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ArtLife03: Introducing myself...


ArtLife03

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Hello all,

 

I'm here because I'm trying to educate myself about tapering off of Zoloft.  I was on Zoloft and Valium for about 15 years and over the past few years, I have completely tapered off the Valium.  I have been off the Valium for 11 months now, and while my system has been stable since getting off, I have protracted fatigue and hypersensitivity.  I've been making due while I recover, but have recently been learning that coming off of antidepressants can be just as challenging.  

 

I spend a good part of my day resting.  I'll do small chores around the house.  Every Wednesday, I get to babysit my 3 year old niece, which is the highlight of my week!  But exerting too much energy or being in stimulating environments leaves me wiped out for a couple of days.  I've built my life around these symptoms.  Currently I'm studying as an artist from home, I love to read (especially classical literature), and I think I've watched every movie out there at least once.  I'm operating on the principle that time will eventually heal me.

 

As for the Zoloft, I am unsure whether I should begin tapering now, or wait until I have recovered from my benzo protracted symptoms.  On the one hand, I'd like to get off all these meds and get on with my life; I don't want to recover from the benzo and then have to restrict my life again to come off the antidepressant.  On the other hand, it might be more than my system can handle right now to be both recovering from benzo withdrawal and tapering off Zoloft.  Any suggestions would be great.

 

I'm glad to be here and I look forward to meeting new people and encouraging one another along our arduous journeys.  Best.

2009 Prescribed 150 mg Zoloft and 50 mg Valium for anxiety disorder

2019-2020 Tapered Valium down to 25 mg

Held for 6 months 

11/21-8/22 finished Valium taper: housebound with fatigue and hypersensitivity

6/23 Still on 150mg Zoloft; still recovering from benzo withdrawal symptoms

6/18.2023  Started Zoloft Taper from 150mg down to 135 mg.

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  • manymoretodays changed the title to ArtLife03: Introducing myself...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome @ArtLife03, I’m glad to hear you managed to get off the Valium. Yes, these meds can certainly cause symptoms a long time after we’ve gone off them. I’m glad you’ve been stable to a degree though. Thanks for putting in your signature too. 
 

Yes, tapering off antidepressants can cause withdrawals as well, as you know. When your body is ready though, it’s recommended to taper by no more than 10% of the previous dose per month. Only you would know if you’re stable enough to taper. 
 

We speak about what we go through as windows and waves, windows are when our withdrawals are kind of at a baseline(not too bad, but not great either), and waves are when symptoms are bad. I have symptoms even in a window, but I’m stable enough to taper again. 
 

If you taper too quickly or don’t have long enough holds you may end up in longer waves. Sometimes if you do too many drops too quick it might not hit you straight away, but can hit you with a vengeance down the track. 
 

I love period dramas too, I’ve got tons of DVDs, and I’ve read quite a number of the classics as well. I have bad brain fog due to CFS, so I can’t read as much as I like. 
 

Sending hugs🤗

Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0.  2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25.  2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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Thank you for your insights.  Sometimes the confusion about what course to take and what is happening to us is just as difficult as enduring the physical symptoms.  This week, I've been doing my research on tapering off of antidepressants.  I looks like it's a process, but it seems like it is one that can occur in the background of my normal life if done correctly and with patience.  

 

I'm glad I came across this site.  I found that some of the benzo forums were too negative and not very informative, but I've already learned a lot being here.

 

It looks like you're making good progress in getting off your medication.  I wish you all the best!

2009 Prescribed 150 mg Zoloft and 50 mg Valium for anxiety disorder

2019-2020 Tapered Valium down to 25 mg

Held for 6 months 

11/21-8/22 finished Valium taper: housebound with fatigue and hypersensitivity

6/23 Still on 150mg Zoloft; still recovering from benzo withdrawal symptoms

6/18.2023  Started Zoloft Taper from 150mg down to 135 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi @ArtLife03, We definitely always have lots of decisions to make. I’m glad you’ve been able to do some research, it really is a slow and steady process. I’ve been at it forever, and I’ve still got many years to go. I can’t taper at 10% anymore, I’m tapering at 1.5% and holding for a minimum of six weeks each time, longer if withdrawals are still bad. 
 

