Kelsears Hello 10 weeks off Zoloft with bad withdrawals

[Shep]

19 hours ago, Kelsears said:

The reason I ask is because the 7.5 mg have helped with the physical symptoms of withdrawl. But still struggling with intrusive thoughts, anxiousness, and periods of depression.  Always around my cycle things start getting worse. It’s due in 6 days and I cried for hours yesterday. 

 

I wouldn't start trying to navigate changing your drugs to fix problems that are around your cycle. I would look at the "overall" picture. To do this, you'll need to keep everything steady for at least a month to 6 weeks. 

 

If there are non-drug ways of helping with the intrusive thoughts, etc, that is best. 

 

I would give yourself at least a month to 6 weeks before reassessing your dose. You are seeing some improvements and having some overall good days. 

 

Even girls and women who aren't going through withdrawal feel these types of emotions and fatigue this time of the month. I just went through menopause, which caused all sorts of symptoms that I thought I had fully recovered from after being off these drugs for 8 years. I went back to those non-drug coping techniques and used them to get through it. 

 

What do you think about holding for another 4 - 6 weeks to see if you can develop a solid baseline, while adding in more non-drug coping techniqes?

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

[Kelsears]

6/1 

5am  6 hours broken sleep. 
8:30 ashwagandha, b12, magnesium 

9:15am .5 Ativan lots of anxiety feeling overwhelmed, crying 

12:40pm iron 

2pm super anxious 

5pm .5 Ativan crying feeling on edge 

5:45pm feeling of loosing my mind, thoughts of hurting myself, chest pains 

8pm 7.5mg Zoloft feeling depressed 

8:40pm magnesium and omega feeling tired and sad. 
 

@ShepI told my medication doctor that I want to hold for now.  She’s great at letting me lead the way. I’m working with a functional hormone specialist, she would like me to start progesterone (but my PTSD from the Zoloft makes it hard for me to try anything), as well as doing a Dutch test. We’re also working on my gut health because of all that’s happened I am not digesting food properly. Im down 45lbs since January. 
I just want to be stable enough to start coming off the Ativan. I hate that I have to take it and the Zoloft. 
 

Question is my body still healing even though im on the meds at a lower dose? Or by being on them im just delaying the withdrawals. 

[Shep]

19 hours ago, Kelsears said:

Question is my body still healing even though im on the meds at a lower dose? Or by being on them im just delaying the withdrawals. 

 

By being on lower doses of these drugs, you'll have less side effects. The damage of withdrawal is due to removing the drug in a way that's not on par with the up-regulation of the serotonin (Zoloft) and GABA receptors (Ativan).

 

How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain

 

What is happening in your brain?

 

20 hours ago, Kelsears said:

 

@ShepI told my medication doctor that I want to hold for now.  She’s great at letting me lead the way. I’m working with a functional hormone specialist, she would like me to start progesterone (but my PTSD from the Zoloft makes it hard for me to try anything), as well as doing a Dutch test. We’re also working on my gut health because of all that’s happened I am not digesting food properly. Im down 45lbs since January. 
I just want to be stable enough to start coming off the Ativan. I hate that I have to take it and the Zoloft. 

 

You may want to check out these links:

 

PMS, PMDD, and menstrual cycle issues during withdrawal and after

 

Digestive problems: nausea, diarrhoea, bloating, GERD

 

What to do for dizziness, queasiness, nausea

 

I would be careful trying to add in hormones to fix issues that may be related to the removal of these drugs. The SSRIs are hormone disruptors - that's why you'll find some SSRIs re-packaged for PMS and menopause. Brisdelle is a menopause drug that's really re-packaged Paxil and Serafem is a PMS drug that's really re-packaged Prozac. 

 

If you do add in hormone treatments, I would treat that as a change and only do one change at a time, meaning you'll need to stop tapering. 

 

The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.

