Lily49: Zoloft withdrawal

[Lily49]

I was prescribed Zoloft 200mg about 20 years ago for depression.  I have spent most of the last 12 months tapering off, using the liquid form for the last 4 months.  I completely stopped taking Zoloft about 4 weeks ago.   I feel as though I am going through a slow breakdown ( I had similar symptoms during a breakdown I had nearly 40 years ago following the death of my mother.    Are there any older women out there who have suffered a lifetime of Complex PTSD and have come out the other side.  Over the last 4 weeks I have deteriorated a great deal and cannot function at all.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2019 by Altostrata
fixed formatting

[Carmie]

Hi Lily, 

 

Welcome to SA. Tapering down 200mg in a year was way too quick. You are going through withdrawals from your fast taper. The recommendation for tapering is no more than 10% a month. 

 

What date did you take the last dose? What was the last dose you were on, and how long were you on it?

 

What symptoms do you have now?  Are you sleeping okay?

 

Are you taking any other medications? If you are, what doses are you on, and what time of the day do you take them?

 

I’m really sorry you’re suffering with withdrawals, please let us know how you’re doing, and answer the above questions. Thank you.

 

Sending hugs🤗

[Lily49]

Thanks Carmie, This is my 6th or 7th attempt.  I never have any problems at all untill I get to about 75mg.   So took about 8 months to get to nil.  Last dose 4 weeks ago but there have been other serious issues going on as well.   About 2 weeks ago I was contacted on FB by people I knew as a child and teenager and I was sent a photo of my 3rd year High School Class.  I didn't recognise myself or almost any one else at first as I have DID and some amnesia from childhoid trauma.  I cried for days and quickly cut conract.   Then another huge trigger hit me a week ago.  I am dealing with lots of  anger, feeling dizzy, nauseous, sweating, super sensitive and suicidal.  Not sure what us caysing what.  I am in my late 60s but heaps if the wrong type if therapy has just retraumatised me.

 

[Lily49]

I'm taking 1mg Xanaz and 5 mg Valium at night.  Thats all.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Lily.

 

12 hours ago, Lily49 said:

I didn't recognise myself or almost any one else at first as I have DID and some amnesia from childhoid trauma.

 

I doubt I would recognize anyone from high school. I'm about your age.

 

12 hours ago, Lily49 said:

I am dealing with lots of  anger, feeling dizzy, nauseous, sweating, super sensitive and suicidal.

 

Dizzy, nauseaus, sweating, etc. are fairly typical withdrawal symptoms. When did these start? Do they come in waves?

 

Since you went off Zoloft 4 weeks ago, have you been feeling progressively worse?

 

If yes, you may wish to reinstate 0 .5mg Zoloft liquid. This may be enough to stop your symptoms. You'd stabilize and taper off by tiny amounts later. See

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms 

 

Have you made any changes in your Valium and Xanax schedule? Why are you taking the 2 benzos together? How long have you been taking them? Please note that "depression" can be a side effect of benzos.