Reducing sertraline to stop altogether

[Notebook30]

I’ve been trying sertraline for 7 weeks to help with anxiety and depression and it’s not worked out for me. I was on 100mgs and reduced to 50mgs yesterday. This morning I’ve had dreadful diarrhoea but this isn’t a coming off side effect, is this a coincidence or could it be linked?

I also wanted to know can you get side effects once you completely stop this medication or is it more as you’re weaning off?

Thank you x

[Hidden]

I saw others posted that you could get off this fairly quickly. 7 weeks is enough time for this medication in my opinion to warrant a much slower taper, however my opinion or what others posted can never replace the advice and guidance from the prescribing doctor that put you on this med.

Withdrawal affects everyone differently, side effects that are felt are also not the same for everyone.

Best advice is to talk to your doctor, hold them accountable for helping you come off safely and comfortably. You can discuss how to handle any return or worsening of mental health symptoms not just physical withdrawal symptoms. Wishing you the best. 🌺💜

[magicmelanin323]

I agree with Roxie. I'm currently tapering sertraline (went from 150mg to 50mg in a handful of months), and I've tapered about 25mg every month (I also had stopped taking birth control in the middle of this, so I wanted to take it slow). Be sure to note the side effects you've been having, as well as how you've been feeling as you taper. This will be a huge help. Also, if you're living with anyone or have a close friend you can confide in, check in with them and see if they've noticed anything different as you taper. Best of luck!

[Notebook30 in reply to magicmelanin323]

Thank you for your reply, I have halved the dose from 100 to 50 and it’s been about 10 days, the last couple of days I’ve felt really shaky all over and weak in my arms and legs it’s so horrid. I assume this is linked to drug withdrawal I don’t know but I feel super anxious x

[magicmelanin323 in reply to Notebook30]

Negative reactions can be common, but be sure to stick with the 50mg for a bit before going down more. Your body is probably still adjusting to the lower dose.

[Notebook30 in reply to magicmelanin323]

Thank you so much, I was going to half it even more today but I won’t now! I’m speaking to my doctor the end of next week and just want to be off it but maybe I shouldn’t rush. I didn’t think it mattered as I have only been taking this about 8 weeks xxxx