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Strugglingmama: a series of withdrawals ?


Strugglingmama

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  • Administrator

Yes, yawning could be a withdrawal thing. Are you also sleepy?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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@Strugglingmama

Hi!

I see that you originally started this journey with the Domperidone.  Was your withdrawal from the Domperidone bad originally which caused you to start antidepressants?  I see that you were able to find relief with Zoloft.  I am wondering if I should try that also.  I have been struggling so bad with the Domperidone withdrawal with the anxiety that I have not been able to go back to work since JULY!!???  I have a really good job and am scared I will lose it but these symptoms are out of control.  

Domperidone: 

Sept 28-Dec 14=30mgs a day; Dec 14-Jan 1 = 20mgs a day; Jan 1 - feb 16 = 10mgs a day; stopped(Jan started vertigo/rocking sensation and Feb started tachycardia)

April 19 - May 8 = 20mgs a day; May 9 - May 30 = 10mgs a day

stopped - severe withdrawal: anxiety; panic attacks; tremors; twitching; tachycardia; insomnia; blurry vision.  

Sept 17 - Oct 8th = 10mgs a day - no change in symptoms, didn't want to go back up more; Oct 9 - 17th = 5mg/day

December 12th = reinstated 25mg a day

==

celexa - June 10 - June 12th 2021

lexapro - July 22 - July 31st 2021

clonazepam - July 14 - September 30 - .5mg 3x/day; weaned and transferred to valium and then off.  

valium - intermittently used for sleep Sept 2020 - Feb 2021; used now during day PRN.

prozac - Sept 24 - January 7th - weaned from 10 mg to 5mg and then off

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  • 4 weeks later...

@Tfalkris I would say my journey started with domperidone withdrawal… but ultimately things got worse when I went off nortriptyline. I’m not sure that sertraline and domperidone are similar enough to try to use one to fix the other ? 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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@Altostrata

I wanted to write a little update. My psychiatrist agreed we should do genetic testing to see why I’ve had such terrible reactions to psych drugs and coming off psych drugs . I got the results today. They were very insightful. 
 

Turns out I have multiple gene mutations. One for the serotonin transmitter SLC6A4, and mutations for CYP2C19 and CYP2D6. All of which are involved in SSRI metabolism. My report suggested I avoid SSRIs and TCAs. It said I would be sensitive to smaller doses and more susceptible to adverse effects. 
 

makes me wonder what I should do with my current sertraline. I’d like to continue to wean it; as I clearly am not meant for this drug! 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • Administrator

I don't put much store in those genetic tests, but if your psychiatrist now agrees to assist you in tapering, that's a good thing.

 

If I were you, I'd continue to taper. You may still be susceptible to withdrawal symptoms.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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@Altostrata Thanks. I was wondering if I could ask you your opinion on something? I have been good from an anxiety perspective for the most part since reinstating sertraline. Anxiety was my worst WD symptom.


my son is 2.5 and we’d really like to have another child; however I don’t want to expose them to sertraline…but I also don’t want to keep delaying having a kid as I’m not getting any younger. 
 

I know it’s a personal decision but from your experience helping people, do you suggest people taper more quickly if pregnant to get off, or do you have any insight? 
 

thanks 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • Administrator

Women who get pregnant while taking antidepressants are in a difficult position. You would not want withdrawal symptoms to make your pregnancy more difficult.

 

But 5.3mg sertraline is a relatively small amount of exposure for the fetus. If you very gradually taper, you may be able to go off in the 9 months of pregnancy with minimal withdrawal symptoms. 

