David182: hello all

[David182]

8/2/18

Weakness has been the biggest symptom lately. Didn’t do much for walking over the weekend (out of town) but did get in some on Saturday downtown.

 

Low mood at times. Evening walk definitely help. Started meditating again two evenings ago as focus-issues and brain fog became an problem. It seems to be helping.

 

Evening fish oil seems to have taken care of the faintness while talking issue.

[tyof]

On 7/26/2018 at 6:48 AM, David182 said:

@tyof

 

hi there! No worries, any info I can give to help, I’m grateful to do so.

 

So far, stomach seems to be better taking Zoloft with food. I don’t believe I ever had pain immediately after taking the pill. I’m going through a wave right now so I have a few odd things going on, some of which are stomach related but the pain I spoke of in a previous post seems to be gone.

 

It looks like altostrata hooked you up with some info. 👍🏻

Thanks man!

 

Can I ask what symptoms you had when taking zoloft on an empty stomach? And you never started to burp after you swallowed to pill with no food?

 

 

[David182]

8 minutes ago, tyof said:

Thanks man!

 

Can I ask what symptoms you had when taking zoloft on an empty stomach? And you never started to burp after you swallowed to pill with no food?

 

 

 

Hi tyof,

 

I didn’t have immediate signs or symptoms like belching but I did occasionally have sharp pains in the upper front of my abdomen brought on by eating, especially acidy/fatty foods (e.g. cheese burger).

 

I haven’t had those symptoms in a while and I do think  it has to do with taking Zoloft and supplements now with food in my stomach.

[RusTW]

In stuck at 50mg of zoloft .I think its making more anxiety insomnia and OCD??

[David182]

On 8/5/2018 at 4:10 PM, RusTW said:

In stuck at 50mg of zoloft .I think its making more anxiety insomnia and OCD??

Hi @RusTW

 

That is certainly a possibility. Could you give me a link to your history? I maybe able to offer more constructive help with context of where you are in your journey.

[RusTW]

 David182     back in May I cold turkey Seroquel 300 mg reinstated 100mg after 3 weeks when the withdrawal hit I'm down to 50 mg of Seroquel prior to that I was on Zyprexa 10mg for many months. during that time I was also on Zoloft 125mg since then I've taper down to 50 mg. I was only on these medications for about a year. During that time while taking the Zoloft it Amplified my anxiety. Now when I take 50mg mid-day a few hours afterwards I feel the anxiety OCD thinking and I feel amped up. Over the past year-and-a-half I've also develop GI symptoms gastritis acid reflux and I think they might be related to The Zoloft or the Zyprexa I was on.

[David182]

 

9 hours ago, RusTW said:

 David182     back in May I cold turkey Seroquel 300 mg reinstated 100mg after 3 weeks when the withdrawal hit I'm down to 50 mg of Seroquel prior to that I was on Zyprexa 10mg for many months. during that time I was also on Zoloft 125mg since then I've taper down to 50 mg. I was only on these medications for about a year. During that time while taking the Zoloft it Amplified my anxiety. Now when I take 50mg mid-day a few hours afterwards I feel the anxiety OCD thinking and I feel amped up. Over the past year-and-a-half I've also develop GI symptoms gastritis acid reflux and I think they might be related to The Zoloft or the Zyprexa I was on.

 

 

@RusTW

 

thank you for your history. I’m no pharmacist but I certainly can’t help but wonder a few things: is any interaction is going on between Zoloft and Seroquel? It appears there could be a moderate interaction from the research I’ve done 

Or

perhaps your body just doesn’t like Zoloft. I have friends who have had opposite reactions from what meds should do. Has Zoloft ever helped?

 

It sounds like you’ve been through a lot of changes. You said this all started in May? That would put you at approximately 3 months worth of changes/tapering. From what you’ve told me, you made some big changes in a short amount of time.

 

I’m not at all judging you for that but from what I’ve read of this forum and my own personal experience, it might take a little while before your body settles down.

Remember though, it WILL eventually settle down and heal.

 

I’ve only been on Zoloft (with the current trial I’ve been going through) but the changes I’ve gone through still have me destabilized and symptomatic (though making progress) even though I’ve been at 50mg since November of 2017.