 

 

[Kelsears]

6/2 

5:00 AM	Wake		Heart palpitations 7 hours of sleep
8:00 AM	Vitamin		Magnesium
9:00 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling ok
2:00 PM	Vitamins		Iron b12
4:55PM	Ativan	.5mg	Anxious, crying easily, overwhelmed easily, stressed
6:30PM	Feelings		Anxious and sad
8:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	Feeling ok
9:45 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega theanine
9:45 PM			Feeling ok tired

 

@shep 

so no my brain isn’t healing while on these meds at lower dose? 
 

yeah I’m going to not try hormone therapy at this moment. I do feel like each month the PMDD which is why I started on these damn pills is getting better. Do you think that because of the Zoloft and Ativan? 
I got a taper plan for the Ativan from benzo buddies. When should I start to taper the Ativan? I want to do this all slow and steady. 
 

I want to thank you for all your advice and wisdom. You have help this process of healing feel attainable. My biggest fear is never healing and being like this for life. 

[Shep]

21 hours ago, Kelsears said:

@shep 

so no my brain isn’t healing while on these meds at lower dose? 

 

You can't completely heal from the drugs until you're completely off them. HOWEVER, you can feel better with a reinstatement, long holds, a slow taper, etc. These are ways of helping the brain/body along as your system tries to reach stability. 

 

This thread may help:

 

Are We There Yet? How Long Is Withdrawal Going To Take?

 

As Brassmonkey writes, "Healing is happening all the time." But it is a very slow process. 

 

21 hours ago, Kelsears said:

I got a taper plan for the Ativan from benzo buddies. When should I start to taper the Ativan?

 

I would confer with Benzo Buddies because it's their taper plan. I would caution against getting too many cooks in the kitchen, so to speak. Wherever you get your plan, it's best to stick with that forum for your support. This is for your own safety. You haven't written what your taper plan is, but you're asking here when you should start it. Since Benzo Buddies advocates tapering no more than 5-10 % every 10 - 14 days, some of their members are tapering far more aggressively than we advocate here. If that's what you plan on doing, then you'll definitely need to get your support over on Benzo Buddies, since tapering as fast as 10% every 10 days is far faster than we would advise here. We do not provide backup support for Benzo Buddies' aggressive tapers. 

 

Unless you're having an adverse reaction to a benzo or have been on it for only a very short time (less than 2 - 4 weeks), we don't advise coming off the benzo first. See:

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

You just upped your Zoloft reinstatement May 13th, so I would not be in a hurry to start tapering. You really need to give yourself time to adjust to all of the recent changes. Here is a post that explains when it's time to taper:

 

WDNormal

 

 

[Kelsears]

@shep 

I miss spoke it’s not benzo buddies its beating benzo. It’s a micro taper plan taking 40 weeks to taper. 
 

I’m not ready to taper yet definitely want to hold for a while and continue working on my coping skills before I try to taper. I’ll read through those links you sent.

 

thank you! 

 

6/3

5:45 AM	Wake		Feeling ok, tension in jaw 6hr 45min sleep
9:20 AM	Ativan	.5 mg	Feeling very anxious and jittery
12:30 PM	Vitamins		Mag iron b12
4:35 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling liked anxious but ok
7:00 PM	Feelings		Feeling at peace at the moment it soooo nice
8:30 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	Feeling good
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

[Kelsears]

6/4

6:00 AM	Wake		Feeling ok, 7hrs 44mins of sleep
9:20 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling very anxious
12:30 PM	Vitamins		Mag ashwagandha
5PM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling anxious
7:00 PM	Feelings		Feeling ok
8:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	Feeling good
9:30 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

an ok day 

 

@shep can withdrawls cause hashimoto disease? I just tested positive for it? From what I’m reading hashimoto can cause depression and anxiety from disregulated hormones.  

[Shep]

15 hours ago, Kelsears said:

@shep can withdrawls cause hashimoto disease? I just tested positive for it? From what I’m reading hashimoto can cause depression and anxiety from disregulated hormones.  

