mileybuns: beginning to taper sertraline after 10 years

[mileybuns]

Hi All!

 

I was born March 1997, meaning I began antidepressants at the age of 15, 2 years after my father died suddenly.

I now believe I shouldn't have been started on them, as my problems were likely caused by raging hormones and a significant life event and probably better treated with talking therapy. These medications were initially prescribed to treat what presented as daily panic attacks and 'troublesome behaviour' (staying out all night, risky behaviour, drinking excessively, self-harm).

I would like to mention that some of my mental health symptoms (rejection sensitivity, oversensitivity to criticism and suicidal ideation) have been present since I can remember. My only other symptom is panic attacks, which begun as soon as my father died suddenly. None of these symptoms have ever disappeared, regardless of being on medications.

The only things that seem to help are exercise and a good social support system. I am currently attempting to taper down from Sertraline 150mg (see signature for full dosage history).

The smallest possible tablet I can get where I am is 25mg and it is tiny, so I am quite nervous about how to taper when I get to the smaller doses, especially when they become very specific according to the 10% schedule. I have bought a scale which says it can weigh down to 0.001mg, but I couldn't afford a very expensive one so I'm not sure how accurate this will be.

I'm also really keen to come off Sertraline probably sooner than 10% every 4 weeks, although I know this isn't recommended. I just have never felt like it has really helped me and due to my recent ADHD diagnosis, I feel that my problems are better dealt with by my newly prescribed ADHD medication.

Would welcome any advice on a quicker tapering schedule, as well as how to deal with micro-doses when you are unable to get smaller pills than 25mg.

[Frogie]

@mileybuns

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site helping people taper off psychiatric medications, or have tapered off and are now healing.

 

This is your introduction page where you will receive information, ask questions and meet other members. We ask that you only create one introduction page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

We don't suggest a taper of more than 10% a month as it can cause too many wd symptoms. A lot of members actually go much slower.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

The slowness of slow tapers

Micro-taper instead of 10% or 5% decreases

 

The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering - Tapering - Surviving Antidepressants

 

 

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications:

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Here are some links you will find helpful in tapering Sertraline.

Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

 

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

 

We don't suggest supplements on here as they can be stimulating to the nervous system. We have found 2 that have been calming to some. If you would like to try one try it in a small amount and wait a few days before introducing the other.

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants

 

Please reach out with any question after reading the links provided.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by Frogie

[mileybuns]

12 minutes ago, Frogie said:

@mileybuns

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site helping people taper off psychiatric medications, or have tapered off and are now healing.

 

This is your introduction page where you will receive information, ask questions and meet other members. We ask that you only create one introduction page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

We don't suggest a taper of more than 10% a month as it can cause too many wd symptoms. A lot of members actually go much slower.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

The slowness of slow tapers

Micro-taper instead of 10% or 5% decreases

 

The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering - Tapering - Surviving Antidepressants

 

 

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications:

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Here are some links you will find helpful in tapering Sertraline.

Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

 

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

 

We don't suggest supplements on here as they can be stimulating to the nervous system. We have found 2 that have been calming to some. If you would like to try one try it in a small amount and wait a few days before introducing the other.

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants

 

Please reach out with any question after reading the links provided.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much.

 

Interestingly, I just had an appointment with a psychiatrist who advised me that I was tapering too slowly, and that I should be able to come off 150mg Sertraline in a week?! Obviously that's far too dangerous, but I am intending to follow the harm reduction pathway to do my 10% reduction perhaps sooner than every 4 weeks. 

 

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with weaning off an AD whilst weaning on to Ritalin? Is this potentially going to make my withdrawal journey harder, or better?

[Frogie]

@mileybuns

 

Here is a link on how to talk to your dr about tapering you might find useful.

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

 

During my taper, I just finally told my dr that I was not tapering anymore so they would give me the medication to taper the proper way. But I am in no way telling you to lie to your dr. My dr thought the same way.

 

We don't suggest tapering or adding any other medications at the same time because you don't know which one would be causing the symptoms you might be having. 

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

 

[ChessieCat]

6 hours ago, mileybuns said:

I just had an appointment with a psychiatrist who advised me that I was tapering too slowly, and that I should be able to come off 150mg Sertraline in a week?! Obviously that's far too dangerous, but I am intending to follow the harm reduction pathway to do my 10% reduction perhaps sooner than every 4 weeks.

 

SA's taper rate of no more than 10% of the current dose followed by a hold of AT LEAST 4 weeks allows the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  It is a harm reduction method.  The idea of tapering is to keep withdrawal symptoms to an absolute minimum so that you can live you life as normally as possible.

 

One very common withdrawal symptoms that members may experience if they taper too quickly is insomnia.  And once you start getting insomnia it can make life very miserable and sometimes very difficult.  Even if they experience insomnia and do an updose, it does not always work.  The body needs sleep, it is rest for the nervous system and aids recovery.  We have also seen members who end up with insomnia become very desperate and some end up on additional drug, sometimes a benzo.  Benzos are only effective for about 2 weeks and if taken regularly dependency develops very quickly.  Once the efficacy of the benzo is lost, people end up taking it at the same dose (and it doesn't help them) but they stay on it otherwise they experience withdrawal, or the dose is increased.  And then sometimes another drug is added.  It can because a poly pharmacy nightmare because it can be hard to tell what drug is causing what and if anything is helping and then you can become stressed and desperate and make bad decisions.

 

Please reconsider if it is worth the risk.  I have seen SA members try to taper too quickly and in the end it has taken them longer than if they had followed SA's recommended taper protocol.

[Altostrata]

Hello, @mileybuns It appears that you just started Ritalin? We cannot assist with cross-tapers. If you are increasing Ritalin while tapering sertraline, you may confuse adverse effects of Ritalin for withdrawal symptoms from sertraline.

 

If you agree with your doctor that you need to switch drugs, the switch is your doctor's responsibility.