shespark: tapering off Zoloft

[ChessieCat]

Are you still taking Valium?

 

From https://www.rxlist.com/valium-side-effects-drug-center.htm

 

Common side effects of Valium include:

• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,

If the swaying symptoms started after you reduced your Zoloft from 100mg to 50mg, it could be either that the Zoloft reduction was the cause OR the Zoloft had been "stopping" the swaying symptom from the Valium.

 

Withdrawal Normal Description

 

What you might want to consider doing when you make your first reduction, is to reduce by less than 10% of the current dose.  You could try making reduction of either 2.5% or 5% and see how things go.

[shespark]

Should i start tapering my zoloft?

Feb 1st will be 6 months since i reduced zoloft from 100mg to 50mg.

Every now and then i still experience swaying and slight headache. So I'm not sure if I should wait for these symptoms to go away or not.

I'm currently taking zoloft 50mg morning 7-8am

Valium 5mg morning 7-8am

[ChessieCat]

You could try <10% reduction to see how things go.  You could try anything from 1%-5% reduction.

 

It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to full level in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  Keep daily symptom notes on paper.

 

Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)

[shespark]

You know I've been feeling really good right now. I want to taper slow...with very little side effects. 

 

Right now I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do that. I'm going to stick with the pill form.

  I suppose I will need to get a scale and measure a few 50mg pills to get the highest measurement then decrease by 2.5...or should I go slower? 

Thank god I don't work so I can concentrate on getting better but, I've been staying busy. Just got back from a trip visiting family. It's a 8 hr drive I drove all by myself! 

I've come along way since jan 2018 when my vertigo started. Took 8 months to figure out its all in my neck ...just crazy! So the swaying could be from that. But at least i can drive now and be productive omg what a nightmare! 

Oh and I've lost 45lbs Yes! 

[ChessieCat]

My suggestion was to a small reduction as a test to see if you are stable enough to start tapering.

 

Have you seen this:  Brass Monkey Slide

 

23 minutes ago, shespark said:

measure a few 50mg pills to get the highest measurement

 

You weigh 10 tablets and divide the weight by 10 to get an average.

 

You can make your own liquid from Zoloft tablets.  You can also get Zoloft liquid.

 

Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)

 

using-a-digital-scale-to-measure-doses

 

questions-and-answers-about-liquid-medications

 

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules

[shespark]

15 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

My suggestion was to a small reduction as a test to see if you are stable enough to start tapering.

How much of a reduction were you thinking? 

 

15 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Have you seen this:  Brass Monkey Slide

Yes, Thats what i was going to do.

 

First I need to order a scale.  Is this the one I need?

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_V9suCbZ9QN86S

[ChessieCat]

On 1/29/2019 at 7:29 AM, ChessieCat said:

You could try anything from 1%-5% reduction.

 

Yes that is the scale that many members are using.

 

You could start off with a small reduction:

 

Wkly %                 Mthly %               = av Mnthly %

Reduction           Reduction              Reduction

for 4 wks             to calc wkly %

 

0.1                          0.4                          0.27

0.2                          0.8                          0.53

0.25                        1                              0.67

0.5                          2                              1.33

0.75                        3                              2

1                              4                              2.67

1.25                        5                              3.33

1.5                          6                              4

1.75                        7                              4.67

2                              8                              5.33

2.25                        9                              6

2.5                          10                           6.67

 

 

This calculator helpful but I did find a small issue with this it:  Micro Taper Off calculator with built-in 2 week hold

 

Using the calculator for the following the total reduction would be higher than 10%.

 

You would have to round up the 1.67 to 1.68.

 

How to work out the percentage:

 

(Start dose - end dose) divided by start dose x 100 = % reduction

 

(1.86 - 1.67) divided by 1.86 x 100 = 10.215%

 

(1.86 - 1.68) divided by 1.86 x 100 = 9.6774%

 

Starting dose

1.86

 

1.81 1.77 1.72 1.67 1.67 1.67

[shespark]

On 11/24/2018 at 10:02 PM, ChessieCat said:

the swaying symptoms started after you reduced your Zoloft from 100mg to 50mg, it could be either that the Zoloft reduction was the cause OR the Zoloft had been "stopping" the swaying symptom from the Valium.

The vertigo started jan 2018. It didnt end until sept/oct. I reduced zoloft Aug 1st...by 50mg. 8 mo after my vertigo started. 

During that time i went to ent pt for bppv didnt help..maybe a little. Next neurologist/chiropractor he couldnt find nothing. Stiff neck, shoulders.  Was going 3 days a week to chiropractor for adjustments..then 2 days a week. And now 1 day week. Its been a month since i seen him cause i drove 8 hrs to visit my moms grave and stayed a week with my sisters. She lives in the ozarks so the hills were uncomfortable but i was still able to walk with little off balance. Drove 8 hrs home and im ok driving but when i get out of car n walking i notice the swaying. Which i hadnt been able to drive for 8/9 months. 

Last night i had a bad swaying episode. Which brought on anxiety,  hot flashes, i was so nauseous.

Since all my tests came out normal it has to be withdrawal,  stress induced. 