 

I'm not familiar with Hashimoto's disease, but Karma, another admin, started a thread about it. Lots of great information here:

 

Thyroid symptoms: hypothyroid, Hashimoto's

 

 

[Kelsears]

6/6 

4:50 AM	Wake		Feeling anxious, shaky, intestinal discomfort 6hr 38 minutes of sleep
9:15 AM	Vitamins		Mag omega 3
9:15 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling anxious
2:00 PM	Feelings		Very anxious due to cycle?
5:30 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling ok
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	Feeling ok
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega theanine

 

@shep 

how long does one wait during stabilization to start weaning? I want off these drugs but I want to do it right. 

[Shep]

20 hours ago, Kelsears said:

@shep 

how long does one wait during stabilization to start weaning? I want off these drugs but I want to do it right. 

 

I posted this a few days ago because it's a very good description of when to taper:

 

 

On 6/4/2023 at 5:56 AM, Shep said:

You just upped your Zoloft reinstatement May 13th, so I would not be in a hurry to start tapering. You really need to give yourself time to adjust to all of the recent changes. Here is a post that explains when it's time to taper:

 

WDNormal

 

As long as you're not reducing more than 10% a month off the previous month's dose, you're within a safe range of reduction. But it's also about how you feel and how functional you are. 

 

It's good you're wanting to do this right. I would pay attention to your symptoms - are you sleeping enough? Is your appetite good? Are you able to do your job, take care of family, etc.? 

 

You'll want to establish a strong enough baseline that will let you handle any upticks in symptoms that come from reducing. 

[Kelsears]

6/7

5:00 AM	Wake		Feeling ok
9:15 AM	Feelings		Sad hate that I ever started these drugs
9:15 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling sad doing everything wrong.
1:30 PM	Feelings		,anxious and chest pain
5:50 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling anxious late taking
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	Feeling ok
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

It was a day of a lot of processing information and excepting that I’m not going to wake up better tomorrow and I need to stop grabbing at straws because I’m going to come up short each time. I had a good talk with my husband about weaning (when I feel I’m ready) and how the next few years will look. 
 

@shep 

sorry not sure how I missed that link when you posted it. But super helpful. In my mind I was thinking I should be reaching for my “normal” self. I now realize that not going to happen until off meds and years of healing. Looking back 6 month I’m improved tremendously. Just 3 months ago I was not functioning at all or taking care of myself. Now I have more good days and the bad day are more like bad hours not days and days. I’ll give it more time before tapering and write out what the taper will look like off the 7.5mg. I want to go as slow as I can to keep my “WDnormal”. Do you know what would be the jump off dose? 
 

thank you for all your wisdom!! You have given me hope. 

[Shep]

21 hours ago, Kelsears said:

@shep 

sorry not sure how I missed that link when you posted it. But super helpful. In my mind I was thinking I should be reaching for my “normal” self. I now realize that not going to happen until off meds and years of healing. Looking back 6 month I’m improved tremendously. Just 3 months ago I was not functioning at all or taking care of myself. Now I have more good days and the bad day are more like bad hours not days and days. I’ll give it more time before tapering and write out what the taper will look like off the 7.5mg. I want to go as slow as I can to keep my “WDnormal”. Do you know what would be the jump off dose? 
 

thank you for all your wisdom!! You have given me hope. 

 

Very glad you are hopeful! That will go a long way in powering you through this.

 

Here are a few threads about the jump off dose and the experiences afterwards for these drugs in general (not specific to Zoloft): 

 

When to end the taper and jump to zero?

Experiences after tapering to zero

 

It doesn't end at "O"

 

You really have set yourself up for success by reinstating and holding until you're stable. It really does sound like you're seeing some great improvements already. You may be someone who values feeling good over wanting to "just get off the drug" so you may be someone who tapers until the last scrap. As you get closer to the end of your taper, you'll be able to assess what the best jumping off point will be for you. 

[Kelsears]

6/8 

6:00 AM	Wake		Feeling ok slept 7 hours
9:00 AM	Feelings		Strange head and ear pressure lasted 2 minutes
9:15 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling anxious
1:30 PM	Feelings		Feeling ok but tired
4:50 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling ok
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	Feeling ok very tired
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

I just hope I’m strong enough to do this. I will go as slow as I need to to keep a WDnormal. Through this process I’ve realized how sensitive my body is to medication.  

