wait out the symptoms and manage as best you can until your central nervous system returns to homeostasis.  Unfortunately no one can give you an exact timeline as to when you will start feeling better and while some do recover relatively easily, for others it can take many months or longer.  

 

Reinstatement isn't a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone but it's the best tactic available.  You're still in the time period where reinstatement predictably works, up to 3 months after last dose.  It is best to reinstate as soon as possible after withdrawal symptoms occur. We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong, your system has become sensitized and If you take too much it may be too much for your brain and can cause you become unstable.   Then, once you've stabilized on that reinstateddosage, which can take several months,  you can begin a 10% per month taper down to zero.   Please read:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

If you choose to reinstate, I suggest 1mg Sertraline taken every day at the same time--no more.  It takes about a week for the reinstatement to reach full state in your blood and register in your brain.  The effect should get stronger during that time.  If 1mg is enough, it still may take some weeks or months for your nervous system to settle down. You probably will continue to have waves and windows, but symptoms won't be as intense.

 

This link explains how to get the small dose you'll need for your reinstatement.

 

Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)

 

It's a good idea to keep daily notes on paper to keep track of your reinstatement.  Please keep us updated on how you're doing.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lc79]

Wow thanks for the post, 1mg is super low. But I guess its not supposed to be therapeutic just stabilise.  I see the advice is once you are stable at 1mg you can come off .

 

So I should try 1mg leave it for a week and If stabilised stay on for a month then come off again?

[Gridley]

12 minutes ago, Lc79 said:

 

Wow thanks for the post, 1mg is super low. But I guess its not supposed to be therapeutic just stabilise.  I see the advice is once you are stable at 1mg you can come off .

 

So I should try 1mg leave it for a week and If stabilised stay on for a month then come off again?

 

 

Yes, the purpose of reinstatement is to alleviate withdrawal.

 

It's going to take several months, perhaps 6, for you to stabilize.  One month is not enough.

 

Once you've stabilized, we have found that 1mg is too high to jump to zero,  especialily since you are destabilized from your fast taper.  You will need to taper much lower, but that is for the future.