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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by medstudent on April 1, 2006, at 3:58:37
hi
im a final year medical student, and i have just started the hell awful ordeal of getting off zoloft. last week i actually collapsed during rounds so i have been put on a small dose to gradually taper. i want to be rid of this before i graduate because obviously once i do it will be impossible to find an appropriate time.
Last year in med school we did a full 8 week in-depth study of depression. The pros and cons of starting treatment and initial effects were hammered... but noone EVER EVER EVER mentioned withdrawal side effects. at first i was angry at my doctor when i started to get withdrawal symptoms, because he didnt tell me... but then i realised- how the hell would he even know it was a real scenario because its not even mentioned in medical schools. this is really appalling. it also makes me wonder what else they havent told me...
Posted by dancingstar on April 1, 2006, at 10:49:21
In reply to withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by medstudent on April 1, 2006, at 3:58:37
medstudent,
Effexor totally wrecked me. It was prescribed to me by a family practice doc, and he promised me there were no side effects. The problem that you speak about is enormous and affecting thousands if not millions of people. Something has to change!
On a bright note, it takes less time to withdraw from Zoloft than from some of the others. Go slowly, as slowly as your body tells you to, and you should be all right.
Best of luck with everything, and I hope you're feeoing much better soon!!
Posted by minimal on April 1, 2006, at 23:00:45
In reply to withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by medstudent on April 1, 2006, at 3:58:37
I too am currently withdrawing from a SSRI - Prozac.
I agree fully with dancingstar, withdraw very slowly, allowing several weeks of adjustment on each slightly lower dose, if possible. I have found fish oil and b vitamins to help significantly. I am down to 5 mgs/day Prozac and after a couple of not great (but not terrible) days, I am now stabilizing. I will stay on this until probably late May and then drop again.
Let me just say that now congnition is much smoother, clearer and easier than on the SSRI. I feel a mental clarity that could only help someone studying to be a doctor. I do recommend trying the Omega 3's and a magnesium supplement to help you through the process.
Posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 7:41:19
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by minimal on April 1, 2006, at 23:00:45
> I too am currently withdrawing from a SSRI - Prozac.
>
> I agree fully with dancingstar, withdraw very slowly,Another reason to withdraw the drug slowly is that it might prevent a relapse of the illness the drug was meant to treat. After a remission is attained and maintained for an extended period of time (6-12 months - debatable), the probability of relapse is lower for those whom taper slowly. This is particularly true of lithium, it seems. One of the difficulties in withdrawing a medication too fast is that the withdrawal symptoms can mimick the original illness, making it difficult to interpret them as being either withdrawal or relapse.
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on April 2, 2006, at 10:29:06
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 7:41:19
My body knew exactly what was happening as it was being tortured by the withdrawal from effexor. I nearly died.
Posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 11:29:07
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school » SLS, posted by dancingstar on April 2, 2006, at 10:29:06
> My body knew exactly what was happening as it was being tortured by the withdrawal from effexor. I nearly died.
You might have misunderstood what I wrote. I meant that the depression that some people experience during the withdrawal process is actually a relapse of depression rather than a withdrawal symptom. Of course, depression can also be a rebound effect of withdrawal. It is often difficult to tell the difference between the two. Obviously, you wouldn't want to restart the drug if it were a withdrawal symptom. Likewise, you wouldn't want to withold the drug for an extended period of time if the depression represents a relapse. This might produce a resistance to the recapturing of the antidepressant response upon restart.
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on April 2, 2006, at 11:58:03
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 11:29:07
What I meant is that there is no confusion about how I felt. I was never depressed until I took Effexor in the first place. The withdrawal symptoms were distinct, and the problems caused by them, including depression, anxiety for the first time in my life, and pain beyond belief were not mistakable or able to be confused in any way.
I'm one of those that believe from the bottom of my heart that the use of Effexor should be limited to prescriptions by pdocs only if it is not removed from the market completely for it having hurt so many people like myself.
Posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 12:31:30
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school » SLS, posted by dancingstar on April 2, 2006, at 11:58:03
> What I meant is that there is no confusion about how I felt.
I'm sure there wasn't. It was not my intention to question your personal experience with Effexor.
> I was never depressed until I took Effexor in the first place.
> The withdrawal symptoms were distinct, and the problems caused by them, including depression, anxiety for the first time in my life,
Why were you prescribed Effexor?
> and pain beyond belief were not mistakable or able to be confused in any way.
I asked you along another thread how you went about discontinuing Effexor. Gradual taper? Rapid taper? Crossover? Cold turkey?
> I'm one of those that believe from the bottom of my heart that the use of Effexor should be limited to prescriptions by pdocs onlyEven some pdocs aren't qualified to administer Effexor. Many don't fully appreciate the side effects or the discontinuation syndrome it can produce.
> if it is not removed from the market completely for it having hurt so many people like myself.
Was it the drug or was it its administration that was most to blame?
Effexor has been a lifesaver for so many people, I don't think it should be removed from the market until another drug can be produced that will replace it. This means that no one who currently responds to Effexor will be left without an effective treatment.
My position is biased towards making available as many treatments as possible to treat mental illnesses; the administration of which should be taught to those who would prescribe these treatments, as well as having the prescriber describe thoroughly the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on April 2, 2006, at 12:54:15
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school » dancingstar, posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 12:31:30
okay.
Posted by Sarah T. on April 2, 2006, at 17:07:28
In reply to withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by medstudent on April 1, 2006, at 3:58:37
Hi. Congratulations on finishing medical school, and even more congratulations on accomplishing as much as you have in spite of your depression.
