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anna7887: starting Zoloft taper soon


anna7887

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I have a long history of antidepressant and benzo use since I was about 19. I was previously on various forums for support coming off klonopin and trazadone both of which I came off successfully. Although the experience was pretty awful.

 

I am now 29 and have been on Zoloft for almost 7 years. I have delayed tapering first due to the struggles coming off the other medications . Secondly I delayed because of a high stress job and NYC and wanting to keep up with my social/dating life (drinking and all).

 

Lastly, I’ve postponed the taper because about 1.5 years ago I woke up very ill with autoimmune issues: Constant muschle aches, sore throats, extreme fatigue. It took me over 10 months to get a diagnosis and now doctors are saying I have chronic lyme and mercury poisoning. I have been on antibiotics, herbals, strict diets, etc. The process has been terrifying ( I would take klonopn w/d again over this any day). I fear I will never truly heal and have to deal with chronic pain the rest of my life. I have also lost 4 of my molars at 28 because an alternative doctor told me to get my root canaled teeth out thinking they were contributing to my illness. The stress and depression from all of this has been immense. I have somehow been able to keep my job but it feels like I’m completing a marathon every day. I hope and pray I can continue to persevere.

 

While I don’t want to put my body under even more stress right now I feel the Zoloft could be contributing to my issues. Ever since I started it I’ve dealt with insomnia, feeling restless and even manic at times. I used to combat this using klonopin, followed by long distance running and alcohol. I think my body in some ways has had enough. If I am ever going to kick this illness I feel like I need to get my regular sleep back and get off Zoloft once and for all but I am absolutely terrified! I have to keep my job in order to pay for all my medical expenses ( insurance companies don’t recognize chronic lyme so I pay everything out of pocket).

Additionally, my older sister has recently has a major psychotic breakdown. She’s been in and out of hospitals for months and is on various medication to treat bipolar. My mom and dad both have a history of depression so I fear if I come off these meds I may truly lost my mind so to speak. With all that being said, I do feel the Zoloft does more harm than good so I must try!

 

I have to go at a snail’s pace. I am very sensitive ( tried to switch manufacturers once and got ill).I am currently taking 50mg. My thought was to take 25mg and switch over to water titration. Therefore, taking 25mg by pill and 25mg by water. I would stay at the full 50mg for 1-2 months until I know I can handle the change. From there I would start to slowly water titrate the 25mg until I reach 25mg. At that point I would reassess my methodology for the remaining 25mg. How does that sound? Thank you so much for your support though this!

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

anna7887 -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)
 
You are wise to consider careful tapering due to being sensitive to medications and to allow you to respond to stresses in your life.  Your idea of testing 50% of your dose as liquid is a good one.  Rather than reducing dose by decreasing the liquid dose you take, you may want to invest the time increasing the liquid proportion until you reach 100% as liquid, then stabilize, then start tapering. That way you'll go through the transition from solid tablet to liquid only once.

 

To minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms, we suggest dose reductions of no more than 10% per month.  Please read the discussion at this link for the rationale:
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Here are some other topics relevant to your situation:
Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)
Making a liquid from a tablet or capsules
Using an oral syringe and other tapering techniques]

I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us.

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

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  • Mentor

Hi Anna7887,

 

I wanted to say welcome.  I read your post and it sounds like you have been through a lot but it also sounds like you are a fighter and a survivor.  I see Scallywag answered you.  Scallywag has given me some excellent advice and I think you are in really good hands with Scallywag or any of the other moderators here on this site. I've got me fingers crossed for you.

 

I am in the middle of taper off of Zoloft myself. I am currently at 12.5 mg, with liquid Zoloft. I really messed up last June when I went off of it completely, no tapering.  It took me until July to figure out what in the world was happening to me and to reinstate, so I could do a proper taper. If you need someone to talk to as you go through this I am happy to lend a sympathetic ear.  I also think I can learn some things from you since you have already come off of klonopin and trazadone successfully. No, I'm not currently using those medications, it just seems like you know how to taper.

