TABaker: Question about SSRI discontinuation

[TABaker]

Hi everyone,

 

After gradually tapering off 100 mg of Zoloft over the course of a year, I'm finally at 0 mg (about 3 weeks or so). The brain zaps are still there, albeit very dull. Suddenly, however, I've noticed intense irritation at the slightest things. This wasn't a problem until about last Wednesday onward.

 

The slightest thing, from a sock on the floor that's "in my way" will drive me mad. It's all I can do to keep from mouthing off to people at work, and I really don't want to lose my job. The chick to the left of my is a chronic complainer, and I really want to give her a piece of my mind (I'm trying to stay POSITIVE here, lady! lol).

 

I'm taking L-Tryptophan as well as 5 mg of Lithium Orotate, and they help. I guess I'm just looking for people to relate to, who've been through the same thing, and maybe gain some insight into what's happening inside my head.

 

PS - As a side note, I am PMS'ing at the moment (sorry menfolk), so that could be to blame. But this is my first cycle completely off the SSRI, and I've never had emotional swings like this before, so I can't help but think the 2 are related.

 

Thanks, and glad to be here!

[bhasski]

Yes, being on the edge of slightest tickle is a symptom.

More of women can talk about the other stuff.

[mammaP]

Hi TA, welcome to SA. unfortunately you taper was too fast. I did the same, tapered effexor in what I thought was a very slow taper. Was finme for a month then the withdrawal started.  You could  reinstate a very small dose of zoloft.  Even half your last dose might help without the side effectsStarting a dose too high can cause problems because the brain is no longer used to a high dose and there can be adverse reactions as you discovered! When you are stable on a small dose you can then start to taper very slowly.  Side effects are dose related and can ease if a dose is reduced. Sadly no one has told doctors that and they increase doses all the time, then add on other drugs until there is quite a cocktail and a non functioning zombie patient! No one EVER wants to go back on a drug

 

Your brain will recover but this is just the start of a long road, some people recover quickly, others can be suffering withdrawal for years. Everyone is different but most of the people we get here are in it for a long time. 

 

I will get some links for you to read and help you to decide. I reinstated 1mg effexor which was enough to stop the withdrawal in it's tracks. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1441-tips-for-tapering-off-zoloft-sertraline/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/603-what-is-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1160-how-psychiatric-drugs-remodel-your-brain/

[Brandy]

Welcome, TA,

 

Could you give us more specifics about your taper schedule? Did you taper by percentages or by number of mgs. or ??? Did you "skip days" (i.e., every other day dosing, or consistent drops daily til next drop in dose)? Please be sure to include your taper schedule and any changes in it during the last months of your taper, and whether you "jumped off" at a certain dose or continued to taper with minute drops.

 

btw, these meds (and withdrawal from them) definitely affect and are affected by hormones and hormone balance, so it's not surprising that any PMS symptoms especially would be affected. Try to remember when this is occurring, that this is hormone balance and biochemical, not necessarily your real thoughts. (Or intensity of emotions.)

 

But if you've just been off the med three weeks, it could be an early withdrawal symptom. Are you noticing any other symptoms recently (good or bad - there can be a vast range of changing emotions or physical symptoms)? If so, or if the end of your taper schedule was too fast or you jumped off at too high a dose, reinstating just a tiny amount - truly tiny, at least at first, to stabilize and once stabilized then do a extra-slow taper in micro doses, could save you preventable suffering. You can get a lot of excellent guidance on how to do that here, once we have a clearer picture of your taper schedule. (Also, are you on any other meds, or have you been over the last year or so? If so, any changes in dose of those?)

[Petunia]

Hi TABaker,

I'm sorry you are not feeling well, even though you tapered for a year.

 

It would be helpful if you would give us a few more details about how you tapered, as Brandy suggested. What dose did you stop from? Did you get any withdrawal symptoms while you were tapering?

 

This may just be temporary PMS, intensified due to your nervous system still being sensitive from your taper. Or you may have stopped from too high a dose. After a successful taper, the nervous system can still be somewhat sensitive/vulnerable for up to 2 years, so its good to be aware of that and to be careful.

 

Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.