Hello. I'm currently reducing my dosage off Sertaline was on 100 now on 50. Have been getting alot of anxiety from the withdrawal. So missing alot of work, which is another added stress. Just wanted to know if anyone has managed to come off this drug completely and how long it took and if they feel back to their normal selves? Any advice, information would be greatly appreciated x
Hi Emily how long have you been on sertraline? I have been on it for 1 year 6 was at 50mg then the rest of the year at 100mg. I a, now starting a reducing plan also. I told my go that I wish to reduce slowly to reduce side effects so we are going with 75mg, by doing 100mg 1 day then the next 50mg and so on. I have been doing this for 1 week and all seems ok at the mo. It may take me longer as I have been on it a year not sure this is the first time I have ever had mess like this. How long have you been reducing for?
Hi there why are you coming off them? I took them for 2 and half Yrs, and it did help me a lot. Decided to come off them so I did stopped last October and now went back on them since the 12th of January. I do regret coming off them. I was fine till December the 22nd, then everything was coming back.
Hi Natalie. Have been on sertaline for couple years was on 200 then dropped to 100. Was on citalopram 10 years before that. Dropped to 50 2 months ago which I was told by my doctor. But talking to the pharmacist, he said that was far too quick. An should be dropping at 10% every couple of months. My anxiety didn't kick in until late a week later hen got a massive panic attack a couple of weeks ago. But I'm determined to be off them. Xx
Hi. I don't like the tired , low effects of being on them also, my husband and I would like to eventually try for a baby . Although I know the risks are low. I don't want to risk anything. Just want to be drug free. Been on sertaline for couple of years and citalopram for 10 years before that x
First I tried citalopram, OMD I guess that wasn't for me. Then I tried sertraline went up till 200mg. I do understand you that's the reason I come off them. I wanted to be drug free. Have u tried accupucture? It really helped me when I decided to drop sertraline last yr. But now I started having bad anxiety again, going to the shop started to be a pain. I can't go inside a bus by myself... Headache all the time shaking nausea and so on so my Gp agreed to put me back on them for the best. Best of luck to you. Everyone is different so it might work for you. Fingers crossed and good luck for the future
Hi yes slow is the best I am reducing from 100 to 75 and was advised to do this for at lest 2 months and then review with go before deciding whether I can go down to 50. No side affects at the mo but keen to do this slow as before a year ago I had no anxiety symptoms and it came like a bolt out of the blue and scared me. The start affects for me were awful I didn't eat, sleep and day 6 I could not do anything. Now I am back pretty much to my normal self however it's still in the back of my mind. The only thing I have which I really hate is nearly everyday I get a feeling of not getting enough air, feels like top of chest like hayfever, yawning all the time to catch a breath but can exercise fine and blood pressure etc all ok. Has anyone else had this?.
hi emily your posted caught my eye, because im in a similiar position. have been on 100mg for a few years and have at various times come down to 50, with mixed results. the anxiety kicks in as you say, and it's not nice at all. currently i have started doing a 2 mile walk every day, and it seem to really balance me out a bit. don't know if you do any excersise but maybe worth a try??? good luck.x
Hi Stephen. Yeah I run 3 4 times a week. I also own horses , they keep me busy mucking out etc. Exercise definitely helps. It's so awful to feel like this, very hard to explain to others how you feel because it's not physical , it's comforting to know that there are others going through the same thing x
It's always there, you are waiting for the next attack, when , where. Terrifying. X
Hi emily and Stephen I also exercise. from Feb to July last year went 4 times a week to the gym and adult trampoline club. Then summer hols hit and I struggled to get back into routine. Now in new year I have been back twice a week for last 2 weeks and hope to increase this. I try everything to keen even. I don't smoke or drink my only down fall is food. Since going up to 100mg I eat like a horse especially sugary things. When the anxiety hit. A year ago I didn't fell stressed or depressed I just had a sudden panic attack and then symptom over the following 3 was got worse both mental and physical from shaking like flu symptoms, no sleep not eating, a complete melt down. I was horrifd as never ever had anything like it. I had 6 sessions of private cancelling and regular gym. Anything to keep good hence nervous about reducing as I don't want it starting again but also don't want to take mess if they are not needed. Luckily my hubby is great and I have 2 very busy kids and I enjoy family life