LiSha0510: Zoloft 25 CT Withdrawal

[LiSha0510]

Dear community, 

I need your help! 

Female, 40 years old. 

I was taking Zoloft for 1.5 years - 25 mg (the lowest dose) and Trazodone 50 mg as needed for sleep -  from March 2023 to October 2024. I tapered too fast and within a month I was off it, but a month later in November, insomnia and anxiety hit me. I thought it was my PMDD (that’s why I started Zoloft in the first place). Reached out to psych NP, she switched me to Prozac 14 days before my cycle. I tried taking it for 3 days, it gave me insomnia and anxiety. So I quit. Then she said that I should go back on Zoloft 25 mg, which I did for 3-4 days and it gave me severe panic attacks and insomnia 2 weeks ago. So I stopped taking everything. I remember crying so much and asking myself: I can’t do that to myself, I hit the bottom. So I have been off everything for 2.5 weeks now, and oh Lord, one night I sleep, the next one I don’t. I have night sweats, muscle jerks, insomnia (sleep 2-3 hours per night), frequent urination, crying spells, mood swings, sudden anxiety attacks. I am exhausted, I just want to sleep! For sleep I tried melatonin 5 mg, valerian root and magnesium Glycinate. Also my PCP prescribed me with Klonopin for sleep, but I am afraid to take it and get addicted to it. 

Nothing helps me consistently, I am a single mom and I need to work and provide for my daughter. 

I don’t know when it’s going to get better, so far I haven’t noticed any windows, just waves.

 

I have a couple of questions: 

 

1. Do I count my withdrawal from October when I stopped taking Zoloft, or from 2 weeks ago when I took it for 3 days and stopped. 

 

2. My PCP and psych NP do not believe that this is withdrawal because my dose was too little 25 mg and I should have developed any withdrawal symptoms, but I have never had sudden anxiety attacks and hot flashes (my hormones are ok).

 

3. Can I reinstate? My PCP told me that it’s ok to start with 12.5 mg, half of the pill, but I am afraid and I don’t know how to cut  the small pill. 

4. My biggest problem is with sleep. I need to restore sleep and then I will be able to tolerate all other symptoms. I cannot function without 5-6 hours of sleep even if I wake up. I got prescribed with Klonopin 0.25 mg (took only 1.5 pills dividing in halves, afraid of benzos) and Hydroxizine (to stay away from benzos, haven’t tried it yet).

Also trying, massage, acupuncture, hypnosis therapy.

 

Please let me know what your thoughts are.

 

Thank you.

 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Emonda
Name to title

[Emonda]

Welcome @LiSha0510

 

What date in October did you CT / start skipping doses?

 

What date in November did you try Prozac?

 

What date did you try 25mg of Zoloft again?

 

So, nothing now since 13 December.

 

For anyone else that read this/ the signature: Never skip doses to taper

 

6 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

Then she said that I should go back on Zoloft 25 mg, which I did for 3-4 days and it gave me severe panic attacks and insomnia 2 weeks ago.

 

This is worth reading:

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

Kindling

 

6 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

So I have been off everything for 2.5 weeks now, and oh Lord, one night I sleep, the next one I don’t. I have night sweats, muscle jerks, insomnia (sleep 2-3 hours per night), frequent urination, crying spells, mood swings, sudden anxiety attacks. I am exhausted, I just want to sleep!

 

Have you seen this list of typical WD symptoms? This Daily checklist of antidepressant withdrawal symptoms 

 

6 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

I just want to sleep!

 

Problems with sleep are very typical WD symptoms.

 

7 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

Also my PCP prescribed me with Klonopin for sleep, but I am afraid to take it and get addicted to it. 

 

You don't want to add in more drugs to the problem.

 

7 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

Do I count my withdrawal from October when I stopped taking Zoloft, or from 2 weeks ago when I took it for 3 days and stopped.

 

WD would have started to kick in when you started to skip doses.

 

7 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

My PCP and psych NP do not believe that this is withdrawal because my dose was too little 25 mg and I should have developed any withdrawal symptoms

 

Respectfully, they have no idea.

 

7 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

but I have never had sudden anxiety attacks and hot flashes

 

A typical comment people use to describe WD...I've never experienced this...or it was never like this before I started meds.

 

7 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

Can I reinstate? My PCP told me that it’s ok to start with 12.5 mg, half of the pill, but I am afraid and I don’t know how to cut  the small pill. 

 

 

Please clarify your drug signature dates and read the two links above on this topic.