 

Here's To Successful Tapering!

Rachel

 

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

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Thank you both for the responses!

@Scallywag how would I slowly increase the liquid portion? The thought of scales seems overwhelming to me!

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Anna, you would start with the plan you've got -- 50% as tablet, 50% as liquid.

  1. Then after a period of stabilization, at least 2 weeks, you could try 25% as tablet, 75 % as liquid.
  2. Give yourself 3-4 weeks to allow for CNS (central nervous system) symptoms to arise.
  3. If all is good after 3-4 weeks, then increase the liquid proportion to 100%.
    If symptoms arise, wait until they either disappear or stabilize (remain the same tolerable day-to-day level), Then move to 100% liquid
  4. Stabilize on 100% liquid for at least 3-4 weeks.
  5. Start 10% taper from 50 mg liquid, i.e. 45 mg dose (50 - 10% = 50 - 5 = 45 mg)

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

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  • 2 years later...

A few years later but I’m finally gearing up to taper! Was able to successfully covert 75% of my dose to liquid! Aiming for 100% before I start cutting. I will be going very slow! Thank you!

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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Hi all. I’ve been on 50mg Zoloft for about 8 years. I’m also struggling with chronic Lyme disease which really complicates identifying withdrawal symptoms. Since August I’ve been slowly converting my pill form to water. I’d say I’m about 50/50 ( taking 25mg by pill and the other 25mg crushed up in water) but recently have come down with crushing fatigue. Do people experience this when converting? Trying to decide if this is more Lyme related or what. I literally can’t keep my eyes open at work, I have a slow heat rate, etc. not sure what to do from here!  Can barely function. Thanks.

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to anna7887: starting Zoloft Taper soon
  • Moderator Emeritus

I doubt that the transition from tablet to liquid over such a long period of time and still being at 50/50 would be causing the issues.

 

Q:  Do you have things going on in your life that are stressful?

 

Many members find that the Christmas season increases their stress.

 

Q:  Have you had a cold or illness or dental issues recently?

 

I suggest you keep daily symptoms notes for a few days so you can see if there might be a pattern.

 

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Stomach is upset
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Feel a bit better
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Feeling dizzy
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke but got back to sleep

* 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

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  • 2 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

How are you doing Anna?💚

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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  • 2 months later...

Sorry for the delay! I’m actually doing pretty well! I am down to about 42mg of Zoloft from 50mg. I intend to go at a snails pace:) Thanks for asking❤️

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to anna7887: starting Zoloft taper soon
  • 2 months later...
On ‎1‎/‎21‎/‎2019 at 10:21 PM, anna7887 said:

crushing fatigue.

yes me, most people can't sleep when they taper, I have lyme and extreme fatigue. Maybe its more lyme related. 

How about you treatment ? what do you do with Lyme?

 

And how is your depression and anxiety? 

 

br, 

 

 

2012 March- low anxiety, I started sertraline and I got adverse reaction. -.I got depression, ss thoughts and other bad symptoms 2012 May I was put on Clonozepam & paroxetine- it helped. I stopped clonozepam after 4 months with no issue. 2012- 2016 paroxetine 20 mg/ 30 mg

