Voltando a tomar Sertraline

Tratamento e medicação
1

Hi all,

I wanted to get some advice from anyone who has come back onto Sertraline or similar within a few months.

I spent a year on a half on Sertraline and although the first 2/3 weeks were hell, but after that it worked amazingly for me. I’d gone from a nervous miserable wreck to a happy confident person.

About 4 months ago I felt like I no longer needed/wanted to take it so began tapering down. 100-50mg then 50mg every other day over the course of about 6 weeks.

I had terrible vision whilst coming off but other than that I felt okay, and have done really until the last 3 weeks. I went from sleeping like a baby (albiet with some horrible dreams) to laying awake a lot of the night and my anxiety is creeping back in. Mainly to do with work as I know I’ve got 3 really tough months ahead of me.

Whether it was real or a placebo I always felt like I could have anything thrown at me and I’d deal with it. Now I feel the security blanket is gone so I’m bound to start worrying and panicking… I am worrying about worrying which is ridiculous!

Has anyone had this sort of experience? And if you did go back on medication was it any different to the first time you went on?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

2

hi Stacey, I think you are going down too fast. I myself, under doctor supervision, am going down at a rate of 6.25mg every 3 months. This last reduction I took I am giving 6 months instead of 3 due to the holidays and winter. I started at 75mg. should take 2-3 years to go from 75mg to zero. A long time, but I once tried going off quickly and was miserable and sick. It’s best to go slow. Each time I reduce, I still get withdrawal, but it only lasts a few days to a week, and is a million times less severe. The brain needs to gently come off the medication so it can recalibrate easier.