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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by olysi79 on June 5, 2007, at 10:58:38
I am SLOOOOWLY tapering off of my Zoloft to go onto an MAOI (10 MGS every 5 days- started at 100- now at 40 MGS as of today). Initially I started really slow, 10 MGS a month, but I realized after the first month just how unrealistic that was, given my anxiety problems.
Here's my issue, I've been experiencing ANXIETY! No brain zaps to speak of though! Just INTENSE irritability and HIGH anxiety/nervousness that have really ballooned over the past 4 days especially. I take a benzo PID, and I've asked my PDOC for a longer acting one instead of the Ativan I was using PID (he prescribed me some short term valium for sleeping, anxiety, etc...). I've also started smoking again to relieve some of the symptoms (BAD IDEA I KNOW)
My question is this... am I going too slow on this taper, causing some emotional "issues" to rebound back at me, or are these withdrawal symptoms? I am going on an MAOI trial, hence there is a two week washout period as it is... This could take quite awhile, and I really don't want to feel this crappy for the next MONTH and have it get progressively worse, thus causing me to have to rebuild once gettign on the MAOI. Furthermore, I have school and need to at least have some level of attention given to it. I am not workign right now due to my student status, which helps a little. If anyone can offer insights and objective experience, it would be good.
No "fright stories" please as I don't need any triggers.
Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2007, at 11:21:29
In reply to Switching- too slow of a taper ? help!, posted by olysi79 on June 5, 2007, at 10:58:38
How high is the zoloft as I came off 50mg and switched to another. I know you don't have that option . Why did you decide to try an Maoi? Love Phillipa
Posted by Justherself54 on June 5, 2007, at 12:23:12
In reply to Switching- too slow of a taper ? help!, posted by olysi79 on June 5, 2007, at 10:58:38
I just started Parnate after coming off Lexapro..I have been on Zoloft however it switched to Lexapro right away..SSRI's aren't pleasant to come off of..I did the Lexapro in 2 weeks..then the 2 week washout period to start the MAOI..
I take clonazapam at nite and used extra during the day to cope with the anxiety and eye zaps..it helped a lot..I also take 25 mg. of Serequel and .75 Zopiclone at nite for sleep..
I've been on the MAOI for about 6 days and already notice an increase in energy and motivation..good luck to you in trying the MAOI..
Posted by Racer on June 5, 2007, at 16:24:25
In reply to Switching- too slow of a taper ? help!, posted by olysi79 on June 5, 2007, at 10:58:38
Zoloft isn't usually associated with the sort of withdrawal effects that some other serotinergic drugs are, so you probably are tapering off much more slowly than you need to. Its half-life is more than a day, unlike drugs like Paxil (+/- 15 hrs) or Effexor (5 - 7 hrs) which are known for withdrawal problems. You could probably have tapered by halves: from 100mg to 50mg, then to 25, then 0.
But, from 40mg, I'd say you could probably just stop, but if you want to be very safe, you can go to 20 or 25, then stop.
As for the symptoms you're experiencing, that's most likely your anxiety disorder itself. It sounds as though the Zoloft was doing you some good, and now that it's lowered in your system, you're running into more symptoms. That might be a good reason to speed your taper: the faster you get off the Zoloft, the sooner you start your 2 week washout, and the sooner you start your MAOI trial.
Good luck.
Posted by Jedi on June 6, 2007, at 1:28:25
In reply to Switching- too slow of a taper ? help!, posted by olysi79 on June 5, 2007, at 10:58:38
Hi,
If the medication you are titrating down is still partially working, I would do a fast taper and get the other med started before the depression returns, only worse. Zoloft never worked for me so I don't have much knowledge there. In fact the only meds that have ever worked for me are the MAOIs augmented with clonazepam.My last switch was from Nardil to Parnate and I pulled it off pretty fast for the reason stated above. The Nardil was still holding off the major depression, but the weight gain side effect was getting out of hand. So I titrated down fast and got on Parnate before the major depression had a chance to return. I only did about a five day complete washout, but this is apples and oranges. You need to do your two week washout on the Zoloft because the SSRIs with MAOIs are the leading cause of serotonin syndrome. You don't want that one.
Good luck on your MAOI trial,
Jedi
This is the end of the thread.
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