10/2016-02/2017 I tappered paroxetine and during this I was feeling wonderfull. 3 months without paroxetine and withdrawal syndrome appeared. I went back to paroxetine but I couldn't stabilise. CRASH
01/08/2016--Bridge to fluoxetine. fluoxetine 20 mg , triticco / trazadone 75 mg , clonozepam 0,5mg
September 2016 I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. I did test in two different laboratories- both positive 04.03.2017. from 20.11.2017 I started tapper from 0.5 to 0.125 mg- when I got some relief from Lyme treatment. I crashed on 01.02.2018, I slowed down tappering.
20/03/2019-  clonozepam 0,0062 mg,  fluoxetine 20 mg, trazadone 75 mg
28/06/2019- clonozepam 0,0023 mg, trazadone 75 mg, fluoxetine 20 mg
29/07/2019- clonozepam 0,0012 mg trazadone 75 mg, fluo-20 mg
13/08/2019 clonozepam 0,0006 mg I cut trazadone to 50 mg bcs of terrible fatique- big MISTAKE- 21.08.2019 updosed trazadone to 62 mg-still WD- 28.08.2019 oryginal dosage 75 mg
26/09/2019 OFF clonozepam, fluoxetine 20 mg, trazadone 75 mg
06/05/2023 OFF clonozepam, fluoxetine 17 mg, trazadone 25 mg HOLD from 20.11.2021
 
FROM WD of paroxetine 2017 I have not recovered. I was diagnosed with Lyme, Bartonella , mold, I have low dao (Diamine oxidase). I don't know why but I have some relief from resweratrol, ginger, famotidine (Pepcid)
 
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  • 3 weeks later...

At 29mg ( down from 50mg via water titration which i started a year ago) I got slammed with what feels like wd. Extreme dizziness Friday landed me at a walk in and I was rxed antivert (meclizine) which helped immediately. Is this okay to take while tapering? Same thing happened today... extreme vertigo, near fainting , clogged ears... went for the antivert but want opinions on this? Confused cause Im going at a snails pace so I’m not certain this is wd or Lyme / fibro symptoms but Ive been on Zoloft 10 years so something tells me it’s Wd.  Thanks! 

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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Home from work today because the weakness is so severe and just feel out of it. I find this hard to believe it withdrawal? I have been taking calm forte for sleep often.. I wonder if this is throwing something off... anyone have any opinions on meclizine? Or any other coping mechanisms for extreme vertigo , ear clogging and near fainting? 

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Do a google search using the term:  survivingantidepressants.org calm forte

 

That will bring up posts which mention this product.

 

You could do a separate search adding survivingantidepressants.org to the search term and search for each of the ingredients.

* 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

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Thank you. I still cannot figure out of meclizine is okay to take. Since it’s a antihistamine I am worried it will boost serotonin. Old posts aren’t clear if this is on the safe list. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks. 

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Can someone pls help I’m really looking for guidance on the use of antihistamines during tapering. I looked through old posts but im having trouble making heads or tails. Every time I take Claritin or meclizine my wd sxs let up and I feel so much better. To my knowledge, it may be because they act as low grade antidepressants. Is this accurate? Is it okay to take rescue doses or does more damage in the long run?

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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Can anyone help😢I’ve been taking Claritin and it’s really helping but not sure if this will hurt be in the end.

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • 9 months later...

@anna7887 how was your final reaction to Claritin and meclizine? 

Summer 2016 - summer 2018: put on Lexapro, going from 5 mg up to 20 mg over the span of the 2 years (had visited shrink for help with obsessive thinking, was not diagnosed with anything in particular, just prescribed Lexapro 15 mins into first session)

Summer 2018: tapered down by 2.5 mg every few weeks

Protracted withdrawal ever since. 0-14 months began with a massive panic attack that landed me in ER, followed by prolonged anxiety, mental fog and a skin rash on my back. Was regularly consuming alcohol as did not know I was in WD. From then onwards, hit with worse myriad symptoms. Currently at 22 months and have electromagnetic sensitivity, brain zaps, brain fog, memory problems (especially name recall), twitch in right eyebrow, daily waking up at 3 or 4 a.m. with fast heartbeats and "sticky" negative memories, suicidal thoughts, rage episodes, temperature dysregulation, physical numbness & weakness, libido loss.   

 

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  • 2 months later...

