Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

Struggling: Reinstatement


Struggling

Recommended Posts

Struggling.  I'm sorry that you are indeed struggling at this time . Gia K from Beyond Meds and also here says " everything matters" and it does. The coffee / the smoking etc . There are many triggers in withdrawal and they all have a habit of adding up to the whole. Anything that you can possibly do to bring the equation down a notch or two will be help.

 

This site is worth checking out :

https://beyondmeds.com/

 

The drugs affect every system in the body and we all experience that in some form or other , as an equal & opposite reaction taking the shape in some form of W/D symptoms.

You have mentioned your blood sugar. Have you had this tested?  Most likely it could be W/D, or caused by drugs but best to get it checked , regardless.

Ali

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

Link to comment

Welcome struggling...I wanted to introduce myself because I too and struggling. I reinstated my zoloft some 17 days ago and I am just now starting to feel a little better after a great deal of physical symptoms. I hope you feel better soon.

RS

Hi RS, I'm new to this site and trying to figure out how to see your drug history. How long were you off Zoloft before you reinstated? Was it many months like me?

I'm still trying to figure out if my symptoms are related to my 25mg RI, as I now realize this was a large jump from 0-25. My symptoms change every day.

Edited by scallywag
added quote referred to

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • Mentor

Hi Struggling,

I am not sure how long I was off.  I was dealing with a physical illness (now under control) and the doctors had me on many different medications,  Somewhere in there I either went cold turkey or was taking it intermittently. I was in a fog for many months and messed up my medications, so I am just guessing now, I think my symptoms started somewhere at the end of May or begging of June, but again not sure because some of the symptoms of my other illness overlapped. I wish I could tell you when I stopped. The symptoms continued to get worse until I figured it out and went back on July 8. So from May until beginning of July???? My symptoms were brutal and yes they changed every day, every hour.  It took two weeks from the time I went on until I got any relief, but I am still getting symptoms, also I will have a few clear days now and then. I am also feeling really shaky now.   My drug history should be at the bottom of my post in light grey type.  Once I finish this e-mail I'll double check it and if it's not there I will put it there. This is really awful, isn't it?  I hope for a speedy recovery for both of us.

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

Link to comment

It sure is awful:( How much were you on and how much did you reinstate?

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • Mentor

I was on 100 mg and I reinstated 50 mg.  I had a lot of physical symptoms, including the pressure behind the eye you mentioned, however mine was more in the area of the inner ear. After RI I got a lot of relief except for the tingling or trembling in the arms and legs, that came back with RI.

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

Link to comment

RS how are you today? I had 4 decent days, I notice my symptoms are worse at work but this makes sense since my workplace is a very stressful environment. Things are much calmer on my days off. I hope it gets better soon for both of us. Hang on!

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...

Can anyone relate! I have been reinstated on Zoloft 25mg for about 10 weeks now. Pretty much all of my symptoms have gone away.. I have been very lucky to stabilize after being off of it for five months . The one thing that remains is that I get these low blood sugar feeling events which I described before. It happens about two hours after I have regular coffee or anything with sugar. I realize the coffe and sugar is a trigger of some sort but I can't understand why this is happening! It's really annoying because I always have to have food with me in case it happens and I'm out somewhere. I feel like my whole metabolism is messed up. I have mentioned before that I have checked my sugars and they are fine but I get shaky and just don't feel right. I hope this resolves, does anyone know why this is lingering so long while everything else has resolved? I have been reluctant to give the coffee up... I didn't give up any of my other triggers, I kept exposing myself to everything thinking my body has to recognize them and process them! And it has for the most part.

Ty

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment

Struggling. If it's a problem - give up the coffee, for now. If this is your biggest problem -  Happy days !!   :)

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

Link to comment

I do not see people reporting metabolic issues here. I realize I need to see my primary care and make sure there's nothing else going on. However I have a real problem with the food, it seems like I never feel full and always have a weird sensation in my gut! I know a lot of people have GI issues related to withdrawal, but mine aren't constipation and loose stool etc. this just makes no sense!

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I seem to go through stages where I seem to be hungry all of the time, and then at others times I don't feel hungry but know I need to eat something.

