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Posted by Brenda T on September 29, 2003, at 18:02:53
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by rickg on September 16, 2003, at 20:05:21
I am a 33 year old female. I have been on a mixture of antidepressants and mood stabilizers for 7 years. The mixture that the doctors had me on was Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Lithium. I do have to say that I was able to get my life back on track while being on these meds, but now I am trying to stay on track and be healthy without the meds. I believe the body can heal itself and I will get my strength through zoga, meditation and diet.
Here's my story:
I successfully quit taking Lithium in December 2002 with few side affects. I slowly reduced the dosage in July of 2002 until I eliminated it completely in December 2002.
Then, I successfully quit Wellbutrin in March 2003. I went through several months of withdrawal symptoms, of which, I believe most of the symptoms I experienced were actual side affects from being only on the zoloft.
After about a month of stability in my mood, I began to taper off of Zoloft. In July 2003, I was taking 100 mg of Zoloft. I then took 75 mg. of zoloft for 3 weeks with no withdrawal symptoms. Then I took 50 mg a day for the next 3 weeks and only experienced headaches. Then in September for 2-1/2 weeks I reduced to 25 mg a day and sometimes I would forget to take the 25 mg. I began to experience many more withdrawal symptoms.
It has been 17 days since I last took zoloft and these are my symptoms: dizziness, lack of energy, easily fatigues, craving sweets, increased appetite at times, headaches, dry eyes, cold feet, hands fall asleep during the night if they are above my heart, less patient, more emotional, easily agitated, vivid and dark dreams, low mood and enthusiasm. I have found that taking a 1-2 hour nap mid-day after lunch is helping me get through the days of intense withdrawal symptoms. I allow my body and mind to shut down each day for a couple of hours so that I can reduce the feelings of being overloaded, overly fatigued and easily angered. It helps but doesn't eliminate all of these horrid symptoms.
I've read that withdrawal symptoms usually go away after 3 weeks or so, but because I had been on zoloft for over 5 years, I'm prepared to experience these symptoms for even longer.I did read that Vitamin B6 or B12 may help reduce the symptoms. Does anyone know for sure and which one may help?
Thanks for letting me share. And for everyone out there going through the withdrawls of any antidepressant, hang in there and journal everything that you are experiencing. Journaling every symptom will help you through this. You are not going crazy...your body just has to readjust itself and heal in time.
Have faith in your own ability to heal!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Donna Louise on September 30, 2003, at 11:27:37
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by nicholas on September 28, 2003, at 5:04:57
> I'm glad I've come across this forum. I have been taking Zoloft now for the past four years and am considering getting off it.
> I am a 41 yr old male. A doctor prescribed Zoloft for me as I was stressing out so much with life in general,(you know...work, teenage daughters and their rebellions, a bowel cancer operation, a very difficult childhood, etc). This resulted in constant fretting, stressing, depressions & fighting with my wife. Unfortunately it also resulted in me being physically abusive as well. I knew I really, really needed help.
> That help came in the form of a Zoloft pill. Within a week the change was dramatic. From borderline beast to passive, loveable and easy going Dad.
> Yes, I've lost most of my sex drive, for which I do feel bad about at times for my wife,[and me :-( ]but we both feel it's worth it as the postives seem to outweigh the negatives.
> When I first started Zoloft, I got symptoms of nauseousness which lasted about 10 days. I started on 50mgs per day and dosed myself up to 150mgs per day as there were times I felt it wasn't as effective as when I first started. The higher dosage made me subconsciously grind my teeth(even in my sleep, the wife says)spontaneous weeping eyes, chills and if I was to forget to take my dose, the ever familiar chant of "head rushes" (like a dull head bang inside lasting 1-2 seconds occuring erratically & regularly, seemingly whirling in my head)and dizziness.
> This made me nervous in relation to what was Zoloft actually doing to my brain, so I decided to start to "wean" myself back. I went back 100 mgs per day and then to 50 mgs per day all over a 6 mths period. Though a lesser dosage caused me to "lose the plot" sometimes, it actually helped me to "manage" reality a little better rather than being in some kind of chemical stupification all the time.
