LionMN Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) Hi all! I just need some reassurance that I haven' t permanently ruined my brain. Here is my list of medication history. I am 34 years old now BTW: Sigh .... as you can see I was pretty all over the place. I now am still suffereing from on and off bad depression waves, with weird tight head pressure like someone is squeezing my brain, intrusive looping thoughts. Will all this get better? Do you think its from the benzo WD or AD causing this? When should I start my taper with my AD? Sorry for all the questions, just need help and guidance. Thank you!! Edited March 6, 2021 by Karma Updated name 2000-2002- Was put on Zoloft for OCD thoughts 2006-2008 went on birth control got depressed put on Lexapro ( had a severe adverse reaction to it) doctors put me on multiple different antidepressants which none worked until Zoloft again. 2013-2016- took Zoloft on and off again 2017-2019- drug free until i got pregnant and had my baby Sept 2019-Dec 2019- Zoloft and K 0.5mg as needed. Feb 2020- March 2020Took Pristiq for 1 day & tried Celexa for 5 days May 2020- for 3 weeks took buspar and felt foggy and depressed. Was told to stop taking it End of May 2020- started Zoloft 25 mg and actually felt okay June 2020- June 9th I started Zoloft at 50 mg and all hell broke loose ( more extreme anxiety, tinnitus,some DP/DR etc) August 1 2020- NOW : Zoloft 50mg only Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted March 2, 2021 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) Welcome to SA, LionMN. I've deleted your first name from your post to preserve your anonymity. To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. You can simply copy the drug information in your post using the following link. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. Because of the many different drugs and dosages you took, it's difficult to tell what is causing causing what. It could be withdrawal or adverse effects from one of more of the drugs, and at the point it really doesn't matter. What we're dealing with is the current 50mg Zoloft dosage and how to reduce that. The symptoms you describe are typical withdrawal/adverse effect symptoms and they are not permanent. You have not done permanent damage to your brain. It would be best to start your taper of Zoloft when you have stabilized. Stabilized doesn't mean you have no symptoms but rather that your symptoms are more or less the same every day without big swings or changes. Would you say you've stabilized at this point compared to the previous months after you began 50mg? We can talk further about when to start tapering after we have this information. We recommend tapering no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? This link is specifically about tapering Zoloft. Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft) Zoloft comes in a prescription liquid, and likely this is the easiest and most accurate way for you to taper it. When the time comes for you to taper, you'll need to do a brief crossover from tablet to liquid. We can give you more information about that when the time comes to taper. So that you have a better understanding of what you're experiencing, here is some information about withdrawal and the healing process. What is withdrawal syndrome. Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur. These explain the healing process really well. Brain Remodelling Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that ae single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements). This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. Edited March 6, 2021 by Karma Name update Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
RusTW Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I tapered Zoloft if you need any help let me know March-2017-Dec-2017 ativanCT /reinstated ativan 1mg tapered 2 months/June 2017-April 2018 zyprexa 10mg switched to seroquel 200-300mg in april 2018/dec-2017-present zoloft 100mg/ quit seroquel 200-300mg cold turkey May 6 2018 reinstated seroquel 100mg around May 25 2018 since then tapered to 50mg zoloft and 50 mg of seroquel presently other medications Testosterone cypionate 2oomg every 4 days UPDATE -August 20 2018--october 20 2018 tapered off Testosterone/Nov 7 2018 --Dec 20 2018 Lamictal micro dose 2.50mg 1 1/2 weeks then reduced to 1.25 then fast tapered as it became paridoxial.nausea- racing thoughts- agitation and insomnia. August 28 2018 to Present Cannabis indica micro dose PM bedtime only. Presently Seroquel 37.5 mg bedtime /Zoloft 47mg morning May 2018-Present Multivitamin/ Bcomplex/Vit C 1000MG/B12 1000MCG/Fish oils 2grams/ Jan 2019-Trace mineral liquid low dose Update dec 2019 -29mg of zoloft tapering/Seroquel 37.5 holding/1 or 2 ativan 1mg a month as needed if that. Black seed oil-caprylic acid-/b complex/b12/multi/D/E/melatonin Link to comment