Hi all.. I’m down to 9mg from 50mg of Zoloft after 10 years of use. I’ve been micro tapering at less than 10% and holding for weeks if needed. The last year my night sweats and rib pain started getting much worse. Now I’m experiencing intense nausea and feeling like my liver is toxic. I was up for hours last night feeling like I had to vomit, sweating, deep ache in upper right stomach etc. I’ve had an ultrasound and bloodwork all normal. Doc says I could get an Endosocpy but doesn’t necessarily think I have to. Could my Zoloft taper cause this? My health anxiety is what put me on Zoloft in the first place.. I’m so scared I have cancer or something. Thanks for listening.

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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On 7/23/2020 at 3:38 PM, SolarPlexus said:

@anna7887 how was your final reaction to Claritin and meclizine? 

Sorry for the delay.. I took the Claritin until my dizziness subsided which luckily it did.

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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16 hours ago, anna7887 said:

Hi all.. I’m down to 9mg from 50mg of Zoloft after 10 years of use. I’ve been micro tapering at less than 10% and holding for weeks if needed. The last year my night sweats and rib pain started getting much worse. Now I’m experiencing intense nausea and feeling like my liver is toxic. I was up for hours last night feeling like I had to vomit, sweating, deep ache in upper right stomach etc. I’ve had an ultrasound and bloodwork all normal. Doc says I could get an Endosocpy but doesn’t necessarily think I have to. Could my Zoloft taper cause this? My health anxiety is what put me on Zoloft in the first place.. I’m so scared I have cancer or something. Thanks for listening.

I had to do a rapid taper from Zoloft.  I’ve since had nausea, night sweats, stomach pains and bloating.

Paxil 2001- 2016.  Came off of it on a slow taper.  After 9-12 months, I was put back on Paxil because I was unable to function. Paxil reinstatement triggered a rash.  I was then placed on 20 mg of Cymbalta on 2018.  I chose to take 10 mg.  I then had to be taken off of Cymbalta due to it causing cardiac issues in 2019.  I was placed on Seroquel and it caused a rash.  I was then moved to 12.5 mg of sertraline  where I did a fast taper which ended April/May of 2020.  I had to fast taper because of joint pain and joint redness.  August 2020, I was considered presumptive positive.  Since then, I’ve been prescribed Atenolol and Diazepam for withdrawal symptoms of tachycardia and massive anxiety.  I take these very sporadically and less than 1/4 of a tablet at a time.  I was given metformin in September 2020 for diabetes and it triggered massive anxiety after 1/4 of a pill.  I attempted to reinstate 1 mg of sertraline on 9/20/20.  I am supposed to be taking B12 injections and prescribed vitamin D.  I will stop these for now.  On 9/29/20 I was moved from 75 mcg generic levothyroxine to 88 mcg Synthroid.  This triggered anxiety approximately 2.5 hours later.

10/5/20 less than 1/8 teaspoon of Benadryl 

10/7/20 & 10/8/20 .10ml Benadryl (stopped 10/2020)

10/9/20 3mg Atenolol  (stopped 11/2020)

10/16/20 started taking magnesium citrate during the day (stopped 10/2020 due to it triggering more anxiety)

11/9/20 grain of diazepam @ 2:30 am for muscle spasm pain (stopped 11/2020)

11/10/20 .50mg of metoprolol tartrate (stopped 11/10/20 due to nausea, weakness in arms & legs, anxiety)

11/11/20 using lidocaine patch on neck and chest for pain due to muscle spasms

1/1/21       1 drop of liquid b12 (stopped 1/4/21)

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

I am having a really tough time, I'd appreciate some support please. Through my taper so far, I've still indulged in drinking alcohol on the weekends. About 2-3 months ago, I started experiencing pretty bad nausea after drinking/eating a greasy meal. It's progressively worsened & a month ago I made the decision to quit alcohol altogether. My nausea, rib pain, sour mouth, loose stools, etc. has all gotten progressively worse. Essentially I'm nauseous 24/7. I feel terrible. I've had an rib x-ray, ultrasound, stool test, and bloodwork which is all normal. I've tried pepcid, tums, etc. nothing gives me relief. My doc just ordered a barium CT scan with contrast and following that test I may need to get an endoscopy. Having suffered chronic lyme like symptoms for 5 years now, I am always concerned with getting tests that require medication because I am SO sensitive. Do you think these tests are okay in withdrawal. I am reading horror stories about adverse reaction to contrast dye, anesthesia, etc. Could my nausea/ digestive issues be related to withdrawal? Thank you. 

