☼ RachelSusan: Zoloft - on, off and reinstated

[Frogie]

Hi RS:

 

Just stopped by to say hey and hope you have a great weekend.

 

I wrote on my post if you get a chance stop by.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[RachelSusan]

Hello,

Does anyone know Predisone if can trigger withdrawal symptoms?  I've been doing very well with my tapering however one week ago one of my doctors put me on Predisone at 10 mg a day for another medical condition. Since then I've felt like I'm in mild to moderate withdrawal again.  I am experiencing nausea, sweating that comes and goes, moderate headache, and feeling shaky. I took Predisone last spring during this taper with no problem, however I am now getting to the lower doses of tapering so who knows.  I also used the on-line drug interaction checker to see if there were any interactions between Zoloft and Predisone, but don't fine any, although that might not mean that Predisone can't trigger a Zoloft interaction. Signature is up to date with the tapering.  I hate to stop the Predisone since it is needed. I've started notes but I don't really have enough to go on yet. The first few days on the Predisone I noticed slight nausea in the background and since then it has increased until yesterday, when it got much worse. Now it is with my morning to night. I started Meclizine two days ago at 12.5 mg, it seemed to help the first day, but yesterday I didn't offer me any relief. I also checked Meclizine with drug checker.  No problem. Anyone have any suggestions, or ideas?  Even if it's just to say, yes Predisone could cause this, it would make me feel better.  Many thanks to anyone who has the time to answer.

[apace41]

6 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

Even if it's just to say, yes Predisone could cause this, it would make me feel better.  Many thanks to anyone who has the time to answer.

 

Yes, Rachel.  Prednisone could be the source of this.  When we are in withdrawal our CNS can become hypersensitive to any kind of outside stimulus.  That can come in the form of food, loud noise, life stress, etc.  The introduction of any chemical into the body can cause a reaction, let alone one as strong as a steroid.  This is true without regard to whether there is any "drug interaction."  We are not concerned in this case with an actual interaction but the impact of a drug on a sensitized nervous system.

 

Give it some time and I suspect you will return to the baseline.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[RachelSusan]

Andy,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.  I will give it some time to calm down. Hopefully I'll return to baseline soon. I was doing so well for over 6 months that it's disappointing to experience these symptoms again. 

RS

[TryingToHoldOn]

Hope things calm down for you, RS.

[lookingforrainbows]

On 22/08/2017 at 1:23 AM, RachelSusan said:

Hello,

Does anyone know Predisone if can trigger withdrawal symptoms?  I've been doing very well with my tapering however one week ago one of my doctors put me on Predisone at 10 mg a day for another medical condition. Since then I've felt like I'm in mild to moderate withdrawal again.  I am experiencing nausea, sweating that comes and goes, moderate headache, and feeling shaky. I took Predisone last spring during this taper with no problem, however I am now getting to the lower doses of tapering so who knows.  I also used the on-line drug interaction checker to see if there were any interactions between Zoloft and Predisone, but don't fine any, although that might not mean that Predisone can't trigger a Zoloft interaction. Signature is up to date with the tapering.  I hate to stop the Predisone since it is needed. I've started notes but I don't really have enough to go on yet. The first few days on the Predisone I noticed slight nausea in the background and since then it has increased until yesterday, when it got much worse. Now it is with my morning to night. I started Meclizine two days ago at 12.5 mg, it seemed to help the first day, but yesterday I didn't offer me any relief. I also checked Meclizine with drug checker.  No problem. Anyone have any suggestions, or ideas?  Even if it's just to say, yes Predisone could cause this, it would make me feel better.  Many thanks to anyone who has the time to answer.

Oh wow, I was just about to post the same question!  I've had sinusitis for 4 weeks and after 2 courses of antibiotics, my dr prescribed prednisone and I have suddenly been thrown into the depths of despair, I was wondering if it could be this? My god, ive been close to the lowest I've been, I guess it's all related, this happened to me before when I was given another strong painkiller, grr I've got a week left,should I stop it?