 

How do you feel since you reduced to 5.3mg?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi @Altostrata

 

thanks for the reply. I just updated my signature. I recently came down to 4.8mg. So far I have felt pretty good. The odd headache and my eye twitches a little bit. I do have fear of the anxiety coming back, but so far it’s mostly stayed away. I’m trying to only make small cuts every couple weeks. 
 

yes, pregnancy and antidepressants is a hard thing. I think I’ll just keep chipping away at my dose slowly every couple weeks and see how things go. I’d like to pretend I could get to 3mg and stop if pregnant but that may not be possible… I don’t want to risk WD. We did IVF to have our son, so there is a lot on the line, as we only have one embryo left to transfer. 
 

thanks for listening. 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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Hello! @Altostrata

 

i think I’ve hit my first major bump in the road with my tapering. I had been tapering kind of small amounts… 0.1 to 0.2 mg every couple weeks. However recently I attempted the full 10% and went down to 4.5mg (I did this about 5 days ago) 
 

I feel like I am dizzy, on a boat and just feel off. Since my withdrawal this time round has gone fairly well…I’m not sure what to do about this. Do I updose to 4.8mg or just sit here and assume this may take a month to improve?  I jinxed myself last week by saying things are going well. So far anxiety is okay, just an uneasy feeling and trouble with concentration because my head feels off. Also a dull 1/10 headache 

 

thanks ! 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
2 hours ago, Strugglingmama said:

Do I updose to 4.8mg or just sit here and assume this may take a month to improve?

 

Q:  Was 4.8mg your last dose or was the last dose 5mg?

 

Yes updosing sounds like it would be a good idea, but my suggestion is to only updose part of the way, ie NOT back to the last dose.

 

How long it will be before you can reduce again is not possible to predict.  SA recommends listening to your body/symptoms and not taper again until you are at withdrawal normal.

 

Stability

 

WDnormal

 

And Brassmonkey talks more about it here:

 

tao-of-the-brassmonkey

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Hi @ChessieCat

 

thanks for replying. On feb 7th I dropped to 4.8mg for 2 days then on feb 9th I decided I should try larger cuts (10%) and went to 4.5mg. I just figured if I kept doing such small cuts of like 4 percent i would never get off. Maybe that was a bad idea! 
 

I don’t have any exact tapering plan. I had been doing about 0.1 to 0.2mg every couple weeks and that seemed okay. I just knew to never exceed 10 percent. 
 

I will read the links provided! Thank you 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
8 minutes ago, Strugglingmama said:

On feb 7th I dropped to 4.8mg for 2 days then on feb 9th I decided I should try larger cuts (10%) and went to 4.5mg.

 

You could try going up to 4.6mg and see if that helps.  It is better to make small changes than to risk taking too much.

 

It's already been 5 days since you went to 4.5mg.  It takes about 4 days for a dose to get to full level in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • 2 weeks later...

I get “the yawns” at every reduction or slight change in meds. I also switched from sertraline tablet to liquid and my left eye has been twitching for a week. Very annoying stuff but it is reassuring to hear that it’s not just me😊 I also get ramped up anxiety that is constant kind of uneasiness. Health anxiety was why I went on meds in the first place so this is no fun. But if it’s any help to you— I have very similar if not identical symptoms and I’ve avoided Covid thus far. (Knock on wood😊) I hope you’re feeling better!

SERTRALINE current taper

Oct 10, 2021: 18.75 mg dose/ 60mg weight; Nov 7, 2021: 15.6 mg dose/50mg weight; Nov 21, 2021: 12.5mg dose/40mg weight

Dec 26, 2021: 9.4 mg dose/30mg weight; Jan 23, 2022: 6.25mg dose/20mg weight; Feb 13, 2022: crossover from 6.25mg dose tablet to 6.25mg dose/.31ml liquid; Mar 13 2022: 0.28 ml; Mar 27, 2022: 0.25ml (5 mg dose if my math is correct); Apr 3, 2022: 0.23ml; Apr 10, 2022: 0.22ml; Apr 16,2022: 0.20ml; Jun 5, 2022: 0.19 ml; June 19, 2022: 0.18ml; Sep 25, 2022: 0.17ml; Oct 23, 2022: 0.16ml; Nov 20, 2022: 0.15 ml; Jan 22, 20230.14ml; slowly decreased over last year to Feb 1, 2024: 0.10ml;

 

SUPPLEMENTS

Daily: Fish Oil, Magnesium, micronized Progesterone 100mg

Periodically or as needed:  Allegra, Ibuprofen, Vitamin C, B-Complex, probiotics, Quercetin, Nasalcrom,  Stinging Nettle, Vit D

