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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SLS on March 29, 2005, at 7:49:34
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » SLS, posted by ladydee54 on March 20, 2005, at 9:49:23
All I can say is YUCK.
I'm sorry you had such a difficult time of things.
:-(
Glad to hear that things settled down for you.
:-)
What other medications were you taking while you were tapering off the Zoloft?What are the withdrawal symptoms that persisted during the first six months?
Thanks for any input.
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on March 29, 2005, at 7:49:35
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Andreadrea on March 19, 2005, at 12:52:41
I redirected your post to the Withdrawal board, and here is a link to it.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050228/msgs/473412.html
Regards,
gg
Posted by SLS on March 29, 2005, at 7:49:36
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » SLS, posted by ladydee54 on March 20, 2005, at 9:49:23
Hi LadyDee
Would you mind following this link for me on the Withdrawal board. Thanks...
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050228/msgs/473489.html
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on March 29, 2005, at 7:49:37
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » ladydee54, posted by SLS on March 21, 2005, at 7:21:43
Posted by Riss on March 29, 2005, at 7:50:06
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » ladydee54, posted by SLS on March 21, 2005, at 7:21:43
Thank God! I stumbled upon this website when trying to understand what was happening to my body!
I started taking Zoloft a year ago, for panic attacks and anxiety. It helped me out and I recently moved to the UK. In Australia I was on zoloft at 150mg and once settling into the uk I dropped my dose down to 100mg. I started running out of Zoloft and so dropped down to 50mg for the last 2 months and for the last couple of weeks down to 50mg every other day. I ran out of them and have since not taken any at all. It has been 2 weeks since coming off them and I am deciding whether to start taking my UK prescription of them by the name Lustral. After reading all of your stories with the withdrawals I can totally relate. I have had the zap feeling that all refers to, as well as fits of crying and depression.
I really want to know if anyone can recommend going on Lustral again or whether i should ride out the withdrawals now that i am off the drug. Can anyone say how long they will go on for???
Posted by SLS on March 29, 2005, at 8:56:26
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Riss on March 28, 2005, at 15:53:30
Hi.
> I really want to know if anyone can recommend going on Lustral again or whether i should ride out the withdrawals now that i am off the drug. Can anyone say how long they will go on for???
Can you describe the intensity of what you are experiencing? Is it tolerable?
It is difficult to predict how long withdrawal symptoms last for any one individual. It often takes 3 days after an abrupt discontinuation or large dosage decrease to feel the effects of withdrawal. When did you take your last dose of the drug? Is there any trend toward the symptoms lessening?
I wouldn't want to suggest anything to you at this point without having more information. Restarting the drug is certainly one option. There are others.
- Scott
Posted by Riss on March 30, 2005, at 6:18:30
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » Riss, posted by SLS on March 29, 2005, at 8:56:26
Hi Scott,
thanks for responding - yes it is tolerable - now that it has been going on for 2 weeks and I see it as being wat it is - as a withdrawal symptom. It has been 2 weeks since I last took the medication - and the intensity of the zapping is easing slightly - what do you think??
> Hi.
>
> > I really want to know if anyone can recommend going on Lustral again or whether i should ride out the withdrawals now that i am off the drug. Can anyone say how long they will go on for???
>
> Can you describe the intensity of what you are experiencing? Is it tolerable?
>
> It is difficult to predict how long withdrawal symptoms last for any one individual. It often takes 3 days after an abrupt discontinuation or large dosage decrease to feel the effects of withdrawal. When did you take your last dose of the drug? Is there any trend toward the symptoms lessening?
>
> I wouldn't want to suggest anything to you at this point without having more information. Restarting the drug is certainly one option. There are others.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on March 30, 2005, at 8:12:22
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » SLS, posted by Riss on March 30, 2005, at 6:18:30
Hi.
> thanks for responding - yes it is tolerable - now that it has been going on for 2 weeks and I see it as being wat it is - as a withdrawal symptom. It has been 2 weeks since I last took the medication - and the intensity of the zapping is easing slightly - what do you think??
I have a theory that posits that the withdrawal syndrome can exert a kindling effect on the brain such that the longer a withdrawal syndrome is allowed to continue unabated, the longer it will last and possibly the greater the intensity if an SRI is discontinued abruptly all at once. In other words, it is a bad idea to go through any withdrawal at all if possible.
You are sort of in the middle of things. I am having a difficult time developing an opinion one way or the other regarding you restarting any kind of medication. If I were in your position, I think I would take Prozac 20mg for a few days. It will serve to make all of your symptoms disappear and give the brain a chance to settle down. The half life of Prozac is VERY long - about a week. Prozac substitution thus acts as an automatic gradual taper. I doubt you would need to take Prozac for more than a week. I would try it for 3 days or until the withdrawal effects disappear.
