Tikvah: 15 months benzo free but still on Zoloft

[Tikvah]

I’m currently 15 months benzodiazepines free. I am feeling better as time goes on. I still get into waves  but they are more predictable  as they seem to be directly triggered whenever I travel.  I do have ptsd from being away from home. So it’s not a surprise to me that my cns is so sensitive to travel. 
 

im still on 125 mg Zoloft and do feel that it’s helping me at the moment. I was originally put on both Zoloft and klonopin for a breakdown I had inn2018. I was in a deep anxiety loop that wasn’t stopping and lasted months. So when I eventually became suicidal I went to the hospital and they put me on Zoloft and K.  The benzo became a problem as I was falling into waves in between doses. I found benzo buddies. And Realized what was happening to me. I tried cold turkey didn’t go well and was not safe. So I reinstated and tapered over a year.  
 

my question is. If I still don’t feel like I’ve healed from the benzo Injury. And if I don’t feel like I’m currently having side effects from Zoloft. And that it perhaps is helping me stabilize  then should I wait to taper the Zoloft ?   
 

Also. If a person is in such a deep state of depression or anxiety. That is lasting an inhumane amount of time. Then what else can we do to help them ? I was at a place where I needed intervention.  Do you think SSRIs are ever needed for times like this ?  I can 100% get behind the notion that they are grossly over perscribed. But it’s hard for me to think that the best practice is to tell a person who is the depths of depression and anxiety that has been going on for a Long time to just continue to do therapy and wait and let time heal.  I know I wasn’t able to do therapy in my deepest moments all I could do is pace or shake on the floor.  
 

thoughts ? 

Edited October 14, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to topic title

[LotusRising]

Hi @Tikvah and welcome to SA,

 

Could you help us out by creating a drug signature How to Create a Signature

 

On 10/14/2023 at 9:26 AM, Tikvah said:

I still don’t feel like I’ve healed from the benzo Injury

 

If you're still experiencing symptoms from your benzo taper, it would not be advised to start a new taper until you feel stable. 

 

On 10/14/2023 at 9:26 AM, Tikvah said:

Then what else can we do to help them ?

 

There's no evidence to confirm the efficacy of SSRI's for long-term use. I think you'll find by reading the accounts of other members, that these drugs have only resulted in harm, or worked for a short period of time, and then didn't. It's up to you to decide if your situation necessitates the continued use of zoloft.

 

Help comes in many forms - it requires taking a long, hard look at your diet and lifestyle, seeking out counselling or other therapy, establishing coping skills, and making changes that will enable you a fulfilling life without drugs. We are all different.

 

Please see the below link for when you're prepared to start tapering.

 

We advise tapering no more than 10% of your previous dose each month. Please see the below resources:

 

Why taper by 10% of my dose?

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/