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Zooloft: Withdrawal or symptom return?


Zooloft

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Posted (edited)

I’m tapering off Zoloft after over a decade of being on it. I’m at 35mg and really starting to feel my old friends, anxiety and depression, coming back. Is this withdrawal or is the old me returning? Any advice helps because this is rough.

Edited by bubble
Added name

2010 - present on Zoloft

(various mg but mostly at 50mg)

2010 - present on Gabapentin (my life line) 300mg as needed 

2017 - present on Wellbutrin now 300mg

Zoloft only taper: 8/29 to 45mg, 9/12 to 40mg, 10/3 to 35mg…

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

The question you are asking is the eternal one. If you are tapering and experiencing symptoms, chances are the taper is too fast. On the other hand, when we decide to come off drugs, we must be prepared to manage whatever symptoms we had prior without them.... Therapy, meditation, breathing, physical a activity, supplements...

 

It would be helpful if you could write down the dates of your cuts so that we can see if it's too fast. We recommend 10 % cut of the current dose every 30 days as a guidance but many people myself included need to go (much) slower to keep the symptoms manageable.

 

I will post links to some more  info in a bit.

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Here is the explanation how to create your drug signature

 

 Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer because not all functions are displayed on the phone.

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

  • bubble changed the title to Zooloft: Withdrawal or symptom return?
Posted

My doctor recommended 5mg every 2 weeks but I think you are right and it’s too fast. After I get better I will just go down the 10% to see. It’s hard to measure in that stupid little dropper. 

2010 - present on Zoloft

(various mg but mostly at 50mg)

2010 - present on Gabapentin (my life line) 300mg as needed 

2017 - present on Wellbutrin now 300mg

Zoloft only taper: 8/29 to 45mg, 9/12 to 40mg, 10/3 to 35mg…

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

2010 - present on Gabapentin (my life line) 300mg as needed 

 

Q:  How often do you take Gabapentin?

* 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

Posted

Everyday - 600mg right around 3pm 

2010 - present on Zoloft

(various mg but mostly at 50mg)

2010 - present on Gabapentin (my life line) 300mg as needed 

2017 - present on Wellbutrin now 300mg

Zoloft only taper: 8/29 to 45mg, 9/12 to 40mg, 10/3 to 35mg…

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted
8 minutes ago, Zooloft said:

Everyday - 600mg right around 3pm 

 

Please correct the "as needed" in your drug signature, because it looks like you are taking it sporadically.

 

Q:  Are you aware that Gabapentin has a half life of between 5-7 hours and the dose is usually divided up and taken 2-3 times a day?

 

Q:  Do you take magnesium or products containing aluminium (antacid)?

 

See:

  

On 7/9/2012 at 1:39 PM, Altostrata said:

NOTE There is an interaction between gabapentin and magnesium, see http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9845-8217/neurontin-oral/gabapentin-oral/details/list-interaction-details/dmid-1207/dmtitle-gabapentin-aluminum-magnesium-containing-compounds/intrtype-drug. Taking magnesium at the same time as gabapentin decreases the absorption of gabapentin. Avoid taking aluminum or magnesium containing products (such as antacids) for 2 hours before your gabapentin.

 

* 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

Posted

I do take Gabapentin as needed. It's been daily since I have started tapering but normally it is as needed. I can still change it if I need to. 

 

Q:  Are you aware that Gabapentin has a half life of between 5-7 hours and the dose is usually divided up and taken 2-3 times a day? Yes I am aware. I usually take it for anxiety at night. That seems to be when I get it most.

 

Q:  Do you take magnesium or products containing aluminium (antacid)? No. 

2010 - present on Zoloft

(various mg but mostly at 50mg)

2010 - present on Gabapentin (my life line) 300mg as needed 

2017 - present on Wellbutrin now 300mg

Zoloft only taper: 8/29 to 45mg, 9/12 to 40mg, 10/3 to 35mg…

 

  • Administrator
Posted

Hello, @Zooloft How have your symptoms changed since you decreased to 35mg Zoloft a week ago?

 

What times o'clock do you take each of your drugs, with their dosages?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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