 

7 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

My biggest problem is with sleep. I need to restore sleep and then I will be able to tolerate all other symptoms. I cannot function without 5-6 hours of sleep even if I wake up. I got prescribed with Klonopin 0.25 mg (took only 1.5 pills dividing in halves, afraid of benzos) and Hydroxizine (to stay away from benzos, haven’t tried it yet).

 

You can't fight it. I've accepted it. Try listening to quiet, calming music when you are awake at night.

 

A few general links:

 

Recovery from CT of ADs 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.

The following general links are worth reading:

Emotional Spirals

Non-drug coping strategies

Melatonin for sleep

 

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.

Don't change the manufacturer of your AD - if you do reinstate...but we need to see your drug signature before considering this.

Once again, welcome to S.A.

Emonda

[Snowblind]

Quote

My PCP and psych NP do not believe that this is withdrawal because my dose was too little 25 mg and I should have developed any withdrawal symptoms

 

While 25mg of Zoloft is typically the lowest dose you can be prescribed (without using liquid formula), it is by no means a "small" dose. This is something that medical doctors don't seem to understand.

 

Put simply, 25mg of Zoloft will cause 70% of your brain's serotonin reuptake transporters (SERT) to be occupied. Increasing the dose to the maximum 200mg, only increases the receptor occupancy to 89%. In other words, you get the bulk of the effect of the drug at the lowest prescribed dose.

 

 

[LiSha0510]

Hi @Emonda,

Thank you for getting back to me.

 

Please see my answers below:

What date in October did you CT / start skipping doses? I started skipping in September, not every day, but every other day. 

 

What date in November did you try Prozac? November 24 - 4 days till Nov 27

 

What date did you try 25mg of Zoloft again? Dec 10 - 4 days - till Dec 13. 

 

So, nothing now since 13 December -  Correct. 
 

I read all of the links. I do experience a lot of symptoms from the Daily Checklist. 

 

I will update the signature and start fish oil.

 

Should I reinstate, do you think? 

Thank you very much! 
 

[Emonda]

3 minutes ago, LiSha0510 said:

I started skipping in September, not every day, but every other day. 

 

Can you add the exact dates you started skipping, and when you stopped completely?

 

3 minutes ago, LiSha0510 said:

not every day, but every other day. 

 

You mean: Monday one pill, Tuesday no pill, Wednesday one pill, Thursday no pill etc, right?

 

4 minutes ago, LiSha0510 said:

Should I reinstate, do you think? 

 

It's best in the first three months, at a low dose. Once you add the date for September's skipping, we can work out what next.

 

 

[Prozack]

@LiSha0510 Did you experience any gastrointestinal issues? When you start, stop, now...

[LiSha0510]

Hi Emonda, 

I updated my signature to the best of my knowledge, but unfortunately I don’t have the exact dates for skipping, I just remember I started skipping and take every other day - you are right - Monday I take it, Tuesday I skip it.

 

Hopefully that helps.

Thank you 🙏

[LiSha0510]

Hi @Prozack,

No, I didn’t have any gastro issues.

 

[LiSha0510]

6 hours ago, Snowblind said:

 

While 25mg of Zoloft is typically the lowest dose you can be prescribed (without using liquid formula), it is by no means a "small" dose. This is something that medical doctors don't seem to understand.

 

Put simply, 25mg of Zoloft will cause 70% of your brain's serotonin reuptake transporters (SERT) to be occupied. Increasing the dose to the maximum 200mg, only increases the receptor occupancy to 89%. In other words, you get the bulk of the effect of the drug at the lowest prescribed dose.

 

 

 
Hi @Snowblind,

That’s why my PCP and psych NP were like: withdrawal from 25 mg of Zoloft? This is the lowest dose, this cannot be happening. And I am like: well this is what I am experiencing. 

[LiSha0510]

Hello dear community,

I think I am starting to figure out the concept of windows and waves.

 

I slept today 6 hours with 400 mg magnesium, valerian root and 2.5 mg of melatonin, but without any hard core sleeping aid. That’s a window, I believe. I didn’t have hot flashes at night, but did have muscle twitches. Yesterday I did a contrast shower and a cold plunge: I have an ice bath in the back yard, it felt nice. I will continue doing it every day. 
I have worse anxiety in the mornings, when it rises from the back and stays in my chest. I also started kundalini breathing mediations 11 days ago, they help with morning anxiety.

 

There is no progress yet, because I see the trend that 1 night I sleep, the next I don’t with all of the horrible symptoms: racing thoughts, hot flashes, anxiety. I notice that somewhere at around 2 am I pass out and see vivid dreams till 4 am, then I wake up and cannot sleep or have another hour of sleep at 5-6 am, then I wake up and cannot sleep anymore.