If you decide not to restart the original drug so to taper more slowly or substitute it with Prozac, you can try taking Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an over-the-counter antihistamine. People report that it makes the withdrawal symptoms more tolerable.
If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. I guess you can try the Benadryl first and then move on to the Prozac substitution strategy.
Good luck! Keep posting.
- Scott
Posted by nuthinbutcats on April 2, 2005, at 21:13:07
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by xytzca on March 7, 2005, at 0:35:51
I have been taking 50mg of zoloft for the past 2 years and my dr has recently taken me off it and started me on 150 dosage of Wellbutrin XL. She had me take my regular 50mg of zoloft the first week with the wellbutrin then down to 25mg the second week and then nothing starting this week which the first day without it was monday (today is saturday) i've been getting EXTREEM DIZZY SPELLS throughout the entire day and headaches usually follow by a good bout of nausea and vomiting once a day usually around dinner time. I've talked to my doctor twice this week (i actually work in the office so i've been trying my very best not to be a complete pain in her butt) and was told that this was normal "due to the change in medication" but was never told which medication change was causeing these symptoms. my husband and i where both convinced that it was the wellbutrin and my plan for tomorrow was just to stop taking it cold turkey and see what happens. But all of the symptoms that have been described here have really helped me understand that its not the wellbutrin but withdrawl symptoms from the zoloft. i'm so glad i found this site! and i'm not the only one feeling like i'm going crazy.
Posted by Riss on April 9, 2005, at 12:12:16
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » Riss, posted by SLS on March 30, 2005, at 8:12:22
Hi there,
4 weeks since coming off the zoloft and i am still feeling the zappiness. Can someone tell me about whether there is any difference with the drugs Zoloft and Lustral - as in side effects, ingredients etc.. my doctors don't seem to know the answer and i'm wondering if anyone out there has switched from Zoloft to Lustral??
Would be interested to here any comments - as i'm not sure if i can keep putting up with these withdrawal symptoms.
Cheers!
> Hi.
>
> > thanks for responding - yes it is tolerable - now that it has been going on for 2 weeks and I see it as being wat it is - as a withdrawal symptom. It has been 2 weeks since I last took the medication - and the intensity of the zapping is easing slightly - what do you think??
>
> I have a theory that posits that the withdrawal syndrome can exert a kindling effect on the brain such that the longer a withdrawal syndrome is allowed to continue unabated, the longer it will last and possibly the greater the intensity if an SRI is discontinued abruptly all at once. In other words, it is a bad idea to go through any withdrawal at all if possible.
>
> You are sort of in the middle of things. I am having a difficult time developing an opinion one way or the other regarding you restarting any kind of medication. If I were in your position, I think I would take Prozac 20mg for a few days. It will serve to make all of your symptoms disappear and give the brain a chance to settle down. The half life of Prozac is VERY long - about a week. Prozac substitution thus acts as an automatic gradual taper. I doubt you would need to take Prozac for more than a week. I would try it for 3 days or until the withdrawal effects disappear.
>
> If you decide not to restart the original drug so to taper more slowly or substitute it with Prozac, you can try taking Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an over-the-counter antihistamine. People report that it makes the withdrawal symptoms more tolerable.
>
> If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. I guess you can try the Benadryl first and then move on to the Prozac substitution strategy.
>
> Good luck! Keep posting.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
Posted by Chainsaw on April 9, 2005, at 13:00:17
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Riss on April 9, 2005, at 12:12:16
So I have read that the withdraw symptoms can last anywhere from two to five weeks. Anyone hear or read that they can last longer? I took my last dose of a two year "habit" eight days ago--after a two and a half month step down from 100mg. The pharma industry did in two years what twenty years of recreational drug use couldn't--turn me into a junky. (The joke is on me, and the Gods must be wetting their metaphysical pants over this cruel irony.) I will not/not take any other drug to get me through this. The very idea strikes me as obtuse. Still dizzy and everything else. Just say "no" to drugs kids.
Anyone experience heart skips? I do, I hope I am not the only one...
Posted by Roc on April 17, 2005, at 2:40:13
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Chainsaw on April 9, 2005, at 13:00:17
> So I have read that the withdraw symptoms can last anywhere from two to five weeks. Anyone hear or read that they can last longer? I took my last dose of a two year "habit" eight days ago--after a two and a half month step down from 100mg. The pharma industry did in two years what twenty years of recreational drug use couldn't--turn me into a junky. (The joke is on me, and the Gods must be wetting their metaphysical pants over this cruel irony.) I will not/not take any other drug to get me through this. The very idea strikes me as obtuse. Still dizzy and everything else. Just say "no" to drugs kids.
