BeezQueen7: 3 years withdrawal from Sertraline

May 6May 6

Author

On 5/2/2026 at 12:19 AM, Chippy said:
Sounds cautious which is wise. I approve

Chippy - could I get your advice? First I'll start with the positive news. Since starting the re-instatement, I have a lot more strength and energy in my body. For the past 3 years I have felt like i was 100 years old. So weak and feeble and even standing for short amount of times has been a struggle. Since re-starting with microdose, I can go for faster, longer walks and do more.

Now for the advice part. So I mentioned i was getting a new symptom- pins and needles in hands and feet. The pins and needles lessened 2 days ago, so I was feeling optimistic and I went up to 1mg last night. Hours later the pins and needles feeling were quite a bit worse and today I'm more dizzy than I was the past week. Is this a sign I should go back to 0.5 mg and stay there or are these just re-adaption symptoms that will subside as my brain adapts?

Edited May 6May 6 by BeezQueen7

Started sertraline 2016 up to 100mg. Slow taper ending in Nov 22. Immediately rebound of depression and anxiety so restarted 25 mg in Jan 23. Started having tremors, vertigo, muscle weakness, general malaise, flu like feelings, muscle weakness, brain fog, fatigue. Went up to 100mg thinking that would help. Got worse. Slowly tapered again end of 2023. Still disabled by the symptoms 3 years later.

*Re-instated 0.5 mg liquid microdose from compounding pharmacy Apr 15, 2026. Went up to 0.6 mg in June 26, then 0.8mg in July 2026.. Experienced pins and needles and numbness in fingers and toes, so I went back down to 0.6 mg in July 2026 and the next days the pins and needles were gone. At the exact 5 month mark Sept 15th 2026 my critically impaired cognition switched back on. I'm able to sit at the computer again for about 2 hours a day, focus and write again which I was completely unable to do this entire time. Disequalibrium and dizziness practically at zero. Just dealing with internal tremors, weakness and fatigue at the moment.

May 6May 6

1 minute ago, BeezQueen7 said:
Chippy - could I get your advice? The pins and needles subsided 2 days ago, so I was feeling optimistic and I went up to 1mg last night. Hours later the pins and needles feeling in my hands and feet were quite a bit worse and today I'm more dizzy than i've been in a while. Is this a sign I should go back to 0.5mg and stay there or are these just re-adaption symptoms that will subside as my brain adapts?

It’s hard to say. It sounds like to me you might be noticing adverse effects from the drug, which we suspected before. It might be they settle if you hold a few days. If it’s not awful perhaps give it 3 or 4 days and see how you are then. If you are worried then you could reduce to 0.5mg and just give that some time and see if it’s enough to help you, if you do this I’d say your accepting 0.5mg is your limit. What I wouldn’t do it jump the dose around the brain doesn’t like it.

Hope that helps.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

1

May 6May 6

Author

5 minutes ago, Chippy said:
It’s hard to say. It sounds like to me you might be noticing adverse effects from the drug, which we suspected before. It might be they settle if you hold a few days. If it’s not awful perhaps give it 3 or 4 days and see how you are then. If you are worried then you could reduce to 0.5mg and just give that some time and see if it’s enough to help you, if you do this I’d say your accepting 0.5mg is your limit. What I wouldn’t do it jump the dose around the brain doesn’t like it.

Okay thanks. I will think about it. I just edited my previous post to include the positives. I have a lot more strength and stamina in my body since the re-instatement. So, thats at least a good sign!

Started sertraline 2016 up to 100mg. Slow taper ending in Nov 22. Immediately rebound of depression and anxiety so restarted 25 mg in Jan 23. Started having tremors, vertigo, muscle weakness, general malaise, flu like feelings, muscle weakness, brain fog, fatigue. Went up to 100mg thinking that would help. Got worse. Slowly tapered again end of 2023. Still disabled by the symptoms 3 years later.

*Re-instated 0.5 mg liquid microdose from compounding pharmacy Apr 15, 2026. Went up to 0.6 mg in June 26, then 0.8mg in July 2026.. Experienced pins and needles and numbness in fingers and toes, so I went back down to 0.6 mg in July 2026 and the next days the pins and needles were gone. At the exact 5 month mark Sept 15th 2026 my critically impaired cognition switched back on. I'm able to sit at the computer again for about 2 hours a day, focus and write again which I was completely unable to do this entire time. Disequalibrium and dizziness practically at zero. Just dealing with internal tremors, weakness and fatigue at the moment.

May 6May 6

Just now, BeezQueen7 said:
have a lot more strength and stamina in my body since the re-instatement. So, thats at least a good sign!

This is a good sign. Ok that’s worth baring in mind. It’s a balance between minimal adverse effects and getting the relief from wd you want. Perhaps holding here is best for the minute based on this. See how things are in 3 days time.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

May 8May 8

On 4/29/2026 at 9:43 PM, BeezQueen7 said:
Hi Chilpy, you were right - the neurologist didnt know much about protracted withdrawal. He diagnosed me with Functional Neurological Disorder. But also acknowledged zoloft could have something to do with triggering it.