If you’re not on magnesium or fish oil, they may be worth a try. No supplements will get rid of withdrawals, but a lot of people on this site have found these beneficial. You just try one at a time and start on a low dose. We can be hypersensitive to so many things and that’s why it’s recommended to start everything at low doses to see how we react to things. 
 

Also, it’s best to not drink alcohol as it can slow the healing process, and to cut down on caffeine. Feel free to pop over to other people’s threads too for a chat and an interchange of encouragement. 
 

Wishing you all the best too when you start to taper 

Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0.  2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25.  2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi dear @ArtLife03, just saw your message. You’re fine to chat on other people’s threads and tell them a little about yourself. Happy chatting💛

Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0.  2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25.  2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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  • 2 weeks later...

So I started my taper and reduced 10% from 150 mg to 135mg.  About 5 days in I had intense symptoms for about 12 hours -- head very cloudy and groggy, inner stress and shakiness.  It passed but for the past week I've had constant anxiety and just want some feedback.  Is the idea behind the slow tapers every month not to have any prolonged symptoms, or is it to keep the symptoms manageable?  I'm still at least a couple weeks away from my next taper, but do I hold off until the anxiety has subsided or keep moving forward?  How long should I expect the anxiety to last?  Any insights from experienced members would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

2009 Prescribed 150 mg Zoloft and 50 mg Valium for anxiety disorder

2019-2020 Tapered Valium down to 25 mg

Held for 6 months 

11/21-8/22 finished Valium taper: housebound with fatigue and hypersensitivity

6/23 Still on 150mg Zoloft; still recovering from benzo withdrawal symptoms

6/18.2023  Started Zoloft Taper from 150mg down to 135 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi ArtLife03 and welcome,

1 hour ago, ArtLife03 said:

About 5 days in I had intense symptoms for about 12 hours -- head very cloudy and groggy, inner stress and shakiness.  It passed but for the past week I've had constant anxiety and just want some feedback.  Is the idea behind the slow tapers every month not to have any prolonged symptoms, or is it to keep the symptoms manageable?

 

It looks like you did a full 10% taper from your Zoloft.  And know that you could taper by even less than that percentage.  Very likely that you are still very fragile less than a year off your Valium now.  Fragile, with a still trying to recalibrate/or working to rebalance nervous system.

 

You could try going up now, not all the way back to 150 mg of Zoloft, but perhaps try going up to 142 mg now.  That would be close to just a 5 % increase now, and might remedy your present symptoms.   If it does, then you might be on your way to doing just tapers of 5% every 4 to 6 weeks. Then just time your next taper at least 4 weeks from the updose.

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms  I feel like that topic does apply to updosing as well.

 

We'd like to keep symptoms while tapering at the same level as what your baseline was coming in.  Or brief, not prolonged. 

What did symptoms look like prior to when you did your first 10% taper of Zoloft.  Good to know your baseline.

I do see you mentioned

On 6/13/2023 at 5:01 PM, ArtLife03 said:

protracted fatigue and hypersensitivity

Also see Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist in this topic Read this to identify any new withdrawal symptoms.  I will assume that the "anxiety" you mention is new then.  You are pretty sensitive though.

 

I'll also give you some more topics to look at too now, in case you have not found them on your own.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

And when calculating the dosage drop, from each previous dose, here is an easy way to do that:

current dose X .90 = a 10%  taper drop, the new dose

current dose X .95 = a 5% taper drop, the new dose

current dose X .975= a 2.5 % taper drop, the new dose

 

See also: Micro-taper instead of 10% or 5% decreases

 

Tips for tapering Zoloft(sertraline)

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

Also do peek at:  What is happening in your brain?

 

What to expect:

The Windows and Waves pattern of Stabilization

 

1 hour ago, ArtLife03 said:

but do I hold off until the anxiety has subsided or keep moving forward?