 

My biggest problem is with sleep. My biggest wish is to restore my sleep to 6-7 hours per night without any medication. If I have sleep,  I can function well and deal with other symptoms of this horrible withdrawal. 

 

 

 

[Prozack]

@LiSha0510 People with akathisia and anxiety, including myself, see this pattern: they see their symptoms are getting worse if they are exposed to chemicals and/or after eating (the same thing - all food is toxic). Can you tolerate chemicals like perfumes or cleaners? What happened if you smell these things for a bit longer? Have you tried it? If you don't believe me me look at these two topics. My point is: it will be meaningful for you (and for us) to check these patterns.

 

For me, the only thing for keeping me relatively stable is running away from chemicals. From everything. If I just smell perfume, I become restless imideately.

 

 

[Emonda]

If I understand your signature correctly, it now shows you stopped CT on 8 October. That is just within the 3-month window to consider a very small reinstatement.

 

That said, you've since tried a new drug and the old drug (at too high a dose), and it didn't work well for you.

 

The decision to reinstate is yours. If you did, it is best to trial a very, very small amount and see how you respond. How small? Maybe 0.5mg.

 

Everyone responds differently. Some respond well, but others respond poorly. This is your decision and your responsibility. Make sure you re-read the links on reinstating and kindling to inform yourself.

 

You should read this:

 

 

And this:

 

 

Let us know what you decide.

[LiSha0510]

Thank you, @Emonda. 
I am feeling anxious on and off today, and it looks like I caught a virus, a runny nose, I will see how I am going to feel and make a decision.

 

Happy New Year! 
 

[thenextguy]

@LiSha0510 if you do decide to reinstate, just know that it might be rough going for a bit. There may be a short-term adjustment period that makes things worse at first. Not trying to suggest in favor of either way, just giving you info. 

[LiSha0510]

13 minutes ago, thenextguy said:

@LiSha0510 if you do decide to reinstate, just know that it might be rough going for a bit. There may be a short-term adjustment period that makes things worse at first. Not trying to suggest in favor of either way, just giving you info. 

I figured. That’s why I am still not doing that. Also caught a virus, so just suffering through for now. Thank you. 

[LiSha0510]

It looks like 2025 started with another wave 😞 

Yesterday I did: 

- lab tests to check everything including female hormones

- 1 km running, 3 km walking;

- Cold shower alternating with warm 

- Cold plunge 1 min 

- Cold shower in the afternoon alternating with warm 

- Started fish oil

- Took 1 valerian root pill for the anxiety in the afternoon.

- Took 400 mg Magnesium.

- Went to bed at 8:30 pm, slept till 10:30 pm, was awake till 12 am, hugged my daughter. 
- Couldn’t fall asleep, took 10 mg Hydroxizine

- Passed out for 3-4 hours.

- Woke up at around 5 with hot flashes and anxiety: my back and my face are burning. 
- Now it’s 8 am, I am feeling down, my face is burning, and I am desperate.

 

This is so bad, so unreal that I am going through this. I feel horrible: how could I be such a fool to get tricked into this? The US healthcare system let me down by prescribing me this and I let down myself by taking it and quitting it abruptly.

I am afraid to reinstate it because I am afraid to make things worse. 
 

I am living in a nightmare: I am horrified to go back to work tomorrow. I have to function like a professional but I just cannot stop being self-obsessed about what I am going through. 
 

My body is healthy but my brain is letting be down.

[Evelyne]

You did all that while having a virus and WD? You are doing better than you think, I'd say. Though I do understand the difference of doing something while your mind is in disarray and insomnia is bad.

 

Be gentle towards yourself. Do not blame yourself for taking the drug or the way you quit it. We should be able to trust doctors, medicine and the instructions we get from them. It's horrible to learn it the hard way, but it's not our fault. I believe you will recover much better if you are able to work through self criticism and accept that yes, this happened to you, but it didn't happen because of you, but because the healthcare system is seriously flawed.

 

I'm not a moderator nor a mentor, but I can say my own opinion as someone who upped the dose to fight the WD and had a kindling reaction from it - I wouldn't reinstate. It's definitely not a certain solution. It might not work the way you would want to - I see that you had a bad panic attack after trying out Zoloft back in December, so it might indicate that your body reacts to it differently now, or that the dose was way bigger than you should reinstate. As you've had some input from Emonda to this, I think you know these already though.
 

On 12/31/2024 at 2:18 PM, LiSha0510 said:

That’s why my PCP and psych NP were like: withdrawal from 25 mg of Zoloft? This is the lowest dose, this cannot be happening. And I am like: well this is what I am experiencing. 

