6060: 75mg to 50mg sertraline

[6060]

I had been on 50mg of sertraline for 5 years due to depression after being diagnosed with an auto immune disease.

Due to tapering my steroid dose (Prednislone) to lower than 7.5mg I was struggling with a lower mood again so my sertraline was increased to 75mg.

All good for 6 weeks and then had severe anxiety and sinus problems so I was told to go back to 50mg sertraline which I did over the space of 4 weeks.

6 weeks of bliss feeling normal again and then withdrawal hit !

Im now 10 months in on 50mg and I am improving but at a snails pace

Tinnitus has gone

blurry vision has gone

runny nose gone

but I’m still having some nightmares, food intolerances and terrible morning anxiety.

Things were getting a lot better but this wave 10 months out has been quite bad especially the anxiety.

Ive now decided to stay on 8 mg of Steroid (Prednislone) as I feel that is the dose that I’m good on without stressing out my body.   Hoping to stabilise some time soon.

Edited June 8, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, 6060.

 

As you've realized, you are suffering from withdrawal stemming from your fast reduction of Sertraline from 75mg to 50mg.

 

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.  

 

It's very encouraging that you're improving.  Snail's pace improvement is typical, and hitting a wave at the 10-month point is common.  Your symptoms, those that have cleared up and those you still have, are common withdrawal symptoms.  You'll continue to improve and there will be ups and downs.

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

If you decide to taper off the 50mg Sertraline, we recommend tapering no faster than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.

 

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 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.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 8, 2020 by Gridley

[6060]

75mg to 50mg sertraline 1 year mark.

 

I’m getting there, it’s been 1 year since I reduced my dose of sertraline to 50mg from 75mg.

The anxiety and depression has greatly reduced just a bit in the background on waking in a the morning.

Stomach issues have also nearly gone.

I still have food intolerances,I ate some peas a few weeks ago without thinking and a few hours later had the weird food intolerance stuff going on haven’t tried anything else I’ve been intolerate to as I’m a bit scared of the reaction.

Vivid dreams are slowly diminishing they happen less frequently now.

The worse thing for me at present is muscle pain and fatigue.

I am slowly recovering and much more able to live a normal life now, the anxiety and depression were the hardest withdrawal symptoms to deal with for me.

Hopefully in the coming months I will see more improvements.

 

Edited August 16, 2020 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[6060]

Now at 14 months of 50mg of sertraline down from 75mg and I’m in a big wave anxiety is awful, had the flu jab last week and I’ve had an uptick in symptoms ever since, hopefully things will settle again soon as it’s a real struggle at the moment.

[Altostrata]

Are you still taking prednisone?

 

Have you skipped doses of any of your drugs? Drunk alcohol? Taken antibiotics?

 

Are you still tapering sertraline?

[6060]

Thank you for replying,no I’ve not done any of those only had the flu jab just over a week ago. 
Still on Prednislone at the same dose.

I’ve had a good run the last few months and I’ve coped pretty well with the odd withdrawal symptoms but this wave is hard.