mtmalaka: Hello! Tapering from Zoloft 12mg to zero - need some advice

[mtmalaka]

Hello everyone. New here. Been on Zoloft for 10 years (100mg) - the medication worked wonders for my anxiety, however recently quit working which prompted me to come off the medication. I did a 3 month taper with my doctor going from 100mg - 75mg - 50mg - 25mg - 12mg - zero. I had very little withdrawal issues up until recently when I dropped from 12.5mg to zero. I have been at zero for about 5 days now and the withdrawal effects are creeping in. My question to the community is: Could I go back onto 12.5mg after being off for 5 days?  My new goal would be to then slow taper from 12.5mg to 6mg etc using this site for guidelines. Thanks in advance!

[Emonda]

Welcome @mtmalaka

 

So the moderators can best help you, please complete your drug signature by following these instructions. Adding a signature ensures your drug history appears at the bottom of every post, making it more efficient for those trying to assist. 

 

This link should go directly to your own signature: Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

13 hours ago, mtmalaka said:

I did a 3 month taper with my doctor going from 100mg - 75mg - 50mg - 25mg - 12mg - zero. I had very little withdrawal issues up until recently when I dropped from 12.5mg to zero

 

A much slower taper is recommended here: Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

When you taper faster than this, WD symptoms are the likely outcome: Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

These two links would be worth reading:

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Kindling

 

13 hours ago, mtmalaka said:

I have been at zero for about 5 days now

 

You say you're off for about 5 days. Exactly 5 days? 

 

13 hours ago, mtmalaka said:

My question to the community is: Could I go back onto 12.5mg after being off for 5 days? 

 

The guidance I've looked at suggests perhaps reinstating 50% of the original dose if you've stopped CT in the last 4 weeks. I'll ask someone offline for their input. Generally, it's best to start lower and work up from there....but the decision is yours.

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Avoid alcohol. 

 

This is your own Introduction topic.  Each member has only ONE Introduction topic.  Your own Introduction topic is the best place to ask questions and the place to journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story. 

 

Once again, welcome to S.A.

 

Emonda

[Dahlia50]

@mtmalaka Hi, I'm not a moderator/administrator and can't give advice but it sounds wise to go back, to what dose dont know. I didn't and regret it. Like you, I got WD after 5 days after zero (but also had it during previous taper). Everyone is different but for me it got worse and worse and crashed after 2-3 months.

Good luck and take care.

[Emonda]

How'd you go with that signature?

 

Chatting behind the scenes, if you stopped just five days ago and felt stable at 12.5mg, then it should be okay to restart at that dose.

 

Just monitor your symptoms.

[mtmalaka]

Thanks for the replies. Also thanks for the helpful information above, @Emonda PS I updated my signature! 

 

I have fairly mild physical withdrawal symptoms at the moment (dizziness, brain zaps etc.)... However some very notable malaise / depression. If going back onto 12.5 resolves this, I would consider going back onto 12.5mg and then tapering from there (using the SA recommended micro-tapering protocol) - I am hoping to wait this out in favor of being completely off the medication. However I do not want to miss my window for going back to 12.5mg for a longer taper. 

[Emonda]

5 hours ago, mtmalaka said:

PS I updated my signature!

 

Many thanks.

 

5 hours ago, mtmalaka said:

I am hoping to wait this out in favor of being completely off the medication

 

It can get very, very difficult. Reflect on the comments from Dahlia50.

 

5 hours ago, mtmalaka said:

However I do not want to miss my window for going back to 12.5mg for a longer taper. 

 

Reinstating is best sooner rather than later. You're only a few days at 0mg. The window is wide open for you...but 100% your choice.

 

Have a read of Josh and ThreeLittleBirds.

 

Emonda