Yeah, I have heard these words before too, with 30mg of Duloxetine. Which definitely is not a small amount, considering how much of it's power the drug has in it's first few milligrams comparing to the rest.

[LiSha0510]

Dear @Evelyne, 

Thank you for the words of encouragement.

I am also leaning toward suffering through and not reinstating. I can tolerate as long as I can sleep. And it is the worst situation with  sleep now, so I am using sleeping aid now.
 

I am hopeful it will get better, but it’s not linear. 
 

This is what I found in ChatGPT: 

Immediate Changes (0–2 Weeks):

• As SSRIs are discontinued, serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft decrease.

• Receptors that were previously downregulated (due to increased serotonin during SSRI use) begin to re-sensitize.

2. Short-Term Recovery (2–8 Weeks):

• The density of serotonin receptors continues to normalize.

• During this time, withdrawal symptoms (e.g., anxiety, irritability, brain zaps) may occur as the brain adjusts to the lower serotonin activity.

3. Long-Term Recovery (2–12 Months):

• Serotonin receptor function and sensitivity may fully stabilize over several months.

• Neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt to new serotonin levels, which helps mood and other withdrawal symptoms gradually improve.

 

I am nearing month 3  

 

[Evelyne]

Recovery rarely is linear - it's ups and downs, as frustrating as it is. Having a bad wave doesn't mean all the earlier recovering has been thrown away, either.

 

GhatGPT can be useful, but it's not the whole truth by far. We are all individuals, our recovery stories and how our bodies function are as well. It's good to have peer support and similar experiences, but too much comparing can lead to expectations that might hurt us more than help. 

 

I hope your sleep gets better sooner than later ❤️ You will be okay, with time.

[Prozack]

@LiSha0510 Sorry, but these pattern are simply out of reality. For me (and some others) things after years are getting just worse year after year. And yes, I am getting symptoms typical for psych drug WD. I am just confused. I believe some people heal (whatever that means), but I just don't see windows and waves and any recovery. Hope I won't be banned for writing pessimistic thoughts... But we have to be honest, right?

[LiSha0510]

Hi @Prozack, 

No improvement at all? According to the signature, you have been off drugs since 2018 and you haven’t seen any improvements? How do you function? 
 

I am not disregarding any of your comments, but I am genuinely interested.

 

Thank you.

[Prozack]

Hi, @LiSha0510 

 

Answer, I don't function at all. In 2019 after quitting I was active in some degree.

 

But my main point is: not just improvements are not seen, but years after quitting more creepy symptoms came. These wasn't present after quitting at all.

 

The only "improvement" (which is not improvement in fact) is my recognition that I have to stay away from chemicals.

[LiSha0510]

@ProzackBut how do you survive? Do you work? 
I am a sole provider, I cannot NOT work

[thenextguy]

@LiSha0510 Everyone is different, of course, so I can only relay my story. I essentially CTed from 5mg of Cymbalta after a way-too-fast taper last July. While I did reinstate a very small amount, I have been able to continue to work. It has been extremely challenging, and it does help that I have a hybrid schedule (part WFH), but I have been able to do it. 

[LiSha0510]

I am just crying right now out of despair.

I fought with my daughter and she called me crazy, which I think I am.

 

I cannot understand how I could get into this, and now I have to deal with the consequences. 

[thenextguy]

1 hour ago, LiSha0510 said:

I am just crying right now out of despair.

I fought with my daughter and she called me crazy, which I think I am.

 

I cannot understand how I could get into this, and now I have to deal with the consequences. 

You are most definitely not crazy! Your brain has suffered a physiological injury. It will heal in time!

[LiSha0510]

@thenextguy, thank you 🙏

[Prozack]

11 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

@ProzackBut how do you survive? Do you work? 
I am a sole provider, I cannot NOT work

I don't know how to survive. I am getting some help but just to survive. I live from day to day.

 

11 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

I am just crying right now out of despair.

I fought with my daughter and she called me crazy, which I think I am.

 

I cannot understand how I could get into this, and now I have to deal with the consequences. 

I understand you, but it's hard to explain anything to people. It's hard to explain what is happening. For instance, how to explain But in general people are making shortcuts and interpret it as craziest.

 

11 hours ago, thenextguy said:

@LiSha0510 Everyone is different, of course, so I can only relay my story. I essentially CTed from 5mg of Cymbalta after a way-too-fast taper last July. While I did reinstate a very small amount, I have been able to continue to work. It has been extremely challenging, and it does help that I have a hybrid schedule (part WFH), but I have been able to do it. 

Yes, everyone is different, but stories are not so different. I would say something else about differences: once you just touch these drugs, it's impossible to predict what will happen in literally every moment.