[RachelSusan]

Hi Looking,

All my symptoms of withdrawal came back after I started the Predisone. I've stopped tapering the Zoloft and I am continuing with the Predisone as directed.  The first week has been the worst, it seems like perhaps things are slowly starting to settle down, a little... Additionally the Predisone is very hard on the stomach. My doctor has suggest that I take Priolsec one half hour before I take the Predisone. I hope you doctor has you tapering the Predisone at the end.  Going off steroids without tapering also can cause a lot of suffering.  Good luck.

[RachelSusan]

Hi TryingToHoldOn,

Thanks for stopping by, and for your post.  Things are calming down, just a little.  I think it's like Andy (apace41) said, I need to give it time. I've been following your posts as well.  I see that it continues to be difficult for you.  I'm so sorry. I believe that we recover, it just takes too darn long.

xoxo

[RachelSusan]

I just had a two day wave.  It seemed to come out of nowhere. Tremors, sweating, nausea, headache. It now seems to have gone away. I haven't done a taper since August 5 so it was unexpected. I don't seem to be in protracted withdrawal so I was quite surprised.  If anybody would care to add their experience about not being in a protracted withdrawal but still experiencing this sort of thing I would love to hear about it.  Thanks to all.

RS

PS - just finished a round of steroids.  I tapered off and last day was August 30.

Edited September 4, 2017 by RachelSusan
forgot information.

[baroquep]

HI RachelSusan,

 

It looks to me like finishing up the steroids is what has caused the wave and aggravated your central nervous system.  When we make changes, oftentimes the CNS revolts as it is trying to recalibrate without the missing drug (or a reduction in the amount of a drug) and results in withdrawal symptoms.  Guess it is the only way that it can cope with the change.  It was my experience during one taper, and after having a few weeks of of few to no withdrawal symptoms, they suddenly showed up in week three or four which really surprised me, I thought by then, I'd be out of the woods.  I think I ended up doing a long hold after that, because the withdrawal symptoms were so delayed, as I didn't want to risk upsetting my CNS by making another decrease too soon.  If I were you, I'd do a nice long hold and not decrease for at least another month or longer.  It looks like you have been around for a while and are aware of the Windows and Waves pattern of stabilization so I won't attach that link but thought the link below might help explain what it means to stabilize ...

Stabilising After a Reduction - What Does That Mean? 

Edited September 4, 2017 by baroquep

[RachelSusan]

Hi baroquep,

 

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I will be holding for a good long while. The CNS seems to be a key to a large amount of these issues, doesn't it? I had been doing so well for so long, it really is a shock. 

 

I just finished reviewing the link you sent me, "stabilizing after a reduction". It is a good reminder to go slowly and wait, and then wait some more.

 

Thank you again, as well as thanks to all the other Moderators who have taken their time to help me on my journey. You have all been a life saver.

 

RS

 

 

[Frogie]

Hi RS:

 

Just wanted to drop by and say hi.

 

I've had a rough morning. Brownie, I think is doing better. She ate better yesterday, and drank better this morning and is barking with a cold and wet nose. I just cry every time I think about her being sick, then it makes my stomach sick.

 

Please take the mods advice and hold, hold, hold, then hold some more. That's what I was told and I'm following them.

 

Enough of that, hope you had a great weekend!

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[RachelSusan]

Hi Frogie,

 

No worries, I will hold and then hold some more. I learned my lesson, or should I say lessons in 2016. I had to make quite a few mistakes before I learned how to do a proper taper. It's hard to believe that these medications can be dispensed so easily.

 

I understand why you are concerned about Brownie; she is the love of your life.  So far though so good.  Let's hope her illness was temporary and the antibiotics are doing their thing.

 

xo

 

 

[Frogie]

Just now, RachelSusan said:

Hi Frogie,

 

No worries, I will hold and then hold some more. I learned my lesson, or should I say lessons in 2016. I had to make quite a few mistakes before I learned how to do a proper taper. It's hard to believe that these medications can be dispensed so easily.

 

I understand why you are concerned about Brownie; she is the love of your life.  So far though so good.  Let's hope her illness was temporary and the antibiotics are doing their thing.

 

xo

 

 

I just didn't want you to make the same mistake I did, taper hard and fast. Then decide the mods really knew what they were talking about.

 

Brownie is the love of my life. I'm keeping my fingers crossed everyday that she does better.

 

Thanks for thinking of her. 