I notice a headache coming on and it seems to bring on the swaying problem. 

Of course i had some 1 cup of coffee in the morning, and couple cups decaf during the day. I had disagreement with my 1 sister so i felt stressed.  Then about 7pm the swaying happened,  hot flash. I was crocheting sitting down when this happened.  I had to get up to take my dog out n i just knew i would start swaying.  I laid back down and slept til 7am this morning only waking 2x for bathroom. I dont want to reduce my valium same x im trying to get off zoloft. Ive ordered my scale so im waiting for it to come. I want reduce 5mg total so that would be 1.25mg every week x 4 then hold. Or should i wait extra month. 

[shespark]

I ran across this article and it says valium can cause vertigo? Is this true?

Maybe my 5mg valium caused my vertigo jan 2018 then i reduced my zoloft in Aug and still suffer the swaying. Im really thinking of cutting my valium in half. If this is possible 

https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/cannabis-use-reduces-benzodiazepine-dependency-by-45-reports-study

Edited February 3, 2019 by shespark

[Altostrata]

Correct, benzos can cause dizziness and nausea https://www.everydayhealth.com/benzodiazepines/guide/

[shespark]

Since ive been at 50mg zoloft now for 6 months...instead of tapering zoloft i rather taper n get off 5mg valium first. Then zoloft. Has anyone ever did that? That could of caused 8months of vertigo before i even tapered zoloft. 

 

 

[Carmie]

Hi shespark, 

 

How are you doing?💚

[shespark]

Hi Carmie, Thank you for asking. I'm just seeing your post now. Well I'm still on 50mg zoloft and reduced my valium from 5mg to 2.5 on Feb 1st. My sinuses are acting up and I've had a headache all week. Somedays my off balance is worse but somedays its better. Awhile back I had 2 good days with no issues so I suppose that was a sign of healing. Its really annoying and I just want this feeling to go away. Im not going to reduce the valium until june 1st . And stay at 50mg zoloft. Im not dizzy just the off balance. I am driving but soon as i step out of my truck im off balance. Ugh

Did you go through the same? 

Take Care shespark

[shespark]

Hi Carmie, Thank you for asking. I'm just seeing your post now. Well I'm still on 50mg zoloft and reduced my valium from 5mg to 2.5 on Feb 1st. My sinuses are acting up and I've had a headache all week. Somedays my off balance is worse but somedays its better. Awhile back I had 2 good days with no issues so I suppose that was a sign of healing. Its really annoying and I just want this feeling to go away. Im not going to reduce the valium until june 1st . And stay at 50mg zoloft. Im not dizzy just the off balance. I am driving but soon as i step out of my truck im off balance. Ugh

Did you go through the same? 

 

On a good note I'm keeping busy. Went to a family party yesterday.  Ive been crocheting a Mickey Mouse Afghan.  Going to get a massage today then going to see 5 feet apart with a friend. 

I'm very tired today! But its a relaxing day. 

Take Care shespark

[Carmie]

Hi shespark, 

 

Dropping from 5mg to 2.5mg was too big a drop. How are you doing now? It might take quite a while to stabilise after such a big drop. 

 

Have fun crocheting, and I hope you enjoyed your massage, sending hugs🤗

 

 

[shespark]

8 hours ago, Carmie said:

Hi shespark, 

 

Dropping from 5mg to 2.5mg was too big a drop. How are you doing now? It might take quite a while to stabilise after such a big drop. 

 

Have fun crocheting, and I hope you enjoyed your massage, sending hugs🤗

 

 

Carmie,

Goodmorning! Yes it probably was. I've been doing ok. Yesterday I was feeling good. No headache or off balance! I'll take that anyday 🙂

I started watching a new series last night on Amazon Prime called Hannah and so far its pretty good.

Take Care Shespark

[Carmie]

9 hours ago, shespark said:

Carmie,

Goodmorning! Yes it probably was. I've been doing ok. Yesterday I was feeling good. No headache or off balance! I'll take that anyday 🙂

I started watching a new series last night on Amazon Prime called Hannah and so far its pretty good.

Take Care Shespark

 

Good morning to you too shespark, 

 

I’m glad you’re having some good days now. You will eventually stabilise again, just hold until you are stable again. It might take a little while, but you will get there. 

 

You sound like me, I’ve become a master of distractions while going through waves.😄 I did crocheting non stop for years to help with the waves, lately I’ve been doing other crafts. I’m making bookmarks at the moment. I also do DVD or Netflix marathons. At the moment I’m on a period drama binge. My period drama DVD collection is certainly getting big. I’ve nearly finished watching Wives And Daughters, and then it’s onto Howards End, Dr Thorne, and The Paradise. The two I watched before were Charles Dicken’s Bleak House And Little Dorrit. I keep adding more to my collection. It keeps me sane while going through withdrawals 🎞🎞🎞😄.

