i need your help. My doctor put me on Sertraline in November because I was having panic attacks due to a bad neighbour, I was taking 25mg and they really helpefd me. Forward to January and we have moved to a beautiful new home and life is good. I stopped taking Sertraline 3 weeks ago...however I am struggling at the moment, crying for no reason...eating and drinking too much. This is just not me.
Have I made a bad choice to stop ? Did I need them more than i thought I did ? I thought that 25mg was so low a dose it would not matter. What do you think? Go back on them ?
thank you xx
I would go back on n slowly wean off
HI crh007 how long was u on them before they properly kicked in please. As I’m on them with not much improvement 🌹
Did you stop abrubtly, because you are probably going through withdrawal. Although antidepressants aren’t addictive in the sense you need more to get the same effect, they do change your brain chemistry so your body has to readjust when you stop them. If you’ve gone 3 weeks you’re probably through the worst of it. If you’re worried go back to the doctors and maybe taper down more slowly. Perhaps take one every other day for a few weeks, then stop. All the best x
In fairness I saw a difference within a week... just happier in general. Panic attacks stopped...which was the best thing. What dose are you on?
I just forgot to take it one day and then decided not to bother. I feel that they just take the edge off life and I’m going back on them. My doctor wanted to put me on 50...but due to the harsh side effects I stayed on 25gms.
im going to start taking them tomorrow...I’m hoping the insomnia is not as bad this time.
Hi I’ve been on 100mgs now for the past 7wks with little progress. I just hope these tablets work for me. But b4 I was on paroxatine for 17 yrs so I don’t know wether that’s y they r taking so long to kick in 🌹
I did quit cold turkey at 250mg and was off it for 3 weeks. Withdrawals were bad but not so bad enough except for an occasional brain zap.
In 3 weeks it is completely out of your system. I am back on it starting all over again at 75mg as it hadn't helped me when i quit so now going up gradually.
If you felt your normal self again then don't restart as it's already out of your system, if not then slowly restart.
Just have chamomile tea to see how you feel.
Take care
Hi
Wow your story is similar to mine.
I started 8 weeks ago only on 25mg and started feeling great after the initial side effects the first 4 weeks.
So I decided a few days ago to start weaning off them so I started one day off one on the last week.. well the stomach nauseous pains in stomach and all anxiety the last few days has made me decide just to keep taking the 25 m every day and stay on them until I'm ready to go through the horrible withdraw. It sounds like withdraw to me what your going through, it makes me think also that I'd never want to up them as can u imagine how bad the withdraw will be coming off s higher dose😩... I think when your ready you will know and be able to cope with the withdraws but for now I realised I'm not ready no way so sticking on them..
Are u starting on them again?
Good luck Hun
It's nice to hear that 25mg have worked for you both. I'm very reluctant to up dose too die to side effects.
Just a quick question
Do u find your getting stomach upsets frequently ?
Today's been horrible feel sick it happens every now and then and comes and goes
Hi Trish
i am back on them today, I am so lucky as the side affects only last 5 days with me...However I feel nauseous, I’m as jittery as hell and I am extremely anxious! However I’ve decided I’m better on them than not.
Interested that you are on 25mg, my doctor wanted me on a higher dose ss he said 25would not do anything for me...but it does. That’s why I went cold turkey...I thought my body would not bother, but it did.
i have also got to mention, ive never suffered from anixety in my life and I’m 50, however I am now menopausal and on HRT (the best drug ever) which means my anixety is a hormonal imbalance rather than a disorder. Maybe this is why the lower dose works?
It’s the insomnia that bothers me the most....it’s difficult to know whether to go up or not. How are you feeling ?
Sorry to butt in but YES to the stomach upsets, however I also lose my appetite...which I’m looking forward too!!
Do you feeling peppermint tea? I drink it all the tine and seems to help
Hi crh wot hrt r u on ? If you don’t mind me asking. As I’m going through my Menapause aswell x
I,m on Novofem which is a SEQUENTIAL HRT. The doctors give out AD s now for hot flushes and anxiety for the menopause...but IMO HRT stops the symptoms and makes you feel human. However I now believe I still needed something for mood swings and anixety, hence I’m on these?
Can I suggest that you look at menopause matters website detailing all you need to know. Xxx
Hi crh I’m 100mgs and I’ve been on this dose now for the past 7wks with little progress. But I was on paroxatine b4 this for 17yrs. So I don’t know wether it’s cus of the change over or what.if they still haven’t worked by the time I go back to the doctors which is on the 12th feb. I’m thinking of going back on my old 1s. At least I could sleep and feel normal with them 1s. Any advice or reassurance for me please 🌹
Hello....The brain and body struggle some to regain normal functioning that's why you have these side effects..., having said that whether you stopped cold turkey or you were tapering off, withdrawal symptoms usually last from 7 to 14 days but can last up to 6 weeks.