Sertaline Up and down mess: 2021, July 14: 25 mg, 2021, Mar 17: 18.75 mg, 2021, Mar 9: 12.5 mg, 2021, Mar 1: 25 mg, 2020, May 29: 37.5 mg, 2020, Feb 19: 25 mg, 2020, Feb 1: 18.75 mg, 2019, Nov 2: 12.5 mg, 2019, Oct 18: 6.25 mg 

ESCITALOPRAM (generic Lexapro) Sep 2017-June 2019  from 0-5 mg

Final taper: 5 mg > 2.5mg, then 2.5 every other day, then stop)

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi @ChessieCat

 

i wonder if you could weigh in. I think I screwed up. After the last time we spoke, I just continued at my 4.5mg and my dizziness etc went away. So I continued to drop. I am currently at 3.8mg (however I did up dose to 4mg yesterday x 1). Basically I started getting anxiety again on March 14th. It was a dizzy off balance feeling plus anxiety. I assumed it would pass since it did when I did my last drop, however it’s getting worse and not better (the anxiety component). There is also a complicating factor…. I was finally in a mentally okay place so we decided to do a frozen embryo transfer to try to have a second child. So I have been taking estrace 4mg twice a day for the last 12 days.  I am supposed to transfer our frozen embryo next Friday. 
 

my question, I believe I have clearly tapered too fast. I just wondered if I should updose to 4.3mg where I was Feb 22nd or if 4mg is sufficient. I’m sure all these raging hormones aren’t helping. I have always been able to handle dizziness, headaches, etc. but I don’t do well with anxiety. it cripples me. if i can find a sweet spot by going back up and having no anxiety… my plan would be to hold there for a few months. 
 

Thanks for reading. 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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2 minutes ago, Strugglingmama said:

Hi @ChessieCat

 

i wonder if you could weigh in. I think I screwed up. After the last time we spoke, I just continued at my 4.5mg and my dizziness etc went away. So I continued to drop. I am currently at 3.8mg (however I did up dose to 4mg yesterday x 1). Basically I started getting anxiety again on March 14th. It was a dizzy off balance feeling plus anxiety. I assumed it would pass since it did when I did my last drop, however it’s getting worse and not better (the anxiety component). There is also a complicating factor…. I was finally in a mentally okay place so we decided to do a frozen embryo transfer to try to have a second child. So I have been taking estrace 4mg twice a day for the last 12 days.  I am supposed to transfer our frozen embryo next Friday. 
 

my question, I believe I have clearly tapered too fast. I just wondered if I should updose to 4.3mg where I was Feb 22nd or if 4mg is sufficient. I’m sure all these raging hormones aren’t helping. I have always been able to handle dizziness, headaches, etc. but I don’t do well with anxiety. it cripples me. if i can find a sweet spot by going back up and having no anxiety… my plan would be to hold there for a few months. 
 

Thanks for reading. 

I wish you all the very best with your frozen transfer @Strugglingmama. My daughter is an IVF baby and my husband & I are waiting for the day I am recovered enough to try one of our frozen embryos. Sorry I can’t help with the tapering advice but hopefully you get the info you need to help you control your anxiety. You are very brave, IVF is hard enough without adding w/d into the mix. 💕

Mid-August 2020 - started 15mg Mirtazapine, increased to 30mg 2 weeks later. Late-September 2020 - switched to 20mg Paroxetine as Mirtazapine exacerbated RLS. October 2020 - stopped Paroxetine because of worsening RLS, muscle twitching and general restlessness.

Mid-October 2020 - Switched to 50mg Sertraline. Restlessness, muscle twitching and other symptoms even worse. Stopped taking it on 18 November following advice from GP - took every other day for a week before stopping completely. Mid-November 2020 - GP prescribed Propranolol to take as and when required for anxiety. Have only taken a few times as it makes me very light headed. January 2020 - currently taking magnesium citrate powder in evenings to help with RLS. Also taking high strength omega-3 fish oil. 
 