 

I don't worry about it, I just accept it and do what I need to do.  To me it's a minor inconvenience not a major problem.

 

The weird sensation in your gut may be stress from worrying.  That is, adrenaline.  I've had this too and now I know what is causing it I can recognise it and deal with it by concentrated deep breathing.

 

Claire Weekes may be helpful:  Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
  • Mentor

Hi Struggling,

For the most part I'm feeling good.  Even so, every once in a while I feel shaky and have bad headaches.  I don't drink anything with caffeine so for me it's can't be that. Nobody suggested it but I have just stayed off of all caffeine and alcohol, also I'm cutting back on my processed sugar.  I use honey if I want to sweeten something. I hate these symptoms.  They are unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life.  You hang in there as well.

RS

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

Link to comment

The one thing that remains is that I get these low blood sugar feeling events which I described before. It happens about two hours after I have regular coffee or anything with sugar. 

 

 

i had this issue but it started a few years before i ever took a med. same deal, after coffee and copenhagen sometimes id get shaky and weak with blurry vision until i ate something. now i eat a small breakfast every morning and haven't had the issue since.

 

side note: i tend to buy the same groceries every time i go shopping because i know what i do and don't like. obviously the length of time certain items such as fruit, vegetables, and meat last before they go bad dictates i must eat them before other items like frozen pizza or canned goods. consequently i often make and eat the same meals in the same order, sometimes even on the same day of the week (TACO TUESDAY!) due to work scheduling and the like.

 

because of this culinary consistency i was able to identify certain meals that were more likely than others to make me feel shaky and weak the next morning. it still would only happen after coffee and copenhagen, but it would always happen after a meal high in protein consisting of either beef or chicken with a side of corn and green beans with a baked potato, and then coffee and copenhagen the next morning. this led me to wonder if it was a blood sugar issue because there isn't much sugar in that particular meal. or perhaps i have a slight allergy to corn. i had a dog once that was allergic to corn so its possible….she was a good doggy.

 

anyway have you noticed any patterns other than coffee and sugar? since your blood sugar is good perhaps its a food allergy. or it could be your body just wants breakfast, it really is the most important meal of the day. sometimes it really is that simple. come to think of it, for quite some time before i started eating breakfast i just had a glass of oj and a granola bar every morning and that did the trick.

 

i never did find out for certain what the culprit was because once i started eating a small and well balanced breakfast the issue worked itself out. a lot of help i am, i know. hope my little blurb didn't confuse your situation.

38 year old male

50mg sertraline for seasonal affective in spring of '13 through spring of '16

began uninformed taper mid march '16 ending 6 weeks later around may 1st

withdrawal symptoms began july 4th '16

reinstatement of sertraline at 25mg on july 7th '16

august '16 - present: many setbacks even more victories

currently holding at 25mg and ill hold there forever if I have to

looking forward to the day I can begin tapering

 

Link to comment

Thanks for the reply:)

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Hi all... in need of some input. I'm well into four months reinstated on 25 mg Zoloft after a way too fast taper off 100 mg.

I have been fully functional and able to work and do my daily things. However I don't consider myself stable because I still just don't feel good.

My symptoms are not anxiety or depression, in fact I really feel no anxiety at all. I'm having a problem with feeling shaky when I'm hungry (confusion/low sugar feeling), unable to feel full, weird sensations in my gut (kind of like hunger), and constant metallic taste in my mouth.

My original reason for going on medication 15 years ago, which was mostly Prozac, was bulimia. My question is at what point do you realize you may really need medication? It appears this is my original condition reappearing now that I'm down to a low dose of medication but the symptoms are different ( for example I don't feel like purging, I just get excessively hungry).

I don't know if my 25 mg reinstatement of Zoloft is too much and causing me to feel this way or if this is the original bulimia returning. I realize being bulimic all these years has probably damaged my nervous system. I'm trying to figure out if I need to be on medication or if I should continue my journey off the medication.

For the last two days I've decided to take a little chip off of my tablet, to see if the Zoloft is causing the symptoms. I realize I should be tapering at a 10% reduction however I don't have liquid and at this point in the game I really don't think accuracy is going to matter too much , but I don't know. I do know I'm still in withdrawal syndrome and not quite stable because I become very symptomatic when I drink caffeine, and other triggers.

