Hi

I've been taking sertraline 100mg since late last year

But for the last few weeks I've not been taking it, either by forgetting but eeven when I did remember there was the though that, 'well I've been OK so far'

Albeit I've been very busy and a lot of different and new things happening so if there have been any effects I've not noticed

So I was wondering what do you think, keep staying off them or start taking them again?

Cheers

A

Sertraline is an anti depressant, comparable to Zoloft. Your condition all depends on your explanation to your doctor and his reaction to your symptoms as to what anti depressant he chose for you. Were you depressed at the time you went to your doctor and asked him if he could help you get out of it? If you are able to be off this inhibitor for a year then I doubt very much if you needed it in the first place.

In any event, the only one who should determine if you should be of a med is your doctor and you should have met with him to discuss not taking a med he prescribed for you. You are lucky it wasn't a life threatening med that you were discontinuing.

You should really discuss this with your doctor. So, you don't have any symptoms of depression any longer that appear in this website:

http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk...on.../symptoms

Hi again, albear, this is just a PS to my above reply. I am surprised that you did not notice any withdrawal symptoms from discontinuing this anti depressant? Are you sure your doctor didn't give you a placebo?

Tick

Thank you for replying tickle,

The link you posted shows a 404 error

Yes I was depressed at the time I went to see the GP, one of the higher points as I was actually willing to try something,rather than rock the boat as it were.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tickle

hi again, albear, this is just a PS to my above reply. I am surprised that you did not notice any withdrawal symptoms from discontinuing this anti depressant? Are you sure your doctor didnt give you a placebo?

tick

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Was 100% sure but now you questioned it only 80, I'm still very sure it was the right thing, seeing as I was paying the right price for it.

I might be exaggerating when I said I haven't noticed a change, I have felt a lot lower than I was when I was taking them, but still I don't feel as bad as I did before I started or even before I stopped taking the others before that, so I'm counting that as not taking a step back yet. Also as I mentioned there has been a lot going on and I didn't really have time to think how I was doing .

The link works now

Where are the 'symptoms' listed?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by albear

was 100% sure but now you questioned it only 80, im still very sure it was the right thing, seeing as i was paying the right price for it.

i might be exagerating when i said i havent noticed a change, i have felt alot lower than i was when i was taking them, but still i dont feel as bad as i did before i started or even before i stopped taking the others before that, so im counting that as not taking a step back yet. also as i mentioned there has been alot going on and i didnt really have time to think how i was doing .

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Okay, a placebo occurred to me because you have been okay off the meds, which is good. Your spirits elevated naturally then which means your own natural inhibitors took over, as I see it. Some may not agree with me but I think red will as she tends to think the same way I do at times. I lean towards homeopathic methods nowadays, so glad you may not need meds to get you through and never need them again.

We all have highs and lows, albear, the natural lows may appear to be really bad sometimes and in need of a medical booster, but if one can do without I think that is a great way to be. Sometimes work, study, a nature break is all one needs once in a while. Good luck and stay healthy in mind and body.

Tick

I wouldn't say my spirits elevated, but were maintained by adrenaline but now wories and things that need to be done things are kind of coming back to me that I thought id left behind thanks to taking the meds.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't jump at meds the first chance I got, I tried many different ways to improve myself over many years, and at first I was put on meds (escitalopram, lexapro to you) but I didn't like the idea of being on meds and thought I could try other things before I resorted to meds, but when I felt I had no other options that's when I went and asked to try meds.


Quick question, does it seem like I'm arguing against you or just trying to make you more informed?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by albear

quick question, does it seem like im arguing against you or just trying to make you more informed?

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Quick answer, no you are not arguing, you are trying make me more informed, albear. It only makes it easier to help you in the future, should you need me again; and I hope that will be the case. I hope I did help in some little way this time.

Happy tick

I don't see any argumentativeness in your posts, but I do remember the feelings that I had upon withdrawing from zoloft(the 20 or 30 times I stopped taking it)

The internal power I felt,the feelings of how I could be better off without them, or much of anything,as long as things didn't change from how I felt from that moment,being right on the edge at all times.

It was,and would be today,a dangerous proposition for someone like me.I did more damage to my nervous system by going from taking the meds 100% of the time,to occasionally to cold turkey.

Please keep taking at least a tapering off less dosage for a while until you and your doctor can make a treatment plan for the eventual stopping of zoloft.. I am speaking from over 13 years of this medication.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tickle

quick answer, no you are not arguing, you are trying make me more informed, albear. It only makes it easier to help you in the future, should you need me again; and I hope that will be the case. I hope I did help in some little way this time.

happy tick

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Thanks

I just got this feeling that I was 'for' the meds while discussing them here, even though I haven't been taking them and am still unsure as to weather to start again or not.

Ill put more thought into it, but at the rate I feel my mood is dropping and the thoughts that are starting to arise again ill probably start them again once I get a chance to settle down into a routine.