>
> Anyone experience heart skips? I do, I hope I am not the only one...Hi everyone***
Thank God I am not the only one having problems. I just got off Zoloft. I was on for about 2 year, maybe a little less. I was at 50mg then to 25mg. I did what my doctor said and tapered off like that. Now I am finding that I have been having pain behind my eyes, the worst is I am feeling light headed. Kinda of a spacy feeling, at times I feel like I can't concentrait. I wish this would go away, does anybody have suggestions on how long this may take or is there an all natural supplement to handle this?
I wish I never had started this stuff, grrr. I'm frustrated.
Posted by JaneB on April 21, 2005, at 11:59:00
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Roc on April 17, 2005, at 2:40:13
Yes it CAN be done. Over 3 months I gradually went from 50 mg Zoloft and .50 mg clonazepam and now I am med free. The secret for me was to follow the advice on this board to go very slowly and split, split, split pills. When I started to get too dizzy I would just shave off a little and take it. Dizziness would go away fairly quickly. I am enjoying my med-free state but also remain very thankful for the role they played.
Jane
Posted by JaneB on April 21, 2005, at 12:04:32
In reply to You can do it if I can, posted by JaneB on April 21, 2005, at 11:59:00
You all helped me immensely. Thanks to all of you for your help.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 21, 2005, at 21:32:46
In reply to PS Thanks Dr. Bob, Scott (SLS) and others, posted by JaneB on April 21, 2005, at 12:04:32
Posted by rag on April 23, 2005, at 10:03:34
In reply to PS Thanks Dr. Bob, Scott (SLS) and others, posted by JaneB on April 21, 2005, at 12:04:32
I have been on zoloft (12.5 mg for 4 days, 25 for 2 and 50 for 4 days) I'm not sure I really need this (highs and lows from long distance relationship)
should I experience any withdrawal problems after this short term use?????
Posted by SLS on April 23, 2005, at 13:38:49
In reply to Re: PS Thanks Dr. Bob, Scott (SLS) and others, posted by rag on April 23, 2005, at 10:03:34
> I have been on zoloft (12.5 mg for 4 days, 25 for 2 and 50 for 4 days) I'm not sure I really need this (highs and lows from long distance relationship)
>
> should I experience any withdrawal problems after this short term use?????I can't answer your question with certainty, but any withdrawal effects should be mild and limited in duration. I think withdrawal becomes more of an issue once someone has been on Zoloft for two weeks and longer. If I were in your position, I would probably choose to discontinue taking it all at once.
Please let us know what you experience. It would be interesting to know what a short exposure to Zoloft is capable of.
Have you ever taken an antidepressant before?
Which ones?
Have you ever had a withdrawal reaction before?I don't think you should have anything to be scared of.
- Scott
Posted by rag on April 23, 2005, at 14:33:18
In reply to Re: PS Thanks Dr. Bob, Scott (SLS) and others, posted by SLS on April 23, 2005, at 13:38:49
> > I have been on zoloft (12.5 mg for 4 days, 25 for 2 and 50 for 4 days) I'm not sure I really need this (highs and lows from long distance relationship)
> >
> > should I experience any withdrawal problems after this short term use?????
>
> I can't answer your question with certainty, but any withdrawal effects should be mild and limited in duration. I think withdrawal becomes more of an issue once someone has been on Zoloft for two weeks and longer. If I were in your position, I would probably choose to discontinue taking it all at once.
>
> Please let us know what you experience. It would be interesting to know what a short exposure to Zoloft is capable of.
>
> Have you ever taken an antidepressant before?
> Which ones?
> Have you ever had a withdrawal reaction before?
>
> I don't think you should have anything to be scared of.