[Kelsears]

7:00 AM	Wake		Feeling anxious warm panic feeling slept 8 hour
9:00 AM	Feelings		Anxiety achy legs tired cramps (cycle is late)
9:35 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling anxious
12:00 PM	Feelings		Cycle started cramps, chest pain achy
2:00 PM	Feeling		Crying feeling like I'll never make it through this. Will I ever recover?
4:50 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling sad
6:00 PM	Feeling		Crying sad
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.75mg	Feeling sad
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

 

I’ve been reading and reading about everything supplements, hashimoto, benzo withdrawals, SSRI withdrawals, recovery stories. Just feeling I’m doing everything wrong and not sure which direction to go. I know all the decision are on me but I feel like my brain isn’t capable of making decisions. So far I feel like I’ve made all the wrong decisions. But maybe they’re not wrong because I do have “good” days now. But are these only because of the reinstatement? Once off am i going back to the hell I felt 3 months ago? I never want to go there again. sorry just venting! I feel lost and lonely. I wish I knew someone who has gone through this that I could talk to during these hard moments. My husband is amazing but doesn’t understand the feeling because he’s never been there. I wish I could find someone local to me that could be a support buddy. After all this I’m going to help support as many as I can. 

[Shep]

7 hours ago, Kelsears said:

So far I feel like I’ve made all the wrong decisions. But maybe they’re not wrong because I do have “good” days now. But are these only because of the reinstatement?

 

Wasn't the reinstatement a decision you made? And wasn't that a good decision? I think you're paying attention to the "withdrawal lies," which like to tell us how incompetent and wrong we are. Don't listen to the withdrawal lies. You're having good days. That's all you need to know. 

[Kelsears]

@shep thank you for that. We all just want to feel better and when we don’t we feel like we’ve done something wrong. It’s been a trying week for me. A week where I have to make a lot of decisions and I feel like I’m going to make the wrong ones. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

Thank you for having the courage to share your story on here and to seek help. I've been reading through it and I am so glad that I am not alone. Some of our medications are different and parts of our stories but I can so relate to how you feel and what you are going through. I have been so confused and unsure of what is happening with my body and the decisions that I am making to try to get through this.

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

I am so so sorry hun you are going through this. I hate this for everyone. It seriously is torture. Sometimes I ask myself what I did to deserve this. But I know it’s not me it’s the meds and uneducated doctors I try with all my being to keep hope I will be healed one day. 
you are not alone we are all her for you. You can message me anytime if you’d like. Just know you are worth it. Sending you so much love! 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

Thank you so much for the love and kind words! I can so relate to blaming myself and wondering what I did to have to feel like this. I get so frustrated with the doctors and their lack of understanding and how these meds can impact people like us.

 

Things will get better! We ARE getting better! Some days I get so frustrated thinking that it is never going to end or get any better or that I am going to feel like this forever; but, if I take a step back I realize it isn't as bad as those first days. 

I posted a topic about myself that I am waiting for approval for. I am hoping to get some help and feedback about what to do and where to go from here. It was so cool to see how you tracked your journey and had people here with you the whole time. Feel free to message me anytime as well! Sending lots of love your way!

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

you got this hun! You will get lot of support here. Remember slow and steady. Best advice I was given was to really stop and listen to my body. It will tell you. First goal get stable then work slowly from there. We will heal. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

I cannot love what you said enough! Thank you 🙂

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf 

here for you! 

[Kelsears]

6/9 

7:00 AM	Wake		Woke ok slept 8 hrs
8:00 AM	Feelings		Very anxious
9:20 AM	Ativan	.5	Anxious
12:00 PM	Feelings		Tired
4:45PM	Ativan	.5	Little anxious on edge
6:00 PM	Feeling		Feeling ok
9:00 PM	Zoloft	8mg	Feeling ok tired
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

 

ok day! Anxiety been higher this last week. Wondering if due to cycle starting. I have noticed my morning cortisol surges have gotten better. 
 

