Claudelex: Switched from Lexapro to Zoloft

[Claudelex]

Hi, new here.  I was switched from Lexapro to Zoloft in May 24.  Went from 20mg Lex to 50mg Zol overnight and then increased to 75mg Zol on 10 June 2024.  I have been suffering with many side effects ever since the switch.  Burning, prickly skin, Electrical buzzing throughout body,   Muscle spasms and twitching, headaches, head pressure and sore burning scalp, tremors and tinnitus.  It has been an absolute nightmare.  I had severe anxiety and agitation early on after the switch but this has improved.  My anxiety increases as the symptoms worsen so it’s a viscous circle.  I had a couple of better days (not entirely symptom free) but have gone backwards again.  The headaches and head pressure are constant.  

Edited August 5 by Erimus
spelling of drugs

[Erimus]

Hello, and welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. We are a peer support forum to assist in tapering off psychiatric drugs safely, or recovering from psychiatric drug withdrawal.

 

This topic is for anything relating to you, and any questions you have. Please do not start another topic.

 

All the answers you are looking for regarding tapering and antidepressant withdrawal are on this site. Please search around and continue to read as much as you can manage. Use the site search function to search for specific words or phrases, such as drugs or symptoms.

 

 

What you are experiencing now is the effects of a cold switch from lexapro to zoloft. Your brain was dependent on lexparo after 15 years of use. It is likely you will stabilise on zolft, but it will take a number of months. I suggest you do not change your medication any further.

 

 

Here are a few of the most useful links:

 

--------Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ--------

 

Micro tapering

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

 

--------From the Symptoms and Self-Care Forums--------
 
What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Hypersensitivity and Kindling

 

We only recommend two supplements. Omega 3 Fish Oil and Magnesium. Both should be introduced separately and increased slowly.

 

Regards

Erimus

[Claudelex]

Thank you

[Claudelex]

Hi, I would like some advice please.  I was switched from Lexapro to Zoloft on 7 May 2024, afre being on Lexapro for around 15 years, with the majority of time at 20mg.  It was a direct switch to 50mg of Zoloft as my anxiety was quite bad and the doctor determined a change of meds was required.  On 10 June 2024 I went up to 75mg of Zoloft and am still taking that amount now.  I have had severe symptoms since the switch, such as, burning prickly skin, buzzing sensation throughout my body, Muscle spasms and twitches, Headaches and head pressure, sore and burning scalp, tremors and anxiety.

 

My anxiety, tremors, muscle spasms, twitches and buzzing have improved, not gone entirely, but improved substantially.  I am still getting a buzzing sensation from my waist down (also improved slightly) and my main issues now are tinnitus, burning scalp head pressure and headaches. 

 

I'm not certain if these are withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro, or an adverse effect of Zoloft.  

 

Do you think upping my Zoloft to 100mg would change anything and help with the symptoms I'm experiencing please?

[Claudelex]

Hi, I was switched from Lexapro 20mg to Zoloft 50mg on 7 May 24 after being on Lexapro for about 15 years.  Increased to 75mg of Zoloft from 10 June 24.  Since the switch I have experienced several severe symptoms such as burning prickly skin, buzzing throughout my body feeling like electricity is running through it, muscle twitches and spasms, tremors, Hypnic jerks, tinnitus, head pressure, burning scalp and constant headaches for the last two weeks and insomnia.  Many of the  symptoms have eased, but gone but eased, such as the muscle spasms , twitches, burning prickly skin, Hypnos jerks and my sleep is a little better too.  What is concerning me at the moment is the head pressure feeling it in different spots on different days, causing headaches and my scalp to burn.  I also have constant ringing in my left ear.  I’m not sure if these symptoms are from withdrawal of Lexapro or a reaction to Zoloft or a massive coincidence. Should I be increasing Zoloft to 100mg? Your assistance is appreciated.

[Claudelex]

On 8/9/2024 at 12:11 PM, Claudelex said:

Hi, I would like some advice please.  I was switched from Lexapro to Zoloft on 7 May 2024, afre being on Lexapro for around 15 years, with the majority of time at 20mg.  It was a direct switch to 50mg of Zoloft as my anxiety was quite bad and the doctor determined a change of meds was required.  On 10 June 2024 I went up to 75mg of Zoloft and am still taking that amount now.  I have had severe symptoms since the switch, such as, burning prickly skin, buzzing sensation throughout my body, Muscle spasms and twitches, Headaches and head pressure, sore and burning scalp, tremors and anxiety.