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Flowers]

Hi RS

 

Hope you are feeling better. I know I am a little late on the scene regarding steroids but just wanted to add that I can't tolerate them anymore. 

 

I had trouble taking them before WD as they ramped up my CNS big time. I had terrible anxiety and depression. I tried to take them in WD but they made me feel even worse and it took a while for me to settle back down again. 

 

(I am asthmatic usually worse when I have a cold so  steroids were necessary to help me breathe. My GP has worked out an alternative med for me that I take with a nebuliser if needed. It works slower than steroids would but I don't get the side effects or flare up of WD symptoms.)  

 

I did stabilise but had to hold and still experienced WD symptoms on odd days for a while.

 

You will be fine - it just takes patience in holding.

 

Wishing you all the best.

 

Flowers xxx

[RachelSusan]

Flowers,

It's never too late to respond. Thank you so much for your input. I have had a few people weigh in about the steroids and it helps to hear that I am not imaging it, or wondering if I am confusing the WD symptoms for symptoms of another medical condition I some times have to deal with.

 

The steroids I was placed on brought back a lot of symptoms of WD.  I said in an earlier post the symptoms only lasted a few days, however I spoke to soon, the symptoms are still going on, although they seem a little less intense today.  

 

I too have medical issues, so I am wondering if you can tell me what alternative medication you doctor has you take with a nebuliser? I would like to suggest it to my doctor and see what he can do for me. Again, thank you for getting back to me with your information, I really appreciate it.

xo

RS

[Frogie]

Hi RS:

 

Just wanted to stop by and say hi.

 

Hope you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[RachelSusan]

Hello all,

 

Still using steroids for another medical condition.  The steroids flared up withdrawal symptoms the first week I was on them.  Them symptoms seem to be diminishing however I am holding off on any tapering for the moment.  Once I have 10 to 14 days without any symptoms I'll try a 5% taper and see how I feel.

 

Frogie,

Thinking of you and Brownie.  I know she still isn't herself, however the fact that she is eating again is a very good sign. She knows you love her.

 

 

[Frogie]

40 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

Hello all,

 

Still using steroids for another medical condition.  The steroids flared up withdrawal symptoms the first week I was on them.  Them symptoms seem to be diminishing however I am holding off on any tapering for the moment.  Once I have 10 to 14 days without any symptoms I'll try a 5% taper and see how I feel.

 

Frogie,

Thinking of you and Brownie.  I know she still isn't herself, however the fact that she is eating again is a very good sign. She knows you love her.

 

 

Hi RS:

 

Be careful tapering while on steroids. I had a bad reaction once.

 

I'm going crazy just thinking the worst with Brownie. I know I'm going to lose her, I just wasn't prepared right now living where I am. We will know more the 1st Saturday in October that's when we take her back to the vet.

 

Thanks for caring.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

P.S. I sent you a PM, when you get time to read it.

[RachelSusan]

Hi Frogie,

I just read you PM. I didn't see it until you told me it was there.  I sent you a message back.

xoxo RS

[RachelSusan]

I'm having issues with sinus pressure. Pressure in the inner ear and behind the nose, along with a post nasal drip, some nausea and headache. Shaking as well. Meclizine seems to be working for me however I am now concerned about taking any drug on a regular basis and I try to ride out the symptoms as much as possible.  Does anyone have any knowledge if the Meclizine will cause a problem with a Zoloft taper and or withdrawal? I used drug interaction checker and while there is no problem that doesn't mean that it can't impact us with CNS problems due to antidepressants. I am in a taper but I suspect I am also going through a withdrawal resurgence from when I went Cold Turkey.  I posted the same questions on the page below. Thank you.

 

[RachelSusan]

I'm just coming out of a wave, which I have been in since either the end of August or beginning of September.  I've come to the realization that it isn't just about getting off the medications, even though that is a big thing, but it's about healing our bodies as well.  I'm on a rather low dose of zoloft these days, .5mg, but my CNS is so sensitive that anything can trigger me again.  I have a feeling that even when I am completely off the zoloft I'm going to remain sensitive for a good long time. So, I might as well take it easy, and slow the taper, because it takes a long time to heal.  For those of you that are suffering, you might want to consider reading back to some of my early posts, I had so much physical suffering, it was beyond belief. When I look back to where I was a year ago I am better off.  Not fixed, but a little better, sometimes even better by a moderate amount.  There is hope, don't give up. 