> The trouble is, recently I tried to actually go off Zoloft but as I'm reading...it ain't easy!!. Any attempt to go below 50mgs per day, even staggering it on and off, resulted in even more of the aforementioned symptoms & more intense in some cases.
> After a while, I put it into the "too hard basket" and resigned myself to being on 50mgs of Zoloft for evermore.
> Recently, I've got to a stage where I feel the 50mg isn't REALLY doing anything or helping me but just keeping me to a level of dependance due to the fact it's very difficult to go back to zero.
> What a money spinner for Phizer eh??
> Yet by reading through the various threads I have found new hope to "give it another go". I believe there is a lot to benefit from this:
> 1. More sex drive. (BTW- this is not necessarily in order!!)
> 2. Actually see if there is an emotional difference between 50mg and zero.(Has the worst past?)
> 3.Peace of mind knowing there is one less drug you are putting in your body as Zoloft hasn't REALLY stood the "test of time" to be unequivocally SAFE.
> 4. Money saved.
> The way I figure it is, worse case scenario, if this 50mg IS really holding me together and I fall apart after going off it....I go back on. Simple. But I'll never, never know if I never,never give it a go.
> Zoloft is a good antidepressant and the like. The drug did ease the torment I was experiencing at a dark time in my life for which I am grateful.
> But is the price a lifetime of indirect dependancy and contributions to Phizers coffers?
>
> Hope not.
>
> Anyhow, thanks to all who has shared their experiences in this forum. It's been a BIG help to read your situations and has helped me feel I'm not alone in all this.
> And like one alluded to, 'Doctors..half of them don't have a clue what it's like or how to help unless they've maybe taken Zoloft themselves, the other half are happy to fill out the prescriptions and get that free holiday compliments of the phamaceutical giants.
This is my solution to withdrawals from SSRI's. I take 10mg of prozac while I quit the other one's that give me the withdrawal. Then, if I want to stop the prozac too, no problem, its half-life is so long that there are none with this drug. This is what I have recently done with the zoloft myself. And unfortunatley, even 25 mg was still helping me with the depression and anxiety. When I cut down to 12.5 mg of zoloft, all the anxiety and depression came back along with the beginnings of some good ol'SSRI "discontinuation effects". Taking the 10mg of prozac has halted all of that, so I may just keep on with the 10mg of prozac as I seem pretty stable at the moment. going on 4 weeks off zoloft and on prozac now.Good luck, we all need it!
Donna
Posted by lucasj on September 30, 2003, at 13:24:46
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by wendie on September 29, 2003, at 17:50:15
> > Hey Windie, today is 9/28/2033. How are you feeling now?
> >
> > I am trying to decide if I want to try coming off Zoloft after several years.
> >
> > John
>
> I'm fine,but I'm also taking 50 mg of zoloft every night and 150 mg of Wellbutrin every morning. Come hell or high water, I am going to get off zoloftby the end of the year and then start on the Wellbutrin and then I am never going to take any of this stuff again. I am taking the "taper off very very gradually" approach, timing things so I will have the week after Christmas to go through the worst of the withdrawal which seems to start about two weeks after you stop all together. All I can say is that if you go off, be prepared to feel bad. And if you can, get somebody to encourage and support you through it. My weeklong bout with withdrawal was so awful that I couldn't keep it up, and i am not a person who gives up easily!
>
>Wendie,
I have read several of the posts on this "thread" and am beginning to wonder: If coming of Zoloft is so terrible, why in the heck not continue the treatment.
The problems that Zoloft has cured for me were very debilitating. The only symptom of taking Zoloft for me is "feeling great". So I guess I really see no good reason for not taking one pill every day for the rest of my life, if it means the difference between feeling like crap and being able to feel good and live life like before.
Good luck to all who read this, and I will keep you in my prayers!
Posted by nicholas on September 30, 2003, at 15:54:52
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » nicholas, posted by katia on September 28, 2003, at 13:36:45
> Hi Welcome to psychobabble!