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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I’m sorry you are going through this also.  I really can’t answer your question as to if the dye/anesthesia will bother you.  That would need to be answered by an administrator here.  🙂


I know that during my first taper attempt in 2016,  I started having digestive issues.  My symptoms were bloating, nausea, acid reflux, constipation and stomach pain.  I had all the tests you mentioned plus a nuclear scan.  It was determined to be gastroparesis.  I think my stomach got used to the serotonin and had trouble functioning when I stopped the paxil.  When I went back on Cymbalta the symptoms stopped.  Now that I’m no longer on medication, some of the same symptoms have reappeared.  I’m hoping that it will resolve itself with time.  I suggest you look up a gastroparesis diet and try it for a few days.  
 

I hope you get to feeling better soon.

Paxil 2001- 2016.  Came off of it on a slow taper.  After 9-12 months, I was put back on Paxil because I was unable to function. Paxil reinstatement triggered a rash.  I was then placed on 20 mg of Cymbalta on 2018.  I chose to take 10 mg.  I then had to be taken off of Cymbalta due to it causing cardiac issues in 2019.  I was placed on Seroquel and it caused a rash.  I was then moved to 12.5 mg of sertraline  where I did a fast taper which ended April/May of 2020.  I had to fast taper because of joint pain and joint redness.  August 2020, I was considered presumptive positive.  Since then, I’ve been prescribed Atenolol and Diazepam for withdrawal symptoms of tachycardia and massive anxiety.  I take these very sporadically and less than 1/4 of a tablet at a time.  I was given metformin in September 2020 for diabetes and it triggered massive anxiety after 1/4 of a pill.  I attempted to reinstate 1 mg of sertraline on 9/20/20.  I am supposed to be taking B12 injections and prescribed vitamin D.  I will stop these for now.  On 9/29/20 I was moved from 75 mcg generic levothyroxine to 88 mcg Synthroid.  This triggered anxiety approximately 2.5 hours later.

10/5/20 less than 1/8 teaspoon of Benadryl 

10/7/20 & 10/8/20 .10ml Benadryl (stopped 10/2020)

10/9/20 3mg Atenolol  (stopped 11/2020)

10/16/20 started taking magnesium citrate during the day (stopped 10/2020 due to it triggering more anxiety)

11/9/20 grain of diazepam @ 2:30 am for muscle spasm pain (stopped 11/2020)

11/10/20 .50mg of metoprolol tartrate (stopped 11/10/20 due to nausea, weakness in arms & legs, anxiety)

11/11/20 using lidocaine patch on neck and chest for pain due to muscle spasms

1/1/21       1 drop of liquid b12 (stopped 1/4/21)

 

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Thank you for sharing! I hope you feel better!

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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@anna7887. So sorry you are going through this.  I’ve also had major stomach issues from withdrawal, although I also had gastritis beforehand.  Since then I have had an endoscopy (with propofol as the anesthetic) with no problem.  You may also want to consider doing a test for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), which involves swallowing a small amount of a sugar in water, which wasn’t a big deal for me.

 

Hope you find a solution for your gut issues.  In the meantime, try eating small frequent meals and go easy on dairy.

