I’ve been on and off SSRI’s over a few years and I always end up wanting to get shut of them. I’m currently not relying on them to manage anxiety which I’m thankful for but they definitely do work! I would suggest listening to your doctors advice for the time being and taper it down when you feel like you might be able to manage with less in your system. I went cold turkey the first time and it fucked with my head (brain zaps and lots of other weird side effects). The last lot I was on I slowly tapered off it wasn’t without side effects but much easier. CBT helped me manage my shit even though at the time I thought it was all BS I can now see when my anxiety rears it’s ugly head and do what I need to. Just my 2p worth but I hope it helps! All the best mate!

Your 2p is fully appreciated mate. It is the 1st time for me on antidepressant in general and it did help me. I am just in a much better place now and I don't think I need them any more. All the best to you to buddy.

Fuck off the Sertraline... SSRI’s are a complete load of old shit, you can’t keep what’s not there... take 5-HTP available at Holland and Barrett etc, take that at night before bed as labelled and it will actually do what it’s meant to and replace the Serotonin that’s needed... 5-HTP will make Serotonin... Sertraline will keep Serotoinon where it’s needed... But if you have fuck all to keep in there you get all the sides with zero benefits...

Love your passionate answer. Thx

Just tapered down myself. Doc says there’s no lower effective dose, and told me to alternate 50mg every other day until I ran out. I ran out about 2 weeks ago and so far so good!

Thanks mate. Glad to hear it is working out for you.

As others, half the dose until it's gone.

Why do you want to come off it?

Because I think I don't need it anymore, I feel my old self again and have a better perspective now, what got me depressed in the first place. Plus it got one kind of annoying side effect, I like to get rid off.

After 3 months you start to get a pretty decent idea what this dose is going to do for you. But it's a very serious business going off anti depressants or even lowering the dose. Lockdown and the holidays are tremendous environmental factors to consider at the moment.

I'd be interested in what alternatives you tried before Sertraline. Also what is your exercise regimen and diet like?

It is it my very 1st time on anti depressants, I am overall mentally pretty strong and do work out on a regular basis ( 3 times a week ). Of course lock down and working from home since March had is effect. Now purchased a spin bike and using Peloton at least 3 times a week. Diet is ok and taking all my supplements ( sink, Vitamin D etc.). It did help me but I am ready to try on my own now.

I cold turkeyed off of 100mg a day for a year - you'll feel physically shit for about 3 weeks, and Maybe mentally raw for about a month

I weaned of sertraline took 2 weeks of lowering the dose

Any side effects? And did you also alternate days or less mg?
Thanks in advance.

try halfing your dose for two weeks and see how you feel

I was originally on 100mg was put on 50mg for two weeks then was put on fluoxetine 20mg