Posted by 4WD on September 4, 2004, at 16:55:30
In reply to My Zoloft withdrawal story, posted by rz on September 3, 2004, at 14:33:02
> I've spent hours on this forum and it has given me the hope and strength to get off Zoloft once-and-for-all. It's time to share my story.
>
> I've been on Zoloft for 12 years for chronic depression (dysthymia). It has provided me stability over the years. Although the last few years I've been feeling like I can't feel--flat emotions. Sort of numb to everything around me. There have been times I've tried to discontinue Zoloft for one reason or another. I've always been met with the worst of symptoms--zaps, irritability, crying, fatigue, and the feeling that, physically, my body was going to completely shut down. These symptoms would get so bad, I would assume, "the depression is back, better go back on the Zoloft". It wasn't until recently I started reading discussions like this one and thought, "hmm, maybe those symptoms I've had in the past were all just related to withdrawal and not the return of depression".
>
> After much therapy and growth, I'm in a much different place in my life now than I have been over the years and decided it's time to go Zoloft-free. So, in May, I started my long, long...long journey to getting off Zoloft. I talked to my psychiatrist about it and came up with a plan. She also gave me some samples with 25mg tablets so once I got down to a low dose I'd still be able to break them in half.
>
> 100mg down to 50mg. Stayed there for 3 weeks or so (until any signs of withdrawal were gone). Then to 25mg for another 3 weeks, then to 12.5mg. 25mg to 12.5 was a nasty jump. Aside from the usual zaps, dizziness, body aches, weakness and extreme irritability, a new withdrawal symptom popped up--anxiety. I've never experienced that one before. I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. I saw my therapist and also called my psychiatrist. She prescribed Xanax. That was of no help at all. It just made me so drowsy I couldn't function. And, when it wore off, the anxiety was worse than before. I stayed at 12.5mg for a long time. Again waiting until all withdrawal symptoms were gone. Went from 12.5mg to 6.25mg. Stayed there for a few weeks and then decided to stop. You'd think with such a small amount, the withdrawals would be minimal--not for me! All of the usual symptoms from above were just as bad as ever and nausea was added to the list. I called my psychiatrist again and she prescribed 5mg of Prozac. With the much longer half-life, she thought this would take me down more gradually. I took 5mg a day for 3 days and all of my withdrawals were gone. The Prozac wore off 10 days later. I was right back to feeling absolutely lousy. I decided (along with my therapist) to not take the Prozac again. It just seemed to set me back.
>
> It's now September and I haven't taken any Zoloft for 1 month. The zaps are only occasional now but I still feel like crap! I still have nausea, body aches, irritability and I'm tired all the time. I'm at my wits end. Sometimes it's so hard to get out of bed because I feel so physically drained. I just want to feel healthy!
>
> As far as the depression goes--I think I'm doing quite well (considering how physically bad I feel). And, I actually have a range of emotions again (haven't gotten teary-eyed at a movie in years).
>
> I know I will not go back on Zoloft! If withdrawals can be this bad, it makes a person wonder if there has been any long-term damage.
>
> That's my story so far. I hope it can help others in some small way. I know others' stories have helped me to know I'm not crazy and I'm not alone. Thanks for listening.
>
> Ronda
Ronda,If you stay off Zoloft, please do keep us posted on your progress. I would think that if you feel much better and back to normal after 3-4 months off Zoloft, then everything is cool. OTOH, if 3-4 more months go by and you still feel terrible, then I would think you are still depressed and need to be on meds (as opposed to having withdrawal symptoms).
This really has been a big subject of debate - whether how bad you feel when you go off meds is:
a. withdrawal or
b. return of original depressionI would really, really be interested to know how you do in future.
Best of luck,
Marsha
poster:4WD
thread:386076
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040904/msgs/386436.html