Yes, I am in full agreement with you regarding the withdrawal from antidepressants. Even worse is the fact that the pharmaceutical companies and many doctors don't call it "Withdrawal." If they acknowledge it at all, they use euphemisms like "discontinuation syndrome," but whatever they call it, it is, in many instances, far worse than withdrawal from restricted meds. I know people who withdrew from Paxil and Effexor years ago, and they're still experiencing brain zaps, movement disorders and numerous other problems.
A relative of mine who was a physician once cautioned me not to try any new antidepressants (or any other meds, for that matter) until they'd been on the market for at least a few years. He always said, "Only take what's tried and true." He had seen so many instances of patients trying brand new drugs, only to see those drugs withdrawn from the market within weeks or months due to problems that either did not surface during clinical trials or were covered up.
My suggestion to you is to withdraw from Zoloft as slowly as possible. Lower the dose in almost imperceptible increments, and stretch it out over as many weeks or months as you can. I know you want to get off the stuff fast, but if you do it too fast, you're likely to rebound and end up more depressed. Is Zoloft available in liquid form? If so, taking the liquid with a medicine dropper that is very finely graduated will help manage the tiny, nearly imperceptible dose changes that are necessary for this very gradual withdrawal.
Good luck. Please let us know how you're doing.
Posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 19:50:20
In reply to withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by medstudent on April 1, 2006, at 3:58:37
I agree with others along this thread that it is in your best interests to discontinue Zoloft using a taper strategy. However, I question the necessity to protract the withdrawal process over the course of months.
I've had success discontinuing Zoloft 200mg within 2 weeks using a flexible-dosing strategy. To make a long story short, I use small amounts of Zoloft almost like a PRN whenever I feel the withdrawal symptoms coming on. I end up dosing 3-4 times per day. I take only enough medication to last 6-8 hours. I don't take my next dose until the symptoms reappear. I find that it takes smaller and smaller doses to last the 6-8 hour period. Eventually, I reach a minimum dose plateau where even the smallest reduction is incapable of defering withdrawal symptoms for more than a few hours. This is the point at which I discontinue the drug entirely. The key word is "flexible". One does not have to be absolutely precise with the amount of each dose. I try to estimate how much it will take to last 6-8 hours. If it ends up being 10 hours, I know that I will need to take a smaller amount the next time. I reduce the dosage by "feel". It works for me.
- Scott
Posted by medstudent on April 3, 2006, at 5:59:21
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school » medstudent, posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 19:50:20
thanks guys. finding this forum was so awesome- i seriosuly thought i was going insane.
sad thing is, im pretty sure i never actually needed zoloft in the first place but i was rushed onto it wihtout any real offer of other options... im sure alot of u have experienced the same things...
are there any supplements or anything which decrease the effects? ive read some of you recommending various other medications but im not willing to try any more medications..
Posted by B2chica on April 3, 2006, at 10:51:29
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by medstudent on April 3, 2006, at 5:59:21
just wanted to add my 2c.
i am currently going off wellbutrin 450 and zoloft 100. i'm down off completely wellbutrin and down to zoloft 50.
it has been great no real probs (little nausea but that's about it).
But my pdoc has me excersizing everyday and he says everytime i decrease one AD i need to up my excersize a little. he says you need to replace a chemical reaction with another chemical response. and it has been real smooth. even skipping one day i can sort of notice a difference so i just keep going.best wishes.
b2c.
Posted by Sarah T. on April 6, 2006, at 1:14:06
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by medstudent on April 3, 2006, at 5:59:21
Hi. You asked about supplements that might make withdrawal from Zoloft easier. You might want to check out the "Alternative" board, also on this website. I'm not too knowledgeable about alternative meds, but there are many others here who are; unfortunately, one of the most knowledgeable and helpful posters here, especially in alternative medicine, has been "blocked" for six weeks. His name is Larry Hoover. When he returns, perhaps you can ask him, or you can check the archives for some of his posts.
I have found exercise to be an excellent antidepressant, and whether you're on meds, withdrawing from them, or off all meds, exercise is terrific for the body, mind and soul.
Posted by medstudent on April 6, 2006, at 23:27:41
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school » medstudent, posted by Sarah T. on April 6, 2006, at 1:14:06
thanks
ive found the exercise to be very helpful in getting rid of the dizzy spells and headaches but havent found anything for the up and down appetite or the nausea.. been two weeks tho.. and counting/./
Posted by dancingstar on April 7, 2006, at 12:59:16
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by medstudent on April 6, 2006, at 23:27:41
Did you try the Benadryl? It helped me with the nausea and some other symptoms.
People suggested all sorts of supplements, and so I tried nearly every supplement known to mankind, but in the end nothing else really helped. I think it's possible that colostrum helped a wee bit, but I didn't get that one until long into the process. Omega 3's are supposed to help, but I'm not really convinced.
I guess I felt that it would be a good idea to do anything possible to build my immune system, which is why I took tons of vitamins, minerals, etc., including CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, many amino acids, SAMe, and others.
Hope this helps a bit and that you're feeling at least somewhat better soon....
Posted by Sarah T. on April 8, 2006, at 16:12:22
In reply to Re: withdrawal.. and medical school, posted by medstudent on April 6, 2006, at 23:27:41
Hi. Ginger helps me combat nausea. I'm just getting over a nasty infection that started out "flu-like" and settled in my sinuses. When it was in its "flu" stages, I had a lot of nausea, and ginger and ginger ale seemed to help me. Actually, I'm not sure that any of the major ginger ale brands have real ginger in them, but for some reason, ginger ale and saltines are the only things my stomach can tolerate when I'm feeling nauseated.
Oh, if you're going to nibbile on some saltines if you're too nauseated to eat, I found that saltines are now made with unsalted tops. They are also available in a low sodium form, which isn't the same as the unsalted tops version. There's too much sodium in the regular saltines.
I'm not sure how to deal with the up and down appetite. I will have to think about that for a bit.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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