Myjourney5: wanting to come of zoloft

[Myjourney5]

Hi! I have been on zoloft 50mg for about Seven years. And about six months ago I started to lower the dose slowly, about 6mg for a month and then take out 6 mg more. I came Down to the last 6 mg and it had been going really well! A bit of anxiety the second day after Each step of lowering the dose. Then came the 0. A few days went ok, but then hell went lose. I felt depressed and cried Every day. I didnt recognize myself. And I have a 2 year old so I felt that I couldnt continue feeling like this and not be able to be there for my son. He doesnt need a crying mom everyday. So I increased the dose again, up to about 12 mg. I dont cry anymore but feel very anxious. I know u guys cant tell me what to do or how its going to work out for me. But I wish I Could get some adwise from someone who has been in my situation with a small kid. Would it help to be training more during the time after the 0 mark? Should i prepare for a few weeks of hell? Should I wait until my son is older? I feel so lost and empty.

Best reguards, Rebecca. 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  It sounds as though you have gone off Zoloft faster than your brain was able to adjust to, and now you are having withdrawal symptoms.  Then, when you reinstated, you may have reinstated at too high of a dose.  On what specific date did you reinstate to 12 mg?  How many week were you at 0 mg before you reinstated? 

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only specific dates, include the day (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day), drug names, and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

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 many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

This link explains about reinstating, and the risks with that.  

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

After I see specifics of your recent tapering and reinstating, I can give you suggestions that can help you.