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Stinging and burning

MMM
MMM
in Symptoms & Coping Strategies

Featured Replies

I have had terrible stinging/burning feelings for a year and a half, since starting a doctor-led, too fast taper from effexor. I have slowed down and am now following a hyperbolic taper, holding at 6.6 mg. I am having a hard time thinking the stinging skin will ever go away, as it's been so persistent.

Has anyone experienced this for so long, then had it go away? Need some hope. Thanks.

MMM

On 7/13/2026 at 12:19 AM, MMM said:

I have had terrible stinging/burning feelings for a year and a half, since starting a doctor-led, too fast taper from effexor. I have slowed down and am now following a hyperbolic taper, holding at 6.6 mg. I am having a hard time thinking the stinging skin will ever go away, as it's been so persistent.

Has anyone experienced this for so long, then had it go away? Need some hope. Thanks.

I have it also @MMM . My tongue has improved but it has shifted to left side of face and arm. The tongue was really bad for over 6 months but greatly improved. There is hope and the body is always working toward homeostasis.

Burning is a very common symptom in withdrawal.

I hope yours eases sooner rather than later.

Aug 2006 - Sertraline 25/50/75/100mg TO June 2019 - Reduced from 100mg to 50mg over a few months

Sept  2019 - Reduced from 50mg to 25mg lasted a week,  then went back up to 50mg, after a few weeks back up to 100mg.

Oct 2021 - Reduced to 75mg, Dec 2021 (mid) reduced to 50mg , March 2022 - Reduced to 25mg

Oct 2022 - Reduce to 0mg (Immediate withdrawal crying, mood unstable, impending doom, digestive probs, tingling,numbness,burning, brain zaps,  insomnia)

Feb 2023 -  "Panic attack" lasting 14 hours, 2 weeks later start back on 25mg sertraline, 12 hours later severe 'panic attack' with chest pain, tachycardia, restlessness, hyponatraemia, impending doom, racing thoughts, akathisia mild.  Taken to emergency. 

March 2023 back up to 50mg (on medical advice), April 75mg, May 100mg. Back to 75mg within a few weeks due to feeling too stimulated and anxious. 

Nov 2023 resume taper. 70, 65, 60, 55, 50 (March 2024)

April 45mg, May 41mg, June 37mg, July 34mg Aug 31mg, Sept 28mg, Oct 26mg, Nov 25mg, HOLD 

Jan 1st 2025 24mg, Jan 12th 23.5mg, Jan 20th 23mg, Feb 20th 22mg, March 20th 21mg, April 14th 18.9mg, May 5th 17mg, May 28th 15.3mg, July 16th 13.7mg, Aug 26th 12.3mg, Sept 16th 10.5 mg, Sept 22, 10mg, Oct 7th 8.3mg, Nov 4th 8mg, Dec 1st 7.7mg, Dec 26th 7mg 2026 Updose to 7.2mg Mar 20th, Back to 7mg Mar 21. Currently holding

 

Other supplements: Fish oil, Mg citrate/glycinate 150-300mg per day, Ginkgo biloba daily, womens multi vit/min 3 times week, Vitamin C 1000mg night, valerian/passiflora as needed. B12 as needed. Bone support for osteopaenia (Ca/Mg, K, D)

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