I have been on sertraline 50 mg for approx 8 years but am thinking of asking doctor if I can try something else for my GAD.
My anxiety over the last few years has got worse if I'm being honest w with myself affecting more and more life situations.
Has anyone managed to change from sertraline to something else and it has improved things and was it a smooth transition.
Coincidentally, my name is Steve, and I also just asked a question about Sertraline.
I was on it in the past, but during the period I was on it, my doctor was also testing out anti-psychotics and benzos, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, and beta-blockers. My anxiety was just THAT intense.
Eventually, I got away from all meds except for a beta-blocker (they're sometimes given to people for anxiety, especially when they have pulse issues), and a low dose of clonazepam for panic moments. I was able to do this because I was actively pursuing cognitive behavioral therapy and I had lots of medical tests done that proved there was nothing physical wrong with me (health anxiety was a big part of my issues). This was worked best for me personally, and I got really into exercising and lived a pretty normal life, with the occasional panic attack, for many years.
I started grad school around a year ago, and the stress of that reignited my anxiety. A bad doctor put me on a daily benzo script, instead of having me address the issue with a therapist. This has cascaded to the point where the daily benzo causes me more anxiety than I had to begin with, and some I'm kind of back to point A. But yeah, the paragraph above this one really details how I attained success and got away from SSRIs at that point in my life. It was a smooth transition, BUT I was only on the Sertraline for a year, as opposed to 8, so I'd reckon it might be slightly harder for you to stop, but it's possible. I'd definitely discuss this with your doctor. Hope you find a better arrangement! I can't recommend cognitive behavioral therapy enough, it might not work for everyone, but it worked for me in the past and I'm excited to start again.
Hi Steve
i was on sertraline for 4 years due to having a breakdown and high anxiety.i started on 50 then eventually went to 150 mg .i left work and decided to take a year off to get myself better.During that time I was coping well but was always tired and struggled with mornings.My father was also very ill and sadly passed away in 2015 which was very hard .i had a few stresssful things happen after that but decided in sept 2016 that I wanted to come off the meds and start 2017 as a drug free new year.i did it over a 5 month period till January when I was free of them.it had been a very bumpy journey and had some very low points but was so proud I'd done it.my friends and husband were so supportive which helped so much.
Then a couple of weeks later when everything seemed perfect I was in a car accident with my husband .A lorry smashed into us and wrote off our car.we spun around twice before hitting the central reservation and faced the wrong way up the dual carriage way.i seriously thought we were going to die.Luckily we escaped with minor injuries but the trauma of it all wouldn't go away.
i could feel my mood dropping and in March after taking ill on holiday my anxiety came bk with a vengeance .i was so determined I could fight this as I didn't want to go back on any meds.i managed till may when my mental health was detiorating rapidly and the panics were worse than ever before.i gave in went to docs.she started me on 20 mg of fluoxetine and propananol .after two weeks I was still very bad and so scared and fearful and just felt I couldn't cope anymore.the doc upped my dose to 40 mg and I had diazepam to help me through my lowest times .i even booked myself some private counselling as I knew I'd wait forever on the NHS.
well it's now August and I must say the Fluoxetine has helped me so much.im able to go out again , smile again look after my grandchildren and get my life nearly bk to normal.do I have blips of course I do and still have tears too but that's just life isn't it.
i no longer use the propananol or the diazepam.i do have bk the nitemares and the dry mouth and sleepless nights and headaches but my anxiety and depression is under control.No I'm not happy about that but I'd rather that than feeling I no longer wanted to be here.of course I'm ashamed of all my thoughts but you don't mean them it's just your state of mind which feels would be easier if you were not around.
if sertraline is working for you then stick with it.in heinsight i maybe should have kept myself on 50 mg for this year but can't go back now and change that.
how long will I stay on these meds I don't know but it's better than being in that very dark and scared place.i have 2 friends I can contact asap if my husband isn't around and great support from family and friends too.i downloaded the headspace app which I found really helped with my anxiety too.
well sorry if I've gone on a bit but wish you well with what you decide to do.we are all different and all cope differently.i ask myself if I hadn't had the accident would I still be coping well off meds.i think I would be because I was so positive.but sadly can't change that either.you go with whatever you think is best for you and chat with doctor to.let your family and friends in on what your doing so they can support you if you decide to change meds.
good luck with what you decide .....