LionMN Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 Thank you.... how did the taper go? I just dont know if my brain feeling like its bruised and achy is from zoloft or the benzo wd. I feel nauseous today too! Ugh 2000-2002- Was put on Zoloft for OCD thoughts 2006-2008 went on birth control got depressed put on Lexapro ( had a severe adverse reaction to it) doctors put me on multiple different antidepressants which none worked until Zoloft again. 2013-2016- took Zoloft on and off again 2017-2019- drug free until i got pregnant and had my baby Sept 2019-Dec 2019- Zoloft and K 0.5mg as needed. Feb 2020- March 2020Took Pristiq for 1 day & tried Celexa for 5 days May 2020- for 3 weeks took buspar and felt foggy and depressed. Was told to stop taking it End of May 2020- started Zoloft 25 mg and actually felt okay June 2020- June 9th I started Zoloft at 50 mg and all hell broke loose ( more extreme anxiety, tinnitus,some DP/DR etc) August 1 2020- NOW : Zoloft 50mg only Link to comment
RusTW Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 10 hours ago, ANorman said: Thank you.... how did the taper go? I just dont know if my brain feeling like its bruised and achy is from zoloft or the benzo wd. I feel nauseous today too! Ugh Your body will fluctuate symptoms. Don't fret it's just chemicals and feelings Do u get windows March-2017-Dec-2017 ativanCT /reinstated ativan 1mg tapered 2 months/June 2017-April 2018 zyprexa 10mg switched to seroquel 200-300mg in april 2018/dec-2017-present zoloft 100mg/ quit seroquel 200-300mg cold turkey May 6 2018 reinstated seroquel 100mg around May 25 2018 since then tapered to 50mg zoloft and 50 mg of seroquel presently other medications Testosterone cypionate 2oomg every 4 days UPDATE -August 20 2018--october 20 2018 tapered off Testosterone/Nov 7 2018 --Dec 20 2018 Lamictal micro dose 2.50mg 1 1/2 weeks then reduced to 1.25 then fast tapered as it became paridoxial.nausea- racing thoughts- agitation and insomnia. August 28 2018 to Present Cannabis indica micro dose PM bedtime only. Presently Seroquel 37.5 mg bedtime /Zoloft 47mg morning May 2018-Present Multivitamin/ Bcomplex/Vit C 1000MG/B12 1000MCG/Fish oils 2grams/ Jan 2019-Trace mineral liquid low dose Update dec 2019 -29mg of zoloft tapering/Seroquel 37.5 holding/1 or 2 ativan 1mg a month as needed if that. Black seed oil-caprylic acid-/b complex/b12/multi/D/E/melatonin Link to comment
LionMN Posted March 6, 2021 Author Share Posted March 6, 2021 Sorta but even the windows I dont feel 100%. Lately this depression is crushing and wish I knew what was causing what! 2000-2002- Was put on Zoloft for OCD thoughts 2006-2008 went on birth control got depressed put on Lexapro ( had a severe adverse reaction to it) doctors put me on multiple different antidepressants which none worked until Zoloft again. 2013-2016- took Zoloft on and off again 2017-2019- drug free until i got pregnant and had my baby Sept 2019-Dec 2019- Zoloft and K 0.5mg as needed. Feb 2020- March 2020Took Pristiq for 1 day & tried Celexa for 5 days May 2020- for 3 weeks took buspar and felt foggy and depressed. Was told to stop taking it End of May 2020- started Zoloft 25 mg and actually felt okay June 2020- June 9th I started Zoloft at 50 mg and all hell broke loose ( more extreme anxiety, tinnitus,some DP/DR etc) August 1 2020- NOW : Zoloft 50mg only Link to comment
Mentor Greatful Posted July 12, 2021 Mentor Share Posted July 12, 2021 @LionMN Hi stopping by to see how you are doing. Any up dates https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/ 1995? Prozac, tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015 Kindled Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016 ended back on Prozac and Lamictal 200mg 5/2020 thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg Prozac down to 3mg. Crashed 12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct 1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct 2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg. Became hypo manic 2/1 