>
>
> - Scott
>thanks Scott I stopped yesterday seem to be OK
have never taken an antidepressant before
have never had any withdrawal systemshave taken xanax from time to time
Rich
Posted by DDTTBB on April 25, 2005, at 11:03:47
In reply to You can do it if I can, posted by JaneB on April 21, 2005, at 11:59:00
Hi all, I got off Zoloft two years ago. I quit it cold turkey while taking 200mg per day. Not a good idea, but I made it. I had all the symptoms described on this board, but I never had to miss a day of work or anything, thankfully. I was amazed how quickly the extra pounds melted off when I quit taking it. I was exercising a lot, but I lost 15 pounds in just over a month. I had to go back on Zoloft after 6 months off it when my wife filed for divorce. A year and a half later, I am happily remarried and have started to taper off Zoloft, hopefully for good. I am annoyed by the weight gain. It's all in my gut. I would definitely recommend tapering to some extent. I had the weirdest things happen to me at night the first time I got off it cold turkey. I would constantly get up during the night and find myself in another part of the house, just standing there. One night, I awoke to find myself urinating into my kitchen garbage can. No joke! So, I am tapering, cutting off 50 mg each week. I am not going to spend months tapering because it seems like the withdrawal symptoms still come when the amount drops to zero, so I am going to weather the storm, knowing it will pass and things will get better. I can tell you that I did well when I quit the Zoloft. My thinking was clearer, and my memory was better. I was in a bad marriage, which was the main cause of my depression. I think Zoloft really did help me, but my life has changed dramatically for the better, and I am confident I can live without it. I just wanted to reassure people that yes, the withdrawal is not fun, but it does get better. I just started tapering last week, dropping from 200 to 150, and while I have some mild symptoms of dizziness that come and go, I am doing much better than when I quit cold turkey two years ago. You can get off this drug!
Posted by DDTTBB on April 25, 2005, at 20:52:38
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Mirandakdj on March 1, 2005, at 20:22:37
Hi all, I got off Zoloft two years ago. I quit it cold turkey while taking 200mg per day. Not a good idea, but I made it. I had all the symptoms described on this board, but I never had to miss a day of work or anything, thankfully. I was amazed how quickly the extra pounds melted off. I was exercising a lot, but I lost 15 pounds in just over a month. I had to go back on Zoloft after 6 months off it when my wife filed for divorce. A year and a half later, I am happily remarried and have started to taper off Zoloft, hopefully for good. I would definitely recommend tapering to some extent. I had the weirdest things happen to me at night the first time I got off it. I would constantly get up during the night and find myself in another part of the house, just standing there. So, I am tapering, cutting off 50 mg each week. I am not going to spend months tapering because it seems like the withdrawal symptoms still come when the amount drops to zero, so I am going to weather the storm, knowing it will pass and things will get better. I can tell you that I did well when I quit the Zoloft. My thinking was clearer, and my memory was better. I think Zoloft really did help me, but my life has changed dramatically for the better, and I am confident I can live without it. I just wanted to reassure people that yes, the withdrawal is not fun, but it does get better.
Posted by laurab on April 26, 2005, at 22:09:10
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by DDTTBB on April 25, 2005, at 10:56:46
I have been on 200 mg Zoloft & .5 mg of Ativan for 2 1/2 years for panic/anxiety attacks. My psychiatrist told me that they were mainly caused from the stress of my old job. A short time after being on the Zoloft and getting a better job the attacks stopped.
My Psychiatrist told me to start coming off of the Zoloft. I dropped 25 mgs every 2 weeks. I did fine until I got down to 0. Then wham! I was dizzy, off balance, sick to my stomach, getting these weird feelings in my head as if my brain had gone numb for a second, crying spells, and insomnia. Talk about a medical nightmare!
I called my Psychiatrist to see what was happening and he blew me off. He said that the symptoms I am having is not from coming off of Zoloft and asked, "Well which would you rather have? Panic Attacks or what you're going through now?" and told me there were no after effects from Zoloft. So with that, I went on the internet to see what was going on. I was releaved to find out that this was normal (if that's what you would call this). I saw many threads about trying benedryl or tylenol cold and sinus for vertigo relief. I tried them and nothing improved. I went to see my PCP and she gave me a prescription for motion sickness...which made me feel worse and very grawgy.
It has been almost a month since I have been off of the zoloft. I still have dizziness,numb feeling in my head and I can't sleep at night without taking tylenol pm.
I am on Medical Leave from work and I haven't been able to drive since 3/28/05. My pcp is familiar with the effects of coming off of Zoloft however my psychiatrist isn't? Go figure. Anyway, my PCP is concerned about the numbness I am getting in my head so she referred me to a Neurologist. I have an appointment in a few days.
In the mean time I am going stir crazy. I am so frustrated because I cannot function like I used to. I am so used to being on the go all of the time and now I just sit around because I am too dizzy to do anything. My question is does anyone know how long does this typically last? Has anyone found anything that works to help?
Posted by DDTTBB on April 27, 2005, at 13:49:14
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by laurab on April 26, 2005, at 22:09:10
It should go away. It took several weeks, but the withdrawal symptoms eventually stopped. Your symptoms sound more severe than what I had when I quit cold turkey, but I know people have said it takes months in some cases. I have concluded that everyone responds differently to Zoloft withdrawal, but eventually I htink your body will adjust to not having it anymore.