Started .25 mg. clonazapam Oct. 2016

Started 10 mg. Celexa Dec. 2016

Started 10 mg. amitriptyline January 2017

Also took 60 mg. Dexilant Oct. 2016 through April 2017, successfully tapered off

Stopped Celexa successfully Oct. 2017

Fast taper of amitriptyline Dec. 2017, had major WD symptoms and reinstated at 10 mg. Jan. 2018

Slow amitryptyline taper started Mar. 2019, reduced from 10 mg. to 0.93 mg. currently

Also still taking .25 mg. clonazapam daily in late evening

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Anna,

Don't you think your taper is going too fast, considering you've been on Zoloft for 10 years? The withdrawals with Zoloft can be particularly late hitting, from what I read on various boards. Like 6-12 months later. 

 

Did you do the barium swallow in the end? As I wrote before, I did the endoscopy, awake, because I was afraid of the drugs. That was definitely the right choice for me. There is no point risking more reactions with drugs. Do you think something is likely to come up in the tests? Will you be able to use the meds they give you, if something does come up? Looking back, for me the endoscopy was a waste of time. They need different test for diagnosing something like gastroparesis. 

2005-2018: Sertraline 50mg

Jan 2018: Started taper from 50mg

Jun 2018: 25 mg

July 2019: 20 mg. Switched to Microtapering

Spring 2020: Tetanus vaccine and a course of rabies vaccinations. 

July 2020: 16 mg. Hold.

During 2020, I was forced to change manufacturers(of generic Sertraline) 4 times due to supplier issues. I didn't write the dates down. 

1st Oct&4th Oct 2020: IV drip with Metoclopramide, ranitidine, hyoscine butylbromide in hospital

26 October 2020: 17 mg

1Nov: 16mg

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I’ve been sticking to the 5% rule every 2-4 weeks and holding when needed and have been tapering over 2 years so for the most part I think the cuts have been pretty slow but totally agree with you the drops can catch up later. I started juicing celery and cabbage juice daily on an empty stomach and my digestive issues have improved significantly. I’ve also started taking slippery elm. I’m going to see how the next 4-8 weeks go before considering a ct scan or endoscopy. I think I have ulcers or gastritis and want to avoid ppis so trying to treat naturally and glad it seems to be working.

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • 8 months later...

Finally got an endoscopy on Tuesday. Doc didn’t find anything abnormal. My stomach pains and nausea are getting worse, I feel so so ill. It’s very strange , the aches on my sternum/ rib and nausea happen intermittently after night sweats.. I wake up so sick to my stomach and it lasts for a day or two then things somewhat settle down. It never hits me randomly midday unless I already woke up feeling ill, and in that case it sticks with me. Im so scared I have a hidden cancer in the pancreas. Does this sound like withdrawal, im going so slow! I’ve had normal bloodwork, X-ray , ultrasound, ct scan, and now Endosocpy. I am so scared!

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • Mentor

Hi @anna7887

19 minutes ago, anna7887 said:

Finally got an endoscopy on Tuesday. Doc didn’t find anything abnormal

This is great news.

 

In withdrawals it is very common to have nausea and stomach pain. Serotonin  is found mostly in the digestive system, so it makes total sense that we feel those symptoms.

 

25 minutes ago, anna7887 said:

I’ve had normal bloodwork, X-ray , ultrasound, ct scan, and now Endosocpy

Since these all came out good, yes I would put it on withdrawals. 

I know it can be scary at times, don’t follow those thoughts it will only make it worse. Distraction is a great coping skill that I often use when I feel my mind going into scary thoughts.

Take a moment, breath and look around you, and you will see that it’s only harmless thoughts.

Hang in there.

My best to you.
 

 

 


1999-2020  20 mg Paxil

Bridged with Fluoxetine to help me get off Paxil.

2022 Fluoxetine 15 mg 12/12 14mg 27/12  13mg jan 12mg feb 11mg mars 10mg, 9 mg 8,5 mg 7.6mg 7.0 mg 6,3 mg 5,6 mg 5,0 mg 4,5 mg 4,0 mg 3.6mg 3,2 mg 2,9 mg 2,6 mg 2,3 mg 2,0 mg

 


I am not a medical professional nor is this a medical advice. I only talk from my own experience.

