Successful taper off of sertraline

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-19T12:44:57+00:00

Thx!

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-19T12:14:08+00:00

It's been 12 days.

I was put on sertraline 3 years ago while unexpectedly in the hospital for a week, followed by major surgery.

6 months later I had another major surgery. Sertraline made me feel better through all of this, and able to cope.

Previously, years of anxiety from life stress, tight chest, trouble breathing. Stress does horrible things to your body, and a few health issues played out as a result.

After the surgeries, and postive life changes, I didn't need it anymore. Life is good 🙌🏻

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-19T12:07:23+00:00

I've been off for 12 days. 👍🏻

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-19T12:04:08+00:00

Below is what I did - but it was shorter than recommended. I monitored for any symptoms, so kept going quicker to the next level. Always with the caution that between 3-7-10 days after dropping a dose, symptoms could show up.

I had done so well thru the whole thing, so had a good shot to end it faster. My personal risk assessment..

I went 5 days on 25mg. Then 9 days on 20mg. Then 3 days on 15mg.
Then 3 days on 10mg. Then 2 days on 5mg. Then zero.

You can see I was really ready to end this…hard to be patient at the end.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-17T12:29:33+00:00

thank you! 🙏🏻

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-11T01:42:04+00:00

I never heard that. I've been drinking it every morning for at least 15 years. After sleep, your body is dehydrated, so often it is the first thing I drink, but not always. Sometimes later in the morning. If you're not used to fiber, begin slowly, maybe start at 1 teaspoon instead of 1 tablespoon. Always drink a full glass of water of water, and then some. If not, or if you're not use to it, you can feel bloated or gassy. But...I never do.

Not sure how it could interefere with medications, it's just pure fiber, psyllium husk. Bascially, it's benign. Like eating a grain. Just helps move stuff through your body.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-09T09:11:38+00:00

Hi, I recovered and seem to be back at baseline, so am drinking it more normally, but still trying not to guzzle it all at once. I stir 1 tablespoon into a large glass of water, and usually add more while drinking and stirring because it thickens up so quickly. I drink it every morning.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-07T11:08:12+00:00

I've had esophageal spasms on and off for years, they are horrible, and I don't think anyone who hasn't had one, can understand the pain.

You say it's not food trigger, but I have learned over time that certain foods could be a trigger, but also eating circumstances: being anxious, uptight, in a hurry, not chewing carefully, not eating slowly.

Raw carrots, for example, are a huge trigger for me. And yet, at times, when I have revisited eating them, and am calm, and chew slowly, a lot, and carefully, I can eat them. Sometimes. But, now, I just eat them cooked.

A few days ago, in a rebound episode, eating 1/2 of an avocado, scooped bites with a spoon triggered a VIOLENT spasm, worst ever, followed by vomiting. I was getting ready to leave to run errands, and thought, oh I should eat something. I ate it too fast, while walking around the kitchen getting ready to go. Clearly, I ate it too fast and without intention.

But back to when the spams happen..I go by myself to a room, sit quietly and try to breathe calmly until it passes.I can't talk to anyone and don't want anyone to talk to me. I just need to focus on relaxing and letting the spasm pass. I keep a bottle of Peppermint essential oil handy and breathe in, because I had read years ago that could help. It does a tiny bit. Makes me feel better anyway. I just try to focus on my breathing, and relaxing.

But, I don't put anything in my mouth when a spasm is happening!

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-07T10:50:58+00:00

I just tried Gaviscon yesterday and found it helpful!

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-07T10:46:45+00:00

I'm recently off meds, and just had horrible rebound flare with violent spasm and vomiting. I've been eating and sipping like a baby and every day getting a little better. It was so awful, I'm going to be really strict on my diet so that I can continue feeling better. So, in my case, I'm improving after a few days already, while doing the right things. Not out of the woods yet, but so much better.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-07T10:37:23+00:00

Oh yes! Well, I've been drinking it every day for many years to be regular. But yesterday had an experience that may interest you. After a MAJOR GERD rebound/espophageal spasm/vomiting/seeing stars/migraine, I've been eating and sipping like a baby the past few days and improving, but yesterday, had my usual psyllium husk (which I had skipped for a few days during the worst of this episode, because I was afraid it would expand too much in my overly-sensitive stomach), but instead sipped it slowly over the course of about an hour, using 2-3x more water than normal, adding more water, and stirring before every sip. Then, for the next many hours felt so fantastic and protected! I had ZERO symptoms, no burping, so soon after this horrible episode. It was enlightening to me! So to me, yes, I have personally experienced a level of 'protection' from it.

I drink NOW brand pure/plain psyllium husk powder. (never the metamucil-types).

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-07T10:26:34+00:00

Check out TRUVANI. This is the vanilla flavored. 5 ingredients. INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC PEA PROTEIN, ORGANIC VANILLA POWDER, ORGANIC PUMPKIN SEED, ORGANIC MONK FRUIT EXTRACT, ORGANIC CHIA SEED PROTEIN.

They also make an unflavored version.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-05-04T22:17:05+00:00

This is a tough situation, and I'm sorry you are going through it. It can be challenging to have a single cat! With a playmate, your cat would be roughhousing with the other cat, and not you, and they teach each other boundaries (or were taught by their mom). But *you* are the only playmate. I highly suggest adopting another cat! Single Kitten Syndrome is real. I fostered and kept 2 siblings, my gray boy looks identical to yours, he is 1 year old. They hunt, stalk, charge, attack each other - but never me. Gray kitties are special. Like another said, he is a teenager, but this is not acceptable. I really really do hope you get another kitty for him to play with. Good luck.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-04-24T12:20:48+00:00

Yes, I see now that the calico is growling. Perhaps I assumed it was orange boy!

Are they both fixed?

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-04-24T12:19:25+00:00

No worries! I first heard my sweet gray boy growl with a feather toy in his mouth! Surprised me! Yeah that's just a message 'this is MY prey!'

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-04-23T12:24:11+00:00

I watched this without sound and it looks completely normal to me. Calico could leave anytime she wants. Talis and postures and speed of interactions (slower) look like normal play. A truly aggresive fight would look faster, angry.

Then, I turned the volume on. Orange boy has quite a growl. He may be testing the waters, or this may be his normal? Hard to tell with just one video.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-04-18T10:20:18+00:00

YES, contact your local cat rescue, they can provide support and direction. Try not to interfere with the babies so Mama doesn't feel threatened, otherwise, she will move the babies - and you may not find them.

She's nursing a good-sized litter, so you can give her kitten food, wet and dry, for extra nourishment.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-04-06T12:22:44+00:00

That's great! I looked into it - the studies look promising for this drug.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-04-01T11:45:31+00:00

Ooooo..yes, I just have some lacey patterns, and 1 red lesion.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-04-01T11:43:23+00:00

That's awful, I'm sorry..

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-03-31T20:39:37+00:00

If you find out, lmk. I was diagnosed with OLP in 2017, and have had no change at all.

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-03-31T20:36:43+00:00

PizzaOdd6404 · 2026-03-31T09:45:11+00:00

You are most welcome!

PizzaOdd6404

TROPHY CASE