 

Thanks too the other people that make up this site that have offered me support.  Thanks to the moderators who are all volunteers and dealing with their own issues and still take the time to answer our questions.

 

RS

[RachelSusan]

The use of antihistamines in WD.

 

Since I've been in my wave I have been experiencing a lot of nausea. I've been taking meclizine for nausea which helps a lot, however I noticed it helped with other WD symptoms as well. This concerned me and got me to looking around this website as to exactly what meclizine is and what is going on that it is helping with WD symptoms.  I have found out meclizine is an antihistamine. I have also read there is some connection between SSRIs and antihistamine.  I read the words describing what is going on and the connection, but still trying to fit the ideas into my head.  I know that I get a huge postnasal drip before a wave and experience a lot of sinus pressure as well. I believe that this is all interconnected but can't put it into words or even really understand it. If someone has the knowledge, and the time, along with the patience to educate me a little more on all of this I would be most appreciative.  I did find links on this site and have listed them in above posts, but I'm still struggling to comprehend.

[Frogie]

13 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

The use of antihistamines in WD.

 

Since I've been in my wave I have been experiencing a lot of nausea. I've been taking meclizine for nausea which helps a lot, however I noticed it helped with other WD symptoms as well. This concerned me and got me to looking around this website as to exactly what meclizine is and what is going on that it is helping with WD symptoms.  I have found out meclizine is an antihistamine. I have also read there is some connection between SSRIs and antihistamine.  I read the words describing what is going on and the connection, but still trying to fit the ideas into my head.  I know that I get a huge postnasal drip before a wave and experience a lot of sinus pressure as well. I believe that this is all interconnected but can't put it into words or even really understand it. If someone has the knowledge, and the time, along with the patience to educate me a little more on all of this I would be most appreciative.  I did find links on this site and have listed them in above posts, but I'm still struggling to comprehend.

Hi RS:

 

Scallywag told me that meclizine (Dramamine (spelling?) was fine to take. Just get the non dowdy formula. It does help.DGL also helps.

 

Hope you're doing ok.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Altostrata]

RachelSusan, it sounds like the meclizine is working for you, does it help you sleep?

[RachelSusan]

Hi Altostrata,

Yes, it works. It helps with the nausea as well as with the sinus pressure. It does make me sleepy, however my withdrawal symptoms tend to hit in the afternoon, so that's when I take the meclizine. The meclizine seems to help for about 6 hours and is usually worn off by bedtime. My insomnia passed a while ago so right now it's not a big issue.

Thanks for checking in.

RS

[lookingforrainbows]

Hi RS, just checking in, I haven't been on for a while and saw your note, I had a beautiful window of about 2 weeks, until a week ago and have been in a nasty wave for the past 7 days, I don't know if this is true but the longer the window the worse the wave? Have you encountered that? I went to see my Dr and she believes my CNS is stuffed and I shouldn't reinstate and so I will go on, fingers crossed this wave takes me

somewhere resembling calm soon, you too, take care xx

[RachelSusan]

1 hour ago, lookingforrainbows said:

Hi RS, just checking in, I haven't been on for a while and saw your note, I had a beautiful window of about 2 weeks, until a week ago and have been in a nasty wave for the past 7 days, I don't know if this is true but the longer the window the worse the wave? Have you encountered that? I went to see my Dr and she believes my CNS is stuffed and I shouldn't reinstate and so I will go on, fingers crossed this wave takes me

somewhere resembling calm soon, you too, take care xx

 

Hi Looking,

Windows always lead me to believe that I am finally over the withdrawal and then a wave comes back.  I am sorry to hear you are back in a wave. I hate this. I keep wondering will this suffering ever end? I don't know if it's true about the length of the windows vs the waves.  My windows and waves have been so random. 

 

I was looking at your taper schedule listed in your signature. Last year I went cold turkey then back on, but within a month of going back on my doctor placed me on the same taper you followed, to get me back off.  It was awful. It seems like that particular taper schedule is one that the doctors like to adhere to. I never made it completely off, ended up going up on the dose, holding for months, and then starting a slow taper.  I was good for a while, until the prednisone. Well you know about prednisone. I am now hanging in there as well, in the middle of a wave.