 

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@HealthHopeHappiness

 

thanks for the well wishes. I’ll let you know how it turns out. We have been putting it off for a year because of this whole w/d situation however I finally felt good from September until now. I want my anxiety to calm down as I really want this to work. It’s our only remaining embryo. I really hate Sertraline and was hoping to be off completely to not expose this baby, but I don’t think that will be fully possible. I have been following your posts and hope you feel better soon! 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I hope your transfer went as smoothly as possible and you are surviving the torturous two week wait. X 

Mid-August 2020 - started 15mg Mirtazapine, increased to 30mg 2 weeks later. Late-September 2020 - switched to 20mg Paroxetine as Mirtazapine exacerbated RLS. October 2020 - stopped Paroxetine because of worsening RLS, muscle twitching and general restlessness.

Mid-October 2020 - Switched to 50mg Sertraline. Restlessness, muscle twitching and other symptoms even worse. Stopped taking it on 18 November following advice from GP - took every other day for a week before stopping completely. Mid-November 2020 - GP prescribed Propranolol to take as and when required for anxiety. Have only taken a few times as it makes me very light headed. January 2020 - currently taking magnesium citrate powder in evenings to help with RLS. Also taking high strength omega-3 fish oil. 
 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello. 
 

I thought I would give a little update. So it turns out our transfer did work and I am 6 weeks pregnant tomorrow @HealthHopeHappiness. This has been a difficult process for sure. I am taking oral estrogen, vaginal progesterone and injectable progesterone until 10 weeks. I can say it has made me extremely tired and an off balance dizzy feeling. My anxiety has settled a bit. I have a very bad cold right now with major congestion, and I have had daily headaches for a few days. At this point it is very hard to know what is pregnancy, hormones or withdrawal. I did recently drop to 3mg, which makes me wonder if the headaches are related to that. I am very motivated to get from 3mg to 0mg to avoid exposing this baby more. I’m just not sure the best approach. 
 

thanks for reading! 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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On 4/16/2022 at 3:40 PM, Strugglingmama said:

Hello. 
 

I thought I would give a little update. So it turns out our transfer did work and I am 6 weeks pregnant tomorrow @HealthHopeHappiness. This has been a difficult process for sure. I am taking oral estrogen, vaginal progesterone and injectable progesterone until 10 weeks. I can say it has made me extremely tired and an off balance dizzy feeling. My anxiety has settled a bit. I have a very bad cold right now with major congestion, and I have had daily headaches for a few days. At this point it is very hard to know what is pregnancy, hormones or withdrawal. I did recently drop to 3mg, which makes me wonder if the headaches are related to that. I am very motivated to get from 3mg to 0mg to avoid exposing this baby more. I’m just not sure the best approach. 
 

thanks for reading! 

This is really wonderful news @Strugglingmamaand shows how much strength and courage you have to go through fertility treatment and WD. I can imagine anxiety levels have been high for you and I am relieved to hear they are settling. Long may that continue. 
I bet it’s hard to distinguish between what is WD, fertility drugs, and anxiety. I hope your tapering plan continues - I think you are doing amazingly well for what it’s worth. 
 

More & more I am starting to think about getting ready for a frozen transfer. My symptoms are terrible on a day to day basis anyway so not much to lose… and plenty to gain! Plus I’m 35 in September. Anyway, I’m delighted for you. 💕

Mid-August 2020 - started 15mg Mirtazapine, increased to 30mg 2 weeks later. Late-September 2020 - switched to 20mg Paroxetine as Mirtazapine exacerbated RLS. October 2020 - stopped Paroxetine because of worsening RLS, muscle twitching and general restlessness.

Mid-October 2020 - Switched to 50mg Sertraline. Restlessness, muscle twitching and other symptoms even worse. Stopped taking it on 18 November following advice from GP - took every other day for a week before stopping completely. Mid-November 2020 - GP prescribed Propranolol to take as and when required for anxiety. Have only taken a few times as it makes me very light headed. January 2020 - currently taking magnesium citrate powder in evenings to help with RLS. Also taking high strength omega-3 fish oil. 
 

