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samanthaelizabeth: How do you manage to keep working while taper off


samanthaelizabeth

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Hi,

 

I'm so sorry about your mother, Samantha.  That's very sad.  I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

 

I was at the dentist recently, and I think I was given the non-adrenaline numbing agent.  It wore off by the time I left the office, and I never felt that I had a fat lip.  He said he was going to numb the tooth only.  There were several different shots all around the tooth.  They didn't hurt as much as shots had in the past either.  It was just a little pinch feeling.  I had no increased anxiety aside from the stress of being there in general.  It was not off the charts or intense as I was afraid it would be. 

 

-Rosetta

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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41 minutes ago, Rosetta said:

Hi,

 

I'm so sorry about your mother, Samantha.  That's very sad.  I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

 

I was at the dentist recently, and I think I was given the non-adrenaline numbing agent.  It wore off by the time I left the office, and I never felt that I had a fat lip.  He said he was going to numb the tooth only.  There were several different shots all around the tooth.  They didn't hurt as much as shots had in the past either.  It was just a little pinch feeling.  I had no increased anxiety aside from the stress of being there in general.  It was not off the charts or intense as I was afraid it would be. 

 

-Rosetta

Thank you Rosetta, I think I will ask for that.  Have a great day!

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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Hi Samantha,

 

I 've read your story while I was trying to find some answers myself on ho people  manage to work while tapering.

I've been 6 months off medication (Prozac & Concerta). I went cold turkey which made and still make withdrawal symptoms worse. I just did it cause I felt they mess up my

brain and I couldn't make rational professional desicions. I was 1 yr off work after been made redundant since I was warkong in an investment management company that wasn't doing very well in the downturn. I was offered money I could live for that period but this really hurt my confidence at finding a new job. Started having anxiety even in the thought of looking for a new job, started drinking and long story short I had a breakdown around August when I decided to change my lifestyle(diet,exercise,way of living,social circle) and get off meds. I needed a drastic solution since I was running out of money and was feeling stuck.

The last 6 months are the worse months of my entire life. I had to push myself to go to interviews and find a job. I thought about getting a job in a coffee place or retail store cause it felt impossible to go back to an investment company. My confidence was sooo low, still is and I couldn't imagine been pressured for any reason. Then I thought that a job in a coffee place would make me more depressed since it would seem like huge downgrade from what I was doing while in meds. I managed after an excruciating month of interviews in November to land an investment role in a small company (compared to the big corporation I used to work). The salary is low so are the exectations of the role. I started 1st of December. I won't lie to you it's a hell. I cry in the bathroom at least 3 times a day. I want to quit every day.

During my bad days when I 'm given the smallest task to do I panic. I want to run away and quit immediately. But somehow I uurvive.During good days I cannot even believe I panic over such small tasks.

Sorry for the long post. What I 'm trying to say to you is that you are stronger than you think. Somehow we always find the strength to do what looks impossible at the moment.

I still strugle and feel lost and purposeless.I have to work cause I need the money and it's the best I can have now. I hope I can keep going till I feel better and I wish the same to you :)

February 2012: Prozac 60mg

August 2015: Concerta 36mg

March 2016: Concerta reduced to 18mg

September 2016: Prozac lowered to 20mg

September 2017: cold turkey both Prozac and Concerta

 

Now: experiencing severe withdrawal from both medications

 

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Thank you!  Yes, my confidence is shaken for sure.  I'm going to start looking next week, I hope someone will hire me as my resume for the last 2.5 years is not good.  I can't believe what I have done to my career!  Good luck and keep in touch!

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment
1 hour ago, Isabellax said:

Hi Samantha,

 

I 've read your story while I was trying to find some answers myself on ho people  manage to work while tapering.

I've been 6 months off medication (Prozac & Concerta). I went cold turkey which made and still make withdrawal symptoms worse. I just did it cause I felt they mess up my

brain and I couldn't make rational professional desicions. I was 1 yr off work after been made redundant since I was warkong in an investment management company that wasn't doing very well in the downturn. I was offered money I could live for that period but this really hurt my confidence at finding a new job. Started having anxiety even in the thought of looking for a new job, started drinking and long story short I had a breakdown around August when I decided to change my lifestyle(diet,exercise,way of living,social circle) and get off meds. I needed a drastic solution since I was running out of money and was feeling stuck.

The last 6 months are the worse months of my entire life. I had to push myself to go to interviews and find a job. I thought about getting a job in a coffee place or retail store cause it felt impossible to go back to an investment company. My confidence was sooo low, still is and I couldn't imagine been pressured for any reason. Then I thought that a job in a coffee place would make me more depressed since it would seem like huge downgrade from what I was doing while in meds. I managed after an excruciating month of interviews in November to land an investment role in a small company (compared to the big corporation I used to work). The salary is low so are the exectations of the role. I started 1st of December. I won't lie to you it's a hell. I cry in the bathroom at least 3 times a day. I want to quit every day.

During my bad days when I 'm given the smallest task to do I panic. I want to run away and quit immediately. But somehow I uurvive.During good days I cannot even believe I panic over such small tasks.

Sorry for the long post. What I 'm trying to say to you is that you are stronger than you think. Somehow we always find the strength to do what looks impossible at the moment.

I still strugle and feel lost and purposeless.I have to work cause I need the money and it's the best I can have now. I hope I can keep going till I feel better and I wish the same to you :)

Thank you!  Yes, my confidence is shaken for sure.  I'm going to start looking next week, I hope someone will hire me as my resume for the last 2.5 years is not good.  I can't believe what I have done to my career!  Good luck and keep in touch!

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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On 2/7/2018 at 1:06 AM, nz11 said:

SE i just noticed you have moved location from 'somewhere' to Las Vegas' .

How exciting. 

 

Believe or not, not really!  i have no friends here!

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment
On 2/7/2018 at 12:28 PM, ChessieCat said:

Even with my slow and careful taper over the last 2 years I have ups and downs and periods of discomfort.  There are going to be times when we suffer discomfort but we need to learn and use Non-drug techniques.  Using these can make a huge difference in how and whether a person gets off the drug/s.  There is no easy and/or quick fix.  It is going to take time.  We are so used to things being instant.  And we also want to feel/know that we are doing something.  Holding steady is doing something, even though it doesn't seem like it.

 

Acceptance

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Learning about these drugs is also useful.  On the links page (about half way down) there are links to things which I have found on the internet.  adwithdrawal.weebly.com

Chessie, do you work?

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Yes, I work 1 day as a casual and 2 days as a volunteer.

* 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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17 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Yes, I work 1 day as a casual and 2 days as a volunteer.

Oh that's good.  I'm trying to get back to work also.  Looking back over the last 3 years, I have realized that the Wellbutrin switch caused me extreme anxiety which I attributed to moving here to a new city and not wanting to be here.  I had no idea what was happening to me.  I thought it was just me.  So I quit job after job.. and feel like crap about it.  

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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I have had no appetite since reinstating my Zoloft to 200mg.  The only time I even feel like eating is after I take my Mirtazipine.

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment

I do want to start tapering the Mirtazipine because I can't believe that I have been on it for 6.5 years.  I have successfully tapered off of it twice but those times I was only on it for 1-2 years.  Now I'm getting scared about tapering.  it seems since my reinstatement of zoloft that i'm still not back to so-called normal.  I don't have an appetite, I wake up every morning drenched in sweat.  I don't know what to do, I don't want to switch to another AD because i'm scared of the havoc that will be placed on my system.  But, what am I supposed to do stay on this for another 20 years?

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

You have made a lot of changes in the last 2-3 months, and a few months before that you were down to 50mg Zoloft.

 

You need to keep reminding yourself of this.  One thing at a time.  Your brain needs time to stabilise from the jumping around in doses.

 

Q:  Have you commenced the MS drug?  If yes, please add the date and drug name to your signature.

 

Thinking (like you are) about the next 20 years is catastrophic thinking.  All you can/need to focus on is the present.  Worrying about the future adds stress which diverts the brain away from healing because it is trying to fight off a (non existent) threat.  That's why learning to accept (put simply realising that things are the way they are at this present time) can be very helpful.  You also need to be aware that you can also add second fear to a situation which is when you start experiencing sensations, physical or mental, and then you become scared which then adds more sensations, usually physical because your body goes into fight/flight mode and these can lead to a panic attack.  There are lots of Claire Weekes videos on YouTube.  This is SA's topic:  Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System 

 

Edited by ChessieCat

* 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
12 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

You have made a lot of changes in the last 2-3 months, and a few months before that you were down to 50mg Zoloft.

 

You need to keep reminding yourself of this.  One thing at a time.  Your brain needs time to stabilise from the jumping around in doses.

 

Q:  Have you commenced the MS drug?  If yes, please add the date and drug name to your signature.

 

Thinking (like you are) about the next 20 years is catastrophic thinking.  All you can/need to focus on is the present.  Worrying about the future adds stress which diverts the brain away from healing because it is trying to fight off a (non existent) threat.  That's why learning to accept (put simply realising that things are the way they are at this present time) can be very helpful.  You also need to be aware that you can also add second fear to a situation which is when you start experiencing sensations, physical or mental, and then you become scared which then adds more sensations, usually physical because your body goes into fight/flight mode and these can lead to a panic attack.  There are lots of Claire Weekes videos on YouTube.  This is SA's topic:  Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System 

 

Thank you Chessie, I won't start my Mirt taper for a few months...I've update my sig line. :)

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment

Is it just me or does it seem like people that have been on AD'S for many years have an easier time getting off if they have been switched and are now tapering off of there most recent drug?  I'm afraid that being on Zoloft for so long I will never get off.

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment

I need some encouragement to get out there and look for a job.  I'm sorry but I have lost my confidence when I used to be a highly respected person in their field and considered a "subject matter expert".  My Wellbutrin debacle left me unemployed for the last 2 years.  Please, anyone?

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment
15 minutes ago, samanthaelizabeth said:

I need some encouragement to get out there and look for a job.  I'm sorry but I have lost my confidence when I used to be a highly respected person in their field and considered a "subject matter expert".  My Wellbutrin debacle left me unemployed for the last 2 years.  Please, anyone?

Hey Sam,  This is a tricky question.  Personally I am unable to work at this point in time.  However, my plan is to do some volunteer work when I am ready.  I feel it is important to ease myself into the outside world again.  I have also lost my confidence. The only way I am making my way through this process is Day by day and making small achievable plans.  Over two years ago I had to resign from work.  My story is complex (aren't they all) but I remember I was putting a constant pressure on myself at that time that I must get back to work as quickly as possible.  This thinking was detrimental to my physical and mental health.  Baby steps Sam. Best. K xo

  • Citalopram 20mg - 40mg ~ approx 2010 - October 2015 (stopped over one week)
  • Parnate  20mg - 50mg and olazapine 5mg ~ Jan 2016 - May 2016 (ceased over 2 days) 
  • Lithium 450mg-900 mg and Thyroxin ~May 2016 - May 2017
  • Diazepam various doses (including PRN) ~ 2015 - 2017
  • Oxazepam various doses (including PRN) ~ May 2016 - June 2016
  • Lurasidone 20mg ~Mid May 2016 - Mid June 2016
  • Vortioxetine 10mg - 20mg ~ 6th June 2016 - 20th July 2016 (abruptly ceased)
  • Amitriptyline 200mg ~July 2016 - September 2016 (ceased over 1 week)
  • Nortriptyline  (dose ?) ~October 2016 ~ November 2016 (abruptly ceased)
  • Seroquel XR 100mg - 300mg ~ May 2016 - August 2017 (ceased over 3 weeks)
  • Escitalopram 10mg - 30mg ~ August 2016 - March 2017 (ceased over 2 weeks)
  • Bupropion 300mg ~ December 2016 - May 2017 (ceased over 1 week)
  • Clonazepam 1.5mg daily ~ July 2016 (started tapering May 2017 - September 2017 currently on 0.375mg..ie 0.125mg TDS) 27th May 2018 5% 0.357mg (possible paradoxical reaction - see benzo thread)  28th June 5% 0.337mg, 28th July 10% 0.303mg, 12th September10% 0.272mg, 18th September reinstated 10% due to intolerable WD 0.303mg, 1st October-11th Oct 10% (1% reduction over 10 days) 0.272mg, 22nd October clonazepam ceased crossed over 10mg diazepam
  •  Dexamphatamine 20mg ~ December 2016 (started tapering October 2017 - tapered 1.25mg 4th Dec 2017, 1.25mg 19th Dec 2017 6.25mg, Speed up decrease due to major interaction between Dex and fluoxetine- ref to thread 10% 17th Feb 2018 5.63mg, 10% 21st Feb 2018 5.1mg, 10% 26th Feb 2018 4.5mg 10% 28th Feb 4.1mg, 10% 1st March 3.7mg, 10% 5th March 3.3mg, 10% 8th March 3mg, 10% 10th March 2.7mg, 10% 12th March 2.4mg, 10% 14th March 2.16mg, 10% 16th March 1.94mg, 10% 18th March 1.74mg, 10% 20th March 1.57mg, 10% 21st March 1.41mg, 10% 22nd March 1.26mg, 10% 23rd March 1.13mg, 10% 24th March 1.01mg, 10% 25th March 0.9mg, 10% 27th March 0.81mg, 10% 29th March 0.73mg, 10% 31st March 0.66mg, 10% 2nd April 0.59mg , 10% 4th April 0.53mg, 10% 6th April 0.47mg, 10% 8th April 0.42mg, 10%10th April 0.37mg, 11th April 0.2mg, 12th April 0.1mg (last dose) OFF! 
  • Fluoxetine 40mg ~December 2016 - 31 Jan 2018 reduced to 20mg (probable serotonin toxicity) 10th March 2020 10mg (1:1 ratio), 7th April 9mg, 1st May 8.5mg, 15th May 8.0mg, 27th May 7.5mg, 8th Sept 7.2mg, 2nd Oct 7mg, 19th Oct 6.8mg, 28th Oct 6.6mg, 5th Nov 6.4mg, 26th Nov 6mg, 2nd April 2021 5.9mg, 9th April 5.8mg, 19th April 5.75mg, 22nd April 5.7mg, 26th April 5.65mg,28th April 5.6mg, 1st May 5.5mg, 4th May 5.45mg, 7th May 5.4mg, 10th May 5.35mg, 12th May 5.3mg, 15th May 5.25mg, 18th May 5.2mg, 20th May 5.15mg, 22nd May 5mg, 10th July 4.5mg, 9th Aug 4.48mg (switched from syringe to pipette method), 12th Aug 4.46mg, 14th Aug 4.4mg, 18th Aug 4.38mg, 19th Aug 4.36mg, 20th Aug 4.34, 21st 4.32mg, 22nd 4.3mg, 23rd Aug 4mg (hold), (micro-taper) 12th Oct 2021 3.98mg, 14th Oct 3.96mg, 15th Oct 3.94mg, 16th Oct 3.92mg, 17th Oct 3.9mg, 18th Oct 3.88mg, 19th Oct 3.86mg, 21st Oct 3.84mg, 22nd Oct 3.82mg, 23rd Oct 3.8mg, 24th Oct 3.78mg, 25th Oct 3.76mg, 26th Oct 3.74mg, 27th Oct 3.72mg, (WD reached intolerable level, reinstated 0.06mg) 28th Oct 3.8mg, 7th March 2022 3.7mg, 21st March 3.6mg, 4th April 3.5mg, 18th April 3.4mg, 2nd May 3.3mg, 16th May 3.2mg, 20th June 3.1mg, 4th July 3mg, 18th July 2.9mg, 12th September 2.7mg, 18th October 2.5mg, 14th Nov 2.3mg, 12th December 2.1mg, 18th January 2023 1.9mg, 9th July 2023 1.88mg, 16th July 1.86mg, 23rd July 1.84mg, 30th July 1.82mg, 6th Aug 1.80mg, 10th Sept 1.7mg, 12th Oct 1.68mg, 23rd Oct 1.66mg, 30th Oct 1.64mg, 6th Nov 1.62mg, 13th Nov 1.60mg, (2:1 ratio) 30th Dec 1.597mg, 7th Jan 2024 1.595mg, 8th 1.592mg,  10th 1.589, 11th 1.587, 12th 1.585, 13th 1.583, 14th 1.58 cont… 5th Feb 1.56mg, 11th Feb 1.55mg, 19th Feb 1.54mg, 26th Feb 1.53mg, 4th March 1.52mg, 11th March 1.51mg, 25th March 1.50mg, 1st April 1.49mg
  • Diazepam 10mg ~ 22nd Oct 2018, 10th November 8mg, 14th Nov 7mg, 8th December 6mg, 30th December 5mg (Nocte), 7th March 2019 4.5mg,14th March 4mg, 5th April 3.5mg, 9th April 3mg, 18th April 2.5mg,1st May 2mg, 17th May 1.75mg, 25th May 1.6mg, 4th June 1.59mg, 5th June 1.58mg, 6th June 1.57mg, 7th June 1.56mg, 8th June 1.55mg, 22nd June 1.4mg, 4th July 1.2mg, 16th July 1mg, 30th July 0.8mg, 13th Aug 0.6mg, 28th Aug 0.4mg, 10th Sept 0.2mg, 23rd Sept Off! 
  • SR Circadin 2mg (melatonin) 25th May - 20th June 
  • Zolpidem 10mg 25th May (7 tablets)
  • Supplements: Magnesium glycinate (soluble - sip throughout the day) 

 

"Whenever you feel yourself doubting how far you can go,  just remember how far you have come.  Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome"    Unknown 

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1 minute ago, Kristine said:

Hey Sam,  This is a tricky question.  Personally I am unable to work at this point in time.  However, my plan is to do some volunteer work when I am ready.  I feel it is important to ease myself into the outside world again.  I have also lost my confidence. The only way I am making my way through this process is Day by day and making small achievable plans.  Over two years ago I had to resign from work.  My story is complex (aren't they all) but I remember I was putting a constant pressure on myself at that time that I must get back to work as quickly as possible.  This thinking was detrimental to my physical and mental health.  Baby steps Sam. Best. K xo

Thank you Kristine.  I am going to see a therapist about this on the 20th.  I am just obsessed with this site right now (SA) and can't seem to concentrate on my job search. Plus it's cold and I don't want to go outside!

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I was made redundant from my full-time job mid-2011.  This was a temp maternity leave role which became full time permanent when the new mum return part time.  I had had trouble getting employment prior to this.  I had a major breakdown at my daughter's wedding reception in October of that year due to several major life issues over a period of 1 year.  I lost a lot of confidence.  Even though I had been a Customer Service Advisor for Post Settlement Mortgages on the phone, there was no way I was able to do anything which required using the phone.  After applying for quite a few long term volunteer roles and being unsuccessful I started looking for short term volunteer roles.  I managed to find one which was 1 day per week for 8 weeks entering data into Excel.  Once that ended I had gained some confidence and managed to get a volunteer role 1 day per week phoning schools to update their contact details and updating the information in the organisation's database.  Because it was basically scripted conversations I was able to do this.  During this time I was applying for paid jobs.  After a while that role became boring and I managed to get another volunteer role as an admin assistant.  Unfortunately my boss ended up leaving after a few months so I looked for another role.  I was fortunate to be able to gain 1 day per week temp work through an agency for about 8 months.  Just before that role ended I managed to obtain a volunteer role 1 day per week (it was just after this that I started tapering).  After a couple of months they put me on as a casual and I was being paid for 4 hours per week and also doing about 7-8 hours weekly volunteering for them.  After a year the casual hours increased to 6 hours per week.  I also started 1 day volunteering with another organisation.  I found out last week that my boss from the 2 day role is moving interstate so now I am only working the 6 hours casual until April, with no idea whether it will continue after her departure.  When I discovered that I was no longer required 2 days, I decided to call in to an organisation that I had come across about 3 years ago when seeking volunteer work.  They have agreed to 1 day volunteering with them.  During this period I have done several courses to gain confidence and accreditation for my administrative skills.  Owing to the confidence that I have gained over the last 2.5 years, I am now actively seeking paid employment.

 

I realise that this was a fairly detailed description but I want you to know that it is possible.  However, I also want you to know that I had to start with something that I felt comfortable doing and gradually build on that.  And it didn't happen overnight.

* 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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  • Moderator Emeritus
2 minutes ago, samanthaelizabeth said:

I am just obsessed with this site right now (SA)

 

I think this is normal and understandable and it was the same for me.  For a couple of reasons.  You are trying to find answers and you also know that the members here understand what you are going through.  It feels like we have been thrown a life buoy and we are clinging on for dear life.  But we also realise that there is work that we have to do which nobody else can do for us.

* 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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5 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

I think this is normal and understandable and it was the same for me.  For a couple of reasons.  You are trying to find answers and you also know that the members here understand what you are going through.  It feels like we have been thrown a life buoy and we are clinging on for dear life.  But we also realise that there is work that we have to do which nobody else can do for us.

Yes, Chessie!  Clinging for life is a good way to put it.  Maybe I should go the temp route right now.  Although, I would like to have a job with benefits.  I will start the process next week, the problem is my credit is now ruined with all of this stuff from the meds (they do credit checks here) and also my age (51).  Nobody can tell me that there isn't age discrimination!  Plus, even though I have been very sucessful in my career with Real Estate and mortage I'm afraid now that I don't have a degree.  I will keep trying because I need a distraction!

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I've just turned 60 so I know what you are talking about.  I don't think age discrimination is always deliberate.  I can remember when I started a new job at 19 and the head of the typing pool was 25.  She seemed so mature and old.  If we are being interviewed by 30 year olds, we would be as old as or older then their mother.

 

I will admit that I found it was helpful having a distraction, and it also gave me routine and a reason to do certain things.

* 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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  • Moderator Emeritus

I noticed you asking about reiki in someone else's topic.  There are many existing topics on this site.  You can either use the search at the top right or use a search engine.  I use google and add survivingantidepressants.org to the search string, eg survivingantidepressants.org reiki

* 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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  • Administrator
9 hours ago, samanthaelizabeth said:

I do want to start tapering the Mirtazipine because I can't believe that I have been on it for 6.5 years.  I have successfully tapered off of it twice but those times I was only on it for 1-2 years.  Now I'm getting scared about tapering.  it seems since my reinstatement of zoloft that i'm still not back to so-called normal.  I don't have an appetite, I wake up every morning drenched in sweat.  I don't know what to do, I don't want to switch to another AD because i'm scared of the havoc that will be placed on my system.  But, what am I supposed to do stay on this for another 20 years?

 

SE, I am concerned about the sweating. When did that start? What time of day do you take Zoloft?

 

Why did you choose to updose to 200mg Zoloft?

 

The lack of appetite is a side effect of Zoloft, or a result of the interaction with mirtazapine.

 

No, people who switch antidepressants do not necessarily have a easier time going off. Sometimes the switch doesn't work. 

 

We suggest switching only when a person cannot tolerate gradual reduction of the original drug.

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.

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Hello Alostrata, I have been on 200mg of zoloft since 1999. Only because I was prescribed Ativan for pressure headaches,  The Ativan made me act very strange.  I was having panic attacks, crying, throwing up, false memories it was awful. I flushed them down the toilet and all hell broke loose.  Anyway, I went to a new doctor in November because I wanted off of the Zoloft as I ddn't feel like it was doing anything for me anymore.  I used the term "apathetic", he wanted to switch me to Lexapro.  So I tapered off as he said, but didn't take the Lexapro.  For a day I was without any medication, I thought I was having wd from Klonopin.  So I went to a hospital to detox and only stayed there for a day as they wanted to give me 4 times the amount of Klonopin that I was taking, plus Abilify. There was no way I was going to do that and checked out AMA the next day.  This was December 19.  I quickly went back up to 200mg.  I take my Zoloft about 6 am and it seems like that's when the sweating starts.  It's just funny though, I was fine before the Ativan. Of course I had some depression like everyone does, but I was happy overall. I just can't believe that I have been on it for so long.

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
5 hours ago, samanthaelizabeth said:

This was December 19.  I quickly went back up to 200mg.  I take my Zoloft about 6 am and it seems like that's when the sweating starts.  It's just funny though, I was fine before the Ativan.

 

Q:  What exactly do you mean "I was fine before the Ativan"?  Please be specific.

* 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
1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Q:  What exactly do you mean "I was fine before the Ativan"?  Please be specific.

Oh, I mean back in 1999 the catalyst for me going on Zoloft was Ativan.  If you read back on my entries, you will see.  I just meant that if I'd never taken that ativan all those years ago, I would never have gone on and AD, never needed it. 

 

How I came to be on Zoloft.

In 1999 I was busy with work, trying to save to buy a house and getting my Real Estate license.  Everything was going pretty good. Taxes came in and we owed money so this was going to delay my progress of buying a home.  I was having some difficulty at work with sexual harassment and other things.  But I had a great job with a world-known entertainment company.  I started getting pressure headaches and went to the doctor he gave me Ativan.  My husband was totally against it, but one night I guess I had an anxiety attack and begged him to let me take it and I did. The next day I had another anxiety attack and took another pill and so on and so on…   I didn’t understand what was happening to me.  This went on for weeks.

 I started having guilty feelings and extreme anxiety ( I felt like I was going crazy).  My husband even asked me “Did someone at work put something in your drink?”  After quitting my job (which is so unlike me)  I realized that Ativan was doing something weird to me and flushed them all down the toilet.  Little did I know what I was in for. That very night, I could not sleep at all!  I had racing thoughts and so I asked my Husband to take me to the ER.  He said “they’re going to lock you up! I went anyway.  I didn’t tell them about the Ativan, who would believe me?   I’m not sure why?  I think I thought they were not going to believe me or something.  So, I just told them that I was having flashbacks and whatever.  They referred me to a Psychiatrist (fake doctor) and of course he proceeded to tell me that I was “bipolar” which I am not.  I think he said that is because they look for words that you say.  I.e.; (racking thoughts, trying to reach my goal of buying a house, etc.) He prescribed Depakote, but I took it once and never again.  I went from end of May to mid-August with ZERO sleep!  I don’t know how anyone could go that long on no sleep.

I was so angry and upset about this so-called Bipolar diagnosis, I was looking everywhere on the internet (there wasn’t much information back then) for something to tell me that I was having an Adverse Reaction, something to prove it was the drug that did this to me.  I even went to a lawyer!  Of course, they wouldn’t take my case.  Anyway, I was doing everything to get through this, I went to support groups and everything.  During this time, while always trying to fake it in front of my husband continue to do things like go to the beach or whatever, while praying the whole time.

During this 3-4 months I lost 20-25 lbs. (already very thin), I ended up at 95lb!  I was so scared that I was going to die. My husband was adamant about not using antidepressants. I even went to a hospital, but they wouldn’t admit me. Around the end of July, I started having extreme SI.  I had a plan and everything.  I went to the drugstore and bought some sleeping pills and checked into a motel.  I sat there and prayed and prayed. I thought I was ruining everyone’s life and everyone would be better off without me.  I continued to pray and then I thought, maybe it could get better?  So, I checked myself out and moved in with my brother.  They were shocked at the amount of weight I had lost.

I moved back home the next day and begged my husband to take me to the doctor. This was in August, the doctor prescribed Zoloft (don’t remember the dosage) It wasn’t working, and he proceeded to up it to 200mg.  A few weeks later he added Remeron.  I successfully weaned off Remeron. At least he was smart enough to tell me to go slowly…

Fast forward to 2008 (after the RE market Crash) I felt that Zoloft was no longer working and tied Effexor for a day or two and added Remeron again (2nd time weaning of slowly) This is when I looked in the mirror and the left side of my face was drooping, like I had a stroke or something.  The doctor told me to go straight to the Hospital.  They did a CT scan and MRI and discovered that I have MS.  (who knows if this was triggered by the Effexor)

Fast forward to 2012 -we moved out of state and requested Remeron again but was not informed not to take it too close to the Zoloft and went out that night and couldn’t speak or even write.  Went to hospital again and found huge lesions in my brain and was diagnosed with Tumefactive MS ( which is a rare form of MS)  Maybe this was caused by the Remeron and Zoloft interaction??  I called my doctor and he said “ I’m sorry, yes there is an interaction with Zoloft and Remeron if you take it too close together.  Anyway, that is most of my history.  I have been afraid to ever come off of the Zoloft after what I went through that summer of ’99 with the Ativan. If I would have know that I was having withdrawal I probably could have reinstated and tapered from there and never went through any of the hell that I’ve been through.  Sadly, I will never know…

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

Link to comment
20 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Q:  What exactly do you mean "I was fine before the Ativan"?  Please be specific.

Oh, I mean back in 1999 the catalyst for me going on Zoloft was Ativan.  If you read back on my entries, you will see.  I just meant that if I'd never taken that ativan all those years ago, I would never have gone on and AD, never needed it. 

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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Hello all. I felt yesterday I was feeling closer to "Normal". I went to the grocery store, which felt odd, but I did have a nice conversation with someone who was in line with me.  I came home and made dinner and felt like maybe I was having a window of some sort. I think it's because I was distracting myself.  it seems like I feel the worst in the morning after I take the Zoloft and the heavy sweating starts.  I take my zoloft at 6 am and go back to bed.  Getting the day started is a little rough but I manage. I'm going to start my job search this week and try to land a job.  It won't be the pay I am accustomed to living in Los Angeles, they cost of living is lower here so pay is lower as well.  But I have to do something. I'm hoping to get back to baseline again.  My ears are still ringing, this has been going on for two months.  When I was coming back from the store this morning, I was thinking to myself that it would have been better to get hooked on a street drug than these AD'S, they just seem easier to get off of, you know? I mean the years of suffering that people endure from this crap is just unbelievable to me.  I admire all of you who are trying so hard!  These drugs should be banned, of course not until we are out of the woods!  It's crazy that a legal, prescribed drug could do this to so many, what a medical nightmare! I wonder how these doctors can live with themselves, they must know that these drugs are destroying people's lives, don't you think?  I wish they would all have to take their own prescriptions just to make them understand!  Anyway, that's my rant for the day, going to try and live a normal life while I figure out what to do with my own AD situation.  Prayers and hugs to all!

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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1 hour ago, samanthaelizabeth said:

Hello all. I felt yesterday I was feeling closer to "Normal". I went to the grocery store, which felt odd, but I did have a nice conversation with someone who was in line with me.  I came home and made dinner and felt like maybe I was having a window of some sort. I think it's because I was distracting myself.  it seems like I feel the worst in the morning after I take the Zoloft and the heavy sweating starts.  I take my zoloft at 6 am and go back to bed.  Getting the day started is a little rough but I manage. I'm going to start my job search this week and try to land a job.  It won't be the pay I am accustomed to living in Los Angeles, they cost of living is lower here so pay is lower as well.  But I have to do something. I'm hoping to get back to baseline again.  My ears are still ringing, this has been going on for two months.  When I was coming back from the store this morning, I was thinking to myself that it would have been better to get hooked on a street drug than these AD'S, they just seem easier to get off of, you know? I mean the years of suffering that people endure from this crap is just unbelievable to me.  I admire all of you who are trying so hard!  These drugs should be banned, of course not until we are out of the woods!  It's crazy that a legal, prescribed drug could do this to so many, what a medical nightmare! I wonder how these doctors can live with themselves, they must know that these drugs are destroying people's lives, don't you think?  I wish they would all have to take their own prescriptions just to make them understand!  Anyway, that's my rant for the day, going to try and live a normal life while I figure out what to do with my own AD situation.  Prayers and hugs to all!

Yes, heroin seems easier to get off of. Good you’re able to work. 

 

2001 Remeron , Celexa, prozac a week on lithium. 

2014 went off effexor and trazadone in 3 weeks. 

2014 zoloft (hyper reaction) put on effexor 75 mg. Was stable until 2017 

2017  Trazadone 50 mg (June) Effexor to 113 mg (2 weeks) Effexor 150 mg for a month . Took 75 mg until November. . Lithium 10 days, Lamactil 10 day  aug-nov15 ativan

October : Prozac bridge to get off 75 mg of effexor Used 10 mg of prozac. Stopped prozac 3 wk 

Dec 6, 7 Upped trazadone from 50 to 100 mg Did it for 3 days Stopped it

Dec 7 , Dec 8 Took prozac again 0.1 , 0.1, 0.6 stopped it

Dec 11 and Dec 12 upped it to 100 again

Dec 15 , 16,17 went back to 50 mg of trazadone

December 18 Began 3 beads of effexor  Dec 25 began 5 beads of effexor take 10 mg of omneprazole daily

 

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Okay, i'm not feeling good again.  Is this normal?  When will my normal dose start working as usual?  I'm at the point where I look forward to taking my remeron just to feel somewhat normal, this is when I feel better, and early in the morning right before and right after I take my Zoloft.  Please someone let me know, should I go down on my dose?  I need myself back.

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It's normal in withdrawal and stabilising to have good and bad periods.  You need to be patient.  Very patient.  You had a good day yesterday.  That is a good sign.  You did a lot yesterday.  It may be that you overdid it a bit and it has impacted on you today.

* 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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33 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

It's normal in withdrawal and stabilising to have good and bad periods.  You need to be patient.  Very patient.  You had a good day yesterday.  That is a good sign.  You did a lot yesterday.  It may be that you overdid it a bit and it has impacted on you today.

Thank you CC.  I appreciate your input.  This site just makes me want to cry, all the people in need of help and all the mods that take their time to helpl  God 

Bless you all!

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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Okay, I woke up at 3 am ( that hasn't happened in awhile) and went to sleep on the couch.  I woke up at 630 drenched in sweat again, my blankets and everything, I literally had to change my clothes. Plus my mind is obsessing about this whole experience and everyday I have to go through this again.  I have to get back to work what do I do?  I'm not sure that my body has to get used to this dose again or is it too much?  Who do I focus and get back to work, this is going to ruin my life.

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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Hi Samantha. As has already been said  ~ this is windows and waves, and much patience is needed. I understand how hard it is and also the feeling of needing to do something but stability is really - key at this point. I would try and stabilize on your current dose if you can.

 

Can I ask why you take you Remeron in the am? Do you find it slows you down and /or makes you sleepy? Have you thought about taking it at night?

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
.
         

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1 hour ago, samanthaelizabeth said:

Okay, I woke up at 3 am ( that hasn't happened in awhile) and went to sleep on the couch.  I woke up at 630 drenched in sweat again, my blankets and everything, I literally had to change my clothes. Plus my mind is obsessing about this whole experience and everyday I have to go through this again.  I have to get back to work what do I do?  I'm not sure that my body has to get used to this dose again or is it too much?  Who do I focus and get back to work, this is going to ruin my life.

Please watch out for the panic and worry  spirals SE ,these were a big factor in me crashing to the  point I'm living with today ,get to  understand what is in your mind and what is actually real ,I know its easier said than done .I acted too late on obsessing over my life and I look back now more than a year and a half and would do anything to be back there and say to my self "calm your mind ".my obsession and neuro thoughts ripped me apart .I'm lucky I'm not homeless because of this process .

If anything it will teach you  what is real and important in your life [corny I know ].

The fact your still able to be in the work force is brilliant ,but you got to get your stressors down ,people, environments, life ,evaluate everything .

FOMO is a terrible thing ,let alone when we are struck with this ,don't over stretch yourself for fear of missing out in social situations .

 

Take care .

 

Alcohol free since February 2015 

1MG diazepam

4.5MG PROZAC.

 

 

 

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2 hours ago, AliG said:

Hi Samantha. As has already been said  ~ this is windows and waves, and much patience is needed. I understand how hard it is and also the feeling of needing to do something but stability is really - key at this point. I would try and stabilize on your current dose if you can.

 

Can I ask why you take you Remeron in the am? Do you find it slows you down and /or makes you sleepy? Have you thought about taking it at night?

No, I take remeron at night as always.  9:30 pm. I take Zoloft every morning about 6 am, I didn't sweat like this before and I was only fully off of Zoloft for one day.

  • Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug)
  • Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017
  • Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0  Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan)
  • 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt
  • **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg
  • 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg
  • February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg
  • magnesium, fish oil

 

 
   

 

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