 

For what condition(s) were you prescribed these medications if you don’t mind me asking?

 

I have had GI issues myself. Mostly discomfort in various forms and acid problems as well, though occasional, not fun when their occurring.

 

i do take daily probiotics every morning and eat one serving of yogurt in the afternoon almost everyday. I believe this helps my stomach immensely. 

[RusTW]

David182 No I think the Zoloft made things worse OCD anxiety depression.I didn't realize it at the time.  I was also having physical symptoms to to where I thought things were going wrong with my body. Like GI problems -problems with my throat -arthritic problems costochondritis- Globus sensation breathing problems pain in my heart area and the list could go on and on. Now that I've decreased that dosage on both medications I have very few symptoms. I've had some pretty good windows in the last 2 or 3 months the longest being 8 days and now I'm in a 5-day window now so it feels like I'm stabilising I'm holding at the dosages now for a little bit longer. I noticed after I take the 50 mg dose I'll develop the side effects of sweating amped-up OCD thinking. Man this stuff is poison. Thanks for your input

[David182]

@RusTW

Anytime, man. I hope my two cents helped a bit. I have some of those symptoms as well, just awful...

 

I’m encouraged and glad your stabilizing.

 

I definitely have apprehension about starting my taper, I want to feel more confident in my stability first and may eventually (carefully) switch to the liquid form of Zoloft to make tapering easier.

 

Best to you in journey and healing. Until next time 👍🏻

[RusTW]

David182 Thanks man good luck on the taper.I'll follow ya so I can c how its going. Good healing to ya.  Rus

[David182]

Stopped taking half dose of niquil at night; trying to sleep naturally. I’m doing alright with sleeping. I’m having back issues though.

 

I’m struggling with back pain, though. I don’t know if it had anything to do with stopping niquil.

 

It isn’t constant.

It takes place over most of my back, not a specific area and when it really takes off it even hurts the sides of my neck, in a sharp painful manner. 

 

I’m drinking plenty of fluids. That seems to help but it’s pretty uncomfortable and even painful sometimes.

 

Took a hot epsome salt bath last night and  it helped a bit. Maybe it’s muscle spasms? Idk. Haven’t changed anything else in my diet or meds other than stopping niquil. Trying to think of I could have pulled something or if maybe my electrolytes are our of wack. Maybe it’s just the next phase of recovery. Any one else struggle with this?

[RusTW]

Are you working out?

[David182]

1 hour ago, RusTW said:

Are you working out?

 

Not anymore, not for a while. Easy walking only.

[David182]

18 hours ago, David182 said:

Stopped taking half dose of niquil at night; trying to sleep naturally. I’m doing alright with sleeping. I’m having back issues though.

 

I’m struggling with back pain, though. I don’t know if it had anything to do with stopping niquil.

 

It isn’t constant.

It takes place over most of my back, not a specific area and when it really takes off it even hurts the sides of my neck, in a sharp painful manner. 

 

I’m drinking plenty of fluids. That seems to help but it’s pretty uncomfortable and even painful sometimes.

 

Took a hot epsome salt bath last night and  it helped a bit. Maybe it’s muscle spasms? Idk. Haven’t changed anything else in my diet or meds other than stopping niquil. Trying to think of I could have pulled something or if maybe my electrolytes are our of wack. Maybe it’s just the next phase of recovery. Any one else struggle with this?

 

Niquil seems to help. I don’t know if it’s a histamine issue? Tried hot tub last night and felt internal pressure in head and neck. Sinuses? Back was swollen from water jets, skin get tight. Iced my back afterward.

 

@RachelSusan

can you recall ever having back issues or allergy/sinus issues from being on Zoloft?

 

i have struggled with sinus issues my whole life but it seems congestion is worse since I’ve been on Zoloft. However, I’ve been on Zoloft for so long I maybe it’s not worse and I’ve merely forgotten what I was like prior.

[RusTW]

2 minutes ago, David182 said:

 

Niquil seems to help. I don’t know if it’s a histamine issue? Tried hot tub last night and felt internal pressure in head and neck. Sinuses? Back was swollen from water jets, skin get tight. Iced my back afterward.

