Kmr92: Zoloft too stimulating during benzo withdrawals

[Kmr92]

Hi there- 

I recently quit lorazapam .5 mg taken as need for the past 6 months. I developed a tolerance to it quickly and was having withdrawals while still taking it. I didn't understand why i felt SO horrible and after some online research, joined the forum benzo buddies. I ran out of my script and had to quit them cold turkey as my dr. did not believe such a low dose would cause this much anguish. 

 

Anyway- it's been 10 days. My waves are getting much less intense already and for that I am SO grateful but I understand its all a long process. During this time, I forgot to take my zoloft 50 mg for a few days because I was in so much misery. I remembered and took one but I found it far too stimulating and it sent me into another wave of symptoms and I was unable to sleep. I skipped it yesterday and slept great last night. This morning I took half my dose because I was afraid, and the same thing is happening again. Chest pains, anxiety, the stomach pain my god. Im sweaty and trying not to panic again. I know you can't just stop this drug, if it doesnt affect me right away I know it can sneak up on me later and bad. I quit Paxil cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant and had brain zaps for months. 

 

I'm really not sure what to do at this point. Do I quit the zoloft? did skipping it mess me up? has anyone had the experience of taking SSRI's while withdrawals from benzos? I do want to be off zoloft for good because I eventually would like to have another baby. I don't feel like it's helped me for a long time now I just take it because if I don't I feel sick. 

 

Thank you! 

 

Edited January 31, 2019 by ChessieCat
added space

[ChessieCat]

Hi Kmr and welcome to SA,

 

We need more information about your drug history.

 

Please create your drug signature using the following format.   Keep it simple.  NO diagnoses or symptoms please - thank you.

• details for last 2 years - dates, ALL drugs, doses
• summary for older than 2 years - just years and drug/s

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

 

This is your own introductions topic where your can ask questions about your own situation and journal your progress.

[Kmr92]

Okay I did. 

[ChessieCat]

Thank you for creating a drug signature.

 

However, we need more information.  Please add the dates you were taking Paxil and Zoloft and how you stopped taking them.  Also add the date when you started taking lorazepam.  Thank you.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Kmr.

 

I am sorry you are experiencing lorazepam withtdrawal symptoms. You must be aware this means your nervous system is upset. This very frequently causes hypersensitivity to psychiatric drugs and sometimes supplements and foods as well.

 

If you had continued to take Zoloft on schedule, you might not have had any reaction to it. Since you skipped doses, your sensitized system is reacting badly to your usual dosage, or even half of it.

 

With your long history of going on and off psychiatric drugs, particularly Paxil, this puts you at risk of withdrawal syndrome from Zoloft on top of benzo withdrawal.

 

I hope your withdrawal symptoms do not become more severe. This can happen after a delay of weeks off the drug. If I were you, I'd get a prescription for liquid Zoloft and try maybe 0.5mg to start. Sometimes this is enough to forestall withdrawal syndrome, and you'll be that much closer to tapering off completely, after all withdrawal symptoms go away. Read this for background Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)

 

Any doctor can prescribe these drugs, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist. Give your doctor's ignorance about withdrawal so far, I would find another doctor anyway.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

 

 

[ChessieCat]

You might find it helpful to write a script and rehearse what you are going to say.  Be calm, gentle but assertive.  You are the customer, it is your body.  Use words like I'd like to try this, or I'd prefer to do it this way.  If a suggestion is made that you don't want to follow, say I'd like to think about it before making a decision.

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

[ChessieCat]

If you still have some Zoloft tablets it is possible to make a liquid from them.  Please see the tips topic that Alto gave you the link for.