swedishguy: 2 months of using sertralin krka

[swedishguy]

So I started using my brothers antidepressants without a doctors recommendation. I know... What was I thinking?  

Anyways I've used sertralin Krka about 25mg a day for about 1,5 months. I tried going cold turkey on it completly about a week ago but it went bad. I suffered a mental breakdown and literally cried my-self to sleep. 

 

The day after that mental breakdown I took another 25mg and been on it since. 

 

My question is what the f should I do now? 
 

I'm a 21 year old male living in Sweden as far as I can tell i've been depressed for a very long time with repeating thoughts of what the meaning of life is and how everbody else seems fine whilst i'm not. I also have a history of using a variety of drugs mainly becasue I felt bad and the drugs made me feel good. 

Edited February 17, 2020 by manymoretodays
Introduction, added name to title

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Swedishguy.  We are a site for tapering off psychiatric drugs and coping with withdrawal.  If tapering the Sertraline is something you want to do, we'll be happy to help you.  

 

Being on an antidepressant for one month puts you at risk of withdrawal symptoms, which it sounds like you experienced after your cold turkey.  How are you feeling now?

 

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 recommend tapering no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.  This link explains why:

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

This link is specifically about tapering Sertraline, including how to get the nonstandard doses needed for a 10% taper.

 

Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)

 

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 (glycinate is a good form) 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.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swedishguy]

Hi thanks for the answer. I'm doing pretty good I went from 25mg to 12,5 mg and I feel pretty good. I'll try to stay on this dose for about 3-4 weeks then tapper down to maybe 7-8 mg and continue like that. I got in touch with a doctor that prescribed 50 mg sertraline pills for me which is good.

 

Kind regards

[Gridley]

3 hours ago, swedishguy said:

I'll try to stay on this dose for about 3-4 weeks then tapper down to maybe 7-8 mg and continue like that.

I'd suggest you stay on 12.5 for four weeks.  We recommend tapering no more than 10% of current dose, so your next dose should be 11.3mg.  It's particularly important to taper slowly as you get to the lower doses.

[swedishguy]

I feel a little bit of withdrawls like finding it hard to remember stuff and getting irritated sometimes through out my day. I'm just angry that these medications exist without the proper information. I'm from Sweden and the doctor i've talked to seems clueless on how these drugs impact on a individuals life.

 

It's really sad for a lot of people here who have no idea and been given this lack of information.