BS29 Posted October 1, 2023 Posted October 1, 2023 Hi all! Wanting some advice. Feb 2021: Started Zoloft (Aurobindo Sertraline) for anxiety (GAD). Throughout this I went from 12.5 -> 25 -> 37.5 -> 50 -> 75 -> 50 -> until landing on 25mg, stayed here since Jan 2023. Saw the biggest improvement from cognitive behavioral therapy so I was comfortable at 25mg. Tried to taper in Jan 2023 with 25 on/off (as per my doctor) but got brain zaps and was too comfortable to try and taper, so I just stayed on to try again later. Aug 1st 2023: Cold turkey'd my 25mg dose. I remembered my initial tapering attempt and said **** it, I'll just cold turkey and endure the symptoms for hopefully just a few weeks. In iconic fashion, my first symptom was brain zaps within the first few days. Got them a lot with head/eye movement laterally. After 3 weeks or so they stopped completely but now I'm left still dealing with head pressure, dizziness/vertigo, feeling of subtly moving/being tilted, some trouble sleeping, and increased anxiety. Most recently having some GI issues. But the dizziness and balance stuff is the most frustrating right now. I'm still able to work and go to school. Even through recent increased stress from finalizing/submitting my applications for PA school and focusing on finishing my last pre-requisites in 2 hard classes with A's. Although now it feels really uncomfortable. Sometimes I get so dizzy in class I feel I'll pass out. I bend over the sink to spit out my toothpaste and I feel like I'm falling forward. At home I also just feel more anxious and not as comfortable "in my body" if that makes any sense. Generally my QOL feels lower. I feel like the dizziness/vertigo/balance stuff is actually not psychosomatic symptoms of my relapsing anxiety. Probably something to do with the serotonin receptors in the ear. MAIN CONCERN: My overall QOL has been noticeably crappy lately cause of the cold turkey. I was thinking of reinstating at 1mg to alleviate my symptoms. I have 50mg pills so I could take a 25 piece and mix with 25ml to get the 1mg/ml dose. My tablets are scored. As of today it has been approximately 2 months since I went off. Any thoughts/advice? Feb. 2021 - Aug. 2023: Varying doses Sertraline 12.5 -> 25 -> 37.5 -> 50 -> 75 -> 50 -> 25 (mg). Stayed at 25mg Jan. 2023 - Aug. 2023. Cold turkey'd 25mg Aug. 1st 2023. Reinstated 5mg (crushing pill and mixing with water) Oct. 3rd 2023.
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 2, 2023 Administrator Posted October 2, 2023 Welcome, @BS29 Your symptoms do sound like classic withdrawal, now entering a protracted withdrawal. If I were you, I'd get the prescription sertraline liquid and reinstate 5mg, stabilize for a good while, and taper off by tiny amounts later. There may be no need for you to go all the way back to 25mg. FYI Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft) What is withdrawal syndrome? About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization Please let us know how you're doing. 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 All postings © copyrighted.
BS29 Posted October 6, 2023 Author Posted October 6, 2023 Yeah, I ended up reinstating at 5mg. Only been 3 days so I'll update within the next few weeks probably. Much thanks. Feb. 2021 - Aug. 2023: Varying doses Sertraline 12.5 -> 25 -> 37.5 -> 50 -> 75 -> 50 -> 25 (mg). Stayed at 25mg Jan. 2023 - Aug. 2023. Cold turkey'd 25mg Aug. 1st 2023. Reinstated 5mg (crushing pill and mixing with water) Oct. 3rd 2023.
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 10, 2023 Administrator Posted October 10, 2023 How are you doing @BS29? 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 All postings © copyrighted.
BS29 Posted October 10, 2023 Author Posted October 10, 2023 @Altostrata Hi, I’m about the same, hit 1 week on 5mg today. Still have all of the symptoms. Maybe a little more anxious. Before trying to quit, I remember any time I increased my dose I had to stabilize for a few weeks. Which came with increased anxiety and whatnot. So I think I have that, on top of me already getting worse from my abrupt stop. Feb. 2021 - Aug. 2023: Varying doses Sertraline 12.5 -> 25 -> 37.5 -> 50 -> 75 -> 50 -> 25 (mg). Stayed at 25mg Jan. 2023 - Aug. 2023. Cold turkey'd 25mg Aug. 1st 2023. Reinstated 5mg (crushing pill and mixing with water) Oct. 3rd 2023.
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 11, 2023 Administrator Posted October 11, 2023 What effect do you feel from the sertraline? 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 All postings © copyrighted.
bdl4 Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 Going through the exact same symptoms myself after a month of quitting cold turkey. Though I had only been on 25mg for 2 weeks prior, I guess I am just very sensitive to the drug. We will get through this! Mid August 2023 Zoloft 25 mg 1 week Zoloft 50 mg 1 day Zoloft 25 mg 1 week (roughly 2 weeks total) Quit cold turkey after
BS29 Posted October 15, 2023 Author Posted October 15, 2023 @Altostrata Initially I don't think I felt anything on reinstatement but now going on 12 days I'm feeling a lot better. 2 Feb. 2021 - Aug. 2023: Varying doses Sertraline 12.5 -> 25 -> 37.5 -> 50 -> 75 -> 50 -> 25 (mg). Stayed at 25mg Jan. 2023 - Aug. 2023. Cold turkey'd 25mg Aug. 1st 2023. Reinstated 5mg (crushing pill and mixing with water) Oct. 3rd 2023.
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 16, 2023 Administrator Posted October 16, 2023 Good to hear. Please update your signature with the 5mg reinstatement. 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 All postings © copyrighted.
BS29 Posted October 29, 2023 Author Posted October 29, 2023 Going on 3 weeks at 5mg reinstated and it's definitely helped. Most symptoms are still here but they seem decently less intense now. But at the same time, I'm still down from 25mg in a very short amount of time. Thinking about just going back up to 25mg and doing a slow taper like I should've done to begin with. Feb. 2021 - Aug. 2023: Varying doses Sertraline 12.5 -> 25 -> 37.5 -> 50 -> 75 -> 50 -> 25 (mg). Stayed at 25mg Jan. 2023 - Aug. 2023. Cold turkey'd 25mg Aug. 1st 2023. Reinstated 5mg (crushing pill and mixing with water) Oct. 3rd 2023.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now