> Do you still have a regular psychiatrist (pdoc)? I would definitely talk to her/him about the fact that you're going off first. Whether they provide support or not, it's an important first step.
> I was only on Zoloft three months and it did nothing for me except made me a zombie AND I still had to endure the w/drawal right after enduring a similar w/d on Effexor. It's hard but doable. Those zappy electrical feelings and the dizziness feeling of going down an elevator sideways does end. Give it two weeks - one for the worst of it. Try even taking 1/2 of 50mg and then 1/2 of that and then 1/2 of that..... until it feels like you can let go totally.
> the main thing is, it does go away with time and no one around you who hasn't gone thru' it won't have a clue what you're trying to describe and you'll feel even more frustrated due to lack of empathy. it's trully hellish, but it ends soon.
> good luck with your stopping it. It may not be so bad if you taper and taper little by little.
> Katia
Hey Katia,Thanks for your words of encouragement. I think I will actually follow the method you've outlined above. It seems to make sense to tread slowly and cautiously whilst trying to get off Zoloft. If I can minimise the intensity of the "zapping" then the rest I feel I can manage.
The first time round, after about 6 days into reducing my dosage, it was like I got scared thinking, "these zaps and dizzy spells aren't going to go away and they're damn intense!!" I ride a motorbike weekends for relaxation ( a cruiser,- great for stress relief) and so I'm thinking, "What would happen if I got a zap whilst riding?"
But, true to my form, (an extremist) I can see my method was too much. ie: 50mg one day, then zero the next then 50mg then zero, zero, etc. At the time it was more of a personal test to see what would happen rather than an out and out decision to go off Zoloft.
Re: Doctors. No I don't have a pdoc. Zoloft was prescribed to me by the local GP on duty that day. I probably should've consulted first, but as I mentioned, it was more of a curiousity test at the time. Nevertheless I will heed your advice and inform whoever's on when I visit about my intentions now that I've decided I don't want/like to keep taking Zoloft. It is better safe than sorry.
Again thanks. It really is encouraging to be able to share these issues with others in similiar circumstances.Nicholas
Posted by nicholas on September 30, 2003, at 16:26:21
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » nicholas, posted by Donna Louise on September 30, 2003, at 11:27:37
Hey Donna Louise,
Thanks for replying to my post.
The 10mg Prozac idea is definately something I will discuss with the GP when I visit. It seems to make sense to take something that may help to "balance" any withdrawal symptons that may be associated with Zoloft.
I've never taken Prozac before so I'm wondering if you experienced any initial effects when you first introduced yourself to it. (all I need is another set of effects to monitor and deal with!! Ha!).
Also as I mentioned in another post, I think I was too "keen" to wean myself from Zoloft and jumped in all gung-ho, going to extremes. I obviously need to 'take it slow' and expect it to take some time. My current challenge now is: trying to break up a 100 mg Zoloft pill 4 x ways. Wish me luck. Ha!
Again, thanks for the advice.
Nicholas
Posted by Donna Louise on September 30, 2003, at 17:43:41
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by nicholas on September 30, 2003, at 16:26:21
> Hey Donna Louise,
>
> Thanks for replying to my post.
>
> The 10mg Prozac idea is definately something I will discuss with the GP when I visit. It seems to make sense to take something that may help to "balance" any withdrawal symptons that may be associated with Zoloft.
>
> I've never taken Prozac before so I'm wondering if you experienced any initial effects when you first introduced yourself to it. (all I need is another set of effects to monitor and deal with!! Ha!).
>
> Also as I mentioned in another post, I think I was too "keen" to wean myself from Zoloft and jumped in all gung-ho, going to extremes. I obviously need to 'take it slow' and expect it to take some time. My current challenge now is: trying to break up a 100 mg Zoloft pill 4 x ways. Wish me luck. Ha!
>
> Again, thanks for the advice.