Also I forgot to mention that I was forced to quit smoking cold turkey due tue my sensitivity to it... today is my six week anniversary . I realize that medication is not as effective when you quit smoking and these symptoms could be related to the absense of smoking also.

I feel my situation is so complicated that I'm not sure what to do at this point. i've contemplated going up on the meds but then I remember how I want to be med free. Very confused! Help!

Thank you.

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

One of the best ways to assess whether you are reacting to the medication is to keep notes about the time you take your med(s) and the times your symptoms arise, worsen, improve, or change. Here are the kind of notes that are most helpful.

Take notes of doses and symptoms

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

How can I get in touch with another member here? I found an old post from someone who had a very specific problem which I'm having! It won't let me quote her post... ty

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

If you hover over the member's name a pop up box will appear.  Bottom left of the pop up "Send Message".

 

Or you can post in the member's Intro topic.  Click on "Find Content" (above "Send Message") then click on "Topics Only" on the left.  Then click on the post title.

 

Some members have it set up that they receive an email when someone responds.  However, some members don't.

 

BTW what do you mean: " it won't let you quote her post?"

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

There's an option that says quote... that's the only way I know of for a member to get notified of their post.

I just haven't really figured out how to navigate this site yet... haven't spent much time on here especially because I use this site on my phone and the tiny print is hard to read... withdrawal induced eye problems I'm sure....

Thanks for the info!

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...

Hello, in need of some help. I cannot understand what is happening to me right now.

I'm 5 months reinstated on 25 mg of Zoloft and my symptoms of idiopathic postprandial hypoglycemia are getting worse. I am also extremely bi polar. I've never been bi polar In my life, but I definitely can recognize this. I have hunger pains so severe, and depressed mood when I'm hungry, but I have a sensitivity to EVERYTHING so I'm running out of foods to eat. Some days are severe and some days aren't bad.

I quit smoking 2 months ago, so I'm sure this has caused the severe decline. I also originally went on meds because of bulimia, so I wonder if these food related issues are presenting in my w/d. Maybe I need the meds???

I'm confused at my symptoms because I don't see this in other people here.

I'm considering increasing my Zoloft or switcing back to Prozac... I just can't live like this any longer, and if I have to take meds forever, I just will. I'm already taking the drug, which I might never stabilize on this dose, so why not increase it.

I'm recently engaged and my relationship is failing due to this all.. I'm a mess.

Help!

Ty

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment

Bi Polar can be a doctor or Big Pharma induced phenomenon. It's often not real . It can be drug induced & usually is. .

It will probably continue to get worse until you perhaps taper off.

 

Have a read around and when you are ready to taper, please let us know as we are more than happy to help you.

 

I realize I should be tapering at a 10% reduction however I don't have liquid and at this point in the game I really don't think accuracy is going to matter too much , but I don't know.

 

Accuracy as you are tapering is vital. Those who have been most successful have been very slow and careful in their taper.

 

The slowness of slow tapers

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

Why taper? Paper demonstrates importance of gradual change in plasma concentration

 

Please read the links and come back with any questions you may have. 

Ali

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

Link to comment

I tried chipping A tiny piece off my tablet for 3 days. By day 4 I had severe vertigo, and instant flu. These are different symptoms from the first time I went off Zoloft. I had to up dose. How can anyone taper down while in withdrawal syndrome? I couldn't possibly handle it!

But what if I never stabilize on this does?

I feel like I'm no where ready to taper down.

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment

Hey Struggling,

 

I read your post and like you I have had a lot of issues in the past 2 1/2 years with hypoglycemia. I was on Zoloft for a number of years and quit ct in 2014 and even though I haven't reinstated, I still have many days where I am eating huge 3 course meals every two hours or so. It's ridiculous. I still suffer horribly from insomnia and poor sleep and my hypoglycemia is mostly prevelant on days when I have no to poor sleep. On those days, I mostly just eat and poop constantly without the ability to sleep. I am a coffee drinker and smoker, too, which may have something to do with it, but I did read online somewhere that sleep deprivation is one of the triggers for hypoglycemia.