This is a very common outcome for people harmed by psychiatric drugs. I saw it a lot on SA.

A neurologist debated diagnosing me with it as well, but then ultimately didn't and just discharged me. This was after stating that the dose I took was tiny and called it "chicken scratch", but then also saying one of her friends ceased an antidepressant and had to have 3 years off of medical school to recover from the effects.

The cognitive dissonance they can display is quite amazing.

Nothing I say is medical advice, it is simply my opinion. I am an anonymous person on an internet forum with no relevant qualifications other than being badly harmed by a drug. For all you know, I could be an idiot. You are making your own decisions and part of that is deciding how much to listen to my opinion, if at all.

Perhaps you should consider this post an artistic work of fiction written for entertainment purposes.

Story from SA: LukeUK: Remeron/Mirtazapine Severe Withdrawal - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

15mg Remeron/Mirtazapine November starting 2022 (severe physical side effects)

Attempted to taper off January 2023, ended up having a major breakdown and going up to 30mg, took weeks to stabilise

1 month taper to 0mg

Last dose April 2023

Severe withdrawal syndrome with many physical symptoms

Summary: 5 months using Mirtazapine, including 1 month taper ending late April 2023.

3

October 4Oct 4

Author

For anyone following my post - it's working....the microdose re-instatement is working! 3.5 years of hell. Countless doctors, blood tests, imaging, referrals, specialists, gas lighting and symptoms so debilitating my functioning was at a 0. And now, thanks to this group, my own bright thinking I've been on a microdose for almost 5 months of liquid zoloft and my symptoms are much improved. The disequalibrium especially and my brain is finally coming back online. Still not 100% out od the woods but a solid improvement. Thanks to Chippy and anyone else who chimed in on my thread.

Started sertraline 2016 up to 100mg. Slow taper ending in Nov 22. Immediately rebound of depression and anxiety so restarted 25 mg in Jan 23. Started having tremors, vertigo, muscle weakness, general malaise, flu like feelings, muscle weakness, brain fog, fatigue. Went up to 100mg thinking that would help. Got worse. Slowly tapered again end of 2023. Still disabled by the symptoms 3 years later.

*Re-instated 0.5 mg liquid microdose from compounding pharmacy Apr 15, 2026. Went up to 0.6 mg in June 26, then 0.8mg in July 2026.. Experienced pins and needles and numbness in fingers and toes, so I went back down to 0.6 mg in July 2026 and the next days the pins and needles were gone. At the exact 5 month mark Sept 15th 2026 my critically impaired cognition switched back on. I'm able to sit at the computer again for about 2 hours a day, focus and write again which I was completely unable to do this entire time. Disequalibrium and dizziness practically at zero. Just dealing with internal tremors, weakness and fatigue at the moment.

2

October 4Oct 4

2 hours ago, BeezQueen7 said:
For anyone following my post - it's working....the microdose re-instatement is working! 3.5 years of hell. Countless doctors, blood tests, imaging, referrals, specialists, gas lighting and symptoms so debilitating my functioning was at a 0. And now, thanks to this group, my own bright thinking I've been on a microdose for almost 5 months of liquid zoloft and my symptoms are much improved. The disequalibrium especially and my brain is finally coming back online. Still not 100% out od the woods but a solid improvement. Thanks to Chippy and anyone else who chimed in on my thread.

Sounds great @BeezQueen7 !! Can I ask what your jumping off dose was ? - way back before you reinstated.

Link to SA Profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32414-catbird-introduction-a-long-and-winding-road/

1996 Commenced on Sertraline 50 - 100mg. Many ADs trialled -Fluoxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 20mg, Venlafaxine 75mg, Escitalopram 10 - 20mg, Vortioxetine 20mg, Bupropion 150mg. 2019 Recommenced Escitalopram 2022 Mirtazapine 30mg - Rapid taper. Amitriptyline 20mg

CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Escitalopram taper from ~ 10mg commenced 2024, Amitriptyline 20mg at night, Diazepam 7.5mg total per day, Baclofen 10mg morning, 10mg lunch and 20mg night, Polaramine 2mg at night, Ketamine troche 25mg per day (Ceased early September 2025), Valsartan 160mg evening, HRT (Oestrogen 25mcg/day)

ESCITALOPRAM TAPER: 5 April 2025 - started holding at 1.516mg. Escitalopram taper resumed July 2025; End Aug 1.364; End Sept 1.228; End Oct 1.145; End Nov 1.1 Early Dec 1.11; End Dec 1.082; 2026 End Jan 1.047; Feb 6 1.030; Feb 20 1.014; April 10 1.012; May 3 1.014; May 11 1.020 & still holding; Sept 19 1.014; Oct 4 1.006; Oct 8 1.010

Supplements: Mg++ glycinate, Omega 3s, Curcumin. Vit D3/K2 spray, Vitamin B12 spray, chelated zinc.