 

@RachelSusan

can you recall ever having back issues or allergy/sinus issues from being on Zoloft?

 

i have struggled with sinus issues my whole life but it seems congestion is worse since I’ve been on Zoloft. However, I’ve been on Zoloft for so long I maybe it’s not worse and I’ve merely forgotten what I was like prior.                                                                                                

[RusTW]

Just now, RusTW said:

5 minutes ago, David182 said:

 

Niquil seems to help. I don’t know if it’s a histamine issue? Tried hot tub last night and felt internal pressure in head and neck. Sinuses? Back was swollen from water jets, skin get tight. Iced my back afterward.

 

@RachelSusan

can you recall ever having back issues or allergy/sinus issues from being on Zoloft?

 

i have struggled with sinus issues my whole life but it seems congestion is worse since I’ve been on Zoloft. However, I’ve been on Zoloft for so long I maybe it’s not worse and I’ve merely forgotten what I was like prior.                                                                                                

 I remember reading that Zoloft is antihistamine so it would stand to reason why it's affecting your sinuses. I have really bad headaches and brain fog and ringing ears so I think it's kind of in the same realms going through withdraws from Zoloft

[David182]

Interesting,

 

I know anytime I adjusted my dose in the past year(s) (especially when dosing down) I would feel an affect on my sinuses. 

 

Thank you, @RusTW.

Definitely some good for thought.

[RachelSusan]

Hi David,

 

I never had sinus issues, ever, until I went into Zoloft withdrawal. During the withdrawal and during the stabilization process I had pressure in the sinuses behind the nose and behind the eyes, as well as a runny nose.  The pressure was beyond painful and the runny nose was well, just runny. I don't recall congestion, just the pressure and the runny nose. Once I stabilized it subsided. I never took anything for it, I was too afraid to. No allergy issues however. I've always had back issues, even before the Zoloft so I can't say if it was worse because of the Zoloft or just because I was in a bad back time period.  But back to the sinus issues, yeah it was a big deal and it was bad. And it lasted  quite a while.  My recollection of the stabilizing process was that while I did have more stable periods I don't think I really stabilized until about year and a half into this thing. After I reached what I considered a real stabilization a lot of the issues went away. The issues do return a little bit when I taper, but they are moderate to mild.  Good luck to you.  I hope you reach full stabilization soon.

 

David I am not on here as much as I used to be so feel free to send me a private message if I don't respond quickly.  Whenever someone asks me something about withdrawal I try and get back to them the same day just because I think it's real important. If I don't respond it's only because I haven't seen the post.  Hang in there buddy.

 

RS

[Martina23]

32 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

Hi David,

 

I never had sinus issues, ever, until I went into Zoloft withdrawal. During the withdrawal and during the stabilization process I had pressure in the sinuses behind the nose and behind the eyes, as well as a runny nose.  The pressure was beyond painful and the runny nose was well, just runny. I don't recall congestion, just the pressure and the runny nose. Once I stabilized it subsided. I never took anything for it, I was too afraid to. No allergy issues however. I've always had back issues, even before the Zoloft so I can't say if it was worse because of the Zoloft or just because I was in a bad back time period.  But back to the sinus issues, yeah it was a big deal and it was bad. And it lasted  quite a while.  My recollection of the stabilizing process was that while I did have more stable periods I don't think I really stabilized until about year and a half into this thing. After I reached what I considered a real stabilization a lot of the issues went away. The issues do return a little bit when I taper, but they are moderate to mild.  Good luck to you.  I hope you reach full stabilization soon.

 

David I am not on here as much as I used to be so feel free to send me a private message if I don't respond quickly.  Whenever someone asks me something about withdrawal I try and get back to them the same day just because I think it's real important. If I don't respond it's only because I haven't seen the post.  Hang in there buddy.

 

RS

David, I like RachelSusan's post and I find it great how she wants to help you and be here for you if you need help.

[David182]

Thank you so very much @RachelSusan

 

I understand we all have lives beyond this website but I appreciate the heads up about the personal message route.

 

I will keep at my current dose for a while longer; wanting to fully stabilize. I’m not entirely sure what that will look like but I imagine I’ll feel it one way or another. If I did my math correctly, it will take anywhere from 3-5years to taper off Zoloft starting at 50mg using the 10% method & depending on how my body adjusts. Does this seem about right?

 

Thanks again, I hope all is well with you!

[David182]

4 minutes ago, Martina23 said:

David, I like RachelSusan's post and I find it great how she wants to help you and be here for you if you need help.

 

@Martina23

Absolutely, I don’t take it for granted. Very grateful for such an amazing people on this site. : )

 

I definitely hope to be that for others as well.

[RusTW]

David 182  do you feel close to stabilization. Are you getting waves in Windows or are you just getting symptoms how's it going for you. I just had a 5-day good window that was very clear and it ended a couple days back now I'm back into a wave again nausea anxiety brain fog headache. What symptoms do you get now

[David182]

@RusTW

 

Shoot, I hope a Window opens up for you soon. I’d have to say it’s more symptoms at this point although I’ll occasionally feel really good for a few days. It difficult to say how much of it my body/how much is my mind. I normally feel better after good socializing, ya know?

 

Hmm;  hot flashes (not too strong these days/last 6 weeks or so), tremors, weakness, a bit of nausea, GI issues, high sensitivity to exercise. If I don’t get enough I’m really in the dumps (mood). Too much and I feel like my body keeps idling high and won’t calm down. If I really push it too hard with exercise I’ll typically have low blood sugar the next afternoon and then strong feelings of internal inflammation, tiredness, weakness, bad hot flashes, etc.

 

i keep a pretty strict routine to try and keep my body level.

[RusTW]

David 182 I have that same thing with exercise also if I don't do anything or even a little bit I feel bad and anxiety hits me . then if I do too much I feel anxiety but my mind feels tired. I do better also with socializing and getting out I try to stay away from home as much as possible. It's strange because I feel like I'm in Two Worlds my old self and the withdraw self thinking and symptoms just switches back and forth back and forth throughout the day. About a week ago I didn't sleep that well and I was expecting to have a bad day and the window opened up for about 5 days that was super clear I felt emotions I felt empathy old memories.do you ever get clear windows.

[RachelSusan]

David,

 

For me stabilization was when I went a few days and realized that I was feeling pretty good and hadn't been thinking about withdrawal at all.  It was kind of sneaky like that. I didn't have a lot of waves and windows.  A few but it was more just the intensity of the symptoms slowly going down until some of them were gone.  I did have exercise sensitivity.  Now I can exercise. Yea!!!!

 

As for the years it might take you to get off, that sounds about right.  However, and this is the big however, don't let it cause you any grief.  The reason I say this is because when I saw the number of years looming before me it freaked me out.  OK more than freaked me out.  It FREAKED me out.  Yes I am yelling it. It will get to a point where it will be in the background.  You life will go on and other than having to remember to take the Zoloft in it's diminishing dose the rest will be on auto pilot, so at that point it won't matter to you how long it takes. I have about a year and a half to go and while I would like to be done with the whole thing it is not a major deal any more.  Yep, I finally got to the place in my mind.

 

@Martina23 Thank you for the compliment.  I had so many people that were here for me at the beginning I now want to help someone else like I was helped.  Also I happen to like David.  Well I have never met David but I like his posts. He sounds like a very good guy.

 

Happy day to everybody and may you all get stabilization sooner rather than later.

RS

 

 

[David182]

My heart is so encouraged right now. I’ve especially been in the dumps for the past few days.

 

Wow, the idea of being able to exercise again sounds so amazing. The fact your still tapering and yet can exercise is encouraging to say the least. I’m so happy for you @RachelSusan!

 

Yes, the years seem(ed) rather overwhelming but in how you worded it, it doesn’t sound like life will have to grind to a hault for that entire time. 

 

You’ve been a God-send. May your journey continue on smoothly! Thanks again for everything. : )

[RachelSusan]

Thank you David.

RS

[RusTW]

 do you ever get anxiety. Or did you get it as you taper down.

[David182]

When I doubled my dose last year, I had pretty bad nervousness/anxiety for a while (6 weeks or so) Had something like serotonin syndrome not too long after and also when I was knocked from 75mg to 25mg that was some intense anxiety. Yeah, there had been some rough parts for sure with anxiety but it hasn’t been constant. Mornings naturally are the worst but it’s been really tolerable lately.

 

Some excellent news: I saw my primary care physician this morning and we are going to begin a slow taper. She agreed that I need to go very slowly as my body is so sensitive. I’m going to switch from pill to liquid Zoloft. I’ve read that doing so can be a little jarring at first so I’m going to start at 50mg of the liquid before tapering (instead of immediately going lower) so my body can grow used to it.

 

I’d been really concerned about how to be on the same page with the taper but it worked out! Feeling very grateful and Thanking God for it. : )

[RusTW]

That's good news .I hope you have a good taper.I'm still holding at 50.I had a window recently for 5 days.Now I'm back into a big wave.Brain fog anxiety its bad man.so hard because my window was so good.I'm worried about this anxiety is bad.

[David182]

5 hours ago, RusTW said:

That's good news .I hope you have a good taper.I'm still holding at 50.I had a window recently for 5 days.Now I'm back into a big wave.Brain fog anxiety its bad man.so hard because my window was so good.I'm worried about this anxiety is bad.

 

I’m sorry @RusTW. That feels so incredibly awful.  Windows are a good sign and they will become longer.

Are you taking any fish oil or magnesium citrate?

 

I’m replying mobile and can’t seem to access signatures when I am.

 

The fishoil really helps my thinking and magnesium helps me calm down. I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to do but when I’d have bad anxiety, I would/sometimes do take Dramamine to help calm down. It has a slight calming effect effect while also helping with dizziness and nausea (if present). I don’t know if it’s technically the best route but it’s helped me and I figured it was much safer than using a benzodiazepine!

 

stress relief essential oils also help me. I was skeptical at first but it can help take off the edge.

 

oh and taking an epsome salt bath with lavender really helps with anxiety and sleep. I’m a shower type of person but this bath route helped.

[RusTW]

David182    what kind of fish oil and magnesium do ya take. If the dizziness and nausea gets really bad I take promethazine 25 mg it's an antihistamine. I try not to take that though unless it's really bad. I might try the Dramamine though thanks for that. The feeling I got in my head is like a cloudy hangover after drinking with anxiety. Thanks for getting back to me man I appreciate that. I hope your doing good

[David182]

31 minutes ago, RusTW said:

David182    what kind of fish oil and magnesium do ya take. If the dizziness and nausea gets really bad I take promethazine 25 mg it's an antihistamine. I try not to take that though unless it's really bad. I might try the Dramamine though thanks for that. The feeling I got in my head is like a cloudy hangover after drinking with anxiety. Thanks for getting back to me man I appreciate that. I hope your doing good

 

It’s my pleasure. I love to help.

 

1000mg fishoil morning and evening so 2000mg total daily. I use GNC brand as it’s pretty pure (free from mercury, etc). Other cheaper options are available; just make sure it’s free of mercury.

 

100mg magnesium citrate morning and night. It’s easer on the stomach than some other types and absorbs into the body easier too. If you find you have stomach issues just back down the daily dose a bit until your body adjusts.

 

Make sure to keep up on electrolytes and water as well. 👍🏻

 

Thank you, one day at a time! : )

[RusTW]

Thanks David -I'm gonna try them out.

[David182]

Started taking Zeretek last night for the pressure in my head and neck plus back pain. Dr and I believe I’m having some kind of histamine problem. Likely connected to Zoloft. 

 

I’m having less pressure and pain today which is good. I woke up early with waves of heat and tingling. I’m thinking it might be anxiety. Feels like an allergy of some sort. My dr. also told me how niquil (which I had been using for sleep and stopped taking last weekend) has a cough suppressant which is known to interact with Zoloft and increase serotonin...I had no idea. So I’m probably just going to need a bit of time to level out again.

[RusTW]

I'm still having pressure in my head headache fog and really bad anxiety.The pressure is above my eyes with restless anxiety.I was getting that heat on my head yesterday.Man this is the worst so far.Hard to believe I had a window recently.