 

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  • Mentor

@Strugglingmama Congratulation🎉  Wow a lot of us women can hardly hand the normal hormones of normal pregnancy but to have add shots  and go through WD and now the extra hormones of the pregnancy.. Stay strong♥️

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

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@HealthHopeHappinesswe are similar. I also turn 35 in September. If you do pursue a transfer I would suggest asking about one off your natural cycle. Mine is a medicated cycle and I have regrets about it. I have truly felt quite terrible. Crushing fatigue and dizziness… and when I feel this way it kind of drives my anxiety. Hopefully it subsides when I’m done the estrogen and progesterone in 3 weeks. I didn’t realize until after the fact that estrogen really affects serotonin in the brain. I did have an appointment last week and we saw the heartbeat which was great! 
 

@Greatful thanks. I really struggled with this decision, but I didn’t want WD to stop me from expanding my family. They are the one thing that keeps me going and brings me happiness. It’s been one of my biggest challenges yet. hopefully one day I will be healed and it will make me a better stronger parent. 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I’ve just read your reply above @Strugglingmamaand I’m interested in what you said about estrogen affecting serotonin - I have very high estrogen levels, high FSH and very low AMH so I am seemingly in early perimenopause because of pelvic surgery. I wonder if this is contributing to everything… probably!! 
 

Anyway, I’m wondering how you are keeping pregnancy wise and with WD? Hope everything is going as well as possible. 💞

Mid-August 2020 - started 15mg Mirtazapine, increased to 30mg 2 weeks later. Late-September 2020 - switched to 20mg Paroxetine as Mirtazapine exacerbated RLS. October 2020 - stopped Paroxetine because of worsening RLS, muscle twitching and general restlessness.

Mid-October 2020 - Switched to 50mg Sertraline. Restlessness, muscle twitching and other symptoms even worse. Stopped taking it on 18 November following advice from GP - took every other day for a week before stopping completely. Mid-November 2020 - GP prescribed Propranolol to take as and when required for anxiety. Have only taken a few times as it makes me very light headed. January 2020 - currently taking magnesium citrate powder in evenings to help with RLS. Also taking high strength omega-3 fish oil. 
 

 

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A little update:

 

I have felt pretty crummy. I have had 2 bad colds in the past month that my toddler brought home. I’m also still feeling quite brain foggy… dizziness has improved but brain fog still present. Unsure if this is hormones and pregnancy or WD. My pregnancy has been a bit complicated. I have a large subchorionic hematoma… which has bled multiple times. I was sure it was a miscarriage the first time… but sure enough; we still have a strong heartbeat. Every time it bleeds it’s heavy red blood and clots which is anxiety provoking. I go next week for another ultrasound and check on the hematoma. 
 

I do think I sped up my taper a little too quickly since learning I was pregnant… I really just didn’t want to expose this baby. I also feel so nauseated, dizzy and crummy I thought what the heck, add it on. I stop my hormones in a week (once 10 weeks pregnant) so I’m a bit nervous how that will affect me. I’m hoping positively but who knows ! 
 

summary of how I feel:

dizziness

fatigue

nausea

lack of concentration/brain fog ish 

anxiety mostly about how I feel above 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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On 5/6/2022 at 3:51 PM, Strugglingmama said:

A little update:

 

I have felt pretty crummy. I have had 2 bad colds in the past month that my toddler brought home. I’m also still feeling quite brain foggy… dizziness has improved but brain fog still present. Unsure if this is hormones and pregnancy or WD. My pregnancy has been a bit complicated. I have a large subchorionic hematoma… which has bled multiple times. I was sure it was a miscarriage the first time… but sure enough; we still have a strong heartbeat. Every time it bleeds it’s heavy red blood and clots which is anxiety provoking. I go next week for another ultrasound and check on the hematoma. 
 

I do think I sped up my taper a little too quickly since learning I was pregnant… I really just didn’t want to expose this baby. I also feel so nauseated, dizzy and crummy I thought what the heck, add it on. I stop my hormones in a week (once 10 weeks pregnant) so I’m a bit nervous how that will affect me. I’m hoping positively but who knows ! 
 

summary of how I feel:

dizziness

fatigue

nausea

lack of concentration/brain fog ish 

anxiety mostly about how I feel above 

So sorry to hear you’ve not been feeling great and to hear about your subchorionic hematoma - how worrying for you. As if what you’ve been through already isn’t hard enough. Will be thinking about you when you stop your meds, I remember the anxiety I felt doing that when pregnant with my daughter. Hopefully you feel better for it though. Take care, here if you need a chat! 💞

Mid-August 2020 - started 15mg Mirtazapine, increased to 30mg 2 weeks later. Late-September 2020 - switched to 20mg Paroxetine as Mirtazapine exacerbated RLS. October 2020 - stopped Paroxetine because of worsening RLS, muscle twitching and general restlessness.