>
> NicholasNicholas, maybe your gp can give you some 25mg samples. You can then break those in half too.
i had no side effects from the prozac at this low dose. Prozac is activating for me and the zoloft was sedating so it just made me feel normal. Although I don't feel activated or sedated at this dose. I have always like prozac the best, it just pooped out on me a few years ago. Also I was taking 20 mg then. I am feeling very good right now on the 10mg prozac, 150mg provigil and 10mg buspar BID. Hope it lasts awhile this time.
i may be able to drop the other two drugs, the provigil and buspar as I needed add-ons with the zoloft. Since it made me a sleepy zombie and didn't work too well for the depression and anxiety.The very best of luck to you,
Donna
Posted by Dragonfli on September 30, 2003, at 21:16:04
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » Dragonfli, posted by BarbaraCat on September 29, 2003, at 0:39:16
Thank you for the information, I now have more ammunition for my visit to the doctor on Thursday and can hopefully get them to listen to me. I already cut my 100mg tab into 3/4 tab for the next 5 days then I plan to cut it to half and so on until I am completely Zoloft free. I hate the way it makes me feel. Thank you so much for your help.
Thanks!!!
Posted by TW on October 1, 2003, at 14:25:36
In reply to withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Shelly on May 4, 1999, at 17:37:51
Zoloft/Lexapro Adverse effects?
Posted by TW on September 29, 2003, at 1:12:16Hi, this is my first time here and need help and advice from you guys.
I have been on lexapro for a bout 5 months now. I dont know if its helping, but all I can say that I get really itchy all over my body and its driving me crazy. The itchiness usually takes place if I am walking and sweating. If i take a shower because of the sweat, I start getting really itchy in my back, chest, thighs etc. Has anyone had this experience? The itchiness is making me bonkers and I have been told to go off of it by my shrink.Also, My best friend started taking zoloft. She was depressed to start out with, but I think the Zoloft made her more depressed and suicidal. She finally took her own life after about 3 months after starting Zoloft. She overdosed on Zoloft, Celexa, Klonipin, Benadryl and alcohol. Does anyone have any suggestions on why she got so depressed to a point where she actually took her own life and what may have caused the overdose? I mean I have heard you cant kill yourself on Zoloft...
I would really love to hear your response as I am in a lot of anguish. I also read recently that the makers of Zoloft did a study where they treated people 18 years and younger on Zoloft and that of these 50% had increased thoughts of suicide and depression.
I am not used to this forum but if you could drop me an email I would be so greatful.
[xxx]
Posted by Tallguy on October 14, 2003, at 20:04:23
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by Donna Louise on September 30, 2003, at 17:43:41
I'm just finishing Day 4 with no Zoloft, and (knock on wood) it hasn't been that bad. I was taking 50 mg of Zoloft daily for 6 months, then cut back to 25 mg daily last month and since I ran out last Fri, decided now was the time to get off of it. I do get the head fuzziness other have described and get tired in the early evenings but no "body zaps" as of right now. Anyone else on this same path?
