ACCopp: want advice about Zoloft WD

[ACCopp]

Hi, Everyone. New here and wanted to ask advice about my Zoloft WD situation

 

Hi, Guys. I was hoping someone could comment on my situation and offer any advice?

I had been taking 100mg zoloft for about 1.5 yrs. i decided to taper off recently. my doctor recommended dropping 25 mg every 1-2 weeks (wow!). I decided to try 25mg drops every 14 days.  once I dropped from 50-25 I started to feel a bit off but nothing too extreme. once i dropped from 25mg-0, about 3 weeks ago, my life became hell. i never felt so bad in my life! the WD symptoms were unbearable. after being at 0mg for 4 days i could not take it any longer. I started back on 25mg for two days, then jumped back up to 50mg - which I have been on now for approx. 10 days - praying for relief.  So, I'm still having withdraw symptoms and its affecting my life/work (i had to leave work today due to anxiety and dizziness).  I did get some relief in comparison to when I hit 0 mg but I would like more relief than this if possible. I have an appointment to speak with my doctor again oct 3 (feels like a lifetime away, but not much i can do about it) but im not sure i trust her advice after my tapering experience (we shall see). Anyway, I'm wondering if going back up to 75mg would be an ok idea? or if i should hold out at 50mg and hope for some improvement.  Keeping in mind that about 7-8 weeks ago I was stable and doing fine on 100 mg of zoloft, and i tapered off (too fast!) at a rate of 25mg bi-weekly. God, I wish I had found this site before taking my doctor's taper advice . Thanks in advance! 

 

Edited September 22, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before reducing original

[Frogie]

@ACCopp

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site helping people taper off psychiatric medications or have tapered off and are now healing.

 

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Because you reinstated about 2 weeks ago at 50 mg, I would not take a higher dose. It takes 10 days or so for the medication to reach stability in your bloodstream and brain. We usually don't suggest such a high reinstatement, but do not change it at this time.  After you hold for quite a while, then you would do a slow taper. We don't suggest more than 10% a month and many go much slower than that.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Withdrawal Normal Description

 

 

 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications:

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

 

We don't suggest supplements on here as they can be very stimulating to the central nervous system (CNS), except 2. If you would like to try one, try a small amount and wait a few days before introducing the other.

 

 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

 

After you have read the links provided please reach out with any questions you may have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ACCopp]

thanks for the reply. ive been at 50mg now about 19 days and am experiencing symptoms that come in waves (still).  my doctor told me she thinks i should stay at 50mg. she also didnt seem to think the 10% method was something i need to do (i think shes wrong).  she suggested staying at 50 then tapering again by skipping doses. skeep a dose one week, skip two the next week and so on.  im having blood work done on tuesday to be sure nothing else is going on, and meeting my doctor again thursday. awful stuff. 

[Frogie]

@ACCopp

 

Unfortunately dr's don't know anything about these drugs and the implications they cause by not tapering properly.

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

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER

 

Maybe you can find a dr that will help you with your taper when you are ready?

 

 

[ACCopp]

I'm posting here today praying someone may be able to offer me any advice at all.  I feel like i've taken a turn for the worse. Been back on 50mg now about 3 weeks. I am suffering from extreme anxiety. I can barely get out of bed. Last night i was so ill i felt like i was going to faint/throw up.  the only relief i get is when im alseep.  I can't take care of my kids, I can't go to work. i just called my doctor begging for her to call me back (i do have an appointment with her tomorrow thankfully), but she's out of clinic today so she can't return my call.  It seems like my symptoms are getting worse.  I don't know what i need, or what to do.  I feel like my body is under attack and im going crazy.  Do i need to hold at 50, go up, go down, take another med to calm me down?  i know i will see my doctor tomorrow afternoon but that feels like a lifetime away from me now; I'm so unwell. this is terrible! This had to get better, right? I feel so helpless. 😢