MayJest: Intro— Sertraline Taper

[MayJest]

Hi!

Fifteen years ago, I entered into what turned out was an emotionally abusive relationship. At the time, I thought he was a great guy, and I wanted to marry him. I couldn’t understand why I felt despair and shame. I thought my emotions were the problem rather than clues that I should probably get the heck out of there.

 

At that time, my boyfriend, best friend, and mom all took antidepressants. I thought, “there’s no shame in taking antidepressants. It’s just like taking medication for anything else in the body.” After taking a masters-level psychopharmacology class in 2005 for part of my career, SSRIs seemed like Good Medicine. No big deal. 

 

I asked my GP for medicine for anxiety. She prescribed me Sertraline 150 mg.Life still sucked. I still had anxiety and depression and shame.

 

I tapered rapidly down to 50 mg due to two pregnancies, to reduce exposure to my babies. I tapered back up after giving birth. 

 

I’ve been emotionally numb for years, while still having painful depression and anxiety. I want to have access to my feelings in order to be fully present with my young kids. I feel I’ve missed out on the strong feelings of love and joy other moms feel. 

 

A year ago, at age 43, I was diagnosed with ADHD, inattentive type. I suspect that I’ve had lifelong undiagnosed ADHD, which can indirectly cause depression and anxiety. I’ve begun low dose of Adderall, and find it to be is incredibly helpful. (Incidentally, A friend in my adhd group mentioned that SSRI’s increase “brain fog” in folks with ADHD. I’m eager to see whether my ADHD Sx attenuate as I taper off Sertraline.)

 

I’m motivated to completely go off Sertraline after doing research and discovering that it was not an effective drug in the first place, and that it’s probably the cause of my emotional numbness. I’m angry I started this drug years ago. I wish I had just said “no”.

 

It turns out that leaving the emotionally abusive guy, *finally* getting the ADHD diagnosis, are the main things that will allow depression and anxiety to abate. I’ve got my challenges figured out. Next step: to get off the darn Zoloft! I’ve had debilitating withdrawals when I’ve tapered any more than 5% of my previous dose. I plan to continue to reduce my dose by 5% every 4 weeks until I’m down to zero.

 

Historically, I’ve coped with pain by hiding it from others and myself. By joining this forum, I’m forcing myself to do the opposite. I know that  vulnerability ...something something...Brene  Brown...something something....acceptance.

 

Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. I’m glad to be here.

 

—May

Edited February 20, 2021 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, MayJest.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Your taper rate is well within what we recommend.  If your WD symptoms get a little out of hand, hold for a while.  

 

 

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. Get supplements that ae single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

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

 

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @MayJest

 

For your information, here are Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

 

Please let us know how you're doing.