Hey guys. I need to withdraw from sertraline 200mgs per day and I have came down to 50 mgs over the last few months. I have been tapering properly. I'm having horrible discontinuation effects though, and I have almost passed out a good few times. I am horribly dizzy, especially when I moce my head, it's like I see black for a few seconds, then everything starts moving. I'm also very nauseous, and weak feeling.
I came off sertraline because it wasn't working, and I can't see my psychiatrist anymore so I don't have any support to come off the meds. I've been to my gp who said to persivere which I have been doing, but its so bad that i've had to remain on the 50 mgs to stop myself from passing out. Tried 25 mgs but that doesn't help.
how can I get off my medication? I'm getting really tired of this and the sooner I can get off these the sooner I can be put on something else. Any advice on how I can lessen these horrible withdrawls?
thanks x
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Honestly, that's a massive dose to withdraw from; possibly part of the reason is that you're withdrawing too fast, but sometimes long-term use and higher dosages are factors too. The only way to stop withdrawal, is to either remain on the current dose, or even go back on a higher dose. Your body will adapt, and it you will be able to reduce your dose, but if you rush it you could get very sick.
I'm fairly sure NHS direct will just say "see your GP", which is good advice really, because he should really be helping you more to taper your dose, and come of them safely.
How long have you been withdrawing for? It sounds like you've done it very quickly.
It doesn't matter where you come from; it matters where you go.
No-one gets remembered for the things they didn't do.
We won't all be here this time next year,
so while you can take a picture of us.
We're definitely going to hell,
but we'll have all the best stories to tell.
I've been withdrawing for 3 months, going from 200 to 150 was fine, 150 to 100 made me start to feel ill but I could deal with it. The problems started when I came off 150 on to 100. I think there was my mistake because I ignored it thinking it would go away, stayed for 3 weeks on 100 then came down to 50, and I've been really sick.
I've been on this particular medication for a year if that makes a difference.
Last edited by Patch. : 01-09-2012 at 07:53 PM.
Reason: eta
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Maybe it would be worth going back on 100mg until the withdrawal goes?
I was always under the impression you reduced the dose, and waited for withdrawal to go before reducing it again, and that you shouldn't reduce any more if you were experiencing symptoms.
I know it's frustrating and it seems like a long time, but there is no harm in slowing down, compared to rushing it and making yourself sick.
Last time I came off SSRIs cold-turkey (from a high dose) I had such bad withdrawal (vomitting, zaps, etc.) that I ended up going back on them (at the lowest dose). I know it seems sucky, but really, don't rush it.
It doesn't matter where you come from; it matters where you go.
No-one gets remembered for the things they didn't do.
We won't all be here this time next year,
so while you can take a picture of us.
We're definitely going to hell,
but we'll have all the best stories to tell.
I too am reducing from 150mg of sertraline, I did alternate days of 150 and 100 for 4 weeks, for the last 2 weeks I have been on 100. I did have withdrawal symptoms at the beginning but now I feel ok. I'm just taking my time and not rushing to reduce my meds too quickly, I'm also getting help from my doctor.
I have been on sertraline since February this year.
