Stopping Sertraline with pretty fast taper (taking for OCD) - any potential long-term problems?

Treatment and medication
1

Is it risky to do this?

I wanted to stop taking Sertraline because I feel my OCD symptoms have mostly gone. I don't (think) I have any issues with anxiety or depression.

I was on 200mg for about 3 months. I did 100mg a day for about a month, and when I fnally decided to stop, I did 50mg for 6 days and then stopped. It's been 4 days now since I stopped and last night especially I felt like I was dying lol. I've been getting head zaps at night, shaky hands and numbness the entire day, and some nausea as well. Since I wasn't taking sertraline for anxiety, I'm not too worried about mental state, but just the physical uncomfortableness really sucks.

My greatest concern right now is long-term impacts. Will having these head zaps and stuff cause any long-term problems? Or will it be fine once the symptoms have gone? I don't want to screw up my head or something because I stopped too fast, but if the only known effect of stopping somewhat quickly is just sucky symptoms for a week or two then I'm okay with it.

I've been thinking about taking half a pill (I'm using 100mg tablets so that would be 50mg) and maybe doing that once every other day, but to be honest after 4 days in I'd rather just push through if the symptoms are almost going to be over since I really don't want to have to restart.

Thanks for any input~

2

Please dont stop this drug without slow tapering off. Though i tapered off over 4 months after taking 50 mg for 4 years i still had terrible withdrawal symptoms. So bad that i had to go back on it. I have been on 50 mg for seven weeks now and i am just starting to feel my old self again. So if you wish to stop keep your doc in the know.

3

Hi there, that does sound like a quick taper, as your 4 days without it might be worth giving it a few more days but if your slipping go back on them.

They generally recommend you stay on the medication for at least 6 months from feeling better so just be careful with yourself.

Neil