 

Poetjester

Court committed to take Prozac, Paxci, and Respiradol from 8/95 to 3/96.   developed severe akithisia and brain damage.  Was unable to speak and walking in circles 15 hours a day.  Went in for 5 sessions of ECT during a 10 day period in March of '96 and my forced medication was discontinued at that time.  My akithisia and brain damage cleared up within a few days of stopping the meds.

 

On Zoloft (200 mg) and Zyprexa (17.5 mg) March 1998- Feb 2014

In between was placed on Effexor 200 mg and Abilify for six months in 2004.  Developed mild akithisia which went away once I stopped the Abilify.  Developed severe GI issues in Dec 2001 and from that time on suffered from fatigue and hypersomnia where I would sleep between 12 and 20 hours a day and rarely ever left my apartment. 

 

Had tapered to 100 mg of Zoloft and 7.5 mg of Zyprexa at the time of going cold turkey Feb. 2014

Went 5 days without sleep at the beginning while vomiting all over my apt.  Had brain zaps for a number of weeks and also lightheadedness which both eventually went away.  However 2 1/2 yrs later I still struggle with insomnia, depression, and fatigue.

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

It's okay if you don't feel ready to taper from your current dose. There are several people posting here who have held at a dose for long periods of time - months and months. 

 

You say that you're sensitive to many foods; what are you eating?

 

The first things that came to my mind as foods that are easy to digest: rice, rice protein powders, whey protein isolate, and coconut oil.  In particular the proteins and the coconut oil may be helpful with the hypoglycemia.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

I eat mostly protein because I seem to carb crash if I eat too much sugar/ bad carbs. I have read that hypoglycemia is very common in withdrawal but my sugar isn't actually low, I just have the symptoms of hypoglycemia. It is called idiopathic postprandial hypoglycemia, which I have not heard of in withdrawal.

Sometimes even after eating meat, I get this weird sensation in my gut (one of the reactions I get).

Mostly I eat the same things everyday, peanut butter, hard boiled eggs, almonds, and some sort of meat and vegetable for dinner.

I still drink coffee even though I know this is not helping. I had to give up all my old eating habits which was mostly carbs (the meds increase cravings for carbs), and I also quit smoking, which is a good thing:) but I haven't been able to give up my coffee too.

Anyway, I'm nowhere near ready to taper the rest. I want to be stable at this does before I go down again, if I ever completely stabilize (since my last taper was a complete fail and I am now trying to stabilize after reinstatement).

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Hi everyone:) feeling a little lost and looking for some help.

 

We all went on these meds because we had some sort of issue. Mine happened to be an eating disorder.

 

I have been reinstated on 25 mg of Zoloft for about six months now and I feel pretty much stabilized. I don't really get reactions to foods and things like I used to and I don't feel very anxious... however, I feel hungry all the time, I never really feel full , if I eat the wrong thing I get shaky... it's basically the main complaint I've had all along since I reinstated... it's very uncomfortable, I guess it's how anxiety presents itself in me. After all, I believe bulimia is a symptom of anxiety .

I'm wondering if this is my bulimia returning or if this is related to the withdrawal or the reinstatement on the Zoloft. This is all new since reinstating. I wonder if it's possible that my nervous system is damaged from the eating disorder.

Is it possible that there are people out there that need the medication?

My psychiatrist is at total idiot... i've never really had a doctor that I like. it's actually the reason I decided to go off the drugs because I was sick of being dependent on a psychiatrist for meds. I never really had side effects to the drugs to begin with. Going off is another story, as you all know!

Anyways, Just trying to decide what to do.

Ty

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

What non-drug techniques are you using to cope with and reduce anxiety?

You may find some ideas in this discussion: Link to Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Have a read of these books:  Anatomy of an Epidemic and Your Drug May Be Your Problem.  Good info in both which may help you work out where to go from here. 

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Hi all, haven't been here in a while. Not doing so hot lately. I'm 8 months reinstated on 25mg of Zoloft and I almost feel the longer I go on such a low dose, the worse I feel.