 

Take care of yourself.

RS

[RachelSusan]

Shep just posted this link on another thread and I was overwhelmed by how appropriate and meaningful  it was for me.   Thank you Shep.  I wanted to be able to find it again so I thought putting it in my thread would be a good place for it.

 

 What is happening in your brain?

 

I'm just coming out of a wave, with some residual symptoms still lingering.  I am currently holding at 5 mg of Zoloft and have been holding since August 5, 2017. I have been tapering since August of 2016. I have been at times symptom free and at other times very symptomatic.  However I have to say that over all there has been a lot of improvement since 2016.  If you are in withdrawal from CT or tapering, do not give up hope, there is improvement.  I am living proof.

 

 

[Frogie]

Hi RS:

 

Just wanted to stop and say hi.

 

I'm off in an hour to volunteer. But it's raining and only a high of 52 today. Brrrr.

 

Hope you have a good day.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[RachelSusan]

Frogie,

 

It's so nice to find your post. Thank you.  I was just thinking about you and Brownie.  What I was thinking was about was you taking her to the vet this Saturday.  My fingers crossed for her.  Thanks again for stopping by to say hello. 

 

Things are starting to settle down after a two month long wave.  I don't know if the predisone started the wave or if I had been tapering too fast and it just caught up with me.  Regardless of what started it, I haven't tapered since the beginning of August and will be holding until all symptoms are gone and I've had even more time after that.

 

xo

RS

 

 

 

 

 

[Frogie]

6 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

Frogie,

 

It's so nice to find your post. Thank you.  I was just thinking about you and Brownie.  What I was thinking was about was you taking her to the vet this Saturday.  My fingers crossed for her.  Thanks again for stopping by to say hello. 

 

Things are starting to settle down after a two month long wave.  I don't know if the predisone started the wave or if I had been tapering too fast and it just caught up with me.  Regardless of what started it, I haven't tapered since the beginning of August and will be holding until all symptoms are gone and I've had even more time after that.

 

xo

RS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks RS:

 

You are so kind thinking of me and Brownie. Keep your fingers crossed, mine are.

 

JanCarol ( a mod here), gave me some really good advise. You start out counting 30 days when you don't have 1 symptom that day. Then if you have a symptom the next day, you go back to zero. And when you can count 30 days without one symptom, then you can taper. I keep it on a calendar. I just put no, yes etc... And when I get my 30 days, I taper. As you can see, it's been a while for me.

 

It could have been a combination of everything. Just try what she says. She's really good and has helped me so much here.

 

Have a good day!

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[apace41]

17 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

Things are starting to settle down after a two month long wave.  I don't know if the predisone started the wave or if I had been tapering too fast and it just caught up with me.  Regardless of what started it, I haven't tapered since the beginning of August and will be holding until all symptoms are gone and I've had even more time after that.

 

This is GREAT to hear, RS!  You are smart to be careful in the aftermath.

 

You are doing well.  Thanks for supporting me on my thread.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[RachelSusan]

Just as a record for myself:

Symptoms I experienced during this last wave:

• Nausea
• Internal Tremors
• Hot / Sweats
• Headache
• Burning Skin
• Sinus Pressure

I'm moving out of the wave and into a window. I'm still experiencing sinus pressure, burning skin, and in the afternoons sweating for about an hour or so, however it's much less intense.  I had worse symptoms during my period of CT last year, prior to reinstating. It's definitely an improvement.

[Frogie]

3 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

Just as a record for myself:

Symptoms I experienced during this last wave:

• Nausea
• Internal Tremors
• Hot / Sweats
• Headache
• Burning Skin
• Sinus Pressure

I'm moving out of the wave and into a window. I'm still experiencing sinus pressure, burning skin, and in the afternoons sweating for about an hour or so, however it's much less intense.  I had worse symptoms during my period of CT last year, prior to reinstating. It's definitely an improvement.

Hi RS:

 

I hope this window is HUGE for you.

 

You deserve it.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[RachelSusan]

Thanks Frogie for your good thoughts. I think I spoke a little too soon though.  After quite a few good days I'm starting to get symptomatic again. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

xo

RS