Posted by esto on October 23, 2003, at 15:16:55
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by Tallguy on October 14, 2003, at 20:04:23
hey, i ve been on zoloft 100mg for 8 yrs. early september went to 75, as the weeks went on have gotten to 25. this week i started 0. side effects are pretty bad, i get dizzy with a wierd feeling in my teeth,,anyone get that! drugs are so screwed up, anyway i took 25 today after being off it for 4 days, and the side effects are a bit better, just wondering how long i should expect the side effects for. everytime i went down a dose, i got side effects for 4 or 5 days with each day getting better...this time symptoms are getting worse as each day goes by so i guess thats why i took 25 today. anyways, jsut curious about the teeth thing. ive heard of the electric shock thingy and the zaps, is that what you all mean by it? anyways first post, hopefully me and all of you wont have to be here to post too many thoughts, later all. ernest
Posted by Donna Louise on October 23, 2003, at 21:52:40
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by esto on October 23, 2003, at 15:16:55
> hey, i ve been on zoloft 100mg for 8 yrs. early september went to 75, as the weeks went on have gotten to 25. this week i started 0. side effects are pretty bad, i get dizzy with a wierd feeling in my teeth,,anyone get that! drugs are so screwed up, anyway i took 25 today after being off it for 4 days, and the side effects are a bit better, just wondering how long i should expect the side effects for. everytime i went down a dose, i got side effects for 4 or 5 days with each day getting better...this time symptoms are getting worse as each day goes by so i guess thats why i took 25 today. anyways, jsut curious about the teeth thing. ive heard of the electric shock thingy and the zaps, is that what you all mean by it? anyways first post, hopefully me and all of you wont have to be here to post too many thoughts, later all. ernest
Hi Ernest, sorry to hear of your agony, and that is what it is! I did not get the teeth thing although that sounds similar to the teeth thing I used to get from taking LSD. That was horrible too, I am much too neurotic to have ever fooled with that! Anyway, as I said in an earlier post, I switched to a low dose of prozac to avoid the detox from zoloft but I know the the detox from paxil lasted a couple of weeks. And if I took any paxil to ease the hell of it, I had to start all over. sorry to tell you that. If you do take a low dose of prozac to get off the zoloft, you can probably then go off the prozac with no withdrawal. That is my experience anyway.
Good luck and hang in there, this too shall pass eventually.Donna
Posted by naumann_1984_23 on October 24, 2003, at 22:51:36
In reply to withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Shelly on May 4, 1999, at 17:37:51
Umm, I stopped taking my Zoloft last December and didn't have any side effects until about the time my husband had to go to Iraq. By March I had to go back on it to prevent suicide and all that good stuff. But for the couple of months in between Dec. and March, I was feeling pretty good. I had some really bad HIGHS but my lows weren't so bad. Now I am pretty well under control.
Posted by fishin on November 5, 2003, at 20:42:02
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by esto on October 23, 2003, at 15:16:55
I just stopped taking zoloft on the 31st of October. I went from 50 mg to nothing (I had been taking the 50 mg for almost 2 years) I do get that weird feeling in my teeth, like electricity. I notice that the "head zaps" are worst when I move my eyes around or when I stand up quickly. This is irritating because I work two jobs and attend college full time so I'm not entirely sure how to cope. Does anyone know how long this is supposed to last? It just seems to be getting increasingly worse.
Posted by KXo on November 6, 2003, at 10:54:11
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by fishin on November 5, 2003, at 20:42:02
It didn´t happened to me when I stopped taking Zoloft, but happened when I stopped Wellbutrin, Effexor and Buspar. Also when I started Wellbutrin. The zaps lasted about 2 weeks.
Why are you stopping Zoloft?
KXo> I just stopped taking zoloft on the 31st of October. I went from 50 mg to nothing (I had been taking the 50 mg for almost 2 years) I do get that weird feeling in my teeth, like electricity. I notice that the "head zaps" are worst when I move my eyes around or when I stand up quickly. This is irritating because I work two jobs and attend college full time so I'm not entirely sure how to cope. Does anyone know how long this is supposed to last? It just seems to be getting increasingly worse.
Posted by edw on November 6, 2003, at 15:00:56
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by KXo on November 6, 2003, at 10:54:11
I had the same on Paxil as well. Its easing off gradually that helped me. I went right to Prozac afetr that and I understand that Prozac is self dimishing in ones system and requires no weening procedure.
Posted by fishin on November 6, 2003, at 20:46:10
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by edw on November 6, 2003, at 15:00:56
I'm stopping Zoloft because I have had a difficult time losing weight. I originally gained the weight while on Paxil, since then I have quit Paxil and begun working out and eating very well. This has been going on for a long time and I have still found myself unable to lose the "paxil pounds". So I'm sick of it, I'm tired of being overmedicated and overweight. I decided to get off of zoloft and take xanax if I need it for anxiety. These "zaps" are ridiculous though, I'm only 21 and I have a lot on my plate with school and work...it's really quite a stress.