Posted by DDTTBB on April 27, 2005, at 13:53:18
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by laurab on April 26, 2005, at 22:09:10
I can't believe psychiatrists are so blind to the effects of Zoloft withdrawal. I guess they have the drug companies in their back pocket. You would think a person with a medical degree could spend five minutes on the internet and see how many people suffer from Zoloft withdrawal. That is why I am tapering off it without my psychiatrist knowing, and I am not going to spend months doing it either. I went from 200 to 150 last week, will drop to 100 tomorrow for another week, then fifty, then 25, and then done, because it seems like everyone gets the symptoms when they drop to 0 no matter how long they have been tapering off it. I am doing very well so far, and I know it might suck for a few weeks when I drop to 0, but I survived it cold turkey two years ago, so I know I can do it again.
Posted by JaneB on April 29, 2005, at 16:36:03
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by laurab on April 26, 2005, at 22:09:10
What helped me with the dizziness, nausea, etc. was to shave a bit off the Zoloft tablet and take it as soon as the dizziness was too annoying. The time span between "shavings" became longer and longer. Now I have no dizziness at all. Doctors don't always know what our bodies are experiencing. But many people have experienced extreme withdrawal from the "non-addicting" antidepressants. I have had success in coming off by using the shaving method. Try it--maybe it will work for you. But as you see new specialists and get more tests you may experience "dizziness" just from the anticipation of tests and test results. Maybe you just need to give your body a touch of Zoloft to get you over the withdrawal a little more.Are you discontinuing Ativan also? I was advised to discontinue Zoloft and then Klonopin. However, I found that it worked better for me to decrease each at the same time equally by the same split and shave method.
I am no expert. Just sharing what worked for me. Good luck.
Jane
> I have been on 200 mg Zoloft & .5 mg of Ativan for 2 1/2 years for panic/anxiety attacks. My psychiatrist told me that they were mainly caused from the stress of my old job. A short time after being on the Zoloft and getting a better job the attacks stopped.
>
> My Psychiatrist told me to start coming off of the Zoloft. I dropped 25 mgs every 2 weeks. I did fine until I got down to 0. Then wham! I was dizzy, off balance, sick to my stomach, getting these weird feelings in my head as if my brain had gone numb for a second, crying spells, and insomnia. Talk about a medical nightmare!
>
> I called my Psychiatrist to see what was happening and he blew me off. He said that the symptoms I am having is not from coming off of Zoloft and asked, "Well which would you rather have? Panic Attacks or what you're going through now?" and told me there were no after effects from Zoloft. So with that, I went on the internet to see what was going on. I was releaved to find out that this was normal (if that's what you would call this). I saw many threads about trying benedryl or tylenol cold and sinus for vertigo relief. I tried them and nothing improved. I went to see my PCP and she gave me a prescription for motion sickness...which made me feel worse and very grawgy.
>
> It has been almost a month since I have been off of the zoloft. I still have dizziness,numb feeling in my head and I can't sleep at night without taking tylenol pm.
>
> I am on Medical Leave from work and I haven't been able to drive since 3/28/05. My pcp is familiar with the effects of coming off of Zoloft however my psychiatrist isn't? Go figure. Anyway, my PCP is concerned about the numbness I am getting in my head so she referred me to a Neurologist. I have an appointment in a few days.
>
> In the mean time I am going stir crazy. I am so frustrated because I cannot function like I used to. I am so used to being on the go all of the time and now I just sit around because I am too dizzy to do anything. My question is does anyone know how long does this typically last? Has anyone found anything that works to help?
Posted by Freedom on May 1, 2005, at 11:26:21
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » laurab, posted by JaneB on April 29, 2005, at 16:36:03
Wow, so this is what I have to look foward to...
well, I just finished Grad school, and will have some time on my hands before I start working...I will take advantage of this time to get off Zoloft. I am sooooo active, eat the right foods, the correct portions, etc. stay away from fat, and white flour and sugar and still managed to gain weight....I feel lethargic from zoloft as well. I took it mainly for anxiety and PTSD from a brain injury and surgery, however, am into yoga and holistic healing, so I will rely on these therapies to help me get through the rough spots, if I in fact have them when tapering off. The meds helped and I am grateful, however, its time to move on...its been 2 years, and the doctor will not suggest to get off of them...believe me!!
He keeps asking if I want to increase!!! Its all about self determination, and doing whats best for ourselves...I will keep everyone posted on my experience....thanks for sharing all your information...this is very helpful....
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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