Ive been having more period of lightheadedness and balance being off. I wonder if this could be the hashimotos. I’m still trying to treat the hashimoto with diet. Ordered a food sensitivity test to eliminate any food that could be causing  more inflammation. 
 

Decided to wait a little longer before trying to taper. Mentally not ready. 

[Kelsears]

6/11

7:00 AM	Wake		Woke ok slept 8.5hours
8:00 AM	Feelings		anxious lightheaded
9:30 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Anxious
12:15 PM	vitamins		Digestive gold feeling anxious
5:10 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Little anxious
7:00 PM	Feeling		Feeling anxious
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	Feeling ok tired
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

anxious all day not horrible but just there. Did feel better after a bike ride. Sleep has been great. Some strange head feeling today shooting pains, fuzzy vision, ringing in ears. 
 

I did have a moment of pure joy today. My youngest learned to ride his bike without training wheels. Felt like my heart was going to burst with joy. I’m so thankful I was able to enjoy that moment with him. 2 months ago I wouldn’t have been able too.

 

doing my food sensitivity test today. Which will be good. I’m down 8lbs in the last couple weeks from not knowing what to eat and scared to cause a hashimoto flare up. Since the horrible reaction in January I am down 50lbs. Good thing I had extra to begin with. But there is something to be said about the diet and recovery. I feel much better when I’m not eating carbs and getting 90+ oz of water in a day. 

[Shep]

21 hours ago, Kelsears said:

I did have a moment of pure joy today. My youngest learned to ride his bike without training wheels. Felt like my heart was going to burst with joy. I’m so thankful I was able to enjoy that moment with him. 2 months ago I wouldn’t have been able too.

 

Very glad you could appreciate a major "pure joy" moment. Excellent news. 

 

[Kelsears]

6/12

7:00 AM	Wake		Feeling ok jaw little tight slept 8hrs 45 mins. I was tired zzzzzz
8:30 AM	Feelings		Anxious
9:30 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling anxious
11:30 AM	vitamins		Mag
5:15 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Anxious little on edge
8:22 PM	Feeling		Constant anxiety today
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	Head still feel strange very lightheaded
9:30 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega still feeling off.

for the last a week and a half I feel this constant anxiety which hasnt been there since I first was cut cold Turkey. I hate the feeling. What could it be? 
 

i feel like I have to faux feeling normal but inside I feel like I’m ready to explode. It’s summer vacation and trying to do

things with kids and I put that happy face on but really I just want to cry. Ugggggg 

[Kelsears]

6/13

6:45 AM	Wake		In and out of sleep since 5. Slept 8 hrs
8:00 AM	Feelings		Anxious and sad
9:15 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Feeling anxious
5:15 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Anxious and emotional all day
7:00 PM	Feeling		Little anxious but ok balance off
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	feeling anxious
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

today is a day I feel like I’m just slowly dying a torturous death. I’m Down 50lbs since January Everything is overwhelming, my entire body hurts, I have no fight left. 

[Shep]

@Kelsears How is your appetite? Are you able to eat healthy foods and snacks throughout the day and get plenty of water? Is anxiety your only symptom or are you also dealing with nausea? 

[Kelsears]

@Shep

my appetite sucks I usually force myself to eat. Also dealing with the hashimoto limits my diet as well. But eating very healthy Whole Foods. Vegetarian for 25+ years and now slowly trying to add in some turkey and chicken. Fluids are good drinking between 64-100oz a day. 
 

The nausea comes with the depression waves. During these waves I tend to really have to force myself to eat it will come back up often. 

[Shep]

22 hours ago, Kelsears said:

Vegetarian for 25+ years and now slowly trying to add in some turkey and chicken. Fluids are good drinking between 64-100oz a day. 

 

This is good to read. I also transitioned from being a vegetarian (of 32 years) to eating fish, chicken, red meat, and most recently, organ meats. I think that really helped in my case and I've read others have done the same in order to get through withdrawal. 