October 4Oct 4

3 hours ago, BeezQueen7 said:
For anyone following my post - it's working....the microdose re-instatement is working! 3.5 years of hell. Countless doctors, blood tests, imaging, referrals, specialists, gas lighting and symptoms so debilitating my functioning was at a 0. And now, thanks to this group, my own bright thinking I've been on a microdose for almost 5 months of liquid zoloft and my symptoms are much improved. The disequalibrium especially and my brain is finally coming back online. Still not 100% out od the woods but a solid improvement. Thanks to Chippy and anyone else who chimed in on my thread.

Hey @BeezQueen7 I was thinking of you recently and was wondering how you were, sorry I should have asked! Glad things have worked out for you with the RI. Can I ask what dose you are on atm? Could you update your signature for me?

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

October 5Oct 5

I'm glad to hear you're doing better following the microdosing.

Nothing I say is medical advice, it is simply my opinion. I am an anonymous person on an internet forum with no relevant qualifications other than being badly harmed by a drug. For all you know, I could be an idiot. You are making your own decisions and part of that is deciding how much to listen to my opinion, if at all.

Perhaps you should consider this post an artistic work of fiction written for entertainment purposes.

Story from SA: LukeUK: Remeron/Mirtazapine Severe Withdrawal - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

15mg Remeron/Mirtazapine November starting 2022 (severe physical side effects)

Attempted to taper off January 2023, ended up having a major breakdown and going up to 30mg, took weeks to stabilise

1 month taper to 0mg

Last dose April 2023

Severe withdrawal syndrome with many physical symptoms

Summary: 5 months using Mirtazapine, including 1 month taper ending late April 2023.

October 5Oct 5

Author

On 10/4/2026 at 3:19 AM, Catbird said:
Sounds great @BeezQueen7 !! Can I ask what your jumping off dose was ? - way back before you reinstated

What is a jumping off dose? The last dose i took before going off it? If so, it was 25 mg because that was the smallest dose offered to me. sigh

Started sertraline 2016 up to 100mg. Slow taper ending in Nov 22. Immediately rebound of depression and anxiety so restarted 25 mg in Jan 23. Started having tremors, vertigo, muscle weakness, general malaise, flu like feelings, muscle weakness, brain fog, fatigue. Went up to 100mg thinking that would help. Got worse. Slowly tapered again end of 2023. Still disabled by the symptoms 3 years later.

*Re-instated 0.5 mg liquid microdose from compounding pharmacy Apr 15, 2026. Went up to 0.6 mg in June 26, then 0.8mg in July 2026.. Experienced pins and needles and numbness in fingers and toes, so I went back down to 0.6 mg in July 2026 and the next days the pins and needles were gone. At the exact 5 month mark Sept 15th 2026 my critically impaired cognition switched back on. I'm able to sit at the computer again for about 2 hours a day, focus and write again which I was completely unable to do this entire time. Disequalibrium and dizziness practically at zero. Just dealing with internal tremors, weakness and fatigue at the moment.

October 5Oct 5

Author

On 10/4/2026 at 4:45 AM, Chippy said:
Hey @BeezQueen7 I was thinking of you recently and was wondering how you were, sorry I should have asked! Glad things have worked out for you with the RI. Can I ask what dose you are on atm? Could you update your signature for me?

I stayed at 0.6 mg. Just keeping that tiny chemical consistency seems to be key

And sure what do you want me to update my signature to?

Started sertraline 2016 up to 100mg. Slow taper ending in Nov 22. Immediately rebound of depression and anxiety so restarted 25 mg in Jan 23. Started having tremors, vertigo, muscle weakness, general malaise, flu like feelings, muscle weakness, brain fog, fatigue. Went up to 100mg thinking that would help. Got worse. Slowly tapered again end of 2023. Still disabled by the symptoms 3 years later.

*Re-instated 0.5 mg liquid microdose from compounding pharmacy Apr 15, 2026. Went up to 0.6 mg in June 26, then 0.8mg in July 2026.. Experienced pins and needles and numbness in fingers and toes, so I went back down to 0.6 mg in July 2026 and the next days the pins and needles were gone. At the exact 5 month mark Sept 15th 2026 my critically impaired cognition switched back on. I'm able to sit at the computer again for about 2 hours a day, focus and write again which I was completely unable to do this entire time. Disequalibrium and dizziness practically at zero. Just dealing with internal tremors, weakness and fatigue at the moment.

October 6Oct 6

10 hours ago, BeezQueen7 said:
I stayed at 0.6 mg. Just keeping that tiny chemical consistency seems to be key
And sure what do you want me to update my signature to?

Thanks for letting us know. Amazing that such a small amount of Zoloft has helped this far out. I am so pleased to see this. Please stay in touch and update us how things go won't you?

Just if you could edit your signature (which shows under your posts) with your RI doses and the dates you took them. Reading the thread back it looks like you went 0.5mg, 1mg, then 0.6mg?

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

BeezQueen7: 3 years withdrawal from Sertraline

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