Posted by EscherDementian on November 7, 2003, at 7:56:26
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by fishin on November 6, 2003, at 20:46:10
From 50 to 0 is WAY TOO BIG a drop, and the withdrawal side effects and 'zaps' will take MUCH longer than if you decrease more gradually, IMHO and experience with Zoloft.
Do you have any tablets left? You might want to refill just to taper down more comfortably w/o those 'electric' teethgrinding headzapping effects. And your emotions might feel the better for a smoothe landing, as well.
This is the best successful reduction schedule i have found:
From 50mg. :
Next day and for one week, take 25mg (bust the tab in half if it's the blue one. If it's the yellow 100mg, buy a pill cutter -about $3 at a discount pharmacy- and half the tablet twice).
If the "zaps" go away, you're good to continue from 25mg.
If not, alternate 50mg and 25mg every other day for a week.
Then take 50mg only after every 3 days of 25mg daily. For 2 weeks. Two weeks is what worked best for me.Then take 25mgs every day for a week, only taking 50mg for one day if the "zaps" return. It should only be needed every 5 days or so.
Continue at 25mg daily until you pass a week and haven't had any "zaps" AT ALL.
Take 25mg every day except Sunday (or you choose the day, but be consistant) for two weeks.
Then take 25mg every day for 4 days, skipping the 5th day, then 25mgs x 4 days, skip one day, 25mgs x 4 days, skip one day, 25mgs x 4 days, etc.
(This will take 3 weeks. Any faster and you may get the "zaps" again. If you are getting the "zaps" again anyway, go 25mg x 5 days, skip the next day for 2 weeks then reduce to x4, skip one).Then 25mg x 3 days, skip one, etc. for 2 weeks.
Now try skipping every other day for a week. No "zaps"? Take 25mg only every 3rd day, skipping 2 days. This you WILL need to do for 2 weeks, at least.
If you can half the 25mg, great! Do above with 12mg. If not, (like me) i took 25mg only once every 5 days for a while before i tried to take none at all. Each time the "zaps" returned, i'd take one 25mg that night only. The next day i'd be fine, and it would last for longer and longer until i'd forgotten all about "zaps". And Zoloft.
Infact, at any time that the "zaps" return, backtrack one day.
*whew* i know that's alot.
i know it seems like that will take a long time, and requires marking a calendar, but this is the FASTEST comedown from Zoloft that i've found safe and comfortable, out of 4 different times/tries.
Basically, it's dangerous to stop suddenly, and should taper down for at LEAST 1/4 of the time you were taking it regularly at your full dose.Hope this helps.
Escher
Posted by KXo on November 7, 2003, at 10:09:39
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by fishin on November 6, 2003, at 20:46:10
When I had the zaps for the first time I felt very stressed! They made me feel very bad and I could not do many things like working or studying, so preocupied I was. I just could not stop thinking about it.
After that when I had them for the 2nd and 3rd time I became much more traquil because I knew they would go away soon and I was able to do what I had to.
KXo> I'm stopping Zoloft because I have had a difficult time losing weight. I originally gained the weight while on Paxil, since then I have quit Paxil and begun working out and eating very well. This has been going on for a long time and I have still found myself unable to lose the "paxil pounds". So I'm sick of it, I'm tired of being overmedicated and overweight. I decided to get off of zoloft and take xanax if I need it for anxiety. These "zaps" are ridiculous though, I'm only 21 and I have a lot on my plate with school and work...it's really quite a stress.
Posted by fishin on November 7, 2003, at 22:56:52
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by KXo on November 7, 2003, at 10:09:39
Escher
Thankyou so much for the advice, I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.
Today I worked an 8 hour day at one job only to finish and head off to my other job.
When I headed home to change, I decided enough was enough and I took 50 mg of zoloft...I'm feeling only slightly better (now hours later) but am glad that I did it because I was throwing up and it was getting worse and I know this is all from withdrawal.
I'm going to try to wean myself off much more gradually, taking that advice.
Cross your fingers for me!!