 

If you were deficient in areas such as vitamin B12, this should help over time as you transition to a meat-based diet.

 

Do you think you'll add in red meat and fish, as well? I know the transition can be difficult and it's best to do so slowly. 

 

Some members' experiences are detailed here:

 

Plant based lifestyle, vegetarian, vegan

 

When did you start to transition from vegetarian to eating turkey and chicken? Do you think some of your symptoms may be related to your body adjusting to the new diet? 

[Kelsears]

@Shep

yes Im also eating fish. Red meat might take me a while. I hate anything that gamy or has iron taste to it. But if it helps I’m going to try my best. My functional doctor suggested an organ meat supplement. I ordered that. 
 

I started a couple weeks ago. I think I feel a little more energy since starting eating more meat based protein. I will only buy meats from my local coop so I know that it’s quality meat and nothing packed with hormones or fillers. I feel like it’s given me some digestive issues but seems to be better now. Taking it slow. 

[Kelsears]

6/15 

6:45 AM	Wake		Woke to panic slept 8.5hours
9:15 AM	Ativan	.5mg	Little anxious
2:00 PM	Feeling		Tired head neck pain
5:10 PM	Ativan	.5mg	Little anxious
7:00 PM	Feeling		Ok
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5mg	lots of head pressure
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Mag omega

Doctor suggested to go up 1mg of Zoloft before we start tapering the Ativan to help with the increased anxiety I’ve had the last several weeks. 
I having a harder time lately with controlling the intrusive thoughts. 
i feel like I’m trying everything to get through this hell and just when I think I’ve improved the waves come back and I feel like I’m right back in hell. 

[Shep]

13 hours ago, Kelsears said:

Doctor suggested to go up 1mg of Zoloft before we start tapering the Ativan to help with the increased anxiety I’ve had the last several weeks. 

 

Did your anxiety go down in May after you increased from 1.5 mg Zoloft to 7.5 mg? It really looked like you were stabilizing around May 22 or so (you may want to re-read that part of your thread). 

 

We usually recommend tapering the benzo last unless there's an adverse reaction or you're getting too many side effects.  Do you feel overly sedated from taking Ativan during the day? 

[Kelsears]

@Shep

yes my anxiety and depression went down after increasing. I think thats why she suggesting an increase. 
 

After a lot of research we believe the Ativan is causing my hashimoto to flare up and the rate at which I want to taper of the Zoloft would lead me to be on the Ativan for extended period of time. We worry about becoming tolerant to it while tapering the Zoloft. 

[Kelsears]

6/16

7:00 AM	Wake		Woke ok 8 hours of sleep
8:00 AM			Feel ok lazy just getting out of bed.
9:00 AM	Ativan	.5	Feeling anxious
10:00 AM	Feeling		Weeding garden feeling anxious and dizzy
1:00 PM	Feeling		Terrible headache so tired.
3:30 PM	Feeling		Intrusive thoughts my mind telling me I'm not going to make it through this. That im not worth fighting for. Thoughts of is this the day I take myself out?
4:45 PM	Ativan	.5	Sad with emotions
7:00 PM	Feeling		Crying feeling sad and hopeless
9:00 PM	Zoloft	7.5	Crying
9:00 PM	Vitamins		Msg and omega

 

So many terrible thoughts today. Not sure what’s worse the physical symptoms or the mental symptoms. I hope this wave doesn’t last long. 

[Shep]

On 6/17/2023 at 8:47 AM, Kelsears said:

@Shep

yes my anxiety and depression went down after increasing. I think thats why she suggesting an increase. 
 

After a lot of research we believe the Ativan is causing my hashimoto to flare up and the rate at which I want to taper of the Zoloft would lead me to be on the Ativan for extended period of time. We worry about becoming tolerant to it while tapering the Zoloft. 

 

Since it only takes a month (or less) to become tolerant to Ativan, you likely already are. I'm just mentioning this so you won't rush your taper. 

 

You mentioned having more trouble around your cycle, so you may want to schedule the Ativan taper around that timeline to set yourself up for success.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions about tapering Ativan.