Butterflies08: Planning to taper from Sertraline

[Butterflies08]

I started taking either 10mg or 20mg of Fluoxetine around April 2018 due to anxiety and severe panic attacks, which I was on for two weeks and then switched to 25mg sertraline in April 2018 (due to having adverse reactions to the Fluoxetine which ended up making me feel depressed).

I was on 25mg of sertraline from April 2018 till June 2018, which successfully alleviated my symptoms and I ended up stopping it cold turkey as I assumed that it was due to lifestyle changes (moving home locations & new job etc) that my anxiety/panic attacks had stopped and I no longer needed the sertraline. This resulted in episodes of manic behavior, mood swings & long bouts of depression which sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts.

 

I ended up back on 25mg of sertraline from August 2018 till September 2018  which did not help my symptoms of manic behavior, mood swings, depression and I also ended up having anxiety/panic attacks.

Due to the further regression of my symptoms my doctor put me on 50mg of sertraline from September 2018 till April 2019 and referred me to a psychologist.
 

Due to my symptoms not getting any better over that period, I was then placed on 100mg of sertraline from April 2019 till January 2020 which alleviated my symptoms of depression, manic episodes and mood swings but I was still left with anxiety symptoms and panic attacks.

Due to still having the anxiety symptoms and panic attacks I was placed on 150mg which eventually alleviated my anxiety symptoms and I have been on this level ever since.

I am planning on starting a brass monkey slide taper of 10%.

Edited January 26 by Emonda
Changed name and added title

[Emonda]

Welcome @Butterflies08

 

4 hours ago, Butterflies08 said:

I ended up stopping it cold turkey as I assumed that it was due to lifestyle changes (moving home locations & new job etc) that my anxiety/panic attacks had stopped and I no longer needed the sertraline.

 

As you now know, slow and steady is best for reducing ADs: Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

4 hours ago, Butterflies08 said:

This resulted in episodes of manic behavior, mood swings & long bouts of depression which sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts.

 

A CT would likely lead to WD symptoms such as the ones you mentioned above: Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

The Brassmonkey slide works for me. It's traditionally a 2.5% reduction each week for 4 weeks, followed by a 2 week hold. The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering. I go a little slower at 2% per week. If you notice unpleasant WD symptoms, hold longer and make future reductions smaller.

 

A few other helpful links:

 

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Non-drug coping strategies

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Avoid alcohol. 

 

Please post any updates here in your thread.

 

Once again, welcome to S.A.

 

Emonda.

 

[Patient2022]

Welcome to the forum @Butterflies08

I’ve been both on sertraline and fluoxetine. Currently tapering fluoxetine. I know the struggle of starting and then being instructed  to reinstate more because it caused worse symptoms than you initially had ! Horrendous side effects these drugs have! I’m sorry you had to go through that. You’re here now so on the way to getting better and just want to say all the best on your journey