NancyPo5110: Horrible feelings

[NancyPo5110]

I am taking sertraline and was told by my doctor to taper off by taking dosage every other day but I am having horrible symptoms.

Edited May 7, 2021 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, NancyPo5110.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  Please include your dosage and when you started tapering every other day.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Tapering every other day is a terrible way to taper.  It makes the amount of the drug in your blood stream go up and down, battering the nervous system and making withdrawal worse.  It is inconceivable why doctors recommend this.

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER - Tapering - Surviving ...

 

Once you've completed your drug signature we'll be better able to advise you and help you with a better plan.   We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every 4 weeks and taking your dose daily with no sipped doses.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

This link is specifically about tapering Sertraline, including how to get the non-standard doses you'll need for a 10% taper.  The easiest way to taper Sertraline is with a prescription liquid.

 

Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

 

So that you have a better understanding of what you're experiencing, here is some i formation on withdrawal.

 

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that are single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NancyPo5110]

Hello..

Doctor recommended I start taking Sertraline due to me having anxiety symptoms.  I started taking Sertraline 25mg around August 2020. Beginning of April 2021 doctor recommended we start tapering off which he started me on Sertraline 25mg every other day, 2 weeks later he said only twice a week and last week (Beginning of May) I started feeling symptoms that made me feel horrible, alone in this world. My birthday was May 3rd and I literally cried all day long, I've been nervous, scared, VERY VERY foggy, like I'm watching life from a window, not clear, fear, its just unexplainable for me at this moment. I reached out to doctor and he recommended I get back on Sertraline 25mg everyday for now until I see him again (2weeks) . I'm very afraid... my husband has been my support and he found me this site. 

[Gridley]

5 hours ago, NancyPo5110 said:

I get back on Sertraline 25mg everyday for now

"Watching life from a window" is derealization/depersonalization, a very common withdrawal symptom caused by the tapering schedule your doctor recommended.  The fear (anxiety) you describe is also a common withdrawal symptom.

Derealization or Depersonalization (DR and DP) - Symptoms ...

I suggest you reinstate the 25mg every day and hold for several months, from 4 to 6 months, in order to stabilize.  I know that sounds like a long time but likely that's how long it's going to take to stabilize, though you very likely should get some relief within a week more or less from the reinstatement of the full 25mg.  It takes 4 days for a reinstated dose to reach full strength in your blood stream and a few days more for it to register in your brain. Once you've stabilized, then you can begin a 10% taper.  

 

It has been our experience that the vast majority of doctors know nothing about safe tapering or withdrawal (which they don't believe exists).  Your doctor's approach to tapering and ours are totally different.  It is your decision whose advice to follow.

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER - Tapering - Surviving ...

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

I know it is difficult to think about following the advice of an Internet site staffed by people you don't know as opposed to following the advice of your doctor.  Many, many members have commented on this "unpatienting" process.  

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/22891-sheps-success-leaving-platos-cave/

 

I wish you the best in your decision and your recovery.

 

 

Edited May 7, 2021 by Gridley

[NancyPo5110]

Thank you for the advice... I definitely want to try anything that will help me feel better. I have little ones and I want to feel better for them too. So I'm back on Sertraline 25mg daily. It's a tiny pill so how would I go about 10%?

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @NancyPo5110 Please read Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

[NancyPo5110]

I am back and this journey has really been a roller coaster. I started Sertraline again in May 2021, I had a vacation and completely forgot my medicine which I had to cut my vacation short and come back to get on med (4days no Sertraline) as soon as I came back I started it again. (Symptoms consist of racing thoughts and detachment from reality). I've been on Sertraline every day for 3 weeks now and I just feel hopeless, I just want to feel better... I had a doctor visit and now he wants to add medicine to treat bipolar depression which I truly believe I don't  need. All these symptoms began when we started to taper off before then I was food, I was fine!! At this moment I feel hopeless and worried...