Posted by EscherDementian on November 10, 2003, at 3:21:27
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by tallguy on November 8, 2003, at 18:22:06
You're most welcome, fishin~~ glad i could help. I know how difficult the withdrawal effects and rollercoaster emotion swings were for me, too. Keep us posted on how you're doing and any observations? As they say: mileage may vary ;)
JenDi~ yes, those are the symptoms i experienced, and 'got past them' in the time frame i suggested in my previous post. I really feel for you. Withdrawal after 7 years? Wow. i only had to deal with stopping after 3-4 years, but i had been taking 200mg x daily. i tried stopping and also reducing dosage too quickly a couple times unsuccessfully with devastating results, before _a phamacist/friend_ finally took me aside and taught me what she knew about coming off an SSRI. i am still grateful to her for that day.
Basically, 1) Expect to wean down gradually for a time that is equal to AT LEAST 1/4 of the entire time you were on an SSRI. And that's going from 100->0 on the Autobahn when it's icy!
2) When you get the 'zaps' or electric 'zings', or unreasonable emotional bursts, backup a step in your weaning, you are going too fast.
i would take a pill that eve of my last mg amount before the most recent reduction, and begin that reduction step again.
3) Use a calendar to plan, and daily notations to keep track.It may have taken me longer, but the elimination of the crazyness was worth it. And it was SAFE this way.
Tallguy~ i wish i'd known about the 5-HTP for the days not taking a dose. Using the slow weaning that i did, and the occasional backtrack days worked out finally to be the gentle landing (tailored to my own body) that i was looking for, but i do wonder how it might've gone if someone had suggested some support like that.
I did, however, find much welcomed relief in using the natureopathic Bach's Rescue Remedy.Best wishes to JenDi and Fishin,
Escher
poster:EscherDementian
thread:5582
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/278123.html