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Long term SSRI use drawbacks

Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:15 pm
Posted by GeneralLee
Member since Aug 2004
13942 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:15 pm
Cliff notes- went through a traumatic family event in June and was likely clinically depressed. Couldn’t sleep for more than an hour for a week straight and had crippling anxiety. Went on SSRI’s and got better in a week or two. The traumatic event is now over and I’m in a much better place now. Trying to come back down off the SSRI dosage now and am already feeling some anxiety and sleep loss creeping back in. Those of you who got off SSRI’s, did you just have to power through this phase and things got better? Or did you give up and just go back on them? Thanks.
Posted by forkedintheroad
Member since Feb 2025
1291 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:17 pm to
High dosage? You might need to wean. SSRIs linger in the system for a long time.
Posted by GeneralLee
Member since Aug 2004
13942 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:18 pm to
100mg was what I got up to… went back down to 50mg this past week.
Posted by SW2SCLA
We all float down here
Member since Feb 2009
22996 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:18 pm to
Which medication and what dose? Some are easier to taper off of than others.
Posted by genuineLSUtiger
Nashville
Member since Sep 2005
76811 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:19 pm to
I think it is recommended that you taper off those drugs over a period of time. Cold turkey seems like it would be a rough ride.
Posted by GeneralLee
Member since Aug 2004
13942 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:19 pm to
Sertraline, 100mg
Posted by The Pirate King
Pangu
Member since May 2014
64134 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:21 pm to
Your prescribing physician or any family doctor should be able to walk you through the weaning process. It takes at least a few months. Quitting cold turkey is a terrible idea and will make your life miserable.
Posted by LSU Coyote
Member since Sep 2007
56144 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:22 pm to
I need SSRIs for my premature ejaculation.
Posted by W2NOMO
Member since Jul 2025
1457 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:23 pm to
It takes time. Treat the withdrawal symptoms like the flu. Get plenty of fluids, vitamin D, B, exercise. Cut to 50 then 25 then 25 every other day.

ETA: the 7 days or 14 days bt cuts. Also, if you can go to a sauna or hot tub that helps too.
This post was edited on 10/1/25 at 4:31 pm
Posted by SW2SCLA
We all float down here
Member since Feb 2009
22996 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:23 pm to
quote:

Sertraline, 100mg


50mg for 7 days, 25mg for 7 days, then you should be good. They make a 25mg tablet that you could break in half and do 12.5mg for another week if you want to be extra cautious. If you're over 60, maybe do 2 weeks at each dose


Eta: and talk to your doctor before you do anything
This post was edited on 10/1/25 at 3:25 pm
Posted by YouKnowImRight
Parts Unknown
Member since Oct 2023
2782 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:24 pm to
quote:

I need SSRIs for my premature ejaculation.




Posted by Big Scrub TX
Member since Dec 2013
38171 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:26 pm to
quote:

Cliff notes- went through a traumatic family event in June and was likely clinically depressed. Couldn’t sleep for more than an hour for a week straight and had crippling anxiety. Went on SSRI’s and got better in a week or two. The traumatic event is now over and I’m in a much better place now. Trying to come back down off the SSRI dosage now and am already feeling some anxiety and sleep loss creeping back in. Those of you who got off SSRI’s, did you just have to power through this phase and things got better? Or did you give up and just go back on them? Thanks.
If you had situational depression, why did you need meds? I've always seen professionals say it's ok to be depressed when something depressing happens.
Posted by Deep Purple Haze
LA
Member since Jun 2007
67240 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:27 pm to
mp yote
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
12267 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:28 pm to
I am assuming sertraline, if your pecker is working fine and you aren't gaining weight I wouldn't worry about being on a low dose of say 50mg long term.
Posted by GeneralLee
Member since Aug 2004
13942 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:29 pm to
Because I literally couldn’t sleep. Was getting dangerous for me to drive to work.
Posted by AmosMosesAndTwins
Lake Charles
Member since Apr 2010
19013 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:30 pm to
No advice, just want to say good luck. Keep your chin up.
Posted by el Gaucho
He/They
Member since Dec 2010
58236 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:31 pm to
Armchair psychiatrist chiming in but I find that if I can’t sleep a few beers helps as a natural remedy
This post was edited on 10/1/25 at 3:31 pm
Posted by jpainter6174
Boss city
Member since Feb 2014
6219 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:31 pm to
quote:

Weeks 1–2: Reduce to 75 mg daily.
Weeks 3–4: Reduce to 50 mg daily.
Weeks 5–6: Reduce to 25 mg daily.
Weeks 7+: Stop the medication completely.
Posted by jmorr34
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2004
3326 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:33 pm to
quote:

I am assuming sertraline, if your pecker is working fine and you aren't gaining weight I wouldn't worry about being on a low dose of say 50mg long term.


20+ year user of 50mg Sertraline. No negative side affects, yet. Prescription expired a couple of times over the years and I took my time in setting a follow up appointment to renew it. Only immediate withdrawal side affect was my temper seemed short. That being said, I would still have a plan with your doctor for weaning off.
This post was edited on 10/1/25 at 3:38 pm
Posted by Crow Pie
Neuro ICU - Tulane Med Center
Member since Feb 2010
27078 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 3:35 pm to
Do not wean off SSRI without advice from a doctor. You can seriously get in a bad spot if you dont do it right and even then it's a bitch.

I tried to do it cold turkey and that was a HUGE mistake. and my doctors plan took a year to get off them without suffering severe depression. Its aint no joke.

quote:

Weeks 1–2: Reduce to 75 mg daily.
Weeks 3–4: Reduce to 50 mg daily.
Weeks 5–6: Reduce to 25 mg daily.
Weeks 7+: Stop the medication completely.

I did this but over 1 year period - 100% to 75% to 50 % to 25 % to 12.5% and I still suffered at the end.
This post was edited on 10/1/25 at 3:38 pm
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