 

Take care, and enjoy your distractions 💚

 

 

[shespark]

Goodmorning to whoever reads this. I was doing good things were finally stabilizing but, then my husband after 26 yrs asked me for a divorce. Im devistated and thought i would spend the rest of my life with him. So its set me back. I've had to find a job. My cns has spiraled down. Im exp insomnia at night. Mornings are hard with the internal shaking. Once I get my day going im ok. Im really sad and lost. Right now im living in the home and he's moved out temporarily.  I have 2 sisters out of state but i dont want to move. 

Take care Shespark

[RachelSusan]

Hello Shespark,

 

To have a spouse leave and to have to return to the workforce are two very traumatic things to go through. I am very sorry and saddened to hear about your suffering on top of the medication issues. I imagine that the only thing you can do now is do what you are doing, going through each day and trying to do your best.

 

I too am a Zoloft survivor and have experienced the same symptoms you describe; insomnia and internal shaking, among other things.  To have these symptoms on top of everything else is devastating. The withdrawal symptoms will eventually clear up though.  Just give it time.

 

I hope for better days for you. Again, I am very saddened by what you are going through.

 

Rachel

[shespark]

2 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

Hello Shespark,

 

To have a spouse leave and to have to return to the workforce are two very traumatic things to go through. I am very sorry and saddened to hear about your suffering on top of the medication issues. I imagine that the only thing you can do now is do what you are doing, going through each day and trying to do your best.

 

I too am a Zoloft survivor and have experienced the same symptoms you describe; insomnia and internal shaking, among other things.  To have these symptoms on top of everything else is devastating. The withdrawal symptoms will eventually clear up though.  Just give it time.

 

I hope for better days for you. Again, I am very saddened by what you are going through.

 

Rachel

Goodmorning  Rachel,

Thank you for the kind words. Better days cant come fast enough. 

He closed out our checking and savings and opened one up in his name leaving me with no money. He did pay the mortgage this month but I have to pay the utilities. He refuses to pay for a lawyer. So I went and had a consultant but he wants $1500. I cant afford our home. The house market fell some time ago so if we sold our house i wouldnt get much money or if any and we have lived here 13 yrs. I have orientation Wednesday and i just don't know how im going to do this. Yes i cant believe he's doing this. Plus in march he bought me a truck so now i have a truck payment even though he says he will make the payments he said its his gift to me. And if i dont sign paperwork for a divorce he got or if i dont sign house in his name hes said he will make things ugly.  He's just being a bully right now. Which i put him in his place. I think me being on Ad's and not working has been a problem for him but hes contributed problems to the marriage. Apparently he just wants out. Its like it cant come fast enough. Everything is his his his..:-( 

 

[WantoffVen]

How could he close the checking and savings account on his own? Wasn't your name on those accounts? Whose name/names are the truck payment in? Can you borrow the money for a lawyer? The judge could order him to pay your lawyer, pay you alimony for at least a period of time. He can't have everything his way unless you let him. I know this is terrible timing but don't lay down and die and just let him have his way.

[Madeleine]

3 hours ago, shespark said:

Goodmorning  Rachel,

Thank you for the kind words. Better days cant come fast enough. 

He closed out our checking and savings and opened one up in his name leaving me with no money. He did pay the mortgage this month but I have to pay the utilities. He refuses to pay for a lawyer. So I went and had a consultant but he wants $1500. I cant afford our home. The house market fell some time ago so if we sold our house i wouldnt get much money or if any and we have lived here 13 yrs. I have orientation Wednesday and i just don't know how im going to do this. Yes i cant believe he's doing this. Plus in march he bought me a truck so now i have a truck payment even though he says he will make the payments he said its his gift to me. And if i dont sign paperwork for a divorce he got or if i dont sign house in his name hes said he will make things ugly.  He's just being a bully right now. Which i put him in his place. I think me being on Ad's and not working has been a problem for him but hes contributed problems to the marriage. Apparently he just wants out. Its like it cant come fast enough. Everything is his his his..:-( 

 

Sorry to hear you are having to go through this...  Hang in there, things will get better.  
Thinking of you,
M.

[RachelSusan]

Ouch, that must all really hurt.  So sad.

 

 

 

[shespark]

Need some advice...Im still experiencing off balance but very subtle but, very annoying. And, im still currently taking 50mg zoloft (decrease Aug 2018) and 2.5 mg valium (decreased Feb 1 2019). 

How long does the off balance last for? Because I thought it would go away by now. Im.working ft now and its really annoying. I want to start decreasing my zoloft but not if im still experiencing off balance. Thanks

[Gridley]

1 hour ago, shespark said:

How long does the off balance last for?

 

Balance and dizziness symptoms are common withdrawal symptoms.  As with all WD symptoms it's impossible to say how long they will last.  They do stop but no one can predict when.

Dizziness, vertigo, light-headedness, rocking or swaying sensations ...

[shespark]

On 6/24/2019 at 6:40 PM, Gridley said:

 

Balance and dizziness symptoms are common withdrawal symptoms.  As with all WD symptoms it's impossible to say how long they will last.  They do stop but no one can predict when.

Dizziness, vertigo, light-headedness, rocking or swaying sensations ...

I cant imagine reducing my zoloft at this point. Im a cna and i cant risk being off balance anymore than I am. Im just shaking my head at a loss.