[LiSha0510]

I am going to post my progress (hopefully every day) to understand if I am improving 🤞.

 

Yesterday 1/1/2025: 

- Woke up at 5ish, got up at 7ish, couldn’t sleep because of the hot flashes and anxiety. 

- At 8.30 am had a shower alternating with a cold shower, which helped tremendously with the burning sensation in my face and back.

- Had a nap from 9ish to 10 am - felt better.

- Had breakfast and fish oil. 
- Had a bit of anxiety, did the breathing meditation, which helped. 

- Went for a 1.5 hour walk, which was great.

- Stood on a sadhu nail board for 1 min.

- Did a cold plunge for 1 min - I like it, it sucks at the beginning, but after that it feels great.

- Had a fight with my daughter: broke down, cried for about an hour. Then again - crying spells.

- Had dinner at 6ish.

- At 8 pm had 2.5 mg of melatonin, 400 mg magnesium and 500 mg GABA (tried for the 1st time). Did the breathing meditation 4x6x7. 

- Went to bed at 9ish pm, woke up several times, couldn’t fall back to sleep. 
 

Overall had anxiety waves, hot flashes, crying spells and felt a bit depressed. 
 

Today I am going back to work. Wish me luck. 🍀 

 

[Evelyne]

14 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

I am just crying right now out of despair.

I fought with my daughter and she called me crazy, which I think I am.

 

I cannot understand how I could get into this, and now I have to deal with the consequences. 

 

You are not crazy. Please don't blame yourself, this situation is not your fault! I used to do that a lot as well, but I've learned it does not help at all - in fact it's the total opposite. We must look forward and find acceptance and the strength to get through this. What happened, happened, and you now have the support and knowledge of the SA community to help you. Try to find the trust that you will heal.

It's very hard when people around us don't understand, and truly, these things are almost impossible to explain so that a person who haven't gone through the same would understand. I'm sorry you fought with your daughter and she said that to you, but she is not right.

Posting your daily progress is a good way to get some understanding of your situation! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your work 🍀

[LiSha0510]

Dear @Evelyne,

Thank you for your support and kind words.

 

Your words do make a difference. I am glad I am not alone in this process. I am praying every day for the healing of all of us.

 

Thank you, again.

[LiSha0510]

I find myself fixated on thinking about how/if I will sleep tonight and trying to assess my symptoms today.

I am paranoid about any mood fluctuations and slight changes in the environment. Any sharp movements, and loud sounds make me irritated.

and I am waiting for things to get worse, as if another wave will hit me again and I will feel bad again.

 

This is a non-stop loop and I hate it.

 

[Catina7]

@LiSha0510, you're certainly not crazy.  And you're absolutely safe even though you're scared out of your mind.    The other day I let fear overtake me and it led me to a very dark place.  It made things 1000 times worse.  I see that you suffer from PMDD.  I too suffered for decades with this horrible disorder so I understand how difficult it is.  In fact, I also turned to psych drugs due to the PMDD.  That's what led me down this road.  I finally reached menopause, which gave me relief thankfully. 

 

Show yourself some compassion and kindness right now.  It's okay to not be okay.  And we understand you and are here for you.  You're going to be okay.  Try to not let fear get the better of you because it makes things so much worse.  I personally utilize EFT tapping, which really helps calm me down.  

 

You're never alone, we're all here for you whenever you need to vent.  You are so strong for enduring this.

 

Much love 'n a big hug,

Catina 💝

[Prozack]

7 hours ago, Prozack said:

For instance, how to explain But in general people are making shortcuts and interpret it as craziest.

Have to correct, feel ashamed. Sentence is not finished. I meant "For instance how to explain symptoms like depersonalization?"

 

@LiSha0510 You wrote:

5 hours ago, LiSha0510 said:

- Had breakfast and fish oil. 
- Had a bit of anxiety, did the breathing meditation, which helped.

 

Do you felt you had anxiety soon after eating?

[LiSha0510]

Dear @Catina7,

Thank you for your kind words of support. I feel a great amount of guilt and self-judgment.

Usually, I am a very strong and organized person, but now I am a mess and cannot see and accept myself like that, and my close ones cannot either. 

I am trying to hang in, crying from time to time, allowing myself to let it all out.

 

Thank you again.

 

[LiSha0510]

45 minutes ago, Prozack said:

Have to correct, feel ashamed. Sentence is not finished. I meant "For instance how to explain symptoms like depersonalization?"

 

@LiSha0510 You wrote:

 

Do you felt you had anxiety soon after eating?

No, I don't, I feel ok, although I have to say that I don't have much appetite.