Mid-October 2020 - Switched to 50mg Sertraline. Restlessness, muscle twitching and other symptoms even worse. Stopped taking it on 18 November following advice from GP - took every other day for a week before stopping completely. Mid-November 2020 - GP prescribed Propranolol to take as and when required for anxiety. Have only taken a few times as it makes me very light headed. January 2020 - currently taking magnesium citrate powder in evenings to help with RLS. Also taking high strength omega-3 fish oil. 
 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello,

 

I thought I’d give a positive update. 
 

I was able to stop my progesterone and estrogen supplements as part of this pregnancy about 2 weeks ago. I have felt sooo much better ever since. My fatigue is much improved, dizziness and brain fog almost completely gone (that really bugged me so knock on wood it stays away), and little anxiety. 
 

I really hope my symptoms of WD had re-emerged due to the extreme hormonal changes. They really all restarted with the introduction of the hormones. 

I am very greatful for the past 2 weeks. I have enjoyed gardening, playing with my son, going to work, and have felt like myself. I am 12 weeks pregnant this weekend. I also am on a mission to get off this Sertraline so I’m down to 0.5mg and doing well. 
 

here is to hoping I continue to feel well 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • 1 month later...

Hi @StrugglingmamaI have been thinking about you and wondering how you are keeping? 💞

Mid-August 2020 - started 15mg Mirtazapine, increased to 30mg 2 weeks later. Late-September 2020 - switched to 20mg Paroxetine as Mirtazapine exacerbated RLS. October 2020 - stopped Paroxetine because of worsening RLS, muscle twitching and general restlessness.

Mid-October 2020 - Switched to 50mg Sertraline. Restlessness, muscle twitching and other symptoms even worse. Stopped taking it on 18 November following advice from GP - took every other day for a week before stopping completely. Mid-November 2020 - GP prescribed Propranolol to take as and when required for anxiety. Have only taken a few times as it makes me very light headed. January 2020 - currently taking magnesium citrate powder in evenings to help with RLS. Also taking high strength omega-3 fish oil. 
 

 

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Hi @HealthHopeHappiness

 

i am not the best. Unfortunately we lost our baby at 17 and a half weeks. Went in for a standard appointment and they couldn’t find a heartbeat. It was terribly sad. I had to be induced and delivered him. Then I had a massive hemorrhage and lost 2 litres of blood. This was a week ago. Prior to that; I was doing well. Now I’m just sad and my POTS symptoms are horrendous since I lost all that blood. 
 

sad it’s not a positive update. On the Sertraline front, I have been off since may 31, 2022. No withdrawals yet. 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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7 hours ago, Strugglingmama said:

Hi @HealthHopeHappiness

 

i am not the best. Unfortunately we lost our baby at 17 and a half weeks. Went in for a standard appointment and they couldn’t find a heartbeat. It was terribly sad. I had to be induced and delivered him. Then I had a massive hemorrhage and lost 2 litres of blood. This was a week ago. Prior to that; I was doing well. Now I’m just sad and my POTS symptoms are horrendous since I lost all that blood. 
 

sad it’s not a positive update. On the Sertraline front, I have been off since may 31, 2022. No withdrawals yet. 

Oh my goodness @StrugglingmamaI am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your precious baby. There are no words. I hope you are surrounded by love and support to help you through this. Life can be so unfair. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts. ❤️

Mid-August 2020 - started 15mg Mirtazapine, increased to 30mg 2 weeks later. Late-September 2020 - switched to 20mg Paroxetine as Mirtazapine exacerbated RLS. October 2020 - stopped Paroxetine because of worsening RLS, muscle twitching and general restlessness.

