Hello everyone! Thank you for taking the time to read this and help.

I am very new to all this information on tapering off AD. One thing I do know is I really want to get my life back especially now with a baby on the way. 
I’ve been on Sertraline for about 6 1/2 years because of GAD. Looking back I would always think my anxiety was relapsing whenever I would miss a dose or two or in my WD. (At the time Doctors told me it was my anxiety coming back) 

 

Fast forward to today, I am 11 weeks pregnant and really wanting to get off Sertraline. I have a plan to wean off like you guys recommend 10% every four weeks. I started two days ago and now I’m wondering if I should wait until my child is here. 
I'm worried about if I was to have any long term reactions to any medications they may want to give me while in labor. (Epidural etc.) 

I feel stuck, I want to continue this journey because I know it will be a long road but I don’t want to potentially set myself up for failure being how sensitive my CNS is already. 

Hi @TuxedoNLace

 

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

 

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Firstly congratulations on your pregnancy. Im very happy for you. 🙂 

 

Im sorry to hear youve had some difficult times with Sertraline WD in the past. It is very common to assume relapse or a sense you need the drug when skipping doses when in fact you are having WD symptoms.

 

Here is our document on tapering for you to take a look at. Tapering Information

 

It's good you have already learned about harm prevention tapering at this early stage.

 

What I would do with your taper now is hold this dose (10% reduction) here for the next few weeks. See how you are.

 

If you want to continue tapering after this point, and you feel stable, then perhaps try a smaller drop even just 1% for the next month. You could keep doing this until your 3rd trimester then I'd hold your dose until the babies born. If you choose to breast feed I would also hold during this period too. Then resume your taper once the baby isn't feeding anymore.

 

Thanks for joining the forum, you are so very welcome here. Im sure others will be along to say hello shortly.

 

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

 

Chippy

Just to add. I’ve just read your footer. You’ve had some rough times with sertraline. 
 

Make sure you don’t skip doses. It causes lots of problems. 
 

Also make sure now you are on a reduced dose from the standard pill you make this reduction and further reductions consistently. Check out our guide on cutting tablets and making small doses up. 
 

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/240-preparing-doses-for-tapering-weighing-diy-liquids/

The brain likes stable and consistent. 😀

Thank you! I will definitely try that. 
my other concerns are I’ve read here with trying to avoid any antihistamines or anything that affects the CNS.  
I wonder if that is the same with an epidural. 

11 minutes ago, TuxedoNLace said:

Thank you! I will definitely try that. 
my other concerns are I’ve read here with trying to avoid any antihistamines or anything that affects the CNS.  
I wonder if that is the same with an epidural. 

Pleasure!

 

The advice you’re referencing is to avoid these things as much as you can. If you have to take something particularly if it’s critical then you should. Some have had surgery and been fine with it.