6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25 25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg. 2/24 100mg 4/9 75mg 4/21 37.5 2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr 3/3 100mg 3/17 150mg side effects ct 4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg 4/14 7.5mg 4/30 10mg 5/10 7.5mg 2021/ 5/16 5mg Lexapro 37.5 Lamictal 25mg trazadone, xanax .0625mg 3x a day Lexapro Taper> Sept/01/2021 4.90mg> Sept/25 4.75mg> Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid 4.2mg (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg> 2/24 3.8mg slow taper to Aug/12/2022 2.04mg 2023> 2mg, 1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg , 0.05mg 4/1/2024 0 Lamictal taper 4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22- 0 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg July 2023 0 Xanax 0.0625 3 x a day, 2023> 0.042 3x a day Supplements Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC Link to comment
LionMN Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 (edited) Chemical thinking HI there I am 16 months off a benzo CT. And I am still taking Zoloft 50mg, I am still getting intense depression episodes and my thinking is still very distorted. Did anyone while taking an AD get chemical strange thoughts that felt weird in your head and you knew it wasnt your thoughts? Did it go away after tapering?? Thank you~ Edited December 11, 2021 by ChessieCat added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic and spacing 2000-2002- Was put on Zoloft for OCD thoughts 2006-2008 went on birth control got depressed put on Lexapro ( had a severe adverse reaction to it) doctors put me on multiple different antidepressants which none worked until Zoloft again. 2013-2016- took Zoloft on and off again 2017-2019- drug free until i got pregnant and had my baby Sept 2019-Dec 2019- Zoloft and K 0.5mg as needed. Feb 2020- March 2020Took Pristiq for 1 day & tried Celexa for 5 days May 2020- for 3 weeks took buspar and felt foggy and depressed. Was told to stop taking it End of May 2020- started Zoloft 25 mg and actually felt okay June 2020- June 9th I started Zoloft at 50 mg and all hell broke loose ( more extreme anxiety, tinnitus,some DP/DR etc) August 1 2020- NOW : Zoloft 50mg only Link to comment
LionMN Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 Hi so sorry just seeing this! I am still struggling, I am still on 50mg of Zoloft but stil lgetting intense depression and DPDR thoughts and feelings at times. Dont know if I should start my taper 2000-2002- Was put on Zoloft for OCD thoughts 2006-2008 went on birth control got depressed put on Lexapro ( had a severe adverse reaction to it) doctors put me on multiple different antidepressants which none worked until Zoloft again. 2013-2016- took Zoloft on and off again 2017-2019- drug free until i got pregnant and had my baby Sept 2019-Dec 2019- Zoloft and K 0.5mg as needed. Feb 2020- March 2020Took Pristiq for 1 day & tried Celexa for 5 days May 2020- for 3 weeks took buspar and felt foggy and depressed. Was told to stop taking it End of May 2020- started Zoloft 25 mg and actually felt okay June 2020- June 9th I started Zoloft at 50 mg and all hell broke loose ( more extreme anxiety, tinnitus,some DP/DR etc) August 1 2020- NOW : Zoloft 50mg only Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted December 11, 2021 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 11, 2021 I have merged your new Introduction topic with your original Introduction topic. Each member has only ONE Introduction topic. Your Introduction topic is the best place to ask questions about your own situation and where you can journal your progress. It also keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story. Please do not create another new Introduction topic. Thank you. 8 hours ago, LionMN said: Did anyone while taking an AD get chemical strange thoughts that felt weird in your head and you knew it wasnt your thoughts? Other members have mentioned chemical type feelings. I have done a search in the for chemical -imbalance in different areas of the site and have provided the links to the results below. Obviously there will be other mentions where the word chemical has been used. However just a quick glance through the post preview that appears on the first page of each of these searches you can see other members mentioning different feelings preceded by the word chemical. Hopefully the highlight of the word chemical will show up for