I've been on sertraline for 3 years and 7 months. My first attempt to stop failed, so I increased the dose again. My highest dose was 75 mg. I was prescribed it for health anxiety and hypochondria. Since it wasn't really working after the first attempt to stop, and I wanted to return to my original 75 mg dose, I decided to stop. My doctor is trying to blame it on my anxiety disorder for the second time, but after this second attempt at tapering, I'm certain it's related to withdrawal. I'm reducing the dose as follows: 75 mg: 3 months 62.5 mg: almost 8 weeks 50 mg: 3 weeks 37.5 mg: for 8 months now. Do you have any hope that we'll recover if we don't change anything?

Hi @katharina1911

 

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.

 

Please familiarise yourself with the forum rules and the disclaimer located here: Guidelines

 

Please make sure your signature is kept up to date with your drug history. This will allow members to see some basic information about your drug history and situation so that they may help you best. Information on how to do this is located in the FAQs section above, but here is a direct link: Update Signature

Once this is done, future posts made by you will have this signature turned on by default. For this reason please keep it clear but condensed as possible.

I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently you will find plenty of support here for sure.

 

Thank you for posting your intro topic. I have moved it to the Introductions & Recovery section as this is where we keep all our personal stories. Please keep all your questions and posts about your journey in here 🙂 

 

I have rebuilt your signature/drug history to be in the format we like. We just need to see ALL the drug/dose changes, including your tapers, in one place to make it easy for us to read and understand. Can I ask you to add all your dose changes with dates in here for me?

 

I agree you are suffering with WD, not a replase. Your recent attempt to come off has been too fast and on top of your precious attempts has further destablised you.

 

To confirm you are at 37.5mg and have been for 8 months now?

 

If this is a case you have two choices.

 

1. Wait here to stablise, which given enough time you will do.

2. Try a small increase of dose and see if you get any improvments in symptoms. If you choose to do this I would not increase any more than 2.5-5% of your current dose. So perhaps 1mg extra.

 

It is completely your choice what you decide to do. You need to weigh up your personal circumstances and severity of your WD sysmptoms.

 

If you do choose to up-dose than look out for initital worsening of your condition. If it happens return to your current dose. If it doesn't or you feel a liitle better, hold there for 14 days and the reassess.

 

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