Hi,
I have been taking sertraline for about 5 years for ocd and a bit of anxiety. i would like to start to come off them how do i go about doing that and also i have read about brain structure changes and brain damage from being on the sertraline?
Hey there. Good that you feel better and want to come off. First thing would be to discuss with your doctor. You don't say what dose you are on; the higher it is the longer it may take.
Basically you just start to reduce the amount you take each day but *slowly*. As you've been on it for a long time you will want to go really slow - perhaps over several months. Get yourself a pill cutter and a daily pill case to put the pieces in, steps of 25mg a time are doable; get a calendar and plan out roughly when you will drop each time and try to avoid doing this around stressful events, or time it to coincide with periods where you will have more support around you.
Oh, and if you have to stop or go back up a dose, don't stress about that. Just take your time and listen to your body.
Hi please whatever dosage you are on do it slowly. I made the massive mistake of just stopping when i got down to 100mg and my body 4 months later is still in a state physical and mentally. Im not saying the same will happen to everyone but the slower you go im sure you will be fine. Well done in wanting to stop this medication