Mid-October 2020 - Switched to 50mg Sertraline. Restlessness, muscle twitching and other symptoms even worse. Stopped taking it on 18 November following advice from GP - took every other day for a week before stopping completely. Mid-November 2020 - GP prescribed Propranolol to take as and when required for anxiety. Have only taken a few times as it makes me very light headed. January 2020 - currently taking magnesium citrate powder in evenings to help with RLS. Also taking high strength omega-3 fish oil. 
 

 

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  • Mentor

@Strugglingmama  I am so sorry you lost your baby boy.  Please take care of yourself.♥️

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

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  • 1 month later...

A little update from me. 
 

Despite the tragic loss of my baby and a massive post partum hemorrhage, I had been doing well mentally. Like sad, but nothing crazy or more than expected. Then I got my period at 6 ish weeks (2 weeks ago). Ever since I have had brain fog, lack of concentration and crippling fatigue. It was a very heavy period so I’m not sure if I dropped my hemoglobin further. I have a feeling I’m sensitive to large hormonal shifts. I don’t feel like my brain does well with them. When I took the drugs for IVF I felt this way but as my pregnancy progressed I felt fine. But now, here I am, not adjusting well to this change. 
 

I’m hoping this will improve with time. If anyone has thoughts, let me know. 
 

I have been off Sertraline completely for about 3 months now. 
 

ashley 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hello.

 

@Altostrata I was wondering if you could help me. I had been doing very well with my Sertraline taper and going off Sertraline until the last 2 weeks. After a series of sad events- loss of a baby at 17.5 weeks followed by a large post partum hemorrhage…severe anemia, and starting a brand new job … I find myself back into bad anxiety. I feel overwhelmed, lack of concentration and focus, dizzy like on a boat…. The panic isn’t there yet, but the other feelings make me anxious. I know my mind and body has been through a lot and the hormonal changes aren’t helping… I got my first postpartum period and it was like boom, all these feeling showed up. I managed well until then. 

 

I am basically wondering two things. I have been ‘off’ Sertraline for 3 months now and I did taper slowly (I did a lot of micro tapering which I didn’t always update in my signature) Do I reinstate in hopes I can stabilize WD while my hormones stabilize ?  Or do I tough it out? Last time I did tough it out for 3 months prior to reinstating and that was terrible. The reinstatement truly allows me to live normally for a year. But now I’m back to the chaos.


 

 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • Administrator

I would not lay your current state to withdrawal. You have been through a huge hormonal event and a tragedy. Are you able to get any support and time off to recover further? Are there any therapy groups or informal support groups for women who have miscarried?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi @Altostrata thank you for the quick reply.  I have joined a post partum hemorrhage support group and will look for a pregnancy loss one. I had been managing well despite the sadness… so this new increased anxiety is making me nervous. 
 

I unfortunately can’t really take time off right now. I just had a 6 day off stretch and it really didn’t help much. 
 

I just want to feel okay for me and my family. I can tell from my past that my brain doesn’t like hormonal changes. When I stopped breastfeeding I had anxiety, when I  first got pregnant I felt a bit off…. It’s almost like any major shift of hormones my brain doesn’t do well. 

Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) 

sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week)

Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020

nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 

escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped 

Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg

Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg,  May 31,- off Sertraline 

 

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  • Administrator

It's normal to need time to recover from such a shock. Please be kind to yourself.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 1 year later...

Hi @Strugglingmama, how have you been as of now? :)

06/2020: sertraline 50mg, gradually moved to 100mg. Stabilized. 
2021: stabilized.

2022: reduced to 50mg. Doing well.

2023: started tapering from 50mg. 
2023 04/14: 25mg, 06/29: 20mg, 07/12: 15mg, 08/01: 12.5mg, 09/16: 10mg, 10/03: 8.33mg, 10/12: 6.25mg, 10/24: 5mg, 11/13: 4.17mg, 11/28: 3.13mg, 12/06: 2.5mg, 12/29: 2mg

2024 01/21: 1.79mg, 02/04: 1.56mg, 02/11: 1.5mg, 2/22: 1.25mg, 3/22: 1.11mg

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