milton: Just stopped after 3 years of use

[milton]

So, after losing my son in March 2015 I went on Sertraline.  Have been taking a subtherapeutic dose for 6th months (25mgs) and cut that to 12.5mgs in February. So with the blessing of my psychiatrist I went off it yesterday. Well, I almost quit the job I've had for 15 years, I quit a league I have been in for over a decade and I damn near killed myself. All this after I had been feeling great since last summer.

 

So I'm totally messed up right? I mean, all that progress is just the drugs and now I'm stuck on these things for ever. That or I just kill myself. I don't know what is the better option at this point.

 

Edited April 2, 2018 by ChessieCat
Removed obscenities

[ChessieCat]

Hi milton,

 

You have gone off your drug much too quickly and are now experiencing withdrawal symptoms.  The only known way to alleviate withdrawal symptoms is to take the drug which your brain has adapted to.

 

You do not need to be on this drug forever.  After stabilising, which may take a few months, you can then do a slow taper.  SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold at that dose for about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  This is because psychiatric drugs create a physiological dependence, not physical like caffeine or nicotine.

 

I would like to encourage you that it is possible to get off a psychiatric drug.  I joined SA after experiencing extreme cog fog for 3 weeks after reducing  my dose of Pristiq from 100mg to 50mg.  After updosing to 75mg and stabilising for a few months I started tapering using SA's protocol and I am now down to 11mg.

 

Please read Post #1 of this topic:  About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

If you were taking 12.5mg up until a few days ago you could try taking 5mg.  These drugs are strong and the idea of reinstating isn't to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms completely, but to bring them to a bearable level.  This topic explains how to get the dose you need.  Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline).  It is possible to make your own liquid by dissolving a tablet in water.

 

 

We ask all members to create a drug signature.  Please update it whenever you make a change.  Please keep it nice and simple.  We only need details for the last 2 years.  Date, drug and dose only, no symptoms or diagnoses.  The other years can just be an overview.  

 

This is the preferred format which is helpful for the mods.  Thank you.

 

A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 2 years particularly?

• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 

• Any drugs prior to 2 years ago can just be listed with start and stop years.
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago)
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016.
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

 

I'm going to give you lots of links to check out.  Please don't feel overwhelmed, just work your way through them one at a time as you feel able.

 

Patience is needed to get off these drugs.  We suggest throwing out the calendar and listening to your body and your symptoms.  If after 4 weeks you don't feel stable, are unwell or life circumstances are a bit more stressful than usual (for example the Christmas period, winter time, or job change) it is better to stay at that dose for a bit longer until things settle down.  Even with a careful and slow taper you will most likely experience times of discomfort.  It is best to learn and use Non-drug techniques to cope

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

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

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

Keep Notes on Paper

 

Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress

Tapering Calculator - Online

 

The only supplements which SA recommends are Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil.  Try a small amount one at a time to see how you react.  It is best to make only 1 change at a time.  It is also better not to start taking a complex vitamin because if you experience issues you will not know what exactly is causing it.  B vitamins can be stimulating especially B6.  hypersensitive-to-b-vitamin-or-b-vitamin-complex  If trying anything new, start with a small amount to see how you react and build up to the recommended amount.  

 

There are many existing topics and discussions on this site.  You can use the site search function on the main page of the site at the top right, or use a search engine and include survivingantidepressants.org in your search string.

 

As I said, lots of information, but I really want you to have what you need so you can have a successful taper.

 

This is your own Intro topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.  We suggest that members visit each others Intro topics so that can support and encourage each other.

 

[ChessieCat]

On 3/31/2018 at 2:20 AM, milton said:

subtherapeutic dose

 

On 5/4/2016 at 9:32 AM, Altostrata said:

"Therapeutic dose" means absolutely nothing. It's an arbitrary number from the drug companies.