keolablue Need help, 3 month taper off zoloft was too fast, reinstating

[keolablue]

Hi all,  

My psych left their practice without informing me this spring and since I've had a hard time finding anyone to prescribe me my meds. I have medi-cal in CA and finding a new psychiatrist was so tedious, and the place I got into a few months ago was completely cold and dehumanizing, and I can only get an appointment three months from now.

my drugs:

Nortryptaline 20mg (for cyclic vomiting migraines)

Zoloft 75mg

I was fairly stable on these but since it took so long for my general doc to prescribe what I needed, and being without a psych, I thought I would try to see if I could taper off Zoloft by myself over 3-4 months, I didn't document as much or reinstate when I should have and now I'm in hell.. 

after last doses of about 25mg every other day I stopped and was fine for 3 weeks , spare joint pain which I now think is a part of it.

then I started having massive physical anxiety, and got scared and restarted a dose of 50mg zoloft. It's been about 18 days on 50mg and the anxiety every day is unbearable..

 

I've read the thread about reinstating, I'm going to try a lower dose of zoloft tonight and see if it has an affect.. I have been completely not myself, my depression has gotten worse, I have bad joint pain in my hips and knees.. and the physical anxiety is tremendous and does not stop unless I take ativan. I'm scared of taking it too even though I've had to take about one a day the past week or two.. 

I don't have a psychiatrist, the appointment isn't for three months, I thought of going to the ER if my symptoms keep being this bad I can't stand it anymore.. but I'm so scared I'll get a stupid doctor that doesn't understand my sensitivity.. I have suicidal thoughts, I don't want to tell the hospital though because I do not want to be put on a hold..

 

I don't know if the anxiety is caused by withdrawal, or by the reinstatement of 50mg (after having tapered down over three months).. I don't know what to do

 

Anyone with any advice or help, I'm desperate... 

Thank you

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @keolablue

 

Any doctor can prescribe these drugs, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist.

 

It's generally not recommended to prescribe nortriptyline with Zoloft as the drugs can interact in a dangerous way. You are wise to reduce Zoloft.

 

Skipping doses often results in bad withdrawal symptoms, which may have sensitized you to your regular dose of Zoloft, which typically will causes activation or anxiety. If I were you, I'd immediately reduce the Zoloft dose to 1/4 tablet (12.5mg) and see if that helps. Please let us know how you're doing.

 

FYI Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

 

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