If this is apparent to you that it is a WD anxiety, you can either updose as I mentioned, or try a taper of less than 10% with your next taper.......or both.  We'd love to see you not develop any new prolonged WD symptoms with this taper.  Consider now as figuring out how to best taper the Zoloft to prevent that.

 

What have you got for non-drug coping skills at this point?  We do have a whole symptoms and self care forum that you can find tons of ideas for many non-drug coping practices to begin or maintain.

 

Welcome again to our community.  With time, I'm hoping you can find another who tapered their benzo first and now is also working on a SSRI taper.  That's always nice.  Many can relate to your case though and be of help.

 

Let us know what you do and keep us updated.  Appreciated.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

 

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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Thanks for your advice.  I think it's time to updose and go at a slower taper (5%).  Once I updose, how long should I give it for the anxiety to go away and start to feel back to my baseline?

 

@manymoretodays You are the second person to mention to me that my nervous system still needs time to heal/balance from being off benzos for less than a year.  The big question I have is related to the fatigue I have all the time: is it due to my nervous system needing more time to repair from the benzo, or is it being caused by still taking the Zoloft?  If it's from taking the benzo, maybe I should wait another year for my nervous system to fully recover before starting to taper the Zoloft.  It may not be a question that can be definitively answered, but if anyone has any experience to offer, it would be a great help.   

2009 Prescribed 150 mg Zoloft and 50 mg Valium for anxiety disorder

2019-2020 Tapered Valium down to 25 mg

Held for 6 months 

11/21-8/22 finished Valium taper: housebound with fatigue and hypersensitivity

6/23 Still on 150mg Zoloft; still recovering from benzo withdrawal symptoms

6/18.2023  Started Zoloft Taper from 150mg down to 135 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi again ArtLife03,

 

Stay put with the updose then.  And give it 4-7 days.......it may take even longer, but let's just watch and see if the new onset anxiety lifts, even if just by a little bit it will be worth it.  And then HOLD for at least 4 weeks before even thinking of another taper.  You may wish to wait a bit longer, with the hopes that you WILL only have minimal new WD symptoms, of a short term nature to deal with going forward.

 

And it certainly won't hurt to begin to use non-drug coping skills to help with present anxiety, new onset since your first Zoloft taper.

 

Some of this might help:

We strongly encourage members to learn and use non drug coping techniques to help get through tough times.

 

Understanding what is happening helps us to not get caught up with the second fear, or fear of the fear.  This happens when we experience sensations in our body and because we don't understand them we are scared of them and then start to panic.

 

This document has a diagram of the body explaining what happens in the body when we become anxious:

 

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/AnxietySelfHelp.pdf

 

 

Audio FEMALE VOICE:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

 

Audio MALE VOICE:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

dealing-with-emotional-spirals

 

Dr Claire Weekes suffered from anxiety and learned and taught ways of coping.  There are videos available on YouTube.

 

Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes

 

 
Resources:  Centre for Clinical Interventions (PDF modules that you can work through, eg:  Depression, Distress Intolerance, Health Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem, Panic Attacks, Perfectionism, Procrastination, Social Anxiety, Worrying)
 
Gentle body work and breathwork may also become invaluable to you, to hone up on now.  Check the Symptoms and Self Care forum for ideas, and then do share what helps here, in your topic, or in any of the Symptoms and Self Care topics too.  There is a ton of stuff over there.
 
This should come in handy too when wanting to see what we might already have on something you are looking for, or wanting to see other members experiences with, and just finding your way around the site.
 
Don't be shy either, as far as visiting other members Introduction topics........especially those that do have a similar history to yours.  Sometimes posting on their thread with support will also bring them to your thread to encourage, support, and share experiences.
 
Your doing fine ArtLife03. 
 
L, P, H, and G,
mmt

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

@ArtLife03  I wanted to direct you to take a look at this Success Story in particular:  elbee: Free from Zoloft and Benzo's after 25+ years

It's had some recent posts there too, and sounded a lot like what you are looking for, as far as other members, with somewhat similar stories, cases.

 

It's a great one and so good to hear how well elbee is doing now too.

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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