Posted by JenDi on November 8, 2003, at 18:13:40
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by KXo on November 7, 2003, at 10:09:39
Hi everyone...I am so glad I stumbled onto this forum. This is just what I've been looking for...ANSWERS! I am a 38 yr old female & I have taken 100mg Zoloft for 7 years. Over a 4 week period, I have been decreasing my dosage and slowly switching over to Wellbutrin (that I know nothing about)at the request of my GP. Currently,I have reduced my intake to less than 25mg and I am feeling EVERY ill effect that each of you have described! It has been hard to tell if these are symptoms of withdrawal or if I was coming unglued. I have been VERY emotional,VERY irritable,numbness around my lips, sporatic spells of feeling "off balance" in the sense that I get extremely light-headed. This feeling intensifies if I get up to quickly or with a swift movement of my eyes. At times it is difficult to stay focused. I have two teenage sons and a husband who are also experiencing these side effects in the sense that they get to deal with ME! Has anyone out there gotten past these symptoms that can give me some sort of time frame? And if there are any suggestions that would be helpful please let me know.
Posted by tallguy on November 8, 2003, at 18:22:06
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by JenDi on November 8, 2003, at 18:13:40
> Hi everyone...I am so glad I stumbled onto this forum. This is just what I've been looking for...ANSWERS! I am a 38 yr old female & I have taken 100mg Zoloft for 7 years. Over a 4 week period, I have been decreasing my dosage and slowly switching over to Wellbutrin (that I know nothing about)at the request of my GP. Currently,I have reduced my intake to less than 25mg and I am feeling EVERY ill effect that each of you have described! It has been hard to tell if these are symptoms of withdrawal or if I was coming unglued. I have been VERY emotional,VERY irritable,numbness around my lips, sporatic spells of feeling "off balance" in the sense that I get extremely light-headed. This feeling intensifies if I get up to quickly or with a swift movement of my eyes. At times it is difficult to stay focused. I have two teenage sons and a husband who are also experiencing these side effects in the sense that they get to deal with ME! Has anyone out there gotten past these symptoms that can give me some sort of time frame? And if there are any suggestions that would be helpful please let me know.
-- I think your problem is that you moved way too fast in reducing your dosage. 100 mgs of Zoloft for 7 years is a lot and I'd expect it would take at least a couple of months with a gradual reduction. I was on 50 mgs of Zoloft for 8 months and it took 6 weeks for me to gradually wean off of it. One thing that I found helped as well was to take 5-HTP to help with the seratonin levels. Do this only if you have days where you aren't taking an SSRI however.
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
Posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 1:40:05
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by EscherDementian on November 7, 2003, at 7:56:26
hello everybody. it seems that i need some kind of help with this zoloft thing. my wife was prescribed zoloft for chronic depression. she has been up to 200mg/day for the last 2 months. she is 5.8 tall and weights 97 pounds...after loosing more than 25 pounds in 4 months of zoloft. you all say here that you gained weight...i don't understand much anymore. more so, another doc just prescribed her 150mg wellbrutin on top of the zoloft. i am simply in panic that i am losing her to all of these drugs... any ideas, please? i want to take her off these things. slowly of course, but OFF. do you know of any alternatives...???
thank you.
Posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 1:49:38
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by EscherDementian on November 7, 2003, at 7:56:26
http://www.findserenitynow.com/az/index.html
has anybody taken this? or something similar that is not major B/S? thank you all very much.
Posted by Tallguy on November 11, 2003, at 1:56:43
In reply to zoloft, zaps, and all from 200mg/day, posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 1:40:05
Some people gain weight, some people lose weight, some aren't affected at all. It varies from person to person. I can guess at that level of dosage, it's possible that the Zoloft is acting like an appetite suppresant. When I first started taking Zoloft my appetite shrank as well. 200 mgs plus Welbutrin is a lot of meds though. I think it might be time to get a second opinion. However, it is common for a doctor to try out various SSRIs before finding one that works. If your wife is at that high a level of Zoloft, her doctor might be thinking it's time to try something else.
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