Theory: I’m new here but I’m really struggling

[Theory]

I got off Zoloft last October, my original withdrawal lasted maybe two weeks then I felt ok for a while, when I got to about 6 months things really took a turn for the worst. I had this very weird headband headache that started,almost a rough feeling sand papery type of feeling, not painful but annoying for sure, that lasted 3 months and is now gone.

 

Severe panic attacks out of nowhere, never had anxiety and now it’s daily and if not in the day definitely every night, I went to the hospital two times because they were so bad at first and I didn’t at that point correlate this with Zoloft withdrawal, my anxiety is now tolerable but comes in waves some days being better than others. I had lots of brain zaps while I was coming off Zoloft , but I’m currently having some almost nightly when

 

I’m falling asleep and this is what I’m really struggling with, they’re almost centered in my forehead and when they happen I’m almost asleep but when they hit my face and teeth go numb and my arms have a loss of sensation. They’re very scary and then anxiety kicks in and I’m up till 1am trying to calm down. I’m 10 months off of Zoloft, I do feel like I’m better but definitely not good if that makes sense but these nightly zaps are freaking me out. I don’t feel like my Dr believes this is from Zoloft withdrawal, she just thinks I have anxiety now. 

Edited August 18 by Emonda
Name to title

[Emonda]

Welcome @Theory

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8 hours ago, Theory said:

I got off Zoloft last October, my original withdrawal lasted maybe two weeks

 

Once you add your signature, we will be able to see how quickly to stopped your AD. My suspicion is that you have tapered way too quickly. The way to successfully stop AD, is to do it very slowly:

Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The reductions should get smaller and smaller each month, for example: 10mg, 9mg, 8.1mg, 7.3mg etc. This process involves a degree of trial and error, as there is no way of predicting how an individual will respond. Importantly, if you develop unpleasant side effects from tapering, halt the taper, give yourself time to settle, and once stable, taper more slowly and by smaller amounts moving forward. The experience of others suggests that the lower you go in dose, the slower you need to go with tapering.

 

8 hours ago, Theory said:

Severe panic attacks out of nowhere, never had anxiety and now it’s daily and if not in the day definitely every night,

 

8 hours ago, Theory said:

had lots of brain zaps while I was coming off Zoloft , but I’m currently having some almost nightly when

 

Those that taper too quickly often develop very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. This Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) is a helpful summary of what many experience. The things you describe above sound like typical WD symptoms.

8 hours ago, Theory said:

I’m 10 months off of Zoloft, I do feel like I’m better but definitely not good

8 hours ago, Theory said:

my anxiety is now tolerable but comes in waves some days being better than others

This is common, too. Recovery from ADs and tapering is not linear. There are good days and not-so-good days/weeks/months. This is referred to as the Windows and waves pattern of stabilization.

8 hours ago, Theory said:

I don’t feel like my Dr believes this is from Zoloft withdrawal, she just thinks I have anxiety now. 

This is a common response from many doctors. There are thousands of stories on this website just like yours. Things should continue to improve with time and patience. You may find this link helpful: Non-drug coping strategies.

A few more general links that may be beneficial:

Acknowledge Accept Float

Music to Calm Anxiety

Breathing Technique for Anxiety

Are we there yet? How long is withdrawal going to take?

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. 

Once again, welcome to S.A.

Emonda