Ill also think about arranging an appoint meant to discus it with a doctor, some of the things that have been distracting me and keeping me on edge and addrenalined (not sure it's a word) has been a lot of moving about from place to place county to county, and I won't have an actual home to live in for a long period until Sunday. The doctor who I asked is in a different county and I'm not even medically registered in the city where ill be staying let alone county, but I need to arrange an appointment with one for different reasons, but if I still haven't made up my mind by then I can always ask them when I'm there.

Yes tick you did help by giving me something to think about, a different perspective sort of.

Ill post what my plans are with the meds as soon as I've made up my mind but until then I'm probably going to carry on not taking them.

Cheers

Bear

Hi sweet Bear.

I am also on anti-depressants, not as strong as Zoloft, but meds nonetheless.

I also tried to quit on my own, and it was the worst thing I could do.

The withdrawl symptoms and depression didn't happen instantly, but in the span of a few weeks, which is when I went back to my doctor, told him that I felt like something the cat dragged in, admitted that I had stopped the meds and got an earful. After that, I realized that I'm not a doctor, and I shouldn't discontinue any meds until speaking to one. ;)

If it was me, I'd continue with the meds. They were helping. The reason you may still feel okay is that they're not completely out of your system yet. But, when they are, it's not going to be good.

There's no shame in being on medication, some of us, for one reason or another, cannot lead a normal life without these medications. If taking a pill every day helps you enjoy life more, then do it!

Just my opinion. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KBC

I don't see any argumentativeness in your posts,,but I do remember the feelings that I had upon withdrawing from zoloft(the 20 or 30 times I stopped taking it)

The internal power I felt,the feelings of how I could be better off without them,,or much of anything,as long as things didn't change from how I felt from that moment,being right on the edge at all times.

It was,and would be today,a dangerous proposition for someone like me.I did more damage to my nervous system by going from taking the meds 100% of the time,to occasionally to cold turkey.

Please keep taking at least a tapering off less dosage for a while until you and your doctor can make a treatment plan for the eventual stopping of zoloft..I am speaking from over 13 years of this medication.

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Thanks KBC

I'm not sure its an internal power, as I'm not really feeling powerful, id describe it as more of a doubt of it, or rather do I want to take it because I might end up relying on it to help me.

I generally only even stop taking it if there's some kind of upheaval or I've got lots of things to think about and plan for through out the day and just forget to take it then the doubt gets in of I seem OK, do I really need it.

Thank you for your input and telling me about your experiences taking the same (ish) meds as me. As I mentioned if things seem to keep going back to the old ways, I will probably start taking them. And then talk to a doc about maybe coming off them if I'm still not sure.

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

If it was me, I'd continue with the meds. They were helping. The reason you may still feel okay is that they're not completely out of your system yet. But, when they are, it's not going to be good.



Just my opinion. :)

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albear has been off this med for a whole year, alty. Over that time they would be out of the system. I see no reason for albear to continue with this anti depressant if it is out of his system, but he must discuss with his doctor.

Everyone has different levels of depression, some don't have to be treated with meds. I deal with my low points with work, physical activity and meditation and it has all worked for a very long time that way. I am susceptible to the same condition my mom had, so I know what to expect and I deal with it. My mom didn't have the same resources I have.

I do agree though, on a long time user of anti depressants going off their meds and suffering withdrawals which are not a walk in the park, but that is a user going off and this happens in a matter of weeks alty. IMO

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tickle

albear has been off this med for a whole year, alty. Over that time they would be out of the system. I see no reason for albear to continue with this anti depressant if it is out of his system, but he must discuss with his doctor.

Everyone has different levels of depression, some don't have to be treated with meds. I deal with my low points with work, physical activity and meditation and it has all worked for a very long time that way. I am susceptible to the same condition my mom had, so I know what to expect and I deal with it. My mom didn't have the same resources I have.

I do agree though, on a long time user of anti depressants going off their meds and suffering withdrawals which are not a walk in the park, but that is a user going off and this happens in a matter of weeks alty. IMO

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Tick, the way I read his post, he's been on the meds for a year, but only been off them for a few weeks;

Quote:

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I've been taking sertraline 100mg since late last year

But for the last few weeks I've not been taking it

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If I misread, then my bad. But if it's only been a few weeks, the meds could very well still be in his system.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Hi sweet Bear.

I am also on anti-depressants, not as strong as Zoloft, but meds nonetheless.

I also tried to quit on my own, and it was the worst thing I could do.

The withdrawl symptoms and depression didn't happen instantly, but in the span of a few weeks, which is when I went back to my doctor, told him that I felt like something the cat dragged in, admitted that I had stopped the meds and got an earful. After that, I realized that I'm not a doctor, and I shouldn't discontinue any meds until speaking to one. ;)

If it was me, I'd continue with the meds. They were helping. The reason you may still feel okay is that they're not completely out of your system yet. But, when they are, it's not going to be good.