you when you click on the links. If it doesn't, go to the individual forum and type in chemical -imbalance and click on This Forum and then the magnifying glass. Symptoms and Self Care forum: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/search/?q=chemical -imbalance&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=8 Introductions forum: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/search/?q=chemical -imbalance&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=3 Success Stories forum: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/search/?q=chemical -imbalance&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=28 * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
LionMN Posted December 13, 2021 Author Share Posted December 13, 2021 Thank you so much! And i apologize I am still getting used to how to navigate this website! So I will make sure I keep all my questions to this forum only. Thank you! 2000-2002- Was put on Zoloft for OCD thoughts 2006-2008 went on birth control got depressed put on Lexapro ( had a severe adverse reaction to it) doctors put me on multiple different antidepressants which none worked until Zoloft again. 2013-2016- took Zoloft on and off again 2017-2019- drug free until i got pregnant and had my baby Sept 2019-Dec 2019- Zoloft and K 0.5mg as needed. Feb 2020- March 2020Took Pristiq for 1 day & tried Celexa for 5 days May 2020- for 3 weeks took buspar and felt foggy and depressed. Was told to stop taking it End of May 2020- started Zoloft 25 mg and actually felt okay June 2020- June 9th I started Zoloft at 50 mg and all hell broke loose ( more extreme anxiety, tinnitus,some DP/DR etc) August 1 2020- NOW : Zoloft 50mg only Link to comment
Mentor Greatful Posted December 14, 2021 Mentor Share Posted December 14, 2021 @LionMN On 12/10/2021 at 1:57 PM, LionMN said: I am still getting intense depression episodes and my thinking is still very distorted. Did anyone while taking an AD get chemical strange thoughts that felt weird in your head and you knew it wasnt your thoughts? I can relate to all this. I had intense depression episodes really bad last summer. I still get them, not as dark though and they don't last as long. I had to smile at the chemical strange thoughts....I don't know if I have chemical thoughts but I sure do have obsessing thoughts and tingling, crushing on the brain. I like to say that at times my brain would look like the crazy distorted shape you see when you look in those distorted mirrors you at a carnival/fair. 🥴 What are you calling D/R D/P thoughts. I have D/R that I know I am here but not connected to here. Have you used any grounding techniques? Thank goodness this is slowlyyyyy getting better..... I cannot advise you on tapering. A mod who is way more experienced then I am can help with that. I can help with just being there for you and giving encouragement😊 Is there a reason you want to start now? https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/ 1995? Prozac, tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015 Kindled Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016 ended back on Prozac and Lamictal 200mg 5/2020 thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg Prozac down to 3mg. Crashed 12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct 1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct 2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg. Became hypo manic 2/1 6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25 25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg. 2/24 100mg 4/9 75mg 4/21 37.5 2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr 3/3 100mg 3/17 150mg side effects ct 4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg 4/14 7.5mg 4/30 10mg 5/10 7.5mg 2021/ 5/16 5mg Lexapro 37.5 Lamictal 25mg trazadone, xanax .0625mg 3x a day Lexapro Taper> Sept/01/2021 4.90mg> Sept/25 4.75mg> Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid 4.2mg (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg> 2/24 3.8mg slow taper to Aug/12/2022 2.04mg 2023> 2mg, 1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg , 0.05mg 4/1/2024 0 Lamictal taper 4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22- 0 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg July 2023 0 Xanax 0.0625 3 x a day, 2023> 0.042 3x a day Supplements Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC Link to comment
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