I need advice please.

[vangelis8]

I have pmr at the moment reducing to 9mg I am also on sertraline 100mg for anxiety which I've been on for 8 months and I want to reduce off them, my doctor said alt days 100 50 mg but the side effects of coming off sertraline concern me, hoping someone can help me.is it ok to carry on reducing pred at the same time.

[SheffieldJane]

It will probably help because Pred can cause anxiety. Good luck!

[vangelis8 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you sheffieldjane.fingers crossed.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you find the alternate days hard maybe one of the slow tapers we use for pred might work better?

As for whether you can taper both at the same time - I think you probably have to try it and see how you get on. But usually I would say just change one thing at a time so you know it is that if anything feels different. If you change 2 things you don't know which it is.

[vangelis8 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks very much for your speedy response.I will do a slow taper as i have been doing on the pred.I will stay on 9mg of pred as you say then I will know it's only withdrawal from sertraline that is causing side effects.I don't know what I'd do without this site and all your information.thanks again

[piglette]

Have you tried 100mg 50mg on alternative days? If so how did it go?

[vangelis8 in reply to piglette]

No I haven't. I want to take it slowly . Thanks.

[piglette in reply to vangelis8]

I meant have you tried what your doctor recommended on tapering off sertraline? or haven’t you started to taper yet?

[vangelis8 in reply to piglette]

No I haven't started yet as I haven't completed reducing ..to 9mg which will be next week.I have been put off the alt days of 100mg 50mg by a site on line who said to reduce 1 day a week to begin with then gradually increase and see how I go.sorry I didn't give enough i nformation.

[piglette in reply to vangelis8]

I agree going up and down is rather an odd way of tapering sertraline.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to vangelis8]

Which is much the same as i suggested - I knew I have seen it in that context too.

[vangelis8 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks very much for your advice and to everyone else on this site.

[MrsNails]

Hi, sorry l wasn’t around much yesterday - l’ve added some links on reducing Sertraline which you may find helpful.

rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-...

pharmacytoday.org/article/S....

mind.org.uk/information-sup...

I used to work in Psychiatry (Admin) but was well used to the Patient's coming out with their Tritiation Calendar for either starting or coming off a drug - so it’s important to do it as recommended - if your GP isn’t helpful have a word with your Pharmacist.

Good Luck

Kind Regards

MrsN

[vangelis8 in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks very much for your info and kind words MrsNails.

[MrsNails]

I’ve just added a bit more to my reply - l was eating my breakfast 😉 very good luck 🍀

[vangelis8 in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks very much.mrsnails.😊

[S4ndy]

I came down from 100mg to 50mg a year ago. I didn't get any withdrawal from Sertraline. I expected it but everything was fine. I am still on 50mg, advised to stay there due to huge changes going on around me. I have been on pred for 6 years now and down to 5mg a day which Rheumatologist wants me to stay on long term.

Just as an aside I did get terrible withdrawal when coming off Gabapentin 6 years ago. I got the full shakes, cold sweats and fatigue it was dreadful and went on for about 4 weeks! I think each of us handle withdrawal differently so best to do what you are comfortable with.

Hope your reduction goes OK.

[vangelis8 in reply to S4ndy]

Thanks very much , I will reduce slowly and hopefully it won't be too bad fingers crossed. How did you reduce it?

[S4ndy]

One week of Sertraline 100mg one day 50mg the next then 50mg every day the following week. I had no withdrawal though so problem with the fast reduction. Good luck however you decide to do it x

[vangelis8 in reply to S4ndy]

Hi s4ndy. You did really well that quick.DId you carry on reducing pred at the same time and how long have you been on sertraline?

[S4ndy in reply to vangelis8]

Been on Sertralibe for 6 years but was on Prozac prior to that. I was on 5mg pred when I came down from 100mg to 50mg and I am still on 5mg dose now.

[vangelis8 in reply to S4ndy]

Thanks very much to all you lovely people on this site who have replied.