There's no shame in being on medication, some of us, for one reason or another, cannot lead a normal life without these medications. If taking a pill every day helps you enjoy life more, then do it!

Just my opinion. :)

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A little confusion there maybe, I'm not trying to quit, I'm thinking about deciding weather to stop them altogeather or not and haven't made up my mind but if things keep getting me down when they really shouldn't and things start returning to my old ways then I will probably start taking them before I see a doc if I still haven't made up my mind.

Your opinion is awlays welcome, any and all oppinions I hear help me to think about what I think I should do.

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tickle

albear has been off this med for a whole year, alty. Over that time they would be out of the system. I see no reason for albear to continue with this anti depressant if it is out of his system, but he must discuss with his doctor.

Everyone has different levels of depression, some dont have to be treated with meds. I deal with my low points with work, physical activity and meditation and it has all worked for a very long time that way. I am susceptible to the same condition my mom had, so I know what to expect and I deal with it. My mom didnt have the same resources I have.

I do agree though, on a long time user of anti depressants going off their meds and suffering withdrawals which are not a walk in the park, but that is a user going off and this happens in a matter of weeks alty. IMO

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Sorry tick, I have only been off the meds for a couple of weeks,


I started taking them about a year ago

Again sorry for any confusion I may have caused

Quote:

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Originally Posted by albear

sorry tick, i have only been off the meds for a couple of weeks,


i started taking them about a year ago

again sorry for any confusion i may have caused

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Alty read it correctly; I didn't. No problem bear. Alty will forgive me I am sure. Still, you should be having withdrawal symptoms even after two weeks and if you aren't, well all the better.

T

No worries Tickle, after you posted I thought "Oh crap, did I read it wrong again?" It happens to all of us. ;)

When I decided to go off my meds, right after my mom died, I didn't have any serious withdrawl symptoms until many weeks later. It was gradual, and then peaked off at around the 3 week mark. After that, I just felt like I had been run over by a bus for a few weeks. When I finally went back to my doctor, 6 weeks had passed.

I'm on Celexa, a much milder anti-depressant then Zoloft. Bear, you may not feel many withdrawl symptoms yet, but my guess is you will. It's crash and burn when it happens.

You really need to talk to your doctor about this. It's not good to quit cold turkey on any meds that you're on, unless your doctor recommends it, which he/she would only do if you're allergic or having severe issues with the meds. It's always best to taper off if you decide you no longer need these meds, and tapering off should always be done under a doctors care.

Please see your doctor. If these mes were helping, then why stop using them? I understand the thought "Oh, I'm doing better, so I can stop", but you're feeling better because of the meds. Stop, and it all goes back to the way it was, not instantly, but soon.

My vote is that you keep taking the meds and talk to your doctor.

Yeah, thanks tick, I think I might be which is why I actually posted and wanted oppinions, otherwise if I felt OK and that I was fine, believe me I woul never have said anything at all

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

No worries Tickle, after you posted I thought "Oh crap, did I read it wrong again?" It happens to all of us. ;)

When I decided to go off my meds, right after my mom died, I didn't have any serious withdrawl symptoms until many weeks later. It was gradual, and then peaked off at around the 3 week mark. After that, I just felt like I had been run over by a bus for a few weeks. When I finally went back to my doctor, 6 weeks had passed.

I'm on Celexa, a much milder anti-depressant then Zoloft. Bear, you may not feel many withdrawl symptoms yet, but my guess is you will. It's crash and burn when it happens.

You really need to talk to your doctor about this. It's not good to quit cold turkey on any meds that you're on, unless your doctor recommends it, which he/she would only do if you're allergic or having severe issues with the meds. It's always best to taper off if you decide you no longer need these meds, and tapering off should always be done under a doctors care.

Please see your doctor. If these mes were helping, then why stop using them? I understand the thought "Oh, I'm doing better, so I can stop", but you're feeling better because of the meds. Stop, and it all goes back to the way it was, not instantly, but soon.

My vote is that you keep taking the meds and talk to your doctor.

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Yeah I'm getting to the 3 week mark

I haven't decided to go off, and I don't plan to qui cold turkey, I know that can be very bad. Its just I haven't had the time to bother taking them with moving about a lot.

I don't have A doctor, as I've been moving around a lot and haven't had chance to register anywhere long enough to get a decent appointment

And its not that 'oh I feel better ill stop now' but being distracted and having my schedule knocked around that I forget and when I do remember its been a few days then it feeling that 'oh I seem to be fine, carry on'

I think the fact that I felt bad enough to actually post about things going on with me like this shows me that I'm not doing as good as I was actually on them, so as soon as I can get a routine then I canput them in and won't forget then start to think about weather I want off or not.

Thanks everyone, you've given me a lot to think about and my best option at the moment isto carry on with the meds for the time being then if I still want off go and see a gp.

I'm going to head off, see you all later

And again, thanks :)