 

My anxiety, tremors, muscle spasms, twitches and buzzing have improved, not gone entirely, but improved substantially.  I am still getting a buzzing sensation from my waist down (also improved slightly) and my main issues now are tinnitus, burning scalp head pressure and headaches. 

 

I'm not certain if these are withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro, or an adverse effect of Zoloft.  

 

Do you think upping my Zoloft to 100mg would change anything and help with the symptoms I'm experiencing please?

@Erimus please help

[Claudelex]

On 8/9/2024 at 12:11 PM, Claudelex said:

Hi, I would like some advice please.  I was switched from Lexapro to Zoloft on 7 May 2024, afre being on Lexapro for around 15 years, with the majority of time at 20mg.  It was a direct switch to 50mg of Zoloft as my anxiety was quite bad and the doctor determined a change of meds was required.  On 10 June 2024 I went up to 75mg of Zoloft and am still taking that amount now.  I have had severe symptoms since the switch, such as, burning prickly skin, buzzing sensation throughout my body, Muscle spasms and twitches, Headaches and head pressure, sore and burning scalp, tremors and anxiety.

 

My anxiety, tremors, muscle spasms, twitches and buzzing have improved, not gone entirely, but improved substantially.  I am still getting a buzzing sensation from my waist down (also improved slightly) and my main issues now are tinnitus, burning scalp head pressure and headaches. 

 

I'm not certain if these are withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro, or an adverse effect of Zoloft.  

 

Do you think upping my Zoloft to 100mg would change anything and help with the symptoms I'm experiencing please? @Catwoman@Erimus

 

[Claudelex]

1 minute ago, Claudelex said:

@Catwoman73

 

1 minute ago, Claudelex said:

 

 

[Tonia]

Hi, Claudelex.

 

I'm not sure I can answer your questions, as I'm not a mod, so take everything with a grain of salt. But I'd assume that going up in dose to a drug you suspect you may have an adverse reaction to may not be the right move. It's hard to say if it is an adverse reaction, or a withdrawal reaction from Lexapro. If you're seeing improvement already it's probably best to stay put and not rock the boat with dosage or medication changes. I remember when I was in the early days of my withdrawal I was tempted to raise my dosage too, because I kept on wanting to do something actionable to "fix" my situation. But chances are raising dosage won't improve symptoms back to 100% normal anyway, and may even make things worse. So best to stick to what you are on now because you know it is working based on the improvement you are seeing. From what I've read, consistency and stability are pretty darn important.

I found it helpful to channel that "wanting to fix things" energy into adjacent things that can help my recovery. Like trying to sleep/eat well, exercise (if you can tolerate it,) or creative projects to keep your mind busy.

 

Otherwise I just wanted to drop by after your comment on my page to say hello and pass on my well wishes to your recovery. Here's to the 2024 antidepressant warriors 😁

[Claudelex]

On 8/6/2024 at 3:38 AM, Erimus said:

Hello, and welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. We are a peer support forum to assist in tapering off psychiatric drugs safely, or recovering from psychiatric drug withdrawal.

 

This topic is for anything relating to you, and any questions you have. Please do not start another topic.

 

All the answers you are looking for regarding tapering and antidepressant withdrawal are on this site. Please search around and continue to read as much as you can manage. Use the site search function to search for specific words or phrases, such as drugs or symptoms.

 

 

What you are experiencing now is the effects of a cold switch from lexapro to zoloft. Your brain was dependent on lexparo after 15 years of use. It is likely you will stabilise on zolft, but it will take a number of months. I suggest you do not change your medication any further.

 

 

Here are a few of the most useful links:

 

--------Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ--------

 

Micro tapering

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

 

--------From the Symptoms and Self-Care Forums--------
 
What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Hypersensitivity and Kindling

 

We only recommend two supplements. Omega 3 Fish Oil and Magnesium. Both should be introduced separately and increased slowly.

 

Regards

Erimus

Hi Erimus, is it normal for some symptoms to improve and then others appear?  I was getting lots of spasms, and jerks which have improved quite a lot.  My main issues now are Head pressure, a burning sensation on my scalp and a buzzing feeling waist down.  How long does the head pressure last from your experience please?

 

[Erimus]

14 hours ago, Claudelex said:

Hi Erimus, is it normal for some symptoms to improve and then others appear?  I was getting lots of spasms, and jerks which have improved quite a lot.  My main issues now are Head pressure, a burning sensation on my scalp and a buzzing feeling waist down.  How long does the head pressure last from your experience please?

 

Symptoms will fluctuate and change as withdrawal progresses. It is unfortunately the process of healing from nervous system dysregulation. All we know is every 6 months things are likely to have changed/improved somewhat.