 

I am at a point where I don't know what to do anymore. I honestly can't even describe how I feel anymore, but I know I cry a lot. My fiance says I'm bipolar.

 

My life is very stressful right now, which isn't helping. I moved in with my fiancé last summer during all this, but my kids hated the move, so they went to live with their dad. My fiancé really doesn't get any of this w/d stuff at all. I mean I really still don't get it, so I can't expect him to.

 

Anyways, I miss my kids, so I cry a lot, and I just don't feel good, and my relationship is failing terribly. I need to move out, and I just don't have the strength. Days like today, I just want to check in to an impatient place.

 

I often consider increasing my Zoloft or going back to Prozac, but I'm so scared to make a move because it could be BAD. My moods are so unstable, and I'm still having the shaking/ depressed mood when hungry/ metabolic issues.

 

I feel my bulimia is back but x 10! Ive lost the ability to feel full, I am hungry a lot, I get shaky 3-4 hours after eating. Everything's food related. Not sure if this is my original condition or withdrawal still lingering. If I need to go up on my meds, I will.

 

I don't know what to do. I appreciate any input! Xo

Edited by scallywag
added lines at paragraph breaks

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm sorry you're still dealing with symptoms and have had a re-occurrence and intensification of bulimia. The return of bulimia is a significant concern, in my opinion.

 

You've been dealing with this low blood sugar shaky feeling for a while, several months now.  It's entirely possible that this is a withdrawal symptom.  The typical advice for blood sugar swings it to eat protein at every meal.  Have you tried that?

 

Because you refer to bulimia as returning, you clearly dealt with it effectively before. How did you stop previously?

 

If you feel that consulting a medical professional to discuss options to deal with the bulimia, do that.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Hello, struggling.

 

It seems you had stabilized in November, how did you get worse?

 

Please keep daily notes of your symptom pattern, when you take your drugs, and their dosages. This will help determine if your symptoms are due to wiithdrawal syndrome.

 

It sounds like your situation is also emotionally stressful and could be contributing to your low mood and weepiness.

 

Is your bulimia active? You'll need to manage it. Also, perhaps you might try 4 or 5 or even 6 small meals a day, with protein and fresh fruit and veggies, low sugar. It sounds like you might be having sugar level fluctuations. You'll want to keep this steady. Nuts are good for a small meal.

 

Getting your blood sugar and nutrition steady might help a lot. Have you considered talking to a counselor about the problems with your fiance?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks for the reply. I got so busy and I actually felt pretty good for about 2 weeks!

My problems don't seem to be what anyone else complains about.

Its all food related, and not sure how much of this is w/d anymore. I have lost the ability to feel full. I get a weird metallic taste in my mouth, so then I eat. The only time my stomach growls is in the morning when my stomach is empty. After I eat, then comes the inability to feel full, the shakiness after a few hours, all the things I've complained of. It seems my whole appetite/ metabolic system is messed up.

I knew it was w/d syndrome when I couldn't gain a pound. I remember reading somewhere that happens in w/d. I had lost 30 lbs in about a month. Now I've gained about 10 back, and I thought I was getting better. I never bother with a journal, because everytime I start to feel better, I say to myself, this is all over. But I know that's not how it works.

I just wonder if my nervous system is damaged from years of bulimia. Although none of this happened until I went off meds. I just don't know.

Been on various A/D's for 15 plus years.  Effexor, Paxil; was on Prozac (20-10 mg) the longest and was always my safety C/T drug.  Never been med free. Always went from one med to another.  Most recent Zoloft.100mg  for about a year.  Tapered off 100mg over 6 weeks, per my Dr. (actually she suggested go to 50 and stop, at least I knew better than that). After reaching zero last December, I again C/T to Prozac, however it wasnt really a C/T because I was taking it on an as needed basis.  Did this from December 2015 to around May 2016.  Then I took 2 doses of lexapro at the end of May, because my Dr. said prozac wasn't working any longer.  The lexapro (2.5mg) made me so numb, so i stopped that, then things got really bad.  Classic horror i see on here.  I then reinstated Zoloft at 25mg and been praying for a successful reinstatement. Its been windows and waves from June until present.   

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy