Seasprite: tapering off sertraline / Zoloft

[Seasprite]

I have been on Sertraline(Zoloft) since January 2017.my dose was 50mg/25mg alternating until this January,when I began tapering down to 25mgs daily.

Having lived with chronic & acute anxiety from early childhood,I experienced a 2 year depression with panic disorder 2011-2013.GP prescribed a normal dose of Cetalopran & I had very bad reaction.Stopped overnight after 4 weeks & endured 2 years unmedicated.

Self-medicated SAMe 200mgs for a year with good results 2013-2014.

second depressive breakdown 2016.SAMe didn't help so asked GP for low dose of Sertraline.

Good results & not feeling unwanted side effects at 25mgs daily,apart from a decrease in energy & motivation,but not in an unpleasant way,like depression.However I have auto immune underactive thyroid & since being on Sertraline I have put on a lot of weight.I am now heavier than I have ever been & know that the SSRIs are interfering  with the effectiveness of my thyroid medication.

I would like to taper down to zero,to allow my thyroid medication to have maximum effect.

[Gridley]

Hello, Seasprite, and welcome to SA.   We will be happy to help you taper your Zoloft.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.

• Any drugs prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

Please include the dates of your taper, the rate at which you tapered, and whether you did every-other-day dosing.  Please keep your signature as simple and easy to read as possible.

 

At Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Some people may have to taper at a more conservative rate as they are sensitive to even the smallest drops.  Another method is the Brassmonkey Slide Method, where you do four equal 2 1/2% cuts every four weeks, with a 2-week hold.   We strongly advise you never to alternate doses.  Every-other-day dosing is very hard on your nervous system and makes withdrawal more difficult.
  

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Brain Remodelling

 

Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)

 

Here is some information on withdrawal.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

Please be aware that sometime withdrawal symptoms don't appear immediately after a too-fast taper.

 

Delayed onset of withdrawal symptoms

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

While it is often a first response to stress to take a B-Complex, in withdrawal it can be overstimulating.

 

Hypersensitive to B Vitamin or B-Complex  

 

Many members have found the techniques in these links to be helpful during tapering.

 

The Dr. Claire Weekes Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms.

 

Most doctors know nothing about tapering or withdrawal.  Here are some tip on talking to your doctor about tapering.

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?
 
What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.  I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation.  I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us.

 

 

 

 

 

[RachelSusan]

Hi Seasprite and welcome to the group. I'm sorry you have to be here, but you will find yourself with a good group of people that will give you lots of support. Welcome aboard.

Rachel

[Frogie]

6 hours ago, Seasprite said:

I have been on Sertraline(Zoloft) since January 2017.my dose was 50mg/25mg alternating until this January,when I began tapering down to 25mgs daily.

Having lived with chronic & acute anxiety from early childhood,I experienced a 2 year depression with panic disorder 2011-2013.GP prescribed a normal dose of Cetalopran & I had very bad reaction.Stopped overnight after 4 weeks & endured 2 years unmedicated.

Self-medicated SAMe 200mgs for a year with good results 2013-2014.

second depressive breakdown 2016.SAMe didn't help so asked GP for low dose of Sertraline.

Good results & not feeling unwanted side effects at 25mgs daily,apart from a decrease in energy & motivation,but not in an unpleasant way,like depression.However I have auto immune underactive thyroid & since being on Sertraline I have put on a lot of weight.I am now heavier than I have ever been & know that the SSRIs are interfering  with the effectiveness of my thyroid medication.

I would like to taper down to zero,to allow my thyroid medication to have maximum effect.

Hi Seasprite:

 

Rachel told me about you being on here. Welcome, even though you are here for reasons we all wish we weren't.

 

I am tapering Lexapro and Xanax after that.

 

But, I was told you have thyroid problems. I just started taking NP Thyroid for a high TSH. All my other numbers are ok. I was just curious about your hypothyroidism? Or do you have hyperthyroidism? I'm hypo. I could really use any help you could give me.

 

Thanks...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Seasprite.

 

Are you taking 25mg Zoloft every day? It's important to be consistent in your dosing, not to alternate days. This will become more and more important as your dosage goes lower.

 

Frogie, please take your questions about hypothyroidism to an online community for that condition. Thank you.

[SkyBlue]

Hi Seasprite, 

Welcome to SA. Gridley has given you a lot of great information, but I just wanted to say welcome to the site. 

[Seasprite]

On 4/20/2018 at 6:26 PM, Frogie said:

Hi Seasprite:

 

Rachel told me about you being on here. Welcome, even though you are here for reasons we all wish we weren't.

 

I am tapering Lexapro and Xanax after that.

 

But, I was told you have thyroid problems. I just started taking NP Thyroid for a high TSH. All my other numbers are ok. I was just curious about your hypothyroidism? Or do you have hyperthyroidism? I'm hypo. I could really use any help you could give me.

 

Thanks...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

Hi Frogie

Sorry for the delay.Caught the common cold virus & still feeling rough.I am hypothyroid & have the auto immune disorder"Hashimotos".Most hypos have this.Have you had your antibodies tested?I am also on natural dessicated thyroid replacement,after 16 years on thyroxine/synthoid(T4) & 2 years on liothyronine(T3)

If the medics told you your other numbers are OK it means nothing,unless you feel really well.

My advice is to use"Stop The Thyroid Madness"website,Thyroid UK website & their forum on "Health Unlocked"I have been taking control of my thyroid illness for years,using these resources,as the medics in the UK do not understand or have the time for the individuality of this condition.

Look forward to your reply

Naomi xx

 

[Carmie]

Hi seasprite, 

 

How have you been doing? Sending hugs🤗

[Seasprite]

Hi Carmie.I followed this forum's advice & tapered off Sertraline at 10% per month,finally getting to zero a few weeks ago.So far so good,though this is the worst time of year for my mood(lack of light etc)

I believe the Sertraline was having a negative impact on my thyroid hormone replacement,as my weight went up a dress size.

However,if I experience a third breakdown into depression with acute anxiety,I will take it again,rather than experience the two years of misery I endured the first time.

 

 

[ChessieCat]

 As previously requested:

 

Please create your drug signature using the following format.   Keep it simple.  NO diagnoses or symptoms please - thank you.

• details for last 2 years - dates, ALL drugs, doses
• summary for older than 2 years - just years and drug/s

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

[Carmie]

Hi Seasprite, 

 

Glad to hear you’re doing okay at the moment. Would you be so kind as to put in your drug signature with the dates so we can see how you did your tapering. Thanks. How low were you when you jumped off the meds?

 

A lot of the time if you’re experiencing depression, anxiety or a host of other symptoms when you’re off meds it’s withdrawals. Withdrawals can be delayed too. Some people come off meds and they’re fine for a few months and then withdrawals hit.

 

Take care💚

[Seasprite]

10 hours ago, Carmie said:

Hi Seasprite, 

 

Glad to hear you’re doing okay at the moment. Would you be so kind as to put in your drug signature with the dates so we can see how you did your tapering. Thanks. How low were you when you jumped off the meds?

 

A lot of the time if you’re experiencing depression, anxiety or a host of other symptoms when you’re off meds it’s withdrawals. Withdrawals can be delayed too. Some people come off meds and they’re fine for a few months and then withdrawals hit.

 

Take care💚

OK,will do that.I did not have any of my set of symptoms when I tapered down,then off Sertraline.Thanks for the warning re delayed withdrawal symptoms.Will be extra vigilant.Will do my drug signature today

[ChessieCat]

Hi Seasprite,

 

One of our moderators who has been Paxil free for 1+ years wrote some excellent information here:  are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take   Especially:  It doesn’t end at “0”

 

And we have this topic too:  Experiences after tapering to zero