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Hi @anna7887 

I recognize a lot in your story. After my first attempt to taper sertraline i had a lot of digestive issues and had an endoscopy and ultrasound of my abdomen. All results came back fine. I also suspected i had gastroparesis like @Sleepless mentioned.  Now i reduced 5% of 50 via combination of liquid and tablet sertraline. And again my appetite is gone and also nausea and no thirst. When i use 50mg iam overeating and gain weight. I don t have really an advice for you. But i think its really impressive how precise and carefully you are tapering. Wishing you all the best and strenght. 

Medication history August 5; 50mg sertraline, tablet

June 7 2021; 25mg sertraline tablet, 1ml liquid 20mg/ml

February 10

50 mg sertraline, omeprazol 20mg

October 2020 till now:

Tapering sertraline 50 mg cutting approx 10% of the tablet.

Omeprazole 20mg, started 10 january 2021

January 2019 -april 2019: Oxazepam 30 mg and omeprazole 20 mg( both stopped around april 2019 ) September 2018 - November 2019: sertraline 50mg to 0mg with taperingstrips Mid 2014: Sertraline 50 mg to 25 mg November 2012: 50 mg of sertraline May 2012: 1 dose lexapro 5mg with primperan

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Thank you. I’ve been reducing by 5% that’s why I can’t believe I’m struggling so much. Is it even a possibility of going that slow? I ended up in the ED due to the nausea, rib pain, and loose stools. They couldn’t find anything. My doc is recommending a HIDA scan next. Ugh I’m so frustrated and scared I was doing pretty well 2 months ago. If there is a strong likelihood this is zoloft I don’t want to keep going for more tests and it’s expensive, stressful, and exhausting.

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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@anna7887

Yes, i absolutely agree. I also struggle a lot with that question: is it the sertraline causing the problems or maybe its in my own mind. But  before i started sertraline i never suffered with digestive issues and also doctors always sayed my chronic fatigue could not be caused by sertraline 50mg. But when i taper sertraline my fatigue is completely gone. Every psychiatirist always told me ssri's are just mild drugs. But i don t believe it anymore. I understand its difficult to decide about the HIDA scan. Maybe when you do the test it will give you some peace of mind. The endoscopy in 2019 did that for me. All the best,

Marcus

Medication history August 5; 50mg sertraline, tablet

June 7 2021; 25mg sertraline tablet, 1ml liquid 20mg/ml

February 10

50 mg sertraline, omeprazol 20mg

October 2020 till now:

Tapering sertraline 50 mg cutting approx 10% of the tablet.

Omeprazole 20mg, started 10 january 2021

January 2019 -april 2019: Oxazepam 30 mg and omeprazole 20 mg( both stopped around april 2019 ) September 2018 - November 2019: sertraline 50mg to 0mg with taperingstrips Mid 2014: Sertraline 50 mg to 25 mg November 2012: 50 mg of sertraline May 2012: 1 dose lexapro 5mg with primperan

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thank you for the feedback. After a few zofran 2 weeks ago the nausea seemed to subside but this Saturday I started experiencing major vertigo, feels like I’m on a rocking boat. I tried to tough it out at work today but just left. My doc wants me to take meclizine (dramamine) but my other zoloft forum advises against using antihistamines during withdrawal as it has an influence on serotonin. Come to find out zofran does too. I’m a dizzy mess. So scared this isn’t going to pass. I was doing really well before my endoscopy a few weeks ago, apart from digestive issues. I feel like the anesthesia has thrown me into acute withdrawal. I’m so scared I’m going to lose my job and not be in good shape for my wedding at the end of September. Ugh what a nightmare. 

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 7/15/2021 at 12:58 AM, anna7887 said:

Thank you. I’ve been reducing by 5% that’s why I can’t believe I’m struggling so much. Is it even a possibility of going that slow? I ended up in the ED due to the nausea, rib pain, and loose stools. They couldn’t find anything. My doc is recommending a HIDA scan next. Ugh I’m so frustrated and scared I was doing pretty well 2 months ago. If there is a strong likelihood this is zoloft I don’t want to keep going for more tests and it’s expensive, stressful, and exhausting.


Hi Anna, 

 

Sorry to hear that you’re having such digestive issues. I can’t taper over 5% either. How long are you holding? I’ve been holding every taper for three months recently. If I go too much quicker the waves hit with a vengeance. The accumulation of tapers hits me really hard too. The holds are just as important as the amount we taper, I found that out the hard way a couple of times. 
 

Take care🧡

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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Hello. I’m having a really tough time with severe acute symptoms and was hoping someone could help me loop some moderators in. I am having episodes of almost blacking out , severe weakness, lightheadedness anxiety, etc I’ve been to the ER now twice. This all seemed to start after I underwent an endoscopy on 7/6.. I just haven’t felt right since.. I was having severe nausea after the endo and per my docs advice took a few zofran the following weekend. The nausea let up but now I’m having terrible weakness & vertigo and I’m absolutely terrified. I have been reducing at 5% for the last almost 3 years holding when needed. Aside from digestive issues, I was very functional work full time, etc  I updosed to 5mg last week as I felt like a storm was coming… well sure enough here I am. The only other thing I take is a homeopathy sleep aid and magnesium, D and b12. I’m unable to stay at work without almost passing out. I am ashamed and embarrassed. Terrified I won’t stabilize ahead of my wedding on 9/24 and lose my job etc my mind is going to the worst places. Is there any risk in updosing more? About 2-3 months ago my doc switched my to an actual liquid zoloft (was making my own out of pills) I tried it for a week and switched back. I feel like the taper has finally caught up with me. Please help I’m desperate and tempted to call psychiatrists because I feel so unstable and sick. I also have a history of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Ugh. 

-given Prozac at 12 due to panic attacks for 6months

-Med free until 2008 when I was 20 years old 
-2008-2009- Pristiq, followed by quick taper. 
-1/10-Rxed 50mg Zoloft & .5mg Klonopin daily after a death in the family

- 2/2012 Successfully micro tapered off .5mg of Klonopin after taking daily for 2 years. Started 100mg of Trazadone for sleep .

- Oct 2013- Quickly tapered off trazadone. Bad idea! But finally trazadone free. 

- July 2015- present Became very ill with lyme like sxs

-August 2018-present. Started micro taper off 50mg of Zoloft via liquid titration  ... 

- July 2021- down to 3mg.. had digestive issues so got an endoscopy and major flair! 
-March 2022- tried cross tapers to Prozac and lexapro did not work. Jumped off everything.

-Present: Med free and pregnant! Aside from some health issues I’m doing better than expected!! 

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  • Mentor

@anna7887 Hi Anna, sorry you feel so terrible.  I am no mod, you may want to sent a message to one directly.  Do you have one that you have been speaking with?  If not have you noticed someone that is helping others and you like their style?

 

I am concerned because you said that you symptoms started after your endoscopy.  I assume that you have ruled out any medical issues relating to that?

 

I read in one of your earlier posts that you were doing at 5% taper every 2-4 weeks.  Perhaps that was a little fast for you?  I mention this because if you are doing it every two weeks that is 10%. While 10% a month is the average they suggest here, we are all different and it might be a little fast for you. There was a point that I couldn't go any faster that 3% a month.

 

As for now, first off I understand your fears.  A wedding and a job are two big issues, however you haven't jeopardized anything yet. If you up-dosed perhaps you can give it a month before you up-dose any more?  Any changes, up or down, right now can be a problem.  If a mod tells you differently, follow their advice over mine.  For